Bringing Oceanography Inland: a project using oceanographic science to teach content and skills at Key Stage 3

Project Summary

The project involved six secondary schools in Oxfordshire (chosen for its inland location) working with staff from the SLC (SE) and the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton to explore ways of bringing oceanography into the Key Stage 3 curriculum.  Teachers from the schools took part in a residential event in Southampton which included a trip out to sea on a research vessel to give first hand experience of oceanography and then worked with undergraduate and postgraduate students from the NOC on related projects in their own schools.  There have also been school-based CPD activities supported by project team members.  The project aimed not only to increase awareness of oceanography among teachers and pupils but also to show the potential for providing a motivating context for learning about science and considering global environmental issues.

Additional

Six teachers from Oxfordshire are exploring opportunities for teaching using oceanography at KS3.  In October, we held a residential event where we explored the study of oceanography and investigated practical work on the research vessel, Callista. Teachers are now working with students from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton to develop resources and teaching episodes which will be shared in their schools via a departmental professional development session, prior to teaching in class.

January 2011 (interim report)

Six teachers from Oxfordshire have developed opportunities for teaching using oceanography at KS3.  An initial residential event was held where teachers explored the study of oceanography and investigated practical work on a research vessel, Callista.  Teachers worked with students from National Oceanography Centre, Southampton to develop resources which were shared in their schools via a departmental professional development session.

March 2012  (final report)