At Dromana Primary School our Science and Aboriginal Studies program looks at science through an Indigenous lens. The program focus is for students to engage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s unique culture through ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing. The program highlights the importance of students learning and maintaining a special connection to, and responsibility for, protecting Country and Place, in Australia with a strong focus on the Mornington Peninsula.
Our science program links to the Victorian and Australian Curriculum, ‘Science Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority’. Acknowledging that Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have worked scientifically for millennia and continue to contribute to contemporary science.
In Term 2 and 3 students learn in our purpose built science room, in our school grounds, and in our newly landscaped Indigenous garden. During Term 2 and Term 3 lessons have a science focus and students learn through an inquiry model. Students delve into learning about Chemical and Physical sciences. They pose questions, conduct mini scientific investigations by asking scientific questions, making a prediction then undertaking an investigation to see if their prediction is correct. Students learn how to make observations and present their results in a variety of ways.
In Term 1 and Term 4 our students walk or take our school bus to the Boatshed located only 800 metres from our school, where they begin their Science and Aboriginal studies Educational lessons in the marine inspired classroom. Using an inquiry model students participate in a variety of Earth and Space and Biology lessons along the local Dromana Foreshore. The lessons consists of living and non- living species, extensive learning on the local flora and fauna, recognise the impact of pollution within the Port Phillip Bay and how we can save our unique eco systems, mini botany sessions with the local ranger and understand how traditional Aboriginal sustainable practices are linked to modern Australia in the 21st century.
Students at Dromana Primary School are able to participate in the ‘I sea I care’ award- winning Dolphin research program, that gives students the opportunity to learn and save our unique marine eco-systems and species.
ln 2019 our Reconciliation event included a whole school dress up, where students wore colours of the Aboriginal Flag and participated in a Cultural workshop with Lionel Lauch (Living Culture) listened and discussed Sorry Day with renowned author Coral Vass, kept active in Indigenous games and learnt some amazing dance moves with the Indigenous Hip Hop Dance Projects group. We endeavour to run this event again in 2021 for Reconciliation day.