Peer-supported learning

The teacher works with a colleague to deliver a lesson on antibiotic resistance, and how it spreads, in an elective subject on pharmaceutical science. The students use ICT to engage in research and then present their findings to the class. The students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and to draw on each other's understanding.

John Monash Science School is the first school of its kind in Victoria and one of only three such specialist science providers in Australia. Opening for the first time in 2010, the facilities and infrastructure are multi-storey and based on a ‘learning commons’ design to facilitate the variety of flexible teaching and learning approaches characteristic of the school. JMSS has formed strong partnerships with researchers and academics in a broad mix of scientific fields at Monash University. JMSS delivers its curriculum via a team teaching paradigm that supports teachers to collaborate and plan lessons around the needs of the students, and allows for flexibility in teaching strategies and differentiating learning. Through this approach JMSS seeks to develop student skills in collaboration, team-work, compromise, creativity and problem-solving, and to accentuate more activity-based learning, project-based learning, and genuine team-based inquiry which are all important in developing STEM knowledge and skills. All JMSS curriculum is accessible anywhere and anytime online to allow for seamless transitions between home and school.