Tracey Rogers - Science Talk 2008
Teaching notes
This resource contains a set of videos in which Tracey Rogers describes her work as a Marine Biologist and the path that she has taken in her career. She talks about her research and development work on leopard seals and the impact of climate change on the species. Tracey also gives advice to young female students considering science as a career.
Each video has a set of questions designed to stimulate reflection on the content of Tracey’s presentation and interview.
Teachers may find it useful to combine this resource with others listed in the Resources section to extend students’ learning based on outcomes from Stages 4 and 5 of the NSW Board of Studies Science syllabus and Stage 6 Senior Science, Biology and Earth and Environmental Science Syllabuses. The syllabuses can be found at: www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au
Science
Stage 4/5
Prescribed Focus Areas
Students will develop knowledge and understanding of:
- the history of science
- the nature and practice of science
- applications and uses of science
- current issues, research and development.
Knowledge and understanding
Students will develop knowledge and understanding of:
- models, theories and laws, and structures and systems related to the physical world, matter, the living world, and Earth and space
- interactions within the physical world, matter, the living world and Earth and space.
(4:10) A student identifies factors affecting survival of organisms in an ecosystem.
- describe some adaptations of living things to factors in their environment
- describe, using examples of food chains and food webs from Australian ecosystems, how producers, consumers and decomposers are related
- describe the roles of photosynthesis and respiration in ecosystems
- discuss some effects of bushfires, drought and flood on Australian ecosystems.
(5.8.3) the theory of evolution and natural selection.
- discuss evidence that present-day organisms have evolved from organisms in the distant past
- relate natural selection to the theory of evolution.
Optional material: Theory of evolution by natural selection.
- research case studies of extinct species and species at risk of extinction
- describe the impact of mass extinction on species diversity.
Biology
Stage 6 – Prescribed Focus Areas
History of biology:
Knowledge of the historical background of biology is important for an adequate understanding of the origins, functioning and evolution of living organisms. Students should develop knowledge of:
- the progressive accumulation of knowledge about living things and their environment
- the part that an understanding of living things and their environment plays in shaping society
- how our understanding of living things and their environment is influenced by society.
Nature and practice of biology:
A study of biology should enable students to participate in scientific activities and develop knowledge of the practice of biology. Students should develop knowledge of the provisional nature of biological explanations and the complex relationship between:
- existing biological views and the evidence supporting these
- the process and methods of exploring, generating, testing and relating ideas
- the stimulation provided by technological advances in understanding biology
- the constraints imposed on understanding biology by the limitations of current technology and the stimulation this provides for the development of the required technology and technological advances.
Applications and uses of biology:
Setting the study of biology into broader contexts allows students to deal with real problems and applications. The study of biology should increase students’ knowledge of:
- the relevance, usefulness and applicability of biological concepts and principles
- how increases in our understanding in biology have led to the development of useful technologies and systems
- the contributions biology has made to society, with particular emphasis on Australian achievements.
(8.2) A local ecosystem: (8.2.2) Each local aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem is unique.
(8.5) Evolution of the Australian biota: (8.5.4) A study of palaeontology and past environments increases our understanding of the possible future range of plants and animals.
Earth and Environmental Science
Stage 6
(8.2) Planet Earth and Its Environment – A Five Thousand Million Year Journey: (8.2.4) The evolution of photosynthesis shifted the balance of gases in the atmosphere.
(9.3) Environments Through Time: (9.3.5) Past extinction and mass extinction events.
(9.4) Caring for Country: (9.4.4) The effect of excessive use and long-term consequences of using some pesticides (food chains).
(9.8) Oceanography – option: (9.8.5) The physical conditions at different depths in the oceans constitute different environments and can support different communities of organisms.
Quality teaching
This resource provides opportunities to incorporate the following elements of Quality teaching in NSW public schools by:
- giving students an opportunity to discover the nature and practice of marine biology and ecology (Deep knowledge, Connectedness, Metalanguage, Knowledge integration)
- highlighting the dynamic nature of research in marine biology and the relationships between species distribution and climate change (Connectedness, Problematic knowledge, Higher-order thinking)
- stimulating thought about what inspires people to become scientists (Connectedness, Problematic knowledge).