Rachel Caruso - Science Talk 2008
Teaching notes
This resource contains a set of videos in which Rachel Caruso describes her work as a Materials Chemist and the path that she has taken in her career. She talks about her research and development work on changing the properties of fibres and how a Materials Chemist looks to see what nature can do and then applies this to their work. Rachel 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 Rachel’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 Chemistry Syllabus. 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.
Chemistry
Stage 6 – Prescribed Focus Areas
History of chemistry:
- the developmental nature of our understanding about matter and its interactions
- the part that an understanding of matter and its interactions plays in shaping society
- how our understanding of matter and its interactions is influenced by society.
Nature and practice of chemistry:
- existing views and the evidence supporting these
- the process and methods of exploring, generating, testing and relating ideas
- the stimulation provided by technological advances and the constraints imposed on understanding in chemistry by limitations of current technology which necessitate the development of the required technology and technological advances.
Applications and uses of chemistry:
- the relevance, usefulness and applicability of discoveries and ideas related to chemistry
- how increases in our understanding in chemistry have led to the development of useful technologies and systems
- the contributions chemistry has made to society with particular emphasis on Australian achievements.
Current issues, research and development in chemistry:
Issues and developments related to chemistry are more readily known and more information is available to students than ever before about current issues, research and developments in chemistry. The syllabus should develop students’ knowledge of:
- areas currently being researched in chemistry
- career opportunities in chemistry and related fields
- interpretation and critique of media coverage of events that require an understanding of some aspect of chemistry
(8.2) The Chemical Earth: (8.2.5) The properties of elements and compounds are determined by their bonding and structure.
(8.4) Water: (8.4.4) The concentration of salts in water will vary according to their solubility, and precipitation can occur when the ions of an insoluble salt are in solution together.
(8.5) Energy: (8.5.2) There is a wide variety of carbon compounds.
(9.2) Production of Materials: (9.2.4) Oxidation-reduction reactions are increasingly important as a source of energy
(9.4) Chemical Monitoring and Management: (9.4.5) Human activity also impacts on waterways. Chemical monitoring and management assists in providing safe water for human use and to protect the habitats of other organisms
Physics
Stage 6
(9.4) From Ideas to Implementation: (9.4.3) Limitations of past technologies and increased research into the structure of the atom resulted in the invention of transistors.
(9.9) The Age of Silicon – option: (9.9.3) Sensors and other devices allow the input of information in electronic systems.
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) Option – Oceanography: (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 materials science (Deep knowledge, Connectedness, Metalanguage, Knowledge integration)
- highlighting the dynamic nature of research in chemistry and the relationships between advances in materials science and connections to nature (Problematic knowledge, Higher-order thinking)
- stimulating thought about how understanding of advances in chemistry can influence the development of new materials (Connectedness, Deep understanding, Higher-order thinking)
- stimulating thought about what inspires people to become scientists (Connectedness, Problematic knowledge).