Credits for Scorching swings and slides

Credits for work used in the Scorching swings and slides sequence.

The following images have been used in the Scorching swings and slides sequence:

ImageAttribution
Playground in Yarloop, October 2020Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Silver spoonsMuffet, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hitachi air conditioner indoor unit(2)Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sun: 171879 main LimbflareJan12Hinode JAXA/NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Thermal images of playground equipmentCopyright Prof Sebastian Pfautsch, used with permission

About the program

Learn more about the Primary Connections program, including our approach and how you can be involved in our work.

What would you like to explore?

About Primary Connections
The Primary Connections team
Using the new Primary Connections website
Our evidence-informed approach: Launch > Inquire > Act
Curriculum and syllabus alignment
Get involved

Credits & acknowledgements

Credits and acknowledgements for work used on the Primary Connections website.

The Australian Academy of Science supports and encourages broad use of its material. Unless indicated below, copyright material available on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence.

Thank you to the staff and students at Caroline Chisholm Primary School, Banksmeadow Public School and St Gregory's College for allowing us to visit and collect photos and video footage of teachers and students using our teaching sequences. If your school is interested in being part of future field tests, please sign up to be involved.

We would also like to thank teachers across Australia for their support in the design and testing of the new Primary Connections platform and sequences.

The following images have been used in sequences and the Pedagogical Toolbox:

ImageAttribution
Stacked timber displaying growth ringsKelsey Todd, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Plastic household itemsImGz, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Cardboard waste pile for recycling collectionMarek Slusarczyk, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Homemade paper hand fanCouch-scratching-cats, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frabjous-01Oskay, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr
Sculpture, recycled cardboardneil cummings, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr
50 cents 3D printingFdecomite, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr
Cardboard Plane SculptureMeredithsteele, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr
Gladstonbury white elephantAndrewcparnell, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr
Sculpture of a Mero (Grouper) on the waterfront in Funchal MadeiraBobbingwide, CC0 1.0 via openverse.org
Sculptures made from plastic junkArthur Chapman, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr
Washed ashore - art to save the sea Norfolk botanical gardensMisterQque, Public Domain via openverse.org
Rubbish -geograph.org.ukJim Bain, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Playground in Yarloop, October 2020Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Silver spoonsMuffet, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hitachi air conditioner indoor unitDinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
SunHinode JAXA/NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Leaf leaves branch textureTitus Tscharntke, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Goo oroobleckVictor Wong, CC 4.0 via Flickr
Empty plastic cupsRon Lach, CC 4.0 via Pexels
Chemical reaction with balloon and bottle experiment isolatediStock.com/haryigit
Dawn patrol: Hot air balloonFrank Schulenburg, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Man hand strokes a cat on a sore stomachiStock.com/Andrey Zhuravlev 
Man holds his hand near ear and listens carefullyiStock.com/Siphotography
Beautiful African American woman smelling the soft, fresh and natural scent of pink flowers in spring in bloomiStock.com/Dani DG
Elderly, couple hiking and bird watching. iStock.com/PeopleImages
A little boy in a hat is holding an ice cream and looks happy and surprised. Children with ice creamiStock.com/Anastasiia Stiahailo
Australian magpieToby Hudson, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Fairy wrenBenjamint444, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Black tailed cockatooJean and Fred from  Perth, Australia, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Eastern spinebillJJ Harrison, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Props candelaria (lantern fly)Richard Ling,CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Museum interior stock photoiStock.com/empire331
A woman's hand shows how seeds grow in a sunflower floweriStock.com/Irina
Parts of a floweriStock.com/Marina Stepura
Kuchenkrauter-1(Herbs)Rainer Zenz (assumed),CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Fresh celery stalk on white backgroundiStock.com/MahirAtes
Apple bite on isolated stick photoiStock.com/antaom
Red bean stock photoiStock.com/Pongasn68
Fresh Potatoes from fieldiStock.com/enter89
Tomato plant with roots and a flower pot with soil. iStock.com/Imagesines
Forester kangaroo (Macropus giganteus tramaniensis) Esk ValleyCharles J Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Pseudonaja_textilis_-_Werrington_Sydney_2023._gXyxyzyz, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Two earth worm isolated on whiteiStock.com/kolesnikovserg
Vombatus ursinus -Maria Island National Park.jpgJJ Harrison, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Koala climbing treeDiliff, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Wedge-tailed EagleEd Dunens, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Little Penguin Feb09fir0002 flagstaffotos, GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons
Cairns Birdwing Butterfly Kuranda Butterfly SanctuaryLepidlizard, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Red winged dragonfly lateralJohn Tann, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Honeybee landing on milk thistleFir0002, GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons
Duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhnchus anatinus) Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Australian wood duck Chenonetta jubataPaul Asman and Jill Lenoble, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Unknown cricketGraham Wise from Brisbane, Australia, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis)Darren Swim, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Australian Walking StickRosa Pineda, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bazoule sacred crocodileMarco Schmidt, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Dog running t see ownerGabyrlo, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Oryctolagus cuniculusJJ Harrison, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Murray codfir0002 flagstaffotos,GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons
Leap for it (dolphin)incidencematrix, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Brisbane whort-necked turtleAndrew Mercer, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Abyssinian cat hunting in park stock photoiStock.com/Oks88
Red-eyed tree frogLiquidGhoul edited by Muhammad, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Great white sharkHermanus Backpackers, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Australian grey-headed flying foxiStock.com/Ken Griffiths
Strong black bulliStock.com/alberto clemares expósito
Female Calf Bush Elephant WalkingTimothy A. Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Full length profile shot of a female student in jeans and gray hoodie walking with a backpackiStock.com/Ljupco
Metal shavings around a bar magnetMaciej J. Mrowinski, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Blue bubblesCaliforniaCat0001, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Australia satellite planeReto Stöckl / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Renewable energy on the gridKenueone, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tug push the ship---=XEON=---, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Storm brewing, Port LincolnJacqui Barker, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Earth-air-wind-10hPa-PattersonCameron Beccario. CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Beaufort wind scaleLdecola, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Thermal images of playground equipmentCopyright Prof Sebastian Pfautsch, used with permission
Bird on a dead branchBTHiller, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Identifying stream insectsU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Two ants fighting at Coalseam Conservation ParkCalistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Gumtree Hopper antsJohn Tann, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Red-lored whistlerJJ Harrison, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Boyagin Nature ReserveDonald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Red Kangaroos at Sturt National ParkPotMart186, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Invasive weeds in the Adelaide HillsPeripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Particle model image of a solid substanceKaneiderdaniel, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

