The Australian Academy of Science supports the National Curriculum review’s endorsement of the present science curriculum and urges the government to show leadership to make science an education priority.
While the Academy acknowledges the issue of curriculum overcrowding, particularly at primary level, Professor Denis Goodrum, the director of the Academy’s secondary school science education program Science by Doing, said science should remain a priority.
“You can teach literacy and numeracy through science. In fact, science can help provide important context for these skills that mean students learn more effectively,” said Professor Goodrum, who wrote the initial framing paper for the national science curriculum.
“The fact is Australian primary schools already strongly emphasise literacy and numeracy. Science can be integrated with these disciplines and help to boost that learning.”
Professor Goodrum said that while some of the review’s statements seemed to be based on opinion rather than hard evidence, it was encouraging to see the review call for more research into teaching practice and effective learning.
Shelley Peers, development director of the Academy’s primary school science program, Primary Connections, warned against removing science from the early years of primary school, as one reviewer suggested.
“Curious young children have a great capacity to learn about science, even in the very early years of primary school. We should use every opportunity to harness this natural desire to learn how the world works.”
Primary Connections research has shown that science provides a meaningful context for literacy and numeracy learning.
Ms Peers also urged the government to act quickly to provide certainty for teachers and schools.
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
