The Story Behind MyScience
Every great movement begins with a question. In 2006, Dr Anne Forbes and her colleagues asked: “How can we transform primary science education so that every child experiences the wonder of authentic scientific discovery?” The answer became MyScience.
A Pioneering Vision, Published
In 2010, the peer-reviewed journal Teaching Science published “Increasing student participation in science investigations in primary schools: The MyScience initiative” — authored by Anne Forbes and Gerry McCloughan. This article formally introduced the educational community to a revolutionary model.
The paper describes a “distinctive team approach, with primary teachers, primary students and volunteer mentor scientists working collaboratively as students conduct authentic scientific investigations to find answers to their own questions.” It remains the definitive statement of the MyScience philosophy.
“MyScience is distinctive from other initiatives designed to support primary science teaching and learning because of the nature of its collaborative team approach and its specific focus on working with primary students to carry out their own scientific investigations.”
— Forbes & McCloughan, Teaching Science, 2010
The Five Elements of the MyScience Model
As described in the original 2010 article, the MyScience educational model consists of five interrelated elements. These remain the foundation of everything we do.
1. Collaborative Professional Learning
Teachers learn together, supported by facilitators and a community of peers.
2. Clear Achievement Criteria
Students and teachers understand what quality scientific investigation looks like.
3. Investigating Scientifically
Students carry out their own authentic investigations, thinking and working like real scientists.
4. Scientists as Mentors
Volunteer scientist mentors provide expertise, encouragement, and real-world connection.
5. Celebrating Achievement
Student work is celebrated through awards and Science Fairs, building confidence and community pride.
“Participation and evaluation data from a funded pilot indicates that the initiative has been successful in engaging students in quality scientific investigations in which they are empowered to make decisions in a science context and feel confident to discuss the learning associated with their work.”
— Forbes & McCloughan, 2010
Proven from the Start
The 2006–2008 pilot, funded and independently evaluated, demonstrated that MyScience wasn’t just a good idea — it was a measurable success. Students became confident decision-makers in science. Teachers grew in capability and enthusiasm. The model worked.
Since then, the program has evolved, the Professional Learning Toolkit has been developed, and thousands of young Australians have discovered the joy of authentic scientific inquiry. But the five-element model first described in this article remains the unchanging heart of MyScience.
The Journey Continues
This article captures the beginning. Today, MyScience continues to grow, guided by the same principles Anne Forbes articulated in 2010: collaboration, authentic investigation, mentorship, and celebration.
“Access to the underpinning educational model and key implementation resources will be freely available to all schools.”