Science and Mathematics Education News

Dr Gloria Stillman receives an Australian Award for Excellence in Educational Publishing - August 2008

The book "Teaching Secondary School Mathematics: Research & Practice for the 21st Century" has been announced as the Scholarly Reference Category Winner 2008 at the Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing. The judges have stated that the book, authored by Merrilyn Goos, Gloria Stillman and Colleen Vale and published by Allen and Unwin, contains "fundamental pedagogy that is brilliant, and research and content that is current" and that its "research base is excellent for upskilling teachers."

Dr Gloria Stillman secures Joint Research Grant with University of Hamburg - January 2008

Dr Gloria Stillman was successful at securing a University of Melbourne Joint Research Project grant which will see her collaborate with Professor Dr Gabriele Kaiser at the University of Hamburg to study preservice secondary mathematics teachers’ knowledge to teach lower secondary mathematics in Australia and Germany. Entitled "Professional competencies of pre-service lower secondary mathematics teachers in Australia and Germany: links to beliefs and teaching context" the project aims to look at the issue of raising the quality of mathematics teacher education to improve mathematics secondary school teaching and its impact on the economic development of countries such as Germany and Australia. Both countries will survey and interview pre-service teachers using tasks and teaching situations to determine their capacity to make relevant decisions and suggest appropriate actions and to ascertain how their decisions are influenced by beliefs, teaching and mathematics knowledge. The Australian data will be collected at several universities in the eastern states. Findings will benefit researchers and teacher educators as they inform further development of secondary mathematics teacher education.

ARC Linkage Project Success - November 2007

Professor Kaye Stacey, Dr Vicki Steinle and Dr Helen Chick were successful applicants in the 2008 round of ARC Linkage Grants. The project, entitled 'Supporting personalised learning in secondary schools through the use of specific mathematics assessments that reveal thinking' (SMART) will run until the December 2010. Working with the support of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the project aims to markedly improve the information available to teachers by creating research-based assessments that reveal students' mathematical thinking. The tests will be supported by an on-line environment linked to targeted teaching resources resulting in numerous benefits including improved student achievement and improved teacher pedagogical content knowledge, as well as removing barriers associated with geological location, with rural schools being able to access the web content.

Syzygy project receives additional support - August 2007

Earlier this year, Science and Mathematics Education reported on the successful funding application of the Syzygy project; a collaboration between the celebrated artist Harry Nankin of the International College of Contemporary Art, the distinguished historian, writer, cultural theorist and artist, Professor Paul Carter from the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning (UoM), and Science and Mathematics Education's Dr Maurizio Toscano. The funding received earlier in the year was through the Arts Victoria Arts Innovation grant scheme and was for an amount of $39,000. Recently an additional $20,000 in the form of an Inter-Arts grant from the Australia Council for the Arts was secured for the project. Dr Toscano is extremely happy with the additional funding success and sees it as acknowledgement by funding bodies that science is relatively limitless in its application. This project is an excellent example of how collaborations across research areas and across areas of expertise can produce outcomes that benefit the community as a whole.


Professor Stacey selected to advise WA Government on new syllabuses - June 2007

Professor Stacey is one of only a few academics who have been chosen to provide input into the development of new syllubses for students from kindergarten to year 10 in Western Australia. In a media statement issued on June 6th Mr Mark McGowan, WA's Minister for Education, noted the fact that the National Advisory Panel was made up of 'some of Australia's most outstanding academics' whose expertise in the areas of literacy, numeracy, science and history would be invaluable to the development of the syllabuses. The panel, chaired by Professor Gordon Stanley, Honorary Professor of Education in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney, will meet for the first time in July and again later in the year for a final time to endorse the final versions of new syllabuses.

