A science 'show and do': Teacher and technician training – down under

Science demonstrations and experiments play an important role in the teaching and learning process. This creates a challenge for some teachers whose own training may not have involved the skills and confidence to deliver some of these activities. University science departments, in liaison with local primary and secondary school teachers, can provide meaningful practical science professional development in this area. The opportunity for teachers and technicians to spend several hours engaged in hands-on practical work alongside academics and, as importantly, their peers, has been welcomed in Western Australia (WA) for several years. After initial courses in chemistry practical work, the sessions have, by request, expanded into the other sciences, including Aboriginal science.