 

Credits for Any day outdoors

Credits for work used in the Any day outdoors sequence.

The following images have been used in the Any day outdoors sequence:

ImageAttribution
Playground in Yarloop, October 2020Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Silver spoonsMuffet, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hitachi air conditioner indoor unit(2)Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sun: 171879 main LimbflareJan12Hinode JAXA/NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Leaf leaves branch textureTitus Tscharntke, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Credits for Pedagogical Toolbox

Credits for work used in the Pedagogical Toolbox.

The following images have been used in the Pedagogical Toolbox:

ImageAttribution
Metal shavings around a bar magnetMaciej J. Mrowinski, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Blue bubblesCaliforniaCat0001, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Australia satellite planeReto Stöckl / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Renewable energy on the gridKenueone, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tug push the ship---=XEON=---, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Storm brewing, Port LincolnJacqui Barker, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Earth-air-wind-10hPa-Patterson-2023Cameron Beccario. CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Beaufort wind scaleLdecola, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

 

Credits for Take, shape and create

Credits for work used in the Take, shape and create sequence.

The following images have been used in the Take, shape and create sequence:

ImageAttribution
Stacked timber displaying growth ringsKelsey Todd, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Plastic household itemsImGz, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
57 cardboard waste pile for recycling collection in Kuala Lumpur, MalausiaMarek Slusarczyk, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Homemade paper hand fanCouch-scratching-cats, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frabjous-01Oskay, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr
Sculpture, recycled cardboardneil cummings, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr
50 cents 3D printingFdecomite, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr
Cardboard Plane SculptureMeredithsteele, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr
Gladstonbury white elephantAndrewcparnell, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr
Sculpture of a Mero (Grouper) on the waterfront in Funchal MadeiraBobbingwide, CC0 1.0 via openverse.org
Sculptures made from plastic junkArthur Chapman, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr
Washed ashore - art to save the sea Norfolk botanical gardensMisterQque, Public Domain via openverse.org
Rubbish -geograph.org.ukJim Bain, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions

Teaching Primary Connections

Can I still access the old units aligned to the Australian Curriculum V8.4?

Are there assessment rubrics for the new sequences aligned to the Australian Curriculum V9?

Can I purchase kits with the equipment needed for a unit or sequence?

Can I use Primary Connections resources if I teach a multi-age class?

Do I have to teach Primary Connections teaching sequences exactly as written?

Primary Connections professional learning opportunities

Do you offer professional learning?

I would like to learn more about the LIA framework. Can I organise a training session for me and my colleagues?

About Primary Connections

What is Primary Connections all about?

Does Primary Connections address my state's syllabus/curriculum?

How do I find specific content about science concepts for my reference using Primary Connections?

