A vision for Queensland science education 2003-2006
An important goal of the Government has been to ensure that Queenslanders have access to high-quality science education to help them excel in the Smart State. In 2003, Education Queensland allocated $14 million over three years to its Spotlight on Science initiative - a six step action plan that builds on Education Queensland’s current initiatives to generate high quality science education experiences for all Queenslanders.
The State Government established a high-level science education taskforce in 2003 to oversee its ambitious program of new initiatives to revitalise science education in Queensland.
Progress has been made on a number of the initiatives outlined in the Government’s six step action plan, Spotlight on Science.
1. Science for life: Get out of the classroom and into the real world.
Education Queensland has mandated that all students in state schools must study science to the end of Year 10 by 2005.
Beyond Year 10, students will have the opportunity to study a new science elective. In response to a request from the Minister for Education and the Arts, the Queensland Studies Authority has developed a new senior science subject based on real world applications of science in business, industry and the local community. The new senior science subject is being trialled in schools this year and will be made available to all secondary schools in 2007.
The Spotlight on Science initiative has also supported a number of community outreach science programs to increase student awareness and engagement with science education. These include:
- CSIRO Student Research Scheme
- Girls in Science Summer Schools
- International Physics Tournament
- Engineering Links Project
- Siemens Science Experience.
As part of its work, the science education taskforce has investigated the establishment of science and technology magnet schools for students who excel in science.
The taskforce investigated a number of models and recommended a school of excellence model which will be based on real life science using inquiry based learning to encourage higher order thinking.
Queensland state schools will be invited this year to submit an expression of interest to become one of five trial magnet schools.
Science on Saturday
The Queensland Government has created an opportunity for up to 7 200 Queensland students aged between 6 and 14 to personally experience science in an exciting and hands-on way, through the Science on Saturday program.
The $150 000 program is being delivered by CSIRO in 24 locations around the State in 2004.
2. Inspiring Science: Enthusiastic and competent teachers give the most exciting lessons.
Professional development is a key part of inspiring science in our schools. Education Queensland has set a benchmark of 70% of all teachers of science in state schools undertaking professional development in science education by 2005. To assist in achieving this aim, districts across the State are receiving $1.08 million over three years for science professional development initiatives.
Some of these funds are being used to run mandated annual science forums in every District. These forums are providing an opportunity for primary and secondary teachers to develop partnerships with the local scientific community, businesses and industries.
In addition to enhancing the skills of current teachers, work is also being done on how to expand the talent pool of people eligible to become teachers.
The entry path into teaching is very restricted. The current Review of the Board of Teacher Registration is looking at ways to fast track people with other qualifications and life experiences, such as scientists, into teaching with more flexible registration options.
Queensland’s eight Technology, Maths and Science Centres of Excellence play a key role in providing professional development opportunities for teachers and improving student outcomes in these key areas of study.
The Centres of Excellence are receiving $5.2 million in funding over the three years of Spotlight on Science to conduct residential workshops, online learning courses and specialist conferences for teachers and students. The eight centres are in Mt Isa, Cairns-Tully, Townsville, Mackay, Redcliffe, Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast.
During 2002 and 2003 the Centres provided opportunities for over 31 600 students to participate in a diverse range of activities to enhance learning in science, technology and maths. In the same time period the Centres provided quality professional learning opportunities to over 6800 teachers across Queensland.
The Government is committed to strengthening the connection between science and technology.
To achieve this, science has been identified as a priority area in the 2004 Information and Communication Technologies Innovators Grants for Schools. The Innovators Grants fund individual schools up to $10 000 and school clusters up to $20 000 to support locally generated innovation across six categories, including science.
3. Connecting Science: Online, outback and all across the State
The use of online technologies is an essential tool in the development of science education in Queensland. The use of ICT in science has enabled remote community participation in leading-edge science. The Curriculum Exchange gateway provides teachers with a continually updated database of over 1400 interactive science activities for all year levels.
In the Bundaberg District, teachers from Kepnock State High School support local primary school teachers by offering their expertise and use of scientific equipment. In 2004, over 350 students across the District have benefited from the partnership already, either by visiting secondary school teachers or travelling to Kepnock SHS to work in their laboratories.
To encourage partnerships between schools, businesses and research organisations, Toowoomba State High School has some of their year 11 and 12 students, Work-Shadow a Scientist. In this program students spend one day per week shadowing scientists from various scientific organisations around the Darling Downs.
An important aspect of the Spotlight on Science initiative is the strengthening of links between primary and secondary schools to broaden students’ science experiences.
Productive partnerships between primary and secondary schools have been supported with $84,000 in extra funding for the duration of Spotlight on Science.
There is also a broad range of expertise in the community which schools are drawing on to open students’ eyes to the wonders of science.
The Scientists in Schools initiative is being progressed through connections with Bright Minds at the University of Queensland, where 30 graduate and undergraduate science students meet weekly with students and teachers in primary schools.
In a separate program, post-graduate students from the University of Southern Queensland are also working with students and teachers in secondary schools in Toowoomba this year to give them another perspective on science.
4. Science All-Stars: Recognising and rewarding
This year the State Government established an awards program to recognise outstanding and innovative contributions to science and science education in Queensland.
The awards have been named in honour of leading Queensland scientist and Nobel Laureate, Professor Peter Doherty.
47 awards valued at $245 500 are available for the first time this year across seven categories.
The awards are about rewarding scientific achievers and giving them an incentive to further their studies in science or strengthen their science education programs.
They are open to state and non-state school students, teachers and schools, as well as Queensland industries, businesses, tertiary education and research institutions.
The total value of these awards is $735 000 over three years.
The 2004 Awards will be presented during National Science Week in August.
Peter DohertyThe Peter Doherty Outstanding Senior Science Student Awards four awards of $1250 each |
5. Partners in Science: Combining the best of both worlds
Education Queensland is developing science partnerships between industry, business, government research and educational institutions.
To ensure a close relationship between secondary and tertiary levels of education, Education Queensland has established a Spotlight on Science Forum featuring representatives from the Science and Education faculties of eight universities around the State.
This forum has been highlighted by the collaborative development of a ‘primary leaders in science’ program and a series of science short courses for teachers of science in the middle phase of learning.
Education Queensland has established a taskforce to implement the Spotlight on Science action plan and the advancement of Science Education in Queensland.
6. Making it Happen: the big picture
The Science Education taskforce chaired by the internationally renowned scientist Professor Ian Lowe has been charged with overseeing the implementation of the Spotlight on Science initiative.
The taskforce is made up of 20 science specialists from universities, TAFE, schools and industry including Emeritus Professor Peter Fensham as the inaugural Science Education Ambassador.
The taskforce has met three times since November 2003 including a meeting at Toowoomba State High School where the members were able to interact with teachers, students and the community.
Through established sub committees, the taskforce is actively supporting and evaluating the progress and implementation of the Spotlight on Science initiative.
Last reviewed 19 January 2006