University of Winchester
Teachers and Young Children Exploring Their Worlds Together This is an early year's innovative project which intends to:
-
Focus on ways to capture, respond to and develop children's ideas through increased teacher recognition of science opportunities and strategies to help adults follow and support young children's curiosity curiosity.
-
Develop the science co-ordinator's role in identifying opportunities for creative delivery of early science experiences, supporting staff and governors' expertise and informing parents.
-
Apply findings to process and conceptual development at Foundation and Key Stage 1 science education.
-
Document and analyse early year's science practice.
-
Record case studies of good practice.
The 18 schools involved are across the Hampshire and Wiltshire LEAs in geographical clusters. It will involve 36 teachers and learning support assistants.
The project will support a school based programme that focuses upon individual schools' identified needs and provide tailor- made support to improve learning and teaching and pupil achievement in science. It will include workshops, case studies and action research methods.
CPD school based modules will focus upon the demonstration of critical analysis and refection on specific areas of teaching and learning and on the teacher's professional role in the context of the workplace.
The intended outcomes of the project are:
-
Teachers with a new approach to teaching science in the early years
-
Children who have experienced science as an enjoyable context for learning that draws on and engages them in real life experiences in a range of contexts.
-
Science co-ordinators with increased knowledge and confidence in promoting learning in science in the early years using both on and off site resources.
-
Teachers, HE and LEA staff using virtual learning environments in order to develop thinking ideas and to share and shape strategies.
-
Case studies of developing school practice shared with all participants and others regionally and nationally.
-
Case studies of teachers' developing knowledge and confidence disseminated locally, regionally and nationally.
-
Increased Governor awareness of good practice in the early years.
Contact: Lynda.Fletcher - Lynda.Fletcher@winchester.ac.uk |
