This document summarizes Beth Dulin's final presentation project on rewriting a compulsory Year 8 science unit to make it more independent. The project aimed to rewrite the Independent Research Project unit to make it truly independent while still addressing risk assessments and practical work. Beth developed a self-paced smart board sequence and portal to allow students to work independently through red and green doors of varying difficulty. Data showed that using technology, independent work, and differentiation led to improved student outcomes, with higher average marks and more students scoring over 90% in 2012 compared to 2011 and 2010.

1. Beth Dulin
Loreto 5
Final Presentation

2. Aim of Project
To rewrite a compulsory syllabus unit in Year 8
called the Independent Research Project.

3. Why this needed to be done
• It wasn’t independent
• How to make it independent and still deal
with risk assessments and practical work

4. Syllabus

5. Australian Curriculum
Strand- Science as human endeavour

6. What have I been doing
• Two strands
• Working with scientists in schools
• Working on an independent technology based unit

7. Scientist in schools
• Brendan Halliburton CSIRO
• Visited Year 8 (twice), Year 10 &Year 11

8. Adobe Portfolios

9. Year 8 Particle pollution
Prepared adobe portfolio to prepare students for Dr
Halliburton’s visit in term 1.

10. Worked with them in Term 3 on particle pollution from Pennant
Hills Road to show Year 8 “real” science being done and teach
them scientific method

12. Smart Board sequence
• To allow students to work independently I
developed a self paced smart board sequence
• At many points allows students to go through
red or green door.
• Red door needs more help
• Green door Ok can move on.

14. Portal

15. Did using technology,
working independently and
differentiating lead to any
improved outcomes?

16. Part A Planning
2012
2011
Mean 23/30, Mean 21/25,
22 girls over 28, 27 girls over 24,
6 girls less than 15 1 girl less than 12

18. Part B Doing the Experiment
2011 2012
Mean 29/36, Mean 21/27,
33 girls got more than 33, 23 girls more than 25,
7 girls got less than 18 7 girls less than 13

20. Part C Testing Understanding
2011 2012
Mean 17 ( 71%), Mean 20 (64%),
10 girls greater than 23, 17 girls more than 29
17 girls less than 12 11 girls less than 15

22. Overall marks
2010 2011
Mean 72%, 9 girls over 90%,
4 girls less than 50%, Mean 76%, 17 girls over
2012
90%, 4 girls less than50%
Mean 62%, 33 girls over
90%, 3 girls less than 50%

25. Where to now?