Focus folklore: Reflections of focus teachers on the SCI-TEC in-service project

In June 1988, the SA Minister of Education announced the allocation of $650,000 to boost science and technology in State primary schools. Subsequent allocations have raised funding for Phase 1 and 2 of this ‘SCI-TEC Project’ to over $1m. This level of funding for science and technology in primary schools is unprecedented in Australia. During 1989 the Independent Schools Board sponsored a pilot project along similar lines and in 1990 the Disadvantaged Schools Program of the Catholic Education Office followed suit. Although different structures have been provided, an interactive approach to in-service has been the underpinning for all three projects. This paper examines what has happened in each of these projects so far, and reviews the strategies used to:

1. develop interactive models of in-service education.
2. involve teachers as effective change agents in their schools
3. enhance the impact of focus teachers working in neighbouring schools
4. record the insights of all participants in the projects
5. maintain accountable procedures when using a model of in-service which rejects a ‘top-down’ approach.