The Centre is based in York and welcomes delegates from all over the country. It is part of a national network of Science Learning Centres funded by the DfES and Wellcome Trust. Here, two of the teachers who’ve attended courses at the National Science Learning Centre share their experiences and give some insight into what can be implemented back in school.
Karen Bright, a Science Co-ordinator from Summerfield Primary School attended the course entitled “Let’s Investigate Science: Living Things‘. Here are her thoughts about the experience: “The course developed the use of life and living processes as a context to develop enquiry skills in primary school. It also shared new and exciting ways to deliver this strand of the science curriculum, particularly offering a multitude of ideas of how to use our local environment. I decided to attend because the headteacher suggested the course to me so that I could continue to develop the use of the school grounds. I wanted to gather and share ideas to develop the use of our school grounds and develop a science week that took place outdoors.
“The course was hands on from the start with lots of opportunity to share ideas with course participants and facilitators. Highlights were many including investigating animals, in particular maggot racing, investigating how we could prevent snails attacking lettuce and identifying which conditions woodlice prefer. The Nature Detectives activities were outstanding, with lots of materials to use back in school.
“Ann Bebington from SAPS delivered an inspirational workshop called investigating plants where we had the opportunity to explore every growing opportunity to grow plants in school. Of great interest were the SAPS resources, including a free light box which has already been put to good use in school. Finally this course offered a great opportunity to use and explore ICT in science, including data loggers and digital microscopes.
“This course was so fantastic because of the tremendous venue, wonderful facilities as well as the professionalism and knowledge of all trainers. We enjoyed a successful science week this summer with children using our school grounds as never been seen before!
“We now have a Wiggly Worms Club where we are developing our Wildlife Garden area, based on an in school competition for ideas for our grounds and we’ve purchased Data Harvest and digital microscopes to extend our investigating potential in school.
“I am still working through the plethora of materials to incorporate this into our science teaching and this is a priority in this year’s Science Action Plan. The success of this course was perhaps reflected in the 60 applications for the Wiggly Worms club this year. The impact on pupils was evident by the participation and enjoyment of the science week and the work being undertaken by the Wiggly Worms Club. The use of ICT in science is far more evident in the classroom.“The plans for our grounds are to create an outside classroom and wildlife garden and the course has certainly stimulated enthusiasm amongst the children and staff as well as our local landscape gardener, who is a governor and is offering three hours free labour a week as well as helping in our Wiggly Worms Club. We have already had a ‘Summerfield’ sunflower cut out of the banking ready to plant up.
“The National Science Learning Centre website offered a good support both before and after the course and I received an Impact Reward from the Centre which paid for my attendance.
“This course was far better than others I have attended as it was practical, including lots of useful classroom ideas, well resourced and the facilities were far superior to usual venues. I also appreciated the mixture of scientists, teachers and professional people.”
Keith Ellis from Borrow Wood Infant and Nursery School attended a course called “Leadership for Impact - Rising to the Challenge”. Here are his thoughts about the experience:
“The course offered an opportunity to develop your role as a science subject leader in the primary school with a focus of having an impact within the school. They key objective was to make you feel confident in how you can support others to develop their science teaching in challenging situations.
“I decided to go on the course as I was new to the position of science subject leader and I wanted some input on ways that I could support the school in taking science forward. Myself and the school also had a concern with assessment in science and how and when it should be done.“Whilst I was on the course I undertook many active and stimulating activities and really made use of the resources at the Centre. It was great to have the opportunity to use particular equipment and carry out experiments just as the children would be doing. Not only did it help with subject knowledge but it also made me appreciate how the children would use and benefit from activities and resources (dataloggers, experiments).
“When I got back to school I presented a staff meeting which helped staff to think of when and how they went about assessing the children. It gave me the confidence to do this and follow up afterwards. It led into a change in the curriculum of the school where staff now teach with differentiated success criteria (Must, Should, Could). The course also helped me to work with the Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator to develop the provision for more able children in science and it helped me to organise a science week for the school.
“It certainly raised the profile of science within the school and helped teachers to feel more confident to teach and assess science. It has also given me the opportunity to develop my role as a science subject leader as staff are more willing to ask me questions about their subject knowledge and teaching strategies.
“One of the best things about the course was the fact that it was residential so it was easy to move away from the pressures of school and think carefully about what good science teaching and leadership should look like. It was also good to be surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals who you were able to discuss practicalities and ideas with.“I have already shared some aspects of the course but I hope to develop other aspects further - these are part of my subject action plan within school. I have shared my experience with other schools through our LA Network Meetings.
“There was a big difference between this course and others I have been on in terms of the facilities available and the professional way in which you are treated and respected. The Centre has a good philosophy which ensures that all participants in courses are treated as other professionals right from the food they eat to the courses on offer. Thankfully the National Science Learning Centre also provided me with an Impact Reward which my school used to pay for the course.”
There is an extensive programme of Primary courses running at the National Science Learning Centre this year including: Inclusive Science in Schools for those with Special Educational Needs, New Approaches to Assessment for Learning in Science (4-11), Supporting Science: the role of Higher Level Teaching Assistants. Leadership for Impact: Let's Investigate Science and Primary Science Co-ordinators Annual Conference.
Impact Rewards provide cash towards the cost of attending courses at the Centre. All you need to do is complete a simple form telling us how you plan to have an impact back in school after the course. A typical Impact Reward is £100 per day of the course. Any teacher from a maintained school can apply. The money can be used to cover course fees, supply cover, accommodation, equipment, or whatever your school believes will help to improve the teaching of science. The money will be paid to your school as soon as you have completed the course. If you are applying for more than one course, you can claim multiple Impact Rewards. To find out more visit: www.slcs.ac.uk/national/courses