The forest school approach to nature learning has gathered momentum in the UK and across parts of Europe including Scandinavia for well over 50 years. In other contexts that include Canada, China, New Zealand and Australia, nature-based early childhood education and care settings, influenced by European forest school approaches, are in a rapid…

There is growing interest, worldwide, in collaboration between schools and community organisations in contributing to and enriching school science programs, yet such collaborations are inadequately understood. This paper reports data from an Australian study designed to probe the views of members of the community who have participated in a broad…

The Indigenous Sky Stories Program may have the potential to deliver significant and long-lasting changes to the way science is taught to Year 5 and 6 primary school students. The context for this article is informed by research that shows that educational outcomes can be strengthened when Indigenous knowledge is given the space to co-exist with…

"I can feel it making my brain bigger": from a Year 8 student at Pinjarra Senior High School (SHS) halfway through the two-year Thinking Science Program. Pinjarra was a pilot school for the program in 2009/10 and a growing number of schools in Western Australia (WA) are implementing this program in Years Seven to Nine as part of the…

This study reports on the success of using a problem-based learning approach (PBL) as a pedagogical mode of learning open inquiry science within a traditional four-year undergraduate elementary teacher education program. In 2010, a problem-based learning approach to teaching primary science replaced the traditional content driven syllabus. During…

Outlines the science courses taught in year 11 at Sacred Heart College in Australia. A feature of these classes is that all periods in all classes may be taken in laboratories designed and equipped for the particular subject. (MLH)

Describes the science courses taught in year 11 science at Elizabeth High School in Australia. Includes descriptions of the special teaching methods and curriculum materials specific to each science area. (MLH)

Describes the use of modules to teach secondary science subjects at Para Vista High School in Australia. Five main science subjects (physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and unified science) are divided into nine modules each. Students may sign up, according to their schedule, to complete the modules of their choice. (MLH)

Reviews various activities, interests, procedures, innovations, and courses in science education being conducted in the different Australian states. (SL)

Describes primary science education in Australia from the 1960s to the present. Suggests what changes should be made in the primary science curriculum and how these changes could be implemented. (DS)

Reviews Solar Energy Education Project (SEEP), a set of 10 curriculum guides emphasizing process skills as well as content for grades K-9. Solar concepts are taught almost exclusively through process activities and, although developed in Australia, the curriculum is easily adaptable to American classrooms. (Author/JN)

Describes an innovative teaching project that was implemented for training technology teachers in Australia. Presents a rationale for using a problem-based learning collaborative methodology in technology teacher training. Also includes the program evaluation results. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

Observes the progressive change in the cognitive development of students (n=141) over the course of their secondary education in an Australian private school. Analyzes data to investigate children's cognitive development across years 8, 10, and 12. Examines the influence of the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education (CASE) Thinking…

Introduces the Australia Science Festival and explains science teachers' involvement in planning, execution, and writing curriculum. Provides information on participation in the festival. (YDS)

Describes the two science programs in year 11 science at LeFevre High School in Australia. One science program is designed for science students, the other for humanities students. (MLH)