A/Professor Quentin Parker MQ A/Prof David McKinnon & Dr Lena Danaia CSU

1. Space to Grow: TheFaulkesTelescope and improving science engagement in schoolsa major new science education initiative under the ARC Linkage Industry scheme A/Professor Quentin Parker MQ A/Prof David McKinnon & Dr Lena Danaia CSU Prof John Hedberg & Dr David Frew MQ Ms Debbie Evans MACICT Ms Carolyn Dow, Ms Kali Madden

2. CEO Parramatta GroupAengus Kavanagh Education and Equity Centre, Mt Druitt 2nd September 2009 Purpose: • Meet members of the project team! • Provide scope and overview of the project through: • Outline the motivation for the project and background (Why) • Explain the intervention process and aims, introduce the Faulkes Telescopes (What) • Timing for participation in the project (When) • The research methodology works and data reviewed in terms of achieving the project aims (How) CEO Parramatta

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4. ARC Linkage Grant Partners • Macquarie University (Professor Quentin Parker(CI1), Professor John Hedberg (CI4), Dr David Frew (Post-doctoral Fellow)- administering organisation • Charles Sturt University (A/Professor David McKinnon (CI2), Dr Lena Danaia (CI3, named APDI) • Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network (Wayne Rosing - President) • CEO Parramatta (22 schools) • CEO Bathurst (6 schools) • DET Western Region (8 schools) • Possible DET Peninsular and other schools from 2010 • Scope: 9000+ students, 200+ teachers & ~40 schools  will provide significant statistical power in research findings. CEO Parramatta

5. BASIC FT PROJECT STRUCTURE CI/Consultants ICT innov.centre Hedberg, Evans, LCOGTn FT support Project Leaders (CIs) A/Prof Q.A.Parker (MQ) A/Prof.D.McKinnon(CSU CEO Parra/Bathurst and DET Stakeholders Project Admin Management: Carolyn Dow & Kali Madden (MQ) CSU TEAM MQ Team APDI: Dr.Lena Danaia PD: Dr.David Frew PhD students (CSU) PhD student (MQ) Schools,Teachers & Classes across jurisdictions CEO Parramatta

6. WHY is it important to be a part of this project? THE CRISIS IN SCIENCE EDUCATION RE-IMAGINING SCIENCE EDUCATION ACER: AER51 (Tytler 2007) • Increasingly negative attitudes to science developed over the secondary schooling years • Decreasing participation in the enabling sciences in senior high school and then beyond into University and the workforce • Shortage of SET trained people in the workforce • Shortage of qualified science and mathematics teachers Slide courtesy Mark Butler CEO Parramatta

7. The problem we are facing in Australia in science education CEO Parramatta Slide courtesy Mark Butler

8. What is it this project about? • The $30M Faulkes Telescopes are the world's largest built primarily for science education • They form the basis for this project to investigate how the hook of astronomy combined with cutting edge technology can improve more general science engagement by students in high schools and beyond • The robotic telescopes are accessed/controlled via the internet bringing the wonders of Deep Space into the classroom. • The on-line experience addresses key science curriculum areas while developing generic skills using unique, innovative, cutting-edge technology. CEO Parramatta

9. Space to Grow: The Faulkes Telescopes and improving science engagement in schools ARC LINKAGE INDUSTRY PROJECT $2.4M: 2009-2012 • Students can compete and take ownership of real research projectsat a level appropriate to their level of scientific development with suitable support from their teachers and project staff • Support comes from a unique dedicated team of scientists, science educators, consultants, postdoctoral fellows, PhD students and project management support. • A key aspect is the targeted professional development training of science teachers and associated mentoring to gain the skills and ICT/content confidence needed • The project will undertake fundamental pedagogical researchas well as developing relevant interactive teaching materials that can integrate these powerful facilities into the science curriculum. CEO Parramatta

10. Faulkes Telescopes (2-metre mirrors) CEO Parramatta

11. Key Project Aims • Produce a set of learning and teaching materials that engage students with science in general and with Physics/Astronomy in particular within an ICT context and which encourage a depth of understanding rather than lightly covering a breadth of topics. • Develop a teaching and learning context in physics for effective professional developmentso that science teachers are confident to employ ICT and related pedagogies that enhance students’ learning and also to provide opportunities to explore and develop their own interest. • Investigate and develop strategies in which students use FT data to meet the learning outcomesof the NSW Stage 4/5 Science (pp.11–12, 36–37, 40–44) and the HSC Stage 6 Physics syllabuses (Module 8.5; 9.2; Option 9.7) and where FT access and use serve as engagement mechanisms to enhance their learning in physics, mathematics and ICTs. • Explore and make explicit the manner in which students engage with, and learn from, the new technologies available to them via their use of the FTs and the data generated by it. • Create cross-curricular synergies and establish inter-school linkages, both here and with overseas partners, as a means of extracting maximum learning benefits in a globally connected world. CEO Parramatta

