Science IS website
Launched on 18 July, the Science IS website for primary and secondary teachers has been created to help integrate the 'nature of science' (NoS) and 'developing scientific skills and attitudes' (DSSA) strands with the contextual strands of Science in the New Zealand Curriculum.
Helping students to think critically about science
The NoS and DSSA strands help students to think critically about science ideas and the role of science in the everyday world. To help teachers use the strands, key ideas are identified for each:
- NoS themes: Ideas about the nature of science that introduce cultural, ethical, and values perspectives
- DSSA investigation focuses: Ideas about classroom science that teachers can use when planning science activities and to guide these activities in the classroom.
The NoS themes and DSSA investigation focuses are supported by examples, teachers' notes, and questions for reflection.
Science activities suitable for students at curriculum levels 1–8 provide examples of how NoS themes and DSSA investigation focuses can be used in the classroom. The activities explore familiar science topics, including the rocky shore, space, sport studies, and electricity and metals.
The website also suggests steps teachers can follow to use the NoS themes and DSSA investigation focuses in their own science activities.
Using the website
Teachers can use the Science IS website to:
- find out about the role of the NoS and DSSA strands
- explore the NoS themes and DSSA investigation focuses
- find science activities
- read about contemporary approaches to the learning and teaching of science.