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For further information contact:
Elaine LewisEdD Candidate
Email: [email protected]
Project PurposeTo improve student engagement and learning outcomes in science, technology and mathematics through innovative, community action-based, education for sustainability initiatives with a focus on water resource management. The project aimed to provide opportunities for deep learning in real life contexts, richly resourced through partnerships and curriculum integration.
Project ProgramThe project was undertaken over an eighteen month period, 2007 – mid 2008. It incorporated a range of learning activities for students; those in which all the schools participated and those relevant only to the individual schools. There were four common activities.
• HealingtheSwan:3daystudentexcursionalongtheSwanRiver.
• PerthGroundwaterFestival:SOSprojectdisplays.
• Whole-of-projectwebsite:SOSproject showcased.
• PartnershipsModel:implementingsustainability programs through partnerships.
Each of the schools involved in the project also conducted their own mini-projects relevant to their local needs.
• Exploringthepropertiesofwaterthroughthe design, construction and testing of awaterfeatureandCoolgardieSafe.
• Understandingstormwaterandwaterquality monitoring of lakes and rivers.
• Investigatingwaterpollution,thendesigning and constructing a physical PeriodicTabletounderstandtheproperties of the elements identified.
• Examiningthewater-savingfeaturesof native plants, then propagating and growing local native species.
• Understandingthemarineenvironment,particularly coral reef ecosystems.
OutcomesImproved student engagement and learning – a wide range of innovative, real-life, richly resourced learning experiences were conducted.
Common activities -
Key Outcomes Achieved
Common activities and mini-projects -
Elaine Lewis, Catherine Baudains, Caroline Mansfield
A collaborative project, called SOS: Science of Sustainability, explored student engagement and learning in the science, technology and mathematicsofwatermanagement.ThisAustralianSchoolsInnovationinScience,TechnologyandMathematics(ASISTM)projectinvolvedsixschools(stateandindependent,primaryandsecondary,ingeographicallydisparatesuburbsinthemetropolitanareaofPerth,WesternAustralia),tertiary institutions, and government and non-government organisations.
ConclusionThe SOS project was effective in making waves in student learning outcomes, through enhanced student engagement and improved understandings about water resource management. This was achieved by innovative programming involving action-based environmental initiatives in the community and partnerships withmanyorganisations.Studentspresented their findings at numerous publicandpoliticalforums.Otheroutcomes included improved student interest, attitudes, knowledge and skills in science, technology and mathematics, and the development of a model for implementing sustainability programs through partnerships.
Perth Groundwater Festival
Healing the Swan
Whole-of-project Website
Partnerships Model
Projectproductsand processes showcased. Studentinvestigating the elements of the PeriodicTablein the context of heavy metal pollutants in water.
TheModelforSustainabilityProgramsUtilizingPartnershipswasprogressively developed, using an ‘evidence-based’ approach, over the life of the project.
Studentslearntaboutthe history, science
and technology of river management from indigenous mentors and other experts and participated in water quality
monitoring activities.
Illustrates project programs and outcomes.
http://scienceofsustainability.net
Enriched transcultural communication
Improved student knowledge and skills
Enhanced student engagement
Developed effective collaborative partnerships
Shared learning with a wide audience
Making Waves
Learning science, technologyand maths in meaningful ways
Teaching and learning for
sustainability
Community based
opportunities for learning science,
technologyand maths
Deep learning& action
Active co-operative partnerships required in all areas of the model
Project Challenge–Hugeco-ordinationandadministration role for school project leaders.
This material has been developed as a part of the Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics ProjectfundedbytheAustralianGovernmentDepartmentofEducation,ScienceandTrainingasapart of the Boosting Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics Teaching (BISTMT) Programme.
The SOS: Science of Sustainability project provided many opportunities for students to dive deep into innovative, real-life learning experiences.
Studentsinvestigatingthe marine environment atCoralBayinWA.
Studentsconductingtemperature, turbidity, pHandsalinitytestingof river water, along with macroinvertebrate investigations.
Indigenous mentor sharing understandings about the river with students.
Studentsdiscussingunderstandings about the river with a mentor.
Studentssharingtheir understandings about the science and technology of water management at the GroundwaterFestival.