The award-winning primary science program MyScience has been working to spark kids’ passion for science since 2006. It builds teacher capacity, uses inquiry-based learning, and develops communities of science practice.

With so much information available about all facets of scientific discovery, sparking a child’s curiosity and passion for STEM should be easy. Yet statistics show that STEM targets are still not being met: Australia experiences low science scores compared with other OECD countries and there is also a decline in the number of students choosing science, leading to national shortages of science-related professionals.

“The program, which began as a collaboration between schools, universities and business to improve primary teachers' confidence and knowledge around science education, relies on the involvement of mentors with science expertise from industry and university as well as teachers and older science students from high school,” explains Dr Anne Forbes, Senior Lecturer in STEM Education at Macquarie University.

“MyScience has been demonstrated to improve student learning outcomes and interest in science, and since launching, has been rolled out across more than 50 schools, with many children benefiting from being able to work with mentors to answer their own scientific questions,” adds Dr Forbes, who has implemented and researched the program in New South Wales schools since its inception.

Credentialling mentor support

Previously, secondary science teachers, along with participating Year 9 and 10 students, have donated their time to support their primary colleagues. Recently, however, in response to requests from secondary science teachers for both training and credit for the support they provide, Macquarie has developed MyScience – science teachers in communities of science practice with primary colleagues.

The course has been designed for secondary school science teachers at Highly Accomplished career stage who wish to support their primary teacher colleagues. Teachers who complete this course are eligible for nine hours of NESA accredited professional learning at Highly Accomplished Level.

Primary teachers who would like to introduce MyScience to their classrooms do MyScience – advancing primary teachers’ knowledge and confidence, which outlines the history of MyScience, the underpinning educational model, its achievements, research findings, online resource materials and how to implement MyScience in their classrooms. Teachers who complete this course are eligible for 11 hours of NESA accredited professional learning at Proficient Level.

Both courses provide primary and secondary teachers with increased skills, knowledge and understanding of what it means to ‘do science’ in classroom settings, and, through ongoing classroom support, primary teachers gain confidence and capacity to implement effective science and technology investigations. Secondary teachers also gain valuable insights into implementing open-ended investigations that they can take back to their own classrooms.

Dr Forbes says that interactions between participants develop a community of science practice in the classroom where learning is through participationin activities associated with the program.

Enhanced learning outcomes

“MyScience@MQ is a new iteration of the successful MyScience program,” Dr Forbes says, adding that the program benefits from synergies between Macquarie’s innovative approach to educating teachers and its diverse portfolio of scientific research expertise.

In 2018, the program will be trialled in a number of interested primary and secondary schools close to the Macquarie campus. Mentors with science expertise will be sourced from Macquarie staff and students, as well as local secondary school science teachers and Stage 5 science students.

“We are hoping that through primary classroom teachers’ increased confidence and expertise [as a result of delivering the program, supported by high school teacher-mentors], primary students will develop enhanced learning outcomes and increased motivation in, and interest, engagement and attitudes towards science” Dr Forbes comments.

MyScience@MQ’s relaunch is timely. In 2019 a revised New South Wales K-6 Science and Technology syllabus is to be implemented in all primary schools across the state. Based on the Australian Curriculum, the new syllabus content has a strengthened focus on the skills, knowledge and understanding of Working Scientifically and Design and Production.

Dr Forbes believes that MyScience is a great way to meet some of the requirements of the new syllabus – particularly around Working Scientifically, and the benefits aren’t restricted to primary schools.

“Research into the impacts of MyScience participation indicate that, as a result of supporting primary teachers, secondary teachers develop valuable insights into implementing open-ended scientific investigations, and take those insights back to their colleagues, resulting in improvements in science teaching in secondary as well as primary schools.”

Interested schools and mentors are encouraged to contact the Project Manager Susan Busatto through susan.busatto@mq.edu.au.

Learn more about Macquarie’s professional development courses and register now.