CRC for Plant Biosecurity - free school resources

Recruiting Australia’s future plant biosecurity scientists

VANMEURSA — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 07:27:55 +0000

Capturing the imagination of school children and developing their enthusiasm for protecting plants from pests and diseases will assist building Australia’s future capacity in science and plant biosecurity. Many studies conducted in Australia and overseas have demonstrated that children who are introduced to science and related disciplines at an early age are more likely to pursue a career in these areas. However, once students acquire an interest in science it is important that this interest is nurtured, particularly through the teenage years.

Our school education strategy commits to engage students throughout the full school continuum. The education strategy includes a variety of learning activities that have been delivered through three key elements – Plant Pest Investigation with Lily and Sam, Plant Pest Investigators and Plant Pest Investigations - aimed at pre-primary, primary, and secondary school students respectively.

By portraying plant biosecurity and science in a positive and exciting manner it is hoped that more students will be encouraged to pursue science as a career and in the long-term, fill some of the science, engineering and technology skills shortages.

We have translated plant biosecurity knowledge into interesting and relevant activities that can be easily accessed and understood by teachers and students. The resources have been extensively reviewed by education specialists and scientists. The program was also trailed in schools across Australia. Feedback from these trials was extremely positive and highlighted our commitment to providing quality educational resources.

Comments included:

“Format worked well. We would like to do it again next year.”

“Very comprehensive and easy to use in class.”

“The program is interesting and allows a varying range of investigation choices”

“Well researched and structured well with background notes, explicit teaching sessions and observable outcomes.”

“It was very easy to integrate this program into our regular curriculum.”

Resources developed for pre-primary, primary and secondary stages of education allow us to reinforce and build on information students have already learned. It also gives us the opportunity to ensure that students remain engaged in science throughout their education.

While the school education strategy is focused on educating future generations; it is also an important tool to help raise awareness of plant biosecurity. We aim to provide positive images of plant biosecurity professionals and to provide links between schools and the wider community with relevant government agencies and the plant biosecurity industry.

We have been extremely pleased with the uptake of our education program among schools and industry, including some of our participants who are involved with the CSIRO Scientists in Schools Program. The program has also encouraged the use of both the Pest and Disease Image Library (PaDIL) and our Remote Microscope Network which were promoted throughout the education program. Due to the high level of interest in the remote microscopes we are investigating the feasibility of linking schools with the network.

Copies of Plant Pest Investigation with Lily and Sam (pre-primary/primary), and limited copies of Plant Pest Investigators (primary school unit), are now held by our participants in each state, including state agencies, Museum Victoria and CSIRO. If you are working with a school and are interested in obtaining either resource, please contact the Education and Training Program Leader for the contact details of the person in your state who is distributing the books. An electronic version of the primary school unit is also available. For further information about our various school activities please visit our schools webpage or contact the Education and Training Program Leader, Dr Kirsty Bayliss.

Photo caption: Plant Pest Investigators, primary school unit.

Article written by Dr Kirsty Bayliss

Plant biosecurity for primary schools

VANMEURSA — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 06:48:44 +0000

Plant Pest Investigators

For upper primary students (years 4 to 7 depending on the state/territory) we have developed a science unit, Plant Pest Investigators to engage students by investigating plant pests.

Plant biosecurity is a multi-disciplinary field focused on protecting Australian plants and crops from harmful pests and diseases.

In Plant Pest Investigators, traditional 'Living Things' (or 'Life and Living') content is presented in a plant biosecurity context, allowing students to understand how important science is to their everyday lives as well as enjoy learning about plants, invertebrates and diseases.

To order a hard copy of the unit ($20 + $5 postage and handling) or to get a FREE electronic copy, please email schools@crcplantbiosecurity.com.au

Supporting resources:

Activity 1.2 Crops in Australia

Activity 2.1 Sick Plants

Article - Fruit flies show surprising sophistication in locating food sources

The supporting resources accompany the unit. It is indicated within the unit where the materials are required.

This publication is adapted and incorporates materials from the Australian Academy of Science Primary Connections science education publications. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Australian Academy of Science www.science.org.au, in making its publications available to us for scientific educational use. Australian Academy of Science Primary Connections was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training as a quality teacher initiative under the Australian Government Quality Teacher Program www.qualityteaching.dest.gov.au.

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Plant biosecurity for pre-primary/primary schools

HAYM — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:45:54 +0000

Plant Pest Investigation with Lily and Sam

To raise awareness of plant biosecurity issues and encourage our youngest students (5-8 years old) to enjoy learning about plants and the importance of protecting them from pests and diseases, we have produced a big book, Plant Pest Investigation. Plant Pest Investigation comes with teachers' notes supporting activities for the classroom.

Follow Lily and Sam on a scientific investigation to find the reason behind Sam's sick plant. Helped by Dr Wheaten, their investigation takes them through memories of their overseas holiday, a trip to their grandparents' farm and a visit to real science laboratory.

During their investigation, Lily and Sam learn about the importance of protecting Australia's crops from pests and diseases.

The big book is an educational tool and was launched on Thursday 6 November 2008 by Dr Jim Peacock, Australia's former Chief Scientist.

To order a copy of Plant Pest Investigation for your family or classroom, download and complete an order form.

Return to School education program page

School education program

K.Scott — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:32:51 +0000

Investigating plant pests just got fun!

As part of our school education strategy, we are focusing on educating the next generation of scientists and science users. By portraying plant biosecurity and science in a positive and exciting manner to students from a young age, it is hoped that more students will be encouraged to pursue science as a career and, in the long-term, fill some of the science, engineering and technology skills gaps.

CRC for Plant Biosecurity - free school resources

Recruiting Australia’s future plant biosecurity scientists

Plant biosecurity for primary schools

Plant Pest Investigators

Plant biosecurity for pre-primary/primary schools

Plant Pest Investigation with Lily and Sam

School education program

Investigating plant pests just got fun!

Plant biosecurity for pre-primary/primary schools

Plant Pest Investigation with Lily and Sam

Plant Pest Investigators

Plant biosecurity for secondary schools

Plant Pest Investigations

Professional development for teachers