Science and technology

Science and technology is mandatory for all students from Kindergarten to Year 6.

In science and technology, students explore the natural and made worlds. They learn how to apply scientific and technological skills, knowledge and understanding across a broad range of contexts.

Science provides a way of inquiring about the world around us. It explores evidence and investigates ways to discover, develop and produce solutions to real world problems. The inquiry and skill-based nature of science opens doors to ideas and discoveries.

During 2019-2020, Parkes Public School staff worked with ACARA staff to instil real change and create a whole school focus on Digital Technology (DT). It was deemed important that all students participated in the program and our whole staff received training and opportunities to implement and integrate DT into curriculum.

Since beginning the project, we have focused on implementing the design process and how digital technologies can be used to assist us, with the following outcomes:

• Stage collaboration became a strong focus in the development of programs suited to achieve the digital technology outcomes.
• Greater staff understanding of the Digital Technologies content and how to apply knowledge, understanding and skills across a range of Key Learning Areas at various stages of learning.
• A systematic approach towards implementing the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technology was achieved through the implementation of STEM, focusing on the 3 thinking skills across K-6, including special education classes
• Digital Technology resources were developed and purchased to complement the project 

  ensuring that all students across the school had access to a range of engaging STEM resources.

• Staff developed improved confidence in teaching the design process of STEM implementation.