How do I stay updated about Primary Connections' new resources and professional learning?

Teaching Primary Connections

Are the new V9-aligned sequences available as physical books?

Primary Connections’ new sequences, aligned to the Australian Curriculum V9, are only available digitally. This ensures that all of our resources remain freely accessible to all teachers, and are living documents that can be updated and refined as required.

We know many teachers prefer physical copies, and/or need to create document versions for their programs and record keeping. We are currently working on making each sequence available as a downloadable editable document. These will be available in the "Downloads” tab attached to each sequence.

To keep up-to-date with our latest news and resource releases you might like to subscribe to our newsletter.

Can I still access the old units aligned to the Australian Curriculum V8.4?

Our AC V8.4 aligned sequences will remain available to download from this site until at least 2026.

You will find zip packages, which include the curriculum unit, e-Resource sheets, assessment rubrics and work samples, available to download from the Classic sequences for AC V8.4 page.

Are there assessment rubrics for the new sequences aligned to the Australian Curriculum V9?

Each lesson in the new sequences contains assessment advice, alongside the key learning goals for the lesson. This advice is centred around what teachers might be looking for during the lesson, to support them to make decisions about how they might respond to student learning.

At this stage we don’t have summative assessment rubrics or work samples available. We hope that, as more and more teachers use our resources, we might be able to build up a bank of work samples we can use and share as part of our resources. If you or your colleagues would like to be involved, we’d love for you to get in touch with us.

Many of our new sequences have some similarities with our classic AC V8.4 aligned sequences. For example, if you’re currently teaching, or looking to teach, our new Year 1 sequence Any day outdoors, you might find the existing rubrics and work samples for our AC V8.4 aligned unit Weather in my world helpful. It’s important to note however that these rubrics and work samples align to AC V8.4 expectations for Foundation students. It might be a useful starting point to create a new rubric, with refence to the new Year 1 Achievement standards for the AC V9, taking into account any adjustments required by different science content and literacy and numeracy expectations.

Can I purchase kits with the equipment needed for a unit or sequence?

In the past Primary Connections had a licensing agreement with Abacus Education suppliers that included permission for the sale of equipment kits related to our AC V8.4 aligned curriculum units and branded as Primary Connections.

However, as part of a digital transformation that began in 2019, Primary Connections no longer endorses the sale of our resources, or allow any third-party permission to brand other products, including resource kits, as being associated with or endorsed by us.

In making this decision we hoped to ensure that our resources remain freely accessible and within the means of all Australian schools and teachers.

Feedback we have received from teachers is that, by using our collated resource lists, they are able to build kits of their own for a reasonable price by utilising supermarkets, discount variety stores and online market places.

In the coming weeks collated resource lists will become available for all of our currently available teaching sequences aligned with the Australian Curriculum V9. If you’d like to keep up-to-date with when these become available you might subscribe to our newsletter.

Can I use Primary Connections resources if I teach a multi-age class?

Yes. Find out how Primary Connections supports teachers to differentiate, moderate, and provide feedback to students in our Pedagogical toolbox.

Also refer to ACARA’s guidance regarding catering for student diversity, and providing students with opportunities to work with learning area content in more depth or breadth; encompassing specific aspects of the general capabilities learning continuum.
 

Do I have to teach Primary Connections teaching sequences exactly as written?

We support teachers to modify Primary Connections teaching sequences in order to meet student interests, increase relevance to local and school contexts, and to meet state-based syllabus or curriculum. Our teaching and learning approach is grounded in the Australian Academy of Science LIA Framework. The LIA Framework is a constructivist, guided-inquiry approach where students are supported to make conceptual change by gathering and analysing their own evidence. Primary Connections teaching sequences are examples of how to implement the LIA Framework in primary science. When modifying lessons, ensure that you retain the purpose of each phase of the LIA Framework.

 

Primary Connections professional learning opportunities

Do you offer professional learning?

Primary Connections offers a variety of professional learning opportunities, from just-in-time advice embedded as part of each teaching sequence to the Pedagogical toolbox where you’ll find a collection of curated tools written by education experts that can be used by educators at all career stages. The toolbox also offers school science leaders ideas for sharing the latest in learning design and teaching strategies with their colleagues.

The Primary Connections team also offer online courses and webinars to meet the needs of Australian teachers. Make sure you are signed up to our mailing list to hear about these opportunities.

I would like to learn more about the LIA framework. Can I organise a training session for me and my colleagues?

Primary Connections is always looking for opportunities to work with teachers to develop understandings of the new LIA framework. Contact us to discuss your needs further.

 

About Primary Connections

What is Primary Connections all about?

