In primary science education, we face an ongoing concern of helping classroom teachers overcome negative associations with science content, teaching and learning. These associations can often impact how they view the value of science in their classroom teaching and impede the development of innovative teaching practice. This research effort investigated in-service teachers' perceptions, reflections and considerations that resulted from their direct involvement within a science-focused school university partnership. Utilizing a multiple case study design, this research effort analyzed partnership efforts across five established science-focused partnership programs in the Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania. Analysis of interview data with 80 in-service teachers from across partner sites indicated an increased valuing of science, where teachers viewed working with pre-service teachers as a professional development opportunity, resulting in additional time spent on developing and teaching through inquiry-based science practices.