|
Maintaining a skilled workforce in Australia
I have a very active interest in the maintenance of a workforce of
appropriate skills and size to support the high standard of living we enjoy in
Australia. Because of my background this interest is strongly directed toward
the generation of an adequate supply of well educated engineers and scientists.
The development of a suitable national curriculum by the Australian Curriculum
Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is critical in this process, both to
encourage the continuation of a student's involvement in science and
mathematics studies at a senior secondary school level and also to provide a
solid platform for subsequent higher education.
I have reviewed and commented on ACARA's draft curriculum for Years
11-12 in Earth and Environmental Sciences (and previously the K-10 Science
curriculum). From my background of having worked professionally in both the
geoscience and environmental fields (but limited by no secondary school
teaching experience), it appears to me that the E&ES curriculum unit
provides a comprehensive and solid base, albeit in need of some refinement as
one would expect with a first draft. Based on the proposed curriculum, senior
secondary school students will not only receive a well rounded education in
earth and environmental sciences, but will be very well placed to determine
whether they wish to continue in one of these broad fields at university level.
So far I have seen little in the way of comments on the senior level draft
curriculum and so I hope my early optimistic view is not misplaced.
Also impacting on career choices is the student's (and parents')
perception of job availability and security in the particular field of
interest. Geoscience is regrettably a notoriously fickle field of employment
with periods of boom and bust, particularly in the industrial sector.
Unfortunately this situation is not being helped by the major uncertainties,
and consequent delays at the very least, brought about by the introduction of
the proposed Resource Super Profits Tax. One can only hope that this is
resolved quickly and in a way that doesn't weaken Australia's
competitiveness and status as a safe and predictable country for investment. If
not, current concerns about shortages in skilled workers will become unnecessary, a solution
to the problem that is surely not in everyone's best interest.
Dr Michael Leggo
President, Australian Geoscience Council
Editorial
The end of semester one brings with it the end of the ACARA consultation
period for the junior National Science Curriculum. The development of a
national curriculum for science and other subjects has been in progress for
over a year now and while many may be wary that the development time has been
too short I am sure we are all keen to see the final product for the science
curriculum emerge. For the Earth Sciences this is especially the case. On the
basis of submissions made to ACARA last year we succeeded in ensuring the new
science subject proposed for Yr11-12 would be titled Earth and Environmental
Science, thus making the Earth Science component explicit and certain to be
well represented in the content. For the K-10 science curriculum the changes
are more subtle but my reading of the draft is that for Years 5-10 the proposed
content is little changed and still a little 'last century'. The AGC
and the Geological Society of Australia, amongst others, have made strong
representation to update this draft to reflect our concerns. It remains to be seen
whether the final draft will take our concerns onboard.
Importantly, the opportunity for comment on the senior Earth and
Environmental Science curriculum remains open until July 30 and I encourage
everyone with an interest in the outcome to register and make their suggestions
known to ACARA via their feedback
portal. It is essential that ACARA formulate the outcome based on the best
advice from the widest cross-section of the stake-holder community as possible.
It is acknowledged that ACARA have actively sought the involvement of those
they perceive as key stake holders but the opportunity for input is open to
everyone and I am certain there are many within our community of interest
reading this editorial that have not been invited to participate. You can and
you should.
Greg McNamara - Editor, GeoEdLink
All feedback and submissions should be sent to the GeoEdLink Editor,
Greg McNamara
 Top
Geoscience Education News & Reviews
|
The science of dealing with oil spills
Popular science journal, The Scientist, has some useful text to help
explain to students and others how science is used
to assess and deal with oil spills.
|
|
Why students do and don't choose science
A report from the University of New England is the largest study yet
undertaken in Australia to investigate the influences on Year 10
students' decisions about whether to take science subjects. The
study involved around 3800 students and 590 teachers across the
country.
See the National Centre for Science, ICT and Mathematics Education
in Rural and Regional Australia (SiMERR Australia) web
site for more information and document downloads.
|
|
Why is volcanic ash bad for aircraft engines?
