09 Jun 2015
This year Tahmoor Public School implemented the National Science Curriculum whereby students from K-6 are engaged in hands-on scientific inquiry on a weekly basis. The science program is lead by mentor Dr Marc Noakes. Dr Noakes has supported the development of a new science scope and sequence as well as a new science program for the school, which is underpinned by a research-based model of inquiry learning. Dr Noakes also coordinates extracurriculuar science initiatives including the weekly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and maths) Club, preschool Science Experience Visits, Science Focus Day and Science Fair. Staff continue to develop new science units that include hands-on investigations and provide opporunities for students to improve their scienctific literacy by incorporating local events and places as well as everyday applications of science.
This year the 5/6 Opportunity Class and 4/5 Enrichment Class have conducted a collaborative Biodiversity Project. The project aimed to compare bird species in a built environment versus a natural environment. The study area, along the creek behind the school, provided a very unique opportunity to record biodiversity before and after development. A future Opportunity Class project will be to re-survey the site once the development of 'Tahmoor Central' is completed, and compare the data. Similarly to the "Love Your Lagoons" project undertaken last year, the Biodiversity Project will generate a high quality community and primary school science resource. In particular, the project is helping to create up-to-date community science resources in the Wollondilly region as well as to promote the development of a quality science learning community in Tahmoor.
Science is fun at Tahmoor Public School, ask any of our engaged students.