12. Sites of the Faulkes Telescopes Hawaii FT (North) Australia FT (South) CEO Parramatta

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14. The Faulkes Telescopes: use in Australian Schools • These telescopes have the potential to play an important role in physics education for at least the next 15 years • They have the potential to work on many different levels • Covers a wide variety of science educational areas in maths, science and technology including: • Scientific methodology • Generic skills • Planning, observing, data collating, testing and comparing • An excellent use of and test of the capacity of the broad-band internet connectivity in NSW to deliver high quality scientific data sets to school classrooms CEO Parramatta

15. Motivating students to study science and technology Inherent fascination of astronomy and space Excitement of real discoveries Fabulous images Collaboration with real scientists Up to the minute science Cutting edge multi-million dollar technology CEO Parramatta

16. * Linked with Professional scientists Education/Research Projects for HSC students * Genuine scientific investigations * Contribute to Scientific knowledge Suitable for coursework Excellent for key skills Relevant to syllabuses Backed by full web materials CEO Parramatta

17. Project’s Creative Breakthrough: • A blend of science, technology and mathematics underpins the entire novel educational concept. • The project’s creative breakthrough was in effectively and naturally combining all these areas into the same project using the Faulkes Telescopes and the pulling power of astronomy as the facilitating mechanisms. • This can then be powerfully implemented by the unique combination of professional astronomers, ICT staff, science teachers and education experts in the same support team. • Another creative aspect of the project is to transcend the boundaries of the traditional classroom by requiring students and teachers to develop their own project science proposals to use the Faulkes Telescopes and to assess, reduce and critically analyse the authentic data derived from them but all within the context of the science curriculum. • This approach supports inquiry based learning strategies for both teachers and their students and empowers teachers to use a constructivist and evidence-driven approach to real world phenomena. • The methodology for evaluating the professional teaching, learning and development activities was based on a reflective design research approach. CEO Parramatta

18. IYA 2009- an opportune time to launch this project 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy and 400 years since Galileo used the telescope to change our view of the Universe forever This presents us with an additional opportunity to raise the awareness of astronomy, promote science and astronomy as a valued part of modern culture within the classroom context and to encourage better awareness and appreciation of the natural world. CEO Parramatta

19. Some of the major challenges that arose from the DEST ASISTM pilot project 2006-2008: lessons learned • It became evident that many teachers experienced difficulties in accommodating this project into tightly- packed schedules and the curriculum  adequate resources within schools a pre-requisite. • Teachers were able to address this by confining the time to a limited number of periods and developing innovative ways to provide students with the necessary background by using learning tools such as a WebQuest  careful adequate timetabling. • It was also clear and anticipated that the successof the project in any school was significantly correlated with the confidence and competence of the science teacher in both astronomy content and the technological ICT challenges. • Unsurprisingly, teacher professional development was identified as the key area that needed to be addressed if such educational opportunities are to be maximised  teacher release. CEO Parramatta

20. ICT Innovations Centre: Excellent and relevant supportive infrastructure for both teachers, students and project team CEO Parramatta

21. Pilot project feedback continued… • A critical aspect of the project was to develop new skills and expertise in the science teachers. • As well as improving content knowledge, the aim was to assist teachers in locating, accessing, modifying and developing learning activities for students using the Faulkes Telescopes through teacher professional development and mentoring. • Part of the pilot project’s success was in creating cross- curricular synergies • With the help of the TAs, support astronomers and enthusiastic teachers, students designed the projects they would like to investigate, applied for telescope time and analysed their data in exactly the same way a professional astronomer would pursue their research  continue with similar model for this project • This enhanced the study of astronomy for students and introduces them to the scientific process in a real and tangible context. CEO Parramatta

22. Student comments from our pilot DEST ASISTM PROJECT 2006-2008 • “I can’t believe I have contributed to real life science” • “Everybody found this project awesome and I can’t wait to do more” • “It was so interesting and not that hard to do” CEO Parramatta

23. Examples of Faulkes Projects • Clusters of stars • Observing stars in three wavebands to give colour temp and relative luminosity • Hence age of cluster • Planetary Nebulae • Imaging, measuring and classifying • Identification of central stars • Variable stars • Monitoring variation in brightness • Estimating sizes of eclipsing binary stars CEO Parramatta

24. Not just astronomy! Technology Materials Robotics Electronics ICT Communications Mathematics Mechanics Mechanics Image processing And links with . . . Optics Geography History Technical English Art . . . . . CEO Parramatta

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27. Moodle use in project - not very successful CEO Parramatta

28. HOW? Syllabus Contents covered by Interventions • Year 10 – Big Bang Theory, Components of the Universe, Energy and Force, Theories and Laws • Year 11 – The Cosmic Engine • Year 12 – Space (Core) and Astrophysics (Option) • Four of the five Prescribed Focus Areas (history, nature and practice, applications, current issues R&D) CEO Parramatta