Website:
WA Government media statements

Can children be taught multiplication in 30 minutes? Professor Stacey provides insights into so-called 'fast' methods – May 2007

Professor Kaye Stacey was recently interviewed by Channel Nine’s ‘A Current Affair’ program as part of a story which assessed the methods proposed in the book  'Teaching your kids multiplication in 30 minutes'.  The story went to air on Monday, May 14th, and showed how it is possible for children to learn to multiply numbers such as 93 x 97 very quickly, as is suggested in the book written by Bill Handley, a Victorian-based author and teacher.  In his book, Mr Handley states that you can ‘cram learning into minutes not hours.’ He also states that the difference between high achieving students and low achieving students is not due to having what some people refer to as a more 'mathematical brain'; their level of achievement is a reflection of the actual method they use to solve problems.

Quick methods of calculation have been used for centuries. In the interview Kaye commented that in today’s classroom,  quick calculation methods often provide students with a real sense of achievement and fun, and can stimulate interest in mathematics.  However, and perhaps more importantly, she also highlighted that it is essential that students learn methods for calculation that make sense to them, and support this knowledge by appreciating the patterns involved; “when the reasons why  methods work are too difficult for children to understand, then the quick success of shortcut methods can backfire as students forget them very quickly.”

Excellence Awards for Science and Mathematics Education Academic Staff – May 2007

Dr Vicki Steinle and Professor Kaye Stacey were recognised for their outstanding achievements  at the Faculty’s recent Awards Evening, an  event which is held annually.  This year, Dr Vicki Steinle received the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award for her outstanding work, particularly  in the Bachelor of Education (Primary).  Professor Kaye Stacey shared the 2007 Faculty Research Excellence Award with Professor Glenda McNaughton.  The awards each consist of a grant of $3000 as well as an engraved medallion and citation. 

Vicki is well known for her research into childrens mathematical learning, and has made a significant contribution to the Mathematics Developmental Continuum recently published by the Department of Education.  Her citation reflected this by highlighting  her passion for nurturing excellent teachers of mathematics, her innovation in lecture content, multimedia and on-line feedback for students and her exemplary organisation for teaching.  Vicki’s  work is an excellent demonstration of  knowledge transfer in action: her  research feeds into her teacher education courses, and is also used by schools
 
Professor Stacey’s citation highlighted her outstanding research productivity over the 5 year period from 2001 to 2006, her success in winning competitive grants to fund research and the way in which the research has been used to improve mathematics teaching and learning. Special mention was made of the mentoring which Kaye has provided for new researchers in the faculty.

Both Professor Stacey and Dr Steinle plan to use their grants to further support their  academic work in both teaching and research.   Past Science and Mathematics Education recipients include Dr Rod Fawns, who received his award in 2005, in recognition of his work in science education driven by a passion for teaching that has sustained a career spanning 40 years.

New textbook supports Japanese lesson study as a key to long-term improvement in teaching - March 2006

Dr Maxwell Stephens (pictured below) is one of the authors of a new book entitled "Japanese lesson study in mathematics: Its impact, diversity and potential for educational improvement' which, as the name suggests, focuses on how Japanese lesson study is proving to be a successful way to improve the quality of mathematics education. The book looks at how Japanese educators are engaging in lesson study in mathematics for professional development and curriculum implementation as well as illustrating several projects related to lesson study in other countries. For more information or to purchase the book, please click on the link provided below.

Website:
World Scientific Books

Dr Stephens during his recent visit to Thailand.

Science education promotes chocolate as a learning tool - March 2006

Chocolate Chemistry is bound to encourage enthusiasm from even the least science-curious student. Dr Christine Redman is hosting an evening on the 27th of March as part of an ongoing program run by the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute (RACI) to make Chemistry fun, alive and accessible. The night will involve an exploration of the story behind chocolate and a guide to its different crystalline structures, the role synchrotron has played in determining these structures and how appropriate treatment of the chocolate can modify its structure so it has that smooth velvety feel on your tongue. It will also look at how chocolate can make a great classroom lesson for junior and senior secondary Chemistry and will provide an opportunity for participants to network with other teachers, chemistry lecturers and industry representatives. All participants are advised to bring their tastebuds along, as there will be a vast array of chocolate available to sample!

