Students win $40,000 for linking science and literacy

October 19, 2007

Student teachers at the University of New England have been awarded a total of $40,000 for their efforts to link science with literacy in primary school classrooms.

Twenty students received awards of $2000 each for exemplary performance in units incorporating elements of the Australian Government's "Primary Connections: Linking Science with Literacy" program, a joint Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and the Australian Academy of Science initiative.

UNE Vice-Chancellor Alan Pettigrew presented the awards in a ceremony at the School of Education at UNE last week.

The Primary Connections program aims to build teacher confidence in teaching science to primary school children through professional teaching models and curriculum resources.

Dr Peter Fletcher, coordinator of the Primary Connections program at UNE along with Dr Neil Taylor, said: "In primary schools, science is often either not taught or not taught systematically. A key issue is the lack of confidence that many primary teachers have due to their limited experience in science.

"The Primary Connections curriculum units provide exciting and engaging ways for primary school students to learn science through hands-on, creative activities, while helping teachers build their confidence at the same time."

UNE chose the award winners by running a poster competition. Students were asked to explore an aspect of the Primary Connections material in the form of a poster, which was then judged on its content and presentation. Students were also required to have received a distinction mark or higher in either their course or their first assignment, depending on whether the course was one or two semesters in duration.

Students chose topics for their posters ranging from constructivist learning in the classroom to Bloom's taxonomy and the theory of multiple intelligences.

Dr Fletcher congratulated the winners on their success and said he was impressed with the quality of all the entries.

"It's wonderful to see our students embracing the Primary Connections material, and I look forward to seeing them carry this enthusiasm for science teaching into their own teaching careers," he said.

For more information contact Dr Neil Taylor on (02) 6773 5064 or Leon Braun (UNE Public Relations) on (02) 6773 3771. A photo is available to accompany this story.

Posted by Leon Braun at October 19, 2007 10:37 AM