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Gifted and talented students take part in science extension program with Taronga Zoo

 

Each of the primary schools that form part of the Peninsula Learning Community of Catholic Schools participated in an exciting opportunity for their gifted and talented students during Term 2 in a joint project between the Peninsula Learning Community of Catholic Schools (PLCCS) and Taronga Zoo.

Students who were identified as ‘highly interested’ or ‘gifted’ in the area of science at each of the schools participated in the science extension program.  ZooScience involved 43 Years one and two students working on tasks that comprised local and real world issues.

ZooScience follows the success of the ZooMatics project in 2009 which focused on students talented in mathematics.

The first phase of ZooScience involved all of the students and a nominated teacher from their school visiting Taronga Zoo and working with the Catholic Schools funded Zoo Education Officer to learn how to investigate a habitat.   

The second phase involved each school group investigating a habitat near or in their own school using the skills of scientific investigation to see what they could find in that habitat.  They had to record the process and results of their investigation and then talk about the results and what they meant to themselves and their school.

The culminating event saw all school groups gather together for a Science Trade Fair.  Each school group presented the results of their project to visiting parents, principals and teachers.  The visitors browsed the displays and the children answered questions and talked about their investigations.

“This has been an important initiative for Peninsula Catholic schools which is upskilling students as well as their teachers,” said Virginia Outred, Education Officer, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning K-12. 

“Students have been able to participate in a long term science project in an area that interests them, be challenged in their science learning and share their results with other ‘like’ learners.”

”Identified teachers in this project have had the opportunity to participate in professional development on leadership in the teaching and learning of science.”