Science Matters in Moray

The purpose of this innovative project is to manage effective change across all Primary and Secondary schools to significantly influence approaches to learning and teaching and thus improve the quality of the Science experience for all pupils in Moray.

Whilst much good work has already taken place to develop Science within the Moray Council this has been largely uncoordinated and driven by individual staff and or schools. The project intends to develop a coherent and systematic approach that incorporates evidence based best practice into learning and teaching. This project will require school clusters to work cooperatively to the benefit of every pupil in Moray.

Aim of this project

The project will advise and support the schools' management teams and teaching staff in implementing strategies to develop learning and teaching and thus raise standards of attainment in Science. It will:

• Provide training and support to staff to enable the transition from a worksheet driven curriculum to a more investigative and open ended style of delivery.

• Provide mechanisms to monitor and evaluate learning and teaching strategies through the use of formative assessment techniques and Concept Cartoons.

• Support the developing of pupils' thinking abilities through the introduction of Let's Think, Let's Think Through Science and Thinking Science (CASE) in all schools as appropriate.

• Enhance the teacher's knowledge and confidence in science through extended delivery of professional development courses targeting identified areas of concern.

• Provide opportunities for staff from primary and secondary schools within clusters to meet and share examples of good practice.

This project will seek to embed good practice by:

• Training science coordinators in all primary schools.

• Providing learning and teaching based training to all staff.

• Offering in school support through peer coaching or other similar approaches.

Moray serves a rural community with a high percentage of small primary schools. Very few primary schools have a person nominated as being responsible for science, and fewer still have any sort of science specialist. By default Science is one of the many responsibilities of the teaching Head. Being one of the smallest Education Authorities in Scotland Moray has no Science Adviser.

The LEA will identify and train a member of staff in each Primary school to be a science co-ordinator and to supply these co-ordinators with further support through the Science Support Officers.

Professional development opportunities will be provided through;

• cognitive acceleration techniques

• a more open-ended investigative approach to science teaching

• questioning and self or peer assessment as part of formative assessment techniques

• the use of ICT to enrich and stimulate learning.

Monthly link meetings will be held in ASG (cluster) groups to discuss issues requiring attention, further ideas and to share good practice.

The project promotes an open opened investigative approach to involve pupils with learning in science and provide in-school support through the training of science co-ordinators.

Contact Ken Edwards - kenedwards@moray.gov.uk