Teaching Good Science
Science represents a powerful way to understand the world around
us that is based on evidence. In this fast paced world, it is now
more important than ever to be armed with knowledge and an
questioning attitude when confronted with issues and questions
that affect our lives.
Classroom science lessons can become more powerful than
explosive activities to get students excited, much more meaningful
than a string of disjointed ideas generated from the Internet. The
teaching of good science begins in the classroom with a confident
teacher who understands the science, and knows how to build the
framework for children to observe, generalise, make predictions,
and test their ideas.
Other PrimeSCI! Programmes
School Incursions
For more than 20 years, primeSCI! has been working together with
teachers to bring curiousity and science inquiry skills into
classrooms. Students of all ages learn fundamental scientific
concepts through observing, investigating, and participating in
meaningful activities that bring science to life.
Family Science Nights
Family Science Nights are rewarding for family members to
experience the fun of learning while sharing experiences in the
fascinating world of science.
Email the office at primesci@monash.edu for more details.
Professional
Learning
2016
Teach Powerful Science With Confidence
School Holiday Workshops
From atoms to zoology, there's something for every young scientist
at the PrimeSCI! School Holiday Programs. These 1-2 hour sessions
are led by our scientists and teacher. Suitable for curious minds
from Kindergarten to Year 8.
Team PrimeSCI! with our patron, Sir David Attenborough.
At PrimeSCI!, we are passionate about what we do and we want to
share our enthusiasm for the teaching and learning of curiosity
within the classroom. In our team are professors, researchers,
teachers, presenters trained in science communication, and even a
recipient of the Order of Australia (2012) in recognition of
excellent teaching.
Our strengths lie in our powerful multi-modal approach to
communicating scientific principles, and in our understanding of
the Science component of the curriculum. We aim to arm teachers
with confidence, ideas, and resources as they take on the challenge
of teaching science in the classroom.
Prices range from $20-$30 and sessions are held in the KIOSC
building at Swinburne University's Wantirna Campus. The
timetable is downloadable from the PrimeSCI! School Holiday
Program webpage (primesci.monash.edu/shp) one month prior to
the event.
PrimeSCI!-CETEC Labrats
This monthly science club brings together brilliant young minds,
aged from 10 to 14, with research scientists at the prestigious
Australian Synchrotron. Since its inception, the LabRats have learnt
paleontologist, astrophysicists, robotics engineers, neuroscientists;
met personally with Sir David Attenborough; and crawled through
the belly of the Synchrotron beast.
Visit www.labratclub.com to find out how to enrol.
Good science can be simplified, and can be taught to children of
any age - let PrimeSCI! show you how we do it.
Science Shaping Society Lectures
PrimeSCI!
Science meets the community at these lectures which are held at
the Australian Synchrotron. Join us to learn about the issues which
affect us.
School of Earth, Atmosphere & Environment
9, Rainforest Walk
Monash University
Clayton VIC 3800
Register yourselves into our mailing list so you don’t miss out on
our newest offerings. Email us at primesci@monash.edu
Phone (03) 9905 1370
Email: primesci@monash.edu
Website: http://primesci.monash.edu
Professional Learning Workshops
PrimeSCI! Professional Development Workshops are
designed with the classroom teacher in mind. Each course is
developed thoughtfully with a series of meaningful activities
using materials that are easily acquired. Teachers will learn
simple yet powerful techniques of delivering fundamental
concepts, and watch their students enjoying themselves in
the process.
Biological Sciences / Health and PE
Prep-Year 6: Australian Biodiversity*available in late 2016
Plants are often overlooked as amazing teaching tools. Observe the
wonder of germination and the promise of life in a little seed; study
how plants adapt under different conditions; make a terrarium; and
for those with microscopes, compare how plant structures differ
depending on where they live.
Year 3-6: The Human Body Gallery*available in mid-2016
Convince students to respect their bodies by learning the
marvellous ways the body works. Take the content beyond
describing functions of the different systems and learn to use
exciting hands-on activities, even using simplified dissections, to
make the learning memorable.
Selection of human body systems: Circulatory, Digestive, Breathing,
Nervous, Skeletal systems, and the Brain.
