Science
All students from Foundation to Year 6 participate in dedicated science sessions, plus are engaged in a curriculum that is designed to incorporate science at every opportunity. The curriculum integration of science and other STEAM areas are supported by our STEAM Coaches – a team of teachers across the school with specialised training in these areas who work alongside teachers to develop and better their practice.
Junior school students use a science journal to record their measurements, observations and experiments, then transition to using iPads to continue to record their thinking and learning. A dedicated science lab is used for students to use when conducting experiments or making investigations. As per the Victorian Curriculum, our science units each have a focus in the following areas:
Junior school students use a science journal to record their measurements, observations and experiments, then transition to using iPads to continue to record their thinking and learning. A dedicated science lab is used for students to use when conducting experiments or making investigations. As per the Victorian Curriculum, our science units each have a focus in the following areas:
- Biological sciences
- Chemical sciences
- Physical sciences
- Earth and space science
The Primary Connections science resource is the main curriculum model used to support science lessons. These units cover a range of concepts and focus heavily on the students conducting their own investigations and making observations. The Primary Connections resource has a strong literacy link with science and there are many other cross-curriculum opportunities throughout the units.
Science units as well as individual science lessons are structured around the 5E model (Bybee, 1997). This model has 5 phases and outlines the process used when inquiring and investigating. It is particularly important when identifying the prior knowledge of students and building upon this knowledge.
Science units as well as individual science lessons are structured around the 5E model (Bybee, 1997). This model has 5 phases and outlines the process used when inquiring and investigating. It is particularly important when identifying the prior knowledge of students and building upon this knowledge.
- Engage phase: captures interest and elicits prior knowledge of students (without correcting alternate conceptions)
- Explore phase: provides students with hands-on experience of phenomenon
- Explain phase: encourages students to develop scientific explanations for observations and represent developing conceptual understanding
- Elaborate phase: extends students’ understanding to a new context or make connections to additional concepts through a student planned investigation
- Evaluate phase: allows students to re-represent their understanding and reflect on their learning journey