If you have been asked this question lately you might like to
brush
up on some facts that came to light in June 1982 when BA flight
009, flying from Kuala Lumpur bound for Australia, encountered volcanic
ash 11,300 metres above Jakarta.
|
|
Natural Hazard fun for free
Download a free try-before-you-buy sample of the Catastrophe course
available from upd8 and discover
how Mt Etna might erupt and what will need to be done to save the local
inhabitants if it really does happen. Great role play and team
learning.
|
|
Geotourism in print
Two new publications; Geotourism: The Tourism of Geology and
Landscape and Global Geotourism Perspectives have recently
been released by Goodfellows Publications. Covering information on
landscape appreciation, geoheritage, management, interpretation,
education and the future of geotourism, the first book sets the scene
and provides a clear definition of geotourism as well as information on
its characteristics. The latter title presents a collection of
outstanding case studies that provide examples of actual and developing
geotourism from around the world, including the Kanawinka Geopark from
Victoria. Excellent reading on this subject.
Read extracts or buy on-line here.
|
On-line resources - links and reviews:
|
Image library available for free
LandLearn NSW has established a library of images which schools can
download and use. Hundreds of high quality images including many
relating to minerals, fossils, soils and climate are available.
This link takes you
to the LandLearn Flickr site.
|
|
Horizontal mapping accuracy in Victoria enhanced
The Positioning Regional Victoria (PRV) project is rapidly rolling out
the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Continuously Operating
Reference Stations (CORS). It is expected that, regardless of location
in Victoria, any suitably equipped GNSS users will be able to determine
horizontal positions in real time to better than 2 cm by June 2011.
Follow this link to read
more..
|
|
Google Mashup makes map making fun for everyone
Visit this site to see 10
examples of how you can use the Mashup application to do
interesting things with Google Maps. It should inspire you to sit down
and Mashup some local examples. If you do tell us about them!
|
|
Geology Labs On-Line
This is an impressive set of virtual exercises that can
be used in conjunction with a Smartboard to great effect. Have a go and
send us your feedback.
|
Top
Geoscience Education Views
|
EARTH SCIENCE WESTERN AUSTRALIA (ESWA): an
update
by
Jim Ross, ESWA Chair
ESWA is now in its fifth year of operation and our support of Earth
Science education in Western Australia has steadily broadened from
solely senior school teachers and students in Earth and Environmental
Science (EES), to support for the Earth & Beyond strand in lower
secondary students, and more recently to upper primary levels, and
sometimes even younger classes. This year will see the release of our
first Western Australian based Earth and Environmental Science text
book for years 10 to 12, with supporting field guides, contextual
examples, and cross- curricular activities. This material will be
augmented by an array of professional development and direct teacher
support activities, including field trip support. We will also continue
to build on the teacher texts with student assessments for lower
secondary schools and support packages for primary teachers.
- The Woodside-sponsored textbook for Earth and Environmental
Science (EES) is nearing completion with release expected in June,
just over one year since the project commenced in earnest. This will
be an exceptional achievement, thanks to the hard work and commitment
of our former Executive Officer, Dianne Tompkins, and her supporting
team of writers, designers, and reviewers. Key chapters in draft form
will shortly be posted on the new ESWA website and be available to
EES teachers for the beginning of Term 2.
- Dianne decided to return to her oil industry roots in February
after two very effective years with ESWA, but thankfully she has
undertaken to see the textbook through to completion. She will be
missed. Fortunately, Associate Professor Leah Moore joined us in late
February as a part time Executive Officer and with her strong
background in both geoscience and education, Leah will ensure that we
do not lose momentum.
-
- Most teachers with formal training in earth science quickly
became involved in teaching EES. However, to facilitate continuing
uptake by teachers with no formal training in geoscience, a text book
has become necessary. It is being augmented by a diverse array of
resources, support for field trips, teacher mentoring and assistance
during 2010.
- For example, three sessions of professional development for
current and aspiring EES teachers, focussed around the textbook, are
planned and new contextual resources will soon be available on
ESWA's website. Three field guides for year 11 and 12 students
are being prepared for release this year with a focus on: Urban
Perth; greater Perth Area; and the South-West. Guides for the
Goldfields and Pilbara are planned for 2011. In addition, map
resources have been provided and compass and rock sets will be
distributed later in the year.
