Federal grants for education success

Demystifying science and maths in schools

Faculty of Education staff at the Peninsula campus have been given responsibility for providing professional development to teachers through The Science out of Schools project, which is a joint initiative of Mordialloc College and five participating primary schools - Aspendale Gardens, Aspendale, Chelsea Heights, Chelsea and Mordialloc.

Faculty of Education lecturers and project coordinators  Dr Amy Cutter-McKenzie and Dr Wee Tiong Seah explain that the program is a great example of how the education sectors can work successfully together for the benefit of all.

"The project is multifaceted starting with Year 9 students from Mordialloc Secondary College undertaking a day of activities base on the 'Universe, infinity and beyond' whereby they will talk with astronomers, visit Starlab and undertake a range of hands-on and online activities," he explained.

Following this initial introduction, the students will then develop projects based on what they have learned. In addition they will be assigned a primary school and will run debates and help younger students in grades five and six plan and undertake these projects.

"Faculty of Eduction staff from Monash will collaborate with teachers to facilitate a broad range of projects while delivering a Values and Ethics professional development unit showing that science and maths are not as sterile as stereotypes claim," Dr Seah explained.

The Faculty of Science is also participating in the project, with current university students providing technical assistance as well as educating the school participants about the value and human side of maths and science.

"The overall aim of the project is to demystify the stereotypes often associated with science and maths with the end goal of improving the number of students undertaken careers in these areas."

Education leads science and technology challenge in schools

Faculty of Education staff at the Peninsula campus will challenge school students to explore science and technology in their everyday lives as part of the Federal Government's Australian School Innovation in Science Technology and Mathematics program.

The Hastings-Monash School-Community Technology Challenge aims to pilot and implement a unique way for primary school students to explore science and technology by giving them cameras and having them photograph their 'environment'.

The students will then produce and display their photographs in the form of postcards containing challenges based around the theme of science and technology.

Monash staff and current Faculty of Education students will then evaluate and refine the postcard concept. A kit will then be produced which will enable the project to be rolled out in other schools  and after-school programs.

Project coordinator, Professor Marilyn Fleer, explains that this project explores the value of student led learning.

"By giving these students a camera and asking them to highlight what they see as science and technology in their everyday world, it gives teachers and educators a chance to see the world through children's eyes and develop programs that best suit them," she said.