Global Science Explorers
Project Diary
On June 28th 2012 Sheffield Hallam University hosted the first Global Science Explorers pupil research conference. 187 pupils attended