Genetic analysis of cohesin function and regulation in Drosophila. In yeast, a multiprotein complex, called cohesin, holds newly replicated chromatids together until the cell is ready to partition each chromatid into its daughter cells. We and others have shown that cohesins are regulated differently in animal cells. We propose to combine classical genetic analyses with two new and innovative techniques, time-lapse confocal microscopy of fluorescent proteins in living cells and gene-specific kno ....Genetic analysis of cohesin function and regulation in Drosophila. In yeast, a multiprotein complex, called cohesin, holds newly replicated chromatids together until the cell is ready to partition each chromatid into its daughter cells. We and others have shown that cohesins are regulated differently in animal cells. We propose to combine classical genetic analyses with two new and innovative techniques, time-lapse confocal microscopy of fluorescent proteins in living cells and gene-specific knockout techniques to study key cohesin regulators in Drosophila. These studies will provide us with novel insights into how multicellular organisms regulate the structure and stability of their chromosomes.Read moreRead less
Functional characterization of SSB2: a novel single-stranded DNA binding protein. Defects in the DNA damage response pathway underpin many human genetic disorders and diseases. A detailed understanding of this pathway has enormous implications for future medicine. The proposed research will lead to functional characterization of a new protein, identify new concepts in DNA damage repair pathways, train young researchers and place Australia among the leaders in this internationally significant and ....Functional characterization of SSB2: a novel single-stranded DNA binding protein. Defects in the DNA damage response pathway underpin many human genetic disorders and diseases. A detailed understanding of this pathway has enormous implications for future medicine. The proposed research will lead to functional characterization of a new protein, identify new concepts in DNA damage repair pathways, train young researchers and place Australia among the leaders in this internationally significant and highly competitive area of research. It will underpin the national research priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and help Australia capitalise on a plethora of opportunities for future economic and health benefits.Read moreRead less
Peopling educational policy: realising the new Australian English and mathematics curricula. Implementation of Australian curricula in English and mathematics provides an opportunity for school systems to re-examine practice. This project will identify resources and teacher learning opportunities needed to facilitate implementation of these curricula and use findings to develop interventions identified as likely to optimise implementation.
Sustainable Mathematical Foundations: STEM-enriched Modelling . This longitudinal project aims to generate new knowledge on how sustainable, innovative mathematics learning can be fostered through STEM-enriched mathematical modelling across the early grades. Featuring interdisciplinary processes, including engineering and science, novel modelling sequences will prompt children to adapt their existing ways of mathematical thinking to develop conceptual innovations in solving future-oriented pr ....Sustainable Mathematical Foundations: STEM-enriched Modelling . This longitudinal project aims to generate new knowledge on how sustainable, innovative mathematics learning can be fostered through STEM-enriched mathematical modelling across the early grades. Featuring interdisciplinary processes, including engineering and science, novel modelling sequences will prompt children to adapt their existing ways of mathematical thinking to develop conceptual innovations in solving future-oriented problems. New theoretical and empirical frameworks are expected to transform our outmoded problem experiences to ones that challenge all children to reach their mathematical potential. Professional learning, informed by international collaboration, is expected to transcend existing teacher development modes.Read moreRead less
Using mathematics to solve real world problems. This project aims to identify, apply and refine teaching approaches that help secondary students learn mathematical modelling, using mathematics to solve real world problems. The study will investigate the mathematical, cognitive, social and environmental factors that "enable" Year 10/11 students to develop mathematical representations of a real world problem. This project expects to generate theoretical and practical insights into how these enable ....Using mathematics to solve real world problems. This project aims to identify, apply and refine teaching approaches that help secondary students learn mathematical modelling, using mathematics to solve real world problems. The study will investigate the mathematical, cognitive, social and environmental factors that "enable" Year 10/11 students to develop mathematical representations of a real world problem. This project expects to generate theoretical and practical insights into how these enablers promote successful modelling, tasks that support students' development as modellers, and effective teaching approaches that promote student capability and interest in mathematics.Read moreRead less
