Abstract:
Very little has been published about the amount and nature science teaching in Australian primary schools and that which has is largely based on written surveys completed by teachers and principals at a sample of schools. This study was designed to follow these surveys into the classroom. I observed fourteen science lessons, interviewed twelve teachers and interviewed the science coordinators at eight schools in order to gain a more accurate picture of the teaching of science in primary schools. The structure and organisation of science lessons was remarkably similar as were the difficulties experienced by teachers trying to teach science. To improve students experience of science in primary schools we need to find ways to better understand what is actually occurring in the classroom.