NEWSLETTERS DECEMBER 2008
Facilitators
PrimaryConnections receives many wonderful stories from Professional Learning Facilitators (PLFs) and teachers about the great things that are happening in schools and classrooms across the country. We thought you might enjoy this story from Sue Young at Serpell Primary School in Victoria, which Sue described as 'going from strength to strength with science teaching and learning'
Sue reported that Serpell had scientist, Sandra McLaren who is a Tall Poppy award winner, visit all of the grade two classes and speak to the children about being a scientist.
Sandra works in the Earth Science field and was the perfect person to join in the Serpell Waterworks PC unit. Sandra put together a fabulous Powerpoint for the children which started with Sandra's school photo and moved onto explaining about the vanishing lake that used to be between Victoria and South Australia.
Sandra was amazed with the knowledge the children had and felt that this was a true testament to the PrimaryConnections units. Sandra spoke to each class for around thirty minutes – six grade two classes in total, so this was a mighty effort.
Also the grade five and six students at Serpell have been working with Scientist in Schools scientist, geologist Noel. Sue said that Noel had worked with 20 students, taking them on field trips to local areas of geological interest and then filling in the gaps back at the school. She said that 'the school was very lucky to have such a font of knowledge and a man who has been so generous with his time'.
The photo shows one of the grade two classroom's Waterworks display and one of Noel and the gorgeous geology students at Serpell.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Sue – and a reminder to you all to keep those stories and photos coming in!