Please note that bookings must be made by no later than March 16th, 2007. Other important details are as follows:

When: Tuesday 27th  March 2007
Where: William Angliss College, La Trobe Street, between Kings Way & Spencer Street.
            (Parking is available around the Flagstaff Gardens or at the Car Park in Dudley St.)   
Program:

5.30 pm - Reception           
6.00 pm - Presentations and tours
7.30 - 9.30pm - Dinner with a chocolate theme!

Cost:$20 RACI members ($25 non-members)
This cost includes all materials and dinner and must be paid with your application. Drinks will be subsidised.

More information as well as a registration form are included in the March 07 RACI newsletter for the Victorian Branch. Simply follow the link below and click on the 'Mar 07' newsletter. Alternatively, to obtain an electronic copy of the application form/tax invoice form please contact:

Jenny Sharwood, Secretary, Chemical Education Group, RACI Victorian Branch: Email: jenny.sharwood@thomson.com

Website:
Royal Australian Chemical Institute

Science and Mathematics Education has more success with the ASISTM project - February 2007

Dr Christine Redman, Dr Gloria Stillman and Dr Max Stephens have been selected as Critical Friends for round 3 of the ASISTM project. The ASISTM project is part of the Australian Government's Boosting Innovation, Science, Technology and Mathematics Teaching (BISTMT) Programme, aimed at encouraging innovation in Australian schools, promoting world class teaching and learning and improving teacher attraction and retention rates. Christine, Gloria and Max were selected from a large pool of academic applicants for their expertise and will provide valuable contributions to the two projects that each are involved in. Their success follows Dr Rod Fawns' selection as a round 2 Critical Friend in April last year. Round 3 friends were announced in Late November 2006 and, with all the formalities being completed in late January 2007, work on the projects is now well underway.

Although the focus of each differs, all the projects look at challenging the boundaries associated with traditional classroom-based education;

Christine will be involved in two projects which are both aimed at providing middle primary teachers with scientific, pedagogical and curriculum support to develop chemistry-themed learning modules. The project will involve chemists being paired with teachers and visiting classrooms throughout the year, which will help to provide new insights and greater scientific experience to developing modules that can be catered towards upper and lower level primary students.

One of Gloria's projects will be involved in a project investigating sustainable energy and the needs of developing communities. Using Overnewton Colleges experiences in the past three years with helping a Zambian orphanage attain self-sufficiency, the project will create a model for an education program using real world problem-solving, install a sustainable energy system in the community in Zambia and follow up with the community to monitor the system’s impact and effectiveness.

One of Max's will be involved in a project aimed to motivate students to continue studying science, maths and technology and to increase their awareness of career opportunities within the resources sector through linking cluster schools to a local gold mine. The project will involve Education Officers from Minerals Education Victoria, University of Ballarat, School of Science and Engineering staff and undergraduates, Ballarat Goldfields personnel, and students and staff from the cluster schools. Secondary students will have the opportunity to model mining techniques within specialised laboratories. Primary students will work with real geologists and scientists, creating relevant experiences for students at both levels with the rapidly expanding technology of the modern minerals industry. One innovative element of this project is its use of a local gold mine as a real life model through which to teach contemporary, relevant science and to provide cross-curricula learning opportunities.

More information :
ASISTM Website

Mathematics Education's secures second contract for the Department of Education and Training's Mathematics Development Continuum P-10 (December 2006)
Professor Kaye Stacey, Dr Helen Chick, Dr Vicki Steinle, Lynda Ball, Cath Pearn and Dr Jill Vincent received news in December that their proposal for the Mathematics Development Continuum P-10 - Phase 2 project for DET was successful. This project comes after their successful completion of Phase 1 of the project in September 2006, which received an extremely positive response from teachers. The project is aimed at developing new indicators of progress for the Mathematics Development Continuum P-10, aligned to the progression points and standards of the five dimensions of the Mathematics domain of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards including 'number', 'measurement, chance and data' and 'working mathematically.' Phase 2 will also see the development of guides to appropriate teaching strategies for each of the new indictors based on contemporary evidence-based research. The project will be completed by the end of March 2007.

