W5 and Independents (Belfast) -
Science Expressions

The revised Northern Ireland Curriculum comes into operation at Key Stages 2 (The World Around Us) and 3 in September 2007. A vital element of this new Curriculum is the continuing development of pupils’ thinking skills and personal capabilities within the context of

• content knowledge, understanding and skills,
• pupil development as individuals, as contributors to society, and as contributors to the economy and environment, and
• learning outcomes, such as investigation, information management, numeracy, communication, critical and creative thinking skills, and working independently and with others.

Science Expressions is designed to address three pupil issues:

• effectively implementing the revised Curriculum at key stages 2 and 3, particularly in relation to thinking skills and personal capabilities
• addressing the issue of successful continuity and progression between key stages 2 and 3 in science, and
• enhancing the learning skills of pupils through involving them in developing learning resources for themselves and others.

The programme will link science aspects of The World Around Us at KS2 with both the science content and the key elements and learning outcomes of KS3, through the developent of a series of medium term challenges (see Links section below). Each challenge will involve the participation of classes in primary and secondary schools, together with an associated scientist, working together with pupils over a period of three months to produce resources which willl enhance their own thinking skills and personal capabilities within a science context, and provide models for other groups of schools to develop their own resources. These resources will be made available on the W5 website in a format which can be used directly or, preferably, developed by teachers to suit their own pupils’ needs.

The programme aims to:

• Enhance pupils’ thinking skills and personal capabilities in the pilot schools through involving them in the process of developing thinking and learning resources in a science context. (Outcome: evidenced by comparison of pupils’ skills and capabilities before and after the programme)
• Provide a web based resource which teachers can use as a basis for their own development of thinking and learning challenges for their pupils. (Outcome: resources made available on the W5 website)
• Develop teachers’ capabilities in coping with unfamiliar situations.
• Develop pupils’ capabilities in responding to new ideas in science.
• Improve pupils’ experience in transfer from primary to secondary school through a transition period when they work cooperatively with secondary pupils.

Contact

Judith Harvey - judithharvey@W5online.co.uk