Chemical Sciences
Prep-Year 2: Mixing Matter
*Comprehensive and fun!
Take a comprehensive approach to the delivery of this topic properties of matter, introduction to states of matter, separating
mixtures, and creating chemical reactions. This PD brilliantly
bridges what students have already learnt about materials and
prepares them for Year 3 Chemistry.
Year 3-5: States of Matter
*Our most popular and engaging session!
Learn how to show why atoms and molecules exist in different
states of matter through a sequence of simple, yet effective
demonstrations and activities. The all-encompassing concept of the
states of matter will help put in place a firm understanding for the
learning of other topics in the science curriculum like weather,
heat, plate tectonics, and the solar system.
This topic is most appropriate for our StaffroomScience PD session.
Chemical Sciences (continued)
Earth and Space Sciences (continued)
Year 4: Plastic Fantastic
Recycling of materials and reducing waste are concepts most
students are already familiar with. But what are they recycling and
why are there so many different types of plastic types? Find out
how to get students to investigate plastics at the molecular level,
make their own plastics, and recycle plastic in amazing ways!
Year 4: Digging Deeper
Living things have life cycles. So do rocks! Students see and
touch rocks that have been through the belly of volcanoes, and
those that were there when dinosaurs walked the Earth. Make
the rock cycle, weathering and erosion, and dirt, the best thing
the students learn all year!
Year 6: Physical and Chemical Change
Go beyond ‘plug-and-play’ disjointed activities easily gleaned from
the internet, and learn how to communicate why atoms and
molecules behave the way they do, and impart the enthusiasm to
your students.
Year 5: Mathematical Secrets of the Solar System*available in
2016
Within the context of the solar system, show students what
makes our planet the ideal place for us to inhabit, how days and
years vary on the different planets, and how different cultures
measure time. Convince students through this topic how
mathematics is used as a language to describe our galactic
neighbourhood.
Physical Sciences
Year 1: Light and Sound*available in late-2016
Light and sound transmit through waves and they are compatible
topics to teach simultaneously. Learn how to teach students what
can happen when waves are stretched, amplified, forced to
changed directions.
Year 2: Toys in Motion*highly recommended
Show students how different forces in our Universe work through
the use of toys. Students are introduced to push, pull, gravity,
tension, and torque.
Year 3-4: Hot! Hot!*available in mid-2016
What is heat and how does it affect atoms and molecules? Learn to
demonstrate heat in action; get students to generate it using
physical and chemical processes; see the changes that heat causes;
and understand how heat is transmitted.
Year 5: Light and Colour*one of our most popular sessions
With simple equipment, learn how the laws of light can be
presented in the classroom with clarity and precision. Make it easy
to show how images are produced and how to draw simple ray
diagrams. Learn also how to apply this to eye health.
Year 6: Energy and Electricity
Expose and correct misconceptions about electricity, and
understand the fundamentals of electricity generation. Work
through the topic
Workshop Structure
There are two types of workshops available:
a) Classroom Science (1.5hours)
This session is tailored for teachers before they embark on their
chosen science topic, and comes complete with activities,
investigations, and accompanying worksheets.
Prices starting from $800 (excl GST) for one topic, one year level
for up to 10 staff members.
b) Staffroom Science (1.5 hours)
This workshop is an excellent way for staff to bond over
explosions and coffee.
Prices starting from $1000 (no maximum numbers)
Topic selection: States of Matter, Human Body Gallery, Energy
and Electricity
Units of Work
Every teacher is equipped with a Unit of Work that contains
information covered in the workshops. These comprehensive
manuals serve as a guide for teachers to turn their classroom
into a learning lab.
Earth and Space Sciences
Professional Development Packages
Year 1-2: Weather and Seasons*available mid-2016
How do we get day and night, seasons, and what does water have
to do with our weather? Clarify these concepts, link them, and
deliver them powerfully to young children through a thoughtfully
designed series of demonstration and activities.
Professional Development workshops work best in conjunction
with school incursions for teachers to observe how Team
PrimeSCI! delivers powerful and effective science lessons.
Inquire at the office for rates.