The stereotype of science as a boring and distant subject, disconnected from students’ everyday lives, is being challenged by a transformative initiative led by University of Sydney researchers. A collaboration between the Sydney School of Education and Social Work, the Charles Perkins Centre and LifeLab Sydney at the Sydney Institute for Women, Children and their Families, this groundbreaking project empowers trainee teachers to create immersive digital resources that immerse students in scenarios that reflect their everyday experiences.
Drawing on the pedagogical skills and curriculum insights of pre-service teachers, the project aims to create engaging learning tools that go beyond the confines of the classroom. The concept is based on scenario-based learning, in which learners tackle complex problems that resemble real-life situations. By making decisions about diet, exercise, sleep and lifestyle habits such as smoking and vaping, students combine subject knowledge with critical thinking skills within a safe educational framework.
Woven into the narrative fabric are unstructured challenges that require students to synthesise their learning to solve complex problems, all in line with the learning standards set by the NSW Board of Studies. These interactive scenarios cover a range of subject areas including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), English and Health Education, mirroring the real-world classroom environment.
Professor Peter Reimann, the visionary behind the project, emphasises its importance in bridging the gap between university learning and real-world educational practice. He says: “We are creating opportunities for our students, schoolchildren and teachers to learn about cutting-edge research being conducted at the University of Sydney and the Sydney Local Health District.
In addition to enhancing technological and pedagogical knowledge, the initiative facilitates deep engagement with real-world health education programs. The synergistic blend of academic excellence and immersive experiences extends to the LifeLab Sydney initiative, where health content is seamlessly integrated with science lessons. The journey culminates with an excursion to the Charles Perkins Centre, creating an immersive and holistic learning experience.
In a pilot program involving 75 Bachelor of Education (Secondary) students in 2023, 20 media-rich, interactive scenarios were created in a remarkably compressed five-week period. Drawing on resources from the Charles Perkins Centre and LifeLab Sydney, these scenarios ranged from designing a healthy school canteen to empowering young people to resist social pressures around alcohol, smoking and drug use. The sessions also explored nutrition, fitness, lifestyle and the powerful influence of media, youth culture and advertising, including an examination of the intersection of social media and diet culture.
Testimonials from participants such as Rachel Park, a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) pre-service student, underline the transformative nature of the project. Rachel emphasises the seamless connection between theory and practice, while also highlighting the role of technology in creating engaging learning experiences for students.
This pioneering project has immense potential for multidisciplinary research translation and social impact. The collaboration between education practitioners and research institutions, exemplified by this initiative, promises a brighter future for science education, bridging the gap between theory and reality with innovation and engagement.
As the journey continues, the horizon beckons with an educational landscape enriched by collaboration, immersion and real impact, creating a paradigm shift in how science is perceived and embraced by the next generation.
