Science & Tech

Tambelin follows the NSW Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus. This enables students to explore scientific and technological concepts and develop knowledge and understanding of the world: enabling them to inquire, plan, investigate and develop solutions to problems.

Through the application of working scientifically, and design and production skills, students develop and interest in and an enthusiasm for understanding nature, phenomena and the built environment.

Tambelin uses the Primary Connections Science Program across all stages. It is aligned to the NSW curriculum and addresses skills, knowledge and understanding and the content strands as outlined in the curriculum document. Primary Connections is based on an inquiry-orientated teaching and learning model. Students use their prior knowledge and literacies to develop explanations for their hands-on experiences of scientific phenomena. Students have opportunities to represent and re-represent their developing understanding. They are engaged actively in the learning process. Students develop investigations skills and an understanding of the nature of science. Teaching and learning progresses through five phases: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate. The phases of the Primary Connections 5Es teaching and learning model are based on the 5Es instructional model (Bybee, 1997).  primaryconnections.org.au

 

STEM and the Edison Robot

The inclusion of the Digital Technologies strand in the new curriculum has moved us towards a strong STEM approach across many key learning areas. Tambelin has embraced the Edison Robot. These are programmable robots designed to be a complete STEM teaching resource for coding and robotics education for students from 4 to 16 years of age. Programmable robots, like the Edison Robot, open up the world of computer science, coding, electronics and engineering to kids of all ages. From remote control robot operation to programming in python to design challenges, robots make STEM education far more powerful and way more fun! With this resource combined with the exploration of computer science, information systems, software engineering and project management students have the opportunity to meet all learning outcomes.

During these units of work, we explore as many opportunities as we can to take this learning out of the classroom with whole-of-school excursions. Here are a few examples:

  • Sydney Harbour Bridge (building bridges)
  • National Dinosaur Museum (paleontology)