The ASTA science awareness raising model: an evaluation report
The ASTA Science Awareness Raising Project developed, trialed and evaluated a science awareness raising model that could be used by a diverse range of schools and their communities to identify, document and promote scientific literacy. The project aimed to promote greater understanding in the educational and broader community of why science is important. This model was field tested in seven school communities across Australia; selected by ASTA to show diversity in the nature of the community and their links with science.
Abstract
The objectives of this project were to promote awareness of science education; develop and trial curriculum resources and professional development models; and develop a resource bank of assessment tools for teachers. The main part of the ASTA project is the Science Awareness Raising Model. This model comprises a short series of steps to develop and implement a science-related project, together with a set of resources to provide guidance.
Once developed, the model was field tested in seven school communities across Australia. These case studies were:
- Air quality in New Norfolk (TAS);
- Native grasses of Mount Painter (ACT);
- Biodiversity in the endangered Sydney Blue Gum High Forest (NSW);
- Cleaning Currumbin Creek (QLD);
- Biodiversity of Anstey Hill (SA);
- Usage of the Wangaratta Common Native Grassland Reserve (VIC); and
- Options for dealing with intractable waste in Kalgoorlie (WA).
Evaluation indicates that the model generally had a positive effect on the community project outcomes. The projects also had great value for the students who were involved in them. The more successful projects were those that also used the supportive guidance documentation, the Draft Package.
The evaluation recommends that the Commonwealth continue to support the Model and Package; make it widely available via print and electronic (Internet) means; and initiate synergies and interactions between schools, communities and industry through the ASTA project and model.
Author(s)
Leonie Rennie;
Australian Science Teachers Association
Publication Details
| Type : |
Reports |
| Published : |
1/2003 |
Topics Covered
| Sectors : |
|
| Detailed :
|
| Curriculum issues |
| Science (general) |
|
Availability
Executive summary: download PDF 
(106.9 KB, 7 pages)
Report: download PDF (618.7 KB, 138 pages)
Related Documents
This Model was field tested in seven school communities across Australia. The seven projects investigated:
- air quality in New Norfolk (TAS): download PDF (101.4 KB, 7 pages)
- native grasses of Mount Painter (ACT): download PDF (94.9 KB, 5 pages)
- biodiversity in the endangered Sydney Blue Gum high forest (NSW): download PDF (101.0 KB, 9 pages)
- cleaning Currumbin Creek (QLD): download PDF (96.0 KB, 5 pages)
- biodiversity of Anstey Hill (SA): download PDF (96.0 KB, 6 pages)
- usage of the Wangaratta Common Native Grassland Reserve (VIC): download PDF (102.9 KB, 7 pages)
- options for dealing with intractable waste in Kalgoorlie (WA): download PDF (123.0 KB, 7 pages)
These projects were selected by ASTA to show diversity in the nature of the community, rural, urban and regional city, the different kinds of project and their links with science.