Stewards of Swan Bay: Curriculum Diversity in Place-Based Environmental Science Education

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Place-Making Approaches With Teachers and Students

Abstract

This paper derives from a marine science curriculum development project, where a partnership between a primary school and a university has been an important vector to empower students to develop understandings and take environmental action focused on an internationally significant wetland. To investigate the students’ attitudes towards environmental issues, a bespoke survey instrument asked them to make judgements about human interactions with environment. In this paper, the science program and survey instrument are described and discussed. Survey responses illustrate a breadth of science knowledge and also how students make connections between subject areas when making sense of complex socio-scientific issues. The analysis demonstrates the richness of familiar everyday human−environment interactions as objects of concern that complement integrated, place-based science education.

Authors

• Julianne Lynch, Deakin University

• Nicole Sadler, St Aloysius Primary School

• Prudence F Francis, Deakin University

• Ty G Matthews, Deakin University

• Julie Mondon, Deakin University

• Alecia Bellgrove, Deakin University