Is NZ primary science in a crisis? (Part Three)

This is the third and final week where Ian Milne, senior lecturer in primary science and mathematics teacher education programmes at the University of Auckland, is looking at science education in primary schools.

So what can principals, teachers and their pupils do about reversing the negative trends arising from these and other surveys.

Firstly primary principals, as curriculum leaders, have a responsibility to initiate a curriculum emphasis change within their schools.

They will need to become better informed about primary science education, show curriculum leadership and value those teachers who lead their science teams.

A useful starting point would be for principals to attend or send at least two teachers to one of the four national primary science conferences Active learning: Science talk from the classroom to the dinner table to be held throughout NZ during the April holidays in 2009. For further information see the advertisement on this page or visit the conference website http://www.nzase.org.nz/primaryconference/

Teachers can make an immediate difference by making sure they allow for practical hands on science that have children exploring natural phenomena, identifying and testing their ideas as they seek and share understanding of the phenomena involved.

A starting point for this could be the reestablishment of a nature table or a science learning centre where the current study can be featured in an ongoing and developmental manner.

The nature table could also become the centre for more impromptu and meaningful science where current topics and events relating to the wonders of the natural world can be focused on. With modern educational technology and resources student initiated and lead science inquiry and experiences could result in significant science learning.

If primary principals do take action and support the development of more practical hands on science in their schools then their students will be pleased; especially the 71 per cent of year four and the 44 per cent of year eight who indicated in the NEMP survey that they wanted to do more science at primary school.

Be sure to check out all the details of the up coming courses later this year.