29. Project to Syllabus Mapping (Frew & Danaia) • EXAMPLES: • Contents and Development of the Universe: • Kepler’s Laws and Gravity • Studies of Asteroids • The Orbit of Mars • Finding the Mass of a Planet (e.g. Jupiter, Saturn) • Introduction to the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram • Star Clusters and Stellar Evolution • From Red Giants to Planetary Nebulae • Classification of Galaxies • Quasars and Redshifts • The Big Bang and the Origin of the Universe CEO Parramatta

30. Project to Syllabus Mapping (Frew & Danaia) • EXAMPLES: • Astronomical Methods and Techniques: • Astronomical Instrumentation (Telescopes and CCDs) • Making Colour Images • Introduction to Photometry • Light Curves (Asteroids, Variable Stars, Supernovae) • Introduction to Spectroscopy • Statistical Methods CEO Parramatta

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33. Research Questions • What key factors affect students’ capacity to understand and retain foundation science concepts, their levels of interest in school science and their participation in Stage 6 physics? • How does a design research model, learning framework and teacher/student partnerships in science research projects impact day-to-day classroom practice and student learning? • What range of possibilities/constraints exist for students who engage in science inquiry tasks using the FTs? • What teaching and learning opportunities and avenues of communication exist within and between teachers, students and the community of astronomers? • What impact does professional development and the use of broadband-based pedagogies have in building teacher confidence and competence in both the subject matter and the technological and conceptual challenges involved with implementing FT projects in physics and astronomy? CEO Parramatta

34. Outcomes - Students Students will: • develop confidence in their use of scientific knowledge and their ability to apply it in scientific practice including ICT competence via use of the FTs • develop knowledge about their own learning of science and how they are able to use the skills acquired from access to the FT online infrastructure to develop further their scientific knowledge and understanding (Hackling, 1998) • link the practical and theoretical aspects of science to their own science learning • value the intellectual quality and rigour in their own work • begin to develop a lifelong appreciation and love of science and of what science can offer in terms of their understanding of the world, its importance to Australia’s economic productivity and to their own career pathways. CEO Parramatta

35. Outcomes - Teachers Teachers will: • promote science relevance for students and strengthen their engagement in science learning • be inspired to be competent, confident and creative in their teaching approaches (e.g., Appleton, 2003) through the variety of strategies and activities available via the FTs • think and reflect about their teaching of physics in particular, and science in general, in ways that accommodate the needs of their students set within the context of using the FTs • be able to locate, access, modify and develop learning activities for students using the FTs. CEO Parramatta

36. Outcomes - Schools Schools will: • introduce a powerful and engaging pedagogical mechanism where teachers can apply cognitive learning techniques to cater for students from a wide range of backgrounds • provide an ICT/physics learning environment which seamlessly covers IT, physics and mathematics whilst also engendering a base of scientifically useful generic skills involving the creation, refinement and operational parameters of a real experiment followed by the reduction, analysis, interpretation and evaluation of bona-fide experimental outputs • offer a novel and challenging outlet for gifted students in science and technology. CEO Parramatta

37. Method CEO Parramatta

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39. Data Sources Teachers • Questionnaires administered via web • Interviews • Record of activities during project • Observation of lessons Students • Questionnaires administered via web • Pre- and Post-Test of content knowledge • Interviews • Work samples Web-based data on interactions and communication CEO Parramatta

40. Start - 2009 • Term 3 • All students and teachers complete ethics approval • First professional development session for teachers – complete pre-intervention Astronomy Diagnostic Test (ADT) • All students and teachers complete pre-intervention Secondary School Science Questionnaire • All students complete pre-intervention ADT- 27 items • 1/3 of Year 10 classes commence intervention CEO Parramatta

41. Online Questionnaire Links Pre-ADT http://wsww01.csumain.csu.edu.au/sote-survey/dnl-project/students/adt_pretest-section1.html http://wsww01.csumain.csu.edu.au/sote-survey/dnl-project/students/adt_pretest-section2.html http://wsww01.csumain.csu.edu.au/sote-survey/dnl-project/students/adt_pretest-section3.html Pre-SSSQ Student Version http://wsww01.csumain.csu.edu.au/sote-survey/dnl-project/students/pretest-section1.html http://wsww01.csumain.csu.edu.au/sote-survey/dnl-project/students/pretest-section2.html http://wsww01.csumain.csu.edu.au/sote-survey/dnl-project/students/pretest-section3.html Pre-SSSQ Teacher Version http://wsww01.csumain.csu.edu.au/sote-survey/dnl-project/teachers/pretest-section1.html http://wsww01.csumain.csu.edu.au/sote-survey/dnl-project/teachers/pretest-section2.html http://wsww01.csumain.csu.edu.au/sote-survey/dnl-project/teachers/pretest-section3.html CEO Parramatta