More information:
Department of Education, Victoria

Science Education receives two Early Research Career Grants - December 2006
Dr Maurice Toscano and Dr Christine Redman received notification that their applications for a 2007 University of Melbourne's Early Career Research Grant were both successful. Every year the University of Melbourne offers support to early career researchers to undertake high quality projects and pilot projects, develop their track record and compete for external funding. The Early Research Career Grant is a one year project grant ranging between $5,000 and $40,000. Applicants should normally be in the first five years of an academic or research appointment at the University and have not previously held an Australian Competitive Grant. Jointly funded by the Deans of Faculties.

Dr Redman's research project, entitled 'Investigating cognitive modeling in science education; using the Interactive Whiteboard,' will investigate students’ thinking with models of the earth’s rotation and the related effects. This qualitative study aims to develop Harré’s (2004) theory of the ‘model’ in science education. It will use the Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) to investigate teacher and student cognitive models and their interaction with satellite images from the website, Google Earth. Knowledge and insight gained will ultimately have significance for understanding students’ and teachers’ thinking and learning with new technologies contributing to the effective design of curriculum, pedagogy and research in science education.

Dr Toscano will concerntrate on investigating the nature, extent and effectiveness of thought experimentation in the science classroom. His research project, entitled 'Investigating Thought Experiments in the Science Classroom,' will undertake field work needed to fill the gap in our understanding about the importance of imagination, analogic reasoning, metaphor and modeling learning in science. It will begin a program to re-define what counts as science in the classroom and produce new learning tools for science students and teachers.

Science Education's grant success with Arts Victoria - November 2006
Dr Maurice Toscano has received one of only two Arts Innovation grants through Arts Victoria. The grant is for the Syzygy project: a collaboration between the celebrated artist Harry Nankin of the International College of Contemporary Art, the distinguished historian, writer, cultural theorist and artist, Professor Paul Carter from the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning (UoM), and Dr Toscano. The Syzygy project will literally collect the 'light of the universe' with a parabolic array of mirrors in order to create a sequence of exquisite jewel-like translucent photographic images on film metaphorically reflecting Lake Tyrrell (in the Victorian Mallee) as it is, as it once was and as it might be imagined.

Science Drama performance receives top prize - September 2006
University of Melbourne lecturer, Ann Smith and classroom teacher Margaret Kentler were happy to let Doncaster Primary School students take the spotlight last month when they were presented with the Archimedes Award for Most Outstanding Performance by a Primary School in the Science Drama Awards this year. Ann Smith and Margaret Kentler worked together to develop the concept and script for the school’s entry into the Science Teacher’s Association of Victoria’s (STAV) Science Drama Awards. The competition was open to all primary and secondary schools in Victoria. Thirty-five children from Grades 1-6 at Doncaster Primary appeared in the 10-minute play, entitled ‘Classification is the Name of the Game’. It explored the importance of scientists using classification to identify all living things. Ms Smith and Ms Kentler are now veterans of the Science Awards, having worked in partnership to submit Doncaster Primary School’s entry into the Science Drama Awards for 6 years. These performances have covered many of the big ideas of science in the physical, biological and environmental areas.  Ms Smith has said, “Participating in a play which explores science concepts is a unique and interactive way for students of all ages to learn science and motivate them to continue learning long after the play is over”. Ms Kentler sees other benefits as well. “I’ve found that Science Drama is a really useful way to involve students with special needs, and those who have English as a second language – it’s very inclusive”. The Faculty of Education was lucky enough to see a repeat performance of the play on Friday 17th of November.

More information:
Science Teachers Association of Victoria website
Faculty of Education media releases