What is Science Connections all about?
The Australian Academy of Science has been producing educational resources since 1967 (Web of Life textbook). We’ve been working with and for teachers to bring innovative and contemporary resources and professional learning that enrich secondary science education in Australia. We’re more than a set of teaching sequences; we offer a unique approach to professional learning and teaching guided-inquiry science.
Does Science Connections address my state’s syllabus/curriculum?
As a federally funded program, our teaching sequences align to the Australian Curriculum: Science. All state-based curricula must adhere to the Australian Curriculum, therefore the majority of our sequences cover your state-based syllabus/curriculum.
How do I find specific content about science concepts for my reference using Science Connections?
All of our teaching sequences have embedded science content knowledge for teachers. In addition, explore our Behind the science resources, designed to provide an overview of the science concepts for teachers.
How do I stay updated about Science Connections’ new resources and professional learning?
Stay updated by subscribing to our mailing list.
Can I still access the old Science by Doing units aligned to the Australian Curriculum V8.4?
You will find zip packages, which include the curriculum units, e-Resource sheets, assessment rubrics, and work samples, available to download from the Science by Doing page.
Are there assessment rubrics for the new sequences aligned to the Australian Curriculum V9?
Each lesson in the sequences contains assessment advice, alongside the key learning goals for the lesson. This advice is centred around what teachers might be looking for during the lesson, to support them to make decisions about how they might respond to student learning.
At this stage we don’t have summative assessment rubrics or work samples available. We hope that, as more and more teachers use our resources, we might be able to build up a bank of work samples we can use and share as part of our resources. If you or your colleagues would like to be involved, we’d love for you to get in touch with us.
Do I have to teach Science Connections teaching sequences exactly as written?
We support teachers in adapting Science Connections teaching sequences to meet student interests, increase relevance to local and school contexts, and to meet state-based syllabus or curricula. Our teaching and learning approach is grounded in the Australian Academy of Science LIA Framework. The LIA Framework is a guided-inquiry approach where students are supported to make conceptual changes by gathering and analysing their own evidence in a local context. Science Connections teaching sequences are examples of how to implement the LIA Framework in secondary science. When adapting lessons, ensure that you retain the purpose of each phase of the LIA Framework.
Do you offer professional learning?
Science Connections offers a variety of professional learning opportunities, from just-in-time advice embedded as part of each teaching sequence to the Pedagogical toolbox where you’ll find a collection of curated tools written by education experts that can be used by educators at all career stages. The toolbox also offers school science leaders ideas for sharing the latest in learning design and teaching strategies with their colleagues.
The Science Connections team also offers online courses and webinars to meet the needs of Australian teachers. Make sure you are signed up to our mailing list to hear about these opportunities.
I would like to learn more about the LIA framework. Can I organise a training session for me and my colleagues?
Science Connections is always looking for opportunities to work with teachers to develop an understanding of the new LIA framework. Contact us to discuss your needs further.