- During 2009, ESWA funded the preparation of about 40 contextual
examples derived from EES, but suitable for physics, chemistry and
biology, with the aim of encouraging integrative science and
broadening awareness of EES. These are also being posted on the
website for teacher access.
- 2010 Enrolments in EES total 671, up 14% from 2009, with the most
notable increase being in the advanced Stage 3 where year 12 students
have increased by 76% from 144 in 2009 to 254 in 2010. These figures
compare with an average of about 46 students sitting for TEE geology
from 2000-06.
- Apart from its work to facilitate the uptake and teaching of EES
in senior secondary schools, ESWA runs a complementary program for
lower secondary school students and upper primary schools, funded by
BHP Billiton. This program is undertaken in conjunction with SCITECH
and staffed by the dynamic and enthusiastic geologist and teacher,
Julia Ferguson. The aim is to stimulate awareness and interest in
earth processes, and thereby increase uptake of EES in senior years,
and also to broaden awareness of the importance of EES to the State.
Julia generates resources and initiates formal professional learning
and classroom visits, across a wide swath of the State's
schools.
-
- ESWA now has more than four years of operating experience and has
developed a significant interface with the education system in WA.
Therefore it is well qualified to comment on development of the new
national EES curriculum for years 11 and 12, and the preparatory
curriculum during years K-10. We will continue to comment on both as
opportunities arise, and actively monitor their progress. In
addition, Leah Moore is one of two WA-based members of the National
Advisory Panel for EES.
- ESWA's work is only possible through the continuing financial
support of minerals and energy companies, several institutions,
professional organisations, and a few individuals. If you have any
interest in contributing to, or supporting, this important strategic
initiative please contact either the Secretary, Charles Butt
(Charles.Butt@csiro.au; 08
6436 8674) or myself (jrhross@bigpond.com; 08
92849294).
|
Top
Geoscience Education Events & Activities
|
Geoscience in the Service of Society - July 4-8
The Australian Earth Science Convention will be held in Canberra this
July. One of the major themes, Geoscience in
the Service of Society, will be running a sub-theme specifically on
matters relating to education. The program is sumptuous feast of
geological and educational delights!
|
|
CONASTA in Sydney soon - July 4-7
The annual conference of the Australian Science Teachers Association
CONASTA59 will be hosted by
the University of Sydney in July. Attend the great sessions, ask a
geologist at the Geological Society of Australia booth that question
that's been bugging you and take the post conference tour of the
geology and ecology of the Blue Mountains.
|
|
Geoparks: The Way Forward for Australia - July 9-10
Two Day Workshop on Geoparks in Australia. Visit
the Kanawinka web site for full details on this great chance to
catch up on this important concept and the challenges it faces in
Australia.
|
|
Teacher Earth Science Education Programme
The TESEP workshops continue to exceed expectations. PDs on Groundwater
and Geothermal Energy are the latest offereings. Visit www.tesep.org.au to find out when the PDs
will be offered in your area.
|
|
Earth Science Week 2010 - it's closer than you
think!
Earth
Science Week 2010 is on again this October. It may seem a long way
off but before you know it it will almost be too late to plan that
event or get that masterpiece of film finished for the Geologi
competition! Expressions of interest in submitting a Geologi
entry must be sent by July 16.
|
|
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in
Education Conference - Nov 26-27
This, the First International
Conference of STEM in Education creates an opportunity for
educators and researchers from schools, universities, businesses,
industries and other private and public agencies to share and discuss
their innovative practices and research initiatives that may advance
STEM education.
|
|
Writing Clear Science workshops
Writing science our students can understand is something we could all
do better.Maybe
these workshops could help you!.
|
|
Groundwater Short Courses 2010
The Centre for Groundwater Studies offers a variety of short
groundwater courses. If you are interested, view course dates and
further course information here.
|
Top
GeoEdLink is a newsletter
published by the Australian Geoscience Council.
The AGC is the peak body
representing:
|
Top
To subscribe or unsubscribe from the GeoEdLink email list
send email using these links subscribe here or
unsubscribe
here
Please do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact the
Australian Geoscience Council please do so via links at Australian
Geoscience Council
GeoEdLink is managed for the AGC by Geoscience Education and Outreach Services .
|