Modelling with data: Advancing STEM in the primary curriculum. Improving the nation's skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) remains a continuing concern, especially given the decline in international test results. The project aims to introduce a new approach to promoting this learning across grades 3-6 through modelling with data. With a focus on inquiry processes involving data variation and uncertainty within STEM-based contexts, the project aims to develop the imp ....Modelling with data: Advancing STEM in the primary curriculum. Improving the nation's skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) remains a continuing concern, especially given the decline in international test results. The project aims to introduce a new approach to promoting this learning across grades 3-6 through modelling with data. With a focus on inquiry processes involving data variation and uncertainty within STEM-based contexts, the project aims to develop the important mathematical and statistical literacies needed for lifting student achievements. In advancing both theory and practice, the project aims to contribute to knowledge of primary students' capabilities for STEM problem solving and ways of enhancing implementation of the Australian Curriculum.Read moreRead less
Investigating the relationship between teacher expectations, student persistence and the learning of mathematics. There is a culture in many classrooms in which teachers are encouraged by students to pose easy tasks. The project will explore what is needed to encourage students to embrace challenges and to persist even when tasks are difficult. The outcome will be enhanced mathematics learning and improved student confidence.
Improving student outcomes: coaching teachers in the power of feedback. This project aims to investigate how student outcomes can be augmented through coaching teachers in effective feedback practice. The project addresses a critical problem of stagnating levels of student achievement in Australian schools with the innovative research design combining evidence-based, pedagogies of feedback, formative assessment and instructional coaching to improve teacher practice and ultimately raise student a ....Improving student outcomes: coaching teachers in the power of feedback. This project aims to investigate how student outcomes can be augmented through coaching teachers in effective feedback practice. The project addresses a critical problem of stagnating levels of student achievement in Australian schools with the innovative research design combining evidence-based, pedagogies of feedback, formative assessment and instructional coaching to improve teacher practice and ultimately raise student achievement levels. The project aims to guide policy implementation in pedagogy to raise the quality of teaching standards and to improve learning outcomes for Australian students. Ultimately, outcomes from the research will help close the gap for low achieving students, and challenge and extend those who may already be meeting required benchmarks. Read moreRead less
Modelling with design: learning innovation across primary science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This project aims to introduce a new approach to advancing mathematics learning and problem solving across grades four to six. This project expects to generate new knowledge by building on primary school students’ science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competencies across several years. The project will establish critical foundations for advancing core mathematics ....Modelling with design: learning innovation across primary science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This project aims to introduce a new approach to advancing mathematics learning and problem solving across grades four to six. This project expects to generate new knowledge by building on primary school students’ science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competencies across several years. The project will establish critical foundations for advancing core mathematics content and multidisciplinary problem-solving knowledge. Expected outcomes include evidencebased findings and resources to inform ways to stimulate, sustain, and improve achievement across the STEM disciplines.Read moreRead less
Multiliteracies for addressing disadvantage in senior school science. Multiliteracies for addressing disadvantage in senior school science. This project aims to develop discipline-specific pedagogies in senior physics, chemistry and biology to improve disadvantaged students’ engagement and achievement. Many students from disadvantaged backgrounds fail to develop the linguistic precision and symbolic representational dexterity needed to comprehend and communicate senior school science concepts. T ....Multiliteracies for addressing disadvantage in senior school science. Multiliteracies for addressing disadvantage in senior school science. This project aims to develop discipline-specific pedagogies in senior physics, chemistry and biology to improve disadvantaged students’ engagement and achievement. Many students from disadvantaged backgrounds fail to develop the linguistic precision and symbolic representational dexterity needed to comprehend and communicate senior school science concepts. These pedagogies will ‘infuse’ multiliteracies in senior school science to improve access to science-based pathways for these students, and enable them to understand progressively more complex scientific concepts and demonstrate this in examinations. This project is expected to improve student retention, arrest declining enrolments in senior school science, and increase young people working in science.Read moreRead less