This paper, the second in a series of three, explores the representation of Earth System Science (ESS) in the Australian Curriculum (ACARA, 2018a)) through the Cross Curriculum Priority area of Sustainability and the Australian Curriculum: Science (F-12), with a focus on F-10. Part I (in Teaching Science, 68.1) overviewed the current…

This paper, the third in a series on Earth System Science Education, describes various pedagogical ways forward when science teachers are addressing the curriculum implications of the recent interdisciplinary field of Earth System Science (ESS). Parts I and II introduced the key ideas of ESS and the implications for the Australian Curriculum:…

This paper, presented in three parts, overviews the current understandings of the Earth System and the relatively recent interdisciplinary field of Earth System Science (ESS) from a school education perspective. The representation of ESS in the Australian Curriculum is explored through the Cross Curriculum Priority area of Sustainability and the…

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Australasian Science Education Research Association's annual conference, this paper reviews the last 25 years of the Association's journal "Research in Science Education" ("RISE"). All "RISE" papers, at 4-year intervals (1994-2018; seven volumes), were reviewed: a total of…

The new Australian national science curriculum includes chemistry content at the primary level. Chemistry for young students is learning about changes in material stuff (matter) and, by implication, of what stuff is made. Pedagogy in this area needs to be guided by research if stepping stones to later learning of chemical ideas are to facilitate…

Science educators have a key role in empowering students to take action to reduce global warming. This involves assisting students to understand its causes as well as taking pedagogical decisions that have optimal probabilities of leading to students being motivated to take actions based on empirically based science beliefs. To this end New South…

Assessment guidelines in the "Australian Curriculum: Science" are outlined after the status and practice of science is overviewed. Available, but dated, empirical reports of teachers' assessment processes and procedures across the interface are compared. Current assessment practices are inferred from indirect research data. Two…

At James Cook University, a core first-year subject within the Bachelor of Education, Foundations of Sustainability in Education (FSE), sees students investigate the underlying science and complexity of socioecological challenges through inquiry, place-based learning, experimentation and consideration of classroom practice. Given that this subject…

Discusses four variables considered to be important at the primary-secondary science interface: (1) the curriculum, (2) the school administration system, (3) the classroom environment, and (4) the teacher. (Author)

Perceptions of mentors' practices related to primary science teaching from nine Australian universities (N = 331 final-year preservice teachers) were gathered through a literature-based instrument. Five factors that characterize effective mentoring practices in primary science teaching were supported by confirmatory factory analysis. These…

There is movement in Australia towards requiring an initial degree for entry into teacher education programs in hopes of improving science teaching in primary schools. Upon entry into preservice education degree programs, Australian and Canadian student teachers were interviewed to determine whether first degrees influenced perceptions about…

Describes "learnscape" projects which are places that a learning program has been designed to permit users to interact with the environment. Explores teachers' perceptions of the nature, value, and effects of learnscapes on teaching and learning. (Author/MM)

While the secondary curriculum is often considered an appropriate focus for future-directed studies, elementary science and technology education can contribute significantly to the socialization process. Science education can also help shape youngsters' attitudes and capacity to understand and influence scientific and technological impacts on…

Questions whether student teachers' beliefs influence their images of good primary science teaching and whether completion of an initial degree had an impact on their conceptions of effective practice. Interviews Canadian preservice primary teachers (n=12) and compares the findings with a similar Australian longitudinal study. Discusses influences…

Captures the spirit of reviews from selected 'Australian Science Teachers' Journal' issues over 50 years through excerpts. Intended for reviewers, focuses on extracts that can provide insight into the perspectives of their colleagues of decades past. (DDR)