Contemporary Australian Primary Science Teacher Education: Triumphs, Tensions and Future Directions

This book provides an evidence-based response to how ‘classroom-readiness’ translates into the preparation of future teachers of science. It juxtaposes contemporary understanding of programming and practices in initial teacher education in an Australian context against international narratives. Through this, this book shifts the understanding of primary science education from a deficit model to one that critically examines, challenges and contest what is happening in this space, and why. It proposes problems of practice in primary science teacher education and then draws on these provocations to provide insights into possible solutions.

Professor Angela Fitzgerald is ​the Executive Dean for the Faculty of Education at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi. Her main focus is engaging in activities that support pre- and in-service teachers in developing their confidence and competence in the learning and teaching of science in primary school settings. She has also engaged in the professional experience space nationally and internationally, which has involved supporting pre-service teachers in their learning to teach journey and building partnerships with education stakeholders. Ange advocates for quality primary science education through contributing to international policy directions and networks, such as the Papua New Guinea Ministry of Education and the Smithsonian Science Education Centre.

Dr. Kimberley Pressick-Kilborn has worked in primary and secondary schools in New South Wales (NSW), Australia as a teacher, school leader and education researcher for more than 25 years. She currently is Director of Research (Pre-School – Year 12) at Trinity Grammar School and an Honorary Industry Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).  Kimberley previously was a Senior Lecturer in the UTS’s Teacher Education Program, with a focus on primary education. Since completing her doctorate in 2010, Kimberley’s research has continued to focus on educational psychology, with consideration of students’ interest and motivation development particularly in STEM learning contexts. Her research has been published in international journals and edited books, and presented at international conferences. Kimberley has contributed to the leadership of three successful funded research evaluations of key Australian science and technology programs and initiatives. She has a particular interest in practitioner research and teaching innovation informed by collaborative research.

Reece Mills is an Associate Professor of Education at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia. He commenced his career in Education as a secondary school science teacher before being appointed at QUT. Reece has previously been a Bachelor of Education (Primary) Course Coordinator and a School Research Ethics Advisor. His research aims to create socially and ecologically sustainable futures through education. Reece's research foci centre around his values (sustainability), discipline area (science education), and practice (Initial Teacher Education). He presently holds two Australian Research Council (ARC) grants investigating teacher shortages - one about career change teachers and one about hardest-to-staff schools.

Associate Professor Linda Pfeiffer is the Deputy Dean Research for the School of Education and the Arts at CQ University, Australia. Linda has taught secondary and primary science and developed the science and STEM units in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Linda is a research higher degree supervisor and has lead multiple research projects. Linda won the 2016 Women in STEM Research prize and designed the STEM Central industry-funded facility in Gladstone, Queensland. Linda is committed to improving the quality of science and innovation learning experiences at all levels of education from pre-Kindergarten right through to post-graduate and for all sectors of the community. 

Dr. James Deehan is a Senior Lecturer in Teacher Education at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Bathurst, Australia. He has researched and taught primary science education for over 10 years. James has served as both a Higher Degree Research Coordinator and the Sub-Dean of Graduate Studies for the Faculty of Arts and Education at CSU. His early research focused on impactful primary science teacher education for both on-campus and distance learners. More recently, James’ research has focused on primary science teaching in schools and STEM education in regional, rural, and remote Australia. Although James is primarily focused on primary science education, he is passionate about all forms of education that improvement societal equity and cohesion.