A series of science textbooks co-written by UQ Education lecturer Dr David Geelan and used widely in Queensland classrooms has won a prestigious publishing award.
The Science Ways series, co-written with former teacher Greg Rickard and published by Pearson Australia, won a 2009 Australian Educational Publishing Award in the Secondary Teaching and Learning category.
"A key attribute of the books is that they are up to date in terms of both content and approach," Dr Geelan said.
"For example we feature sections on pandemics and global patterns of change such as ozone depletion, climate change and continental drift.
"We've paid particular attention to the nature of science and technology, and to the role and importance of science in society."
Science Ways is an exciting three-level series designed for the teaching of science for the new Queensland Essentials across grades 8, 9 and 10. The content covers five strands: science as a human endeavour, Earth and beyond, energy and change, life and living and natural and processed materials.
"We've designed the books to be as visually appealing as possible by using lots of effective images and diagrams interwoven with text – a better and more interesting way of learning," Dr Geelan said.
"The books come with a CD containing extra materials and there is also a companion website with practical and extension activities. The teachers' edition adds suggested teaching activities and assessment tasks."
As a teacher educator and educational researcher, Dr Geelan said the project had provided an important learning opportunity.
"I learned so much more about science and teaching science in the process, and it also offered me another way to make connections with Queensland schools and teachers," he said.
"Not only do we hope to inspire a new generation of scientists, but also to prepare everyone to be a scientifically informed citizen by engaging them in the aspects of science that influence their daily lives.
"Most of the key challenges society will face in the coming decades have a scientific component, so reaching all students is important to us."
Media: Melinda Kopanakis (07 3365 8820, m.kopanakis@uq.edu.au)
.jpg)