We’ve been around for more than 15 years, working with and for teachers to bring innovative and contemporary resources and professional learning that enrich primary science education in Australia. We’re more than a set of teaching sequences; we offer a unique approach to professional learning and teaching guided-inquiry science, which results in a proven increase in student learning outcomes.

Does Primary Connections address my state’s syllabus/curriculum?

As a federally funded program, our teaching sequences align to the Australian Curriculum: Science. All state-based curricula must adhere to the Australian Curriculum, therefore the majority of our sequences cover your state-based syllabus/curriculum.

How do I find specific content about science concepts for my reference using Primary Connections?

Explore our Science content resources, designed just for teachers, written by our scientists.

How do I stay updated about Primary Connections’ new resources and professional learning?

Stay updated by subscribing to our mailing list.

History of Primary Connections

For over 20 years, our "Primary Connections" program has been a favourite among primary school educators.

History of the program

2003

Primary Connections received funding from the Australian Foundation for Science to develop a conceptual model for the project. The model proposed a professional learning program supported by sample curriculum units, designed to meet the needs of primary school teachers and students across Australia.

2004–2005

The Australian Government announced support for Primary Connections and a Professional Learning Program and eight curriculum units were developed and trialled in 2005 (106 trial teachers participated in 56 trial schools across Australia).

2006–2008

The research showed a strong positive impact on schools resulting in further funding. This included the publication of a suite of nineteen curriculum units, training of Professional Learning Facilitators (PLFs) across the country, ongoing research and evaluation, and the incorporation of Indigenous perspectives. A Tertiary Science Educators Program was also delivered.

2009–2012

A Master Facilitator Program was conducted. A complete suite of curriculum units fully aligned to the Australian Curriculum: Science was developed. Keith Skamp’s comprehensive report Teaching Primary Science was published attesting to the fact that Primary Connections was making a positive difference to primary teachers in improving science teaching and learning.

2012–2018

Focus on teacher professional learning in regional and remote locations was supported by the Australian Government. Student Science Journals for selected units were developed. Alternative curriculum units were developed for selected concepts. New professional learning workshops were developed and conducted. ‘PC Ready’, a pre-service teacher two-day professional learning program was developed (2014) and implemented across the country. University of Technology Sydney (2018) conducted an external independent evaluation of Primary Connections Stage 6 (2014-2018) to assess the program outcomes and impact. Professional learning and curriculum resources have been developed to incorporate a focus on STEM education.

2019–2020

A focus on increasing the interactivity of Primary Connections resources, piloting online professional learning, research and review of how Primary Connections is imbedded in pre-service teacher education with a view to increase support for this sector, and development of new STEM teacher resources. As part of a review of teacher needs and our digital transformation, Primary Connections ceased the sale of hard-copy resources at the end of 2020.

2021-2025

Building on the work of previous grant periods, the focus for the next 5 years is the continued development of varied and flexible professional learning, interactive curriculum resources, and pre-service teacher education.

Research and evaluation

The development of Primary Connections is informed by research and evaluation. Numerous reports across the lifespan of the program demonstrate that "Primary Connections is having a positive impact on schools, teachers and students" (Skamp, 2012) as well as pre-service teachers. These reports include:

  • Primary Connections: linking science with literacy Stage 6 Research Evaluation (2018) by University of Technology Sydney
  • Teaching Primary Science: Trial-teacher feedback on the implementation of Primary Connections and the 5E model (2012) by Professor Keith Skamp.
  • Australasian Science Education Research Association paper (2012) reporting on insights gleaned from an analysis of more than 3000 comments, from over 200 teachers who have implemented trial Primary Connections units and provided detailed written feedback. 
  • An overview of Primary Connections Stage 3 research outcomes (2008) by Mark Hackling (Edith Cowan University)
  • Impact of Primary Connections on students' science processes, literacies of science and attitudes towards science (2008) by Mark Hackling (Edith Cowan University) and Vaughan Prain (La Trobe University)

Primary Connections is changing!

You've landed on a page that doesn't exist anymore.

Sorry, we can't find that page!

You've tried to view a page that no longer exists.

Learn about the new-look Primary Connections, head over to the homepage, or explore the links below.

If you need our help, don't hesitate to contact us.

You may be interested in...

Credits for Communicating Matters

Credits for work used in the Communicating Matters sequence

The following images have been used in the Communicating Matters sequence:

ImageAttribution
Goo or "oobleck"Victor Wong, CC 4.0 via Flickr
Empty plastic cupsRon Lach, CC 4.0 via Pexels
chemical reaction with ballon and bottle experiment isolatediStock.com/haryigit
Dawn patrol: Hot air balloonFrank Schulenburg, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Particle model image of a solid substanceKaneiderdaniel, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Subscribe to