I'm an Australian Maths and Chemistry teacher- AMA

[goldopals]

I have been teaching in a variety of schools for the last ten or so years. Mostly secondary with some primary, and mostly regional with some remote and others closer to the city

Ooh, hi from down under. Are you from the UK originally or Aussie born? If from the UK, is there a difference in the curriculum?

How do you stop girls disengaging from your subjects?

Omnishambles
I am originally from Australia (one of the southern states), but have worked with teachers from the UK in the past, and have taught students who have come from the UK. I think that some stages are more advanced as students of similar ages from the UK seem to be advanced in comparison to others. This may however be because these particular students are more advanced in the first place.

I have done a very quick google about the UK national curriculum, and it seems that it is very similar to what I have taught in the past, with some elements that are more advanced. I believe that A levels are more advanced than our year 12 classes, and have some similarities to first year university subjects for more advanced studies.

From what I understand, the assessment system in general is dramatically different. We have major exams at the end of year twelve, and the qualifications for most states and territories is very different (VCE vs SACE vs WACE...), including the overall requirements. For example in SA and NT, English and Maths are compulsory in year 11, but not in year 12, as well as Research project being compulsory in year 12. All subjects are moderated by SACE at the end of the year for year 12 where schools need to send in a certain number of samples. In Victoria, English is compulsory to the end of year 12 and there are different auditing processes.

Quantumblue

I have always been passionate about avoiding girls becoming disengaged with Maths and Science. In my university degree, I was part of a very small minority of girls studying abstract Maths and physics, and do want to change this. It is not necessarily about pushing girls into STEM subjects regardless of dreams, but making sure they know they are capable of it and can follow their dreams.

With regards to specific strategies, it is not any one that works and it is not something that I consciously focus on. To begin with, I am a role model to show that it is possible; seeing a woman with these qualifications is one indication that it is possible. There are so many regional and rural schools which have no female Maths or Science teachers, and girls do not always see that it is a potential path. I have had past students go into science or maths degrees at university because they have seen that if I could, they could. I know this seems like boasting, but I have received emails or Facebook messages to this effect.

I have very high expectations of my students; male and female and will not accept it when they give up. That is is easier said than done, but my classes are generally small enough that I can pay a lot of one to one attention. I have had girls attempt to do poorly to not show up "weaker" boys before, which can be a very interesting discussion.

Keeping them engaged is about continuing to make the girls interested in Maths or Science and this is different for every student. It might start out by discussing financial maths, which most (sadly not all) students can see a definite need for in their lives, and then extend this to more theoretical concepts.

I have also run Maths related quiz night to encourage engagement with Maths on a different level, and have noticed that this has improved attitudes somewhat.

It is very important to stop peacocking in the classroom and to immediately halt instances of attempting to impress the opposite gender by stuffing around or deliberately doing poorly.

Unfortunately there is no definite answer to keeping girls interested in science and Maths. Ultimately for me it is the relationship I have with my kids; when I was at my last school I managed to increase the number of girls studying year 12 Maths by a significant amount to the point of extra classes being offered.

Thanks for that, @goldopals

Are Australian-type Maths and Chemistry?
(Sorry, couldn't resist)

Ever had to evacuate the lab and if so why?

(Happened once when I was at school. Iron and sulphur reaction didn't work properly and gave off sulphur dioxide fumes, oops.)

As an Australian, what's your opinion (if any) on Brexit? How is it reported on the news where you are?

safariboot

Unfortunately we have had to evacuate the lab a few times; the fire department never came out as we had an unofficial policy about them coming out only when we called them despite the fire alarm. I chucked a pretty big lump of potassium in a bucket of water once; smoke everywhere.

Someone left the gas on over a long weekend once (not evacuating, but could not be used). We did a series of experiments making esters (not even pure ones) and stunk the lab out with a combination of flower, lolly bananas and more. We did another experiment where we had made pure lolly banana smell and managed to make a sample so pure that it stunk out all four science labs and the attached toilets.

There was the time we burned so many marshmallows that the smell of burning sugar was awful. We also had to leave the time I discovered the reaction between glycerol and permanaganate.

I was safe! I swear no students were injured in my care. My kids used to love chemistry and science with me as stuff was always going on; I promise you that they did learn! It was not just a revolving door of bad mistakes.

screamingvalenta

In all honesty we do not watch the news anymore; our TV is not hooked up to the antenna. We get most of our news online and I honestly cannot say how much Australian media is commenting on it. I have read a bit about it from Mumsnet and certain online papers which shall not be mentioned.

I am somewhat concerned about the impact of Brexit on the economy and with international relations as a whole. I do not know about trade agreements that were replaced with the EU and how they will be re-signed or re-implemented. From my limited understanding, being a member of the EU did reduce prices, and I suspect one of the effects of Brexit will be rising food prices, and possibly shortages as well.

I can only imagine the impact it will have on those who are currently struggling and hope that the government has a plan to put in place to minimise the impact.

On a selfish level, I am very curious about the impact on my future travel plans to both the UK and continental Europe. I wonder whether visa schemes will be put in place or what will happen.

Another Australian joining in on Brexit. I think everyone here is a bit gobsmacked by the madness of it and the way it is being done. Also a bit cynical about the sudden rediscovery of uk relationship with Aust and the commonwealth as the panacea for everything. When the uk joined the eu, Australia and Nz were pretty much kicked to the curb in terms of trade so I don't think we will be rushing to save the uk now it has shot itself in the foot.

And gold thank you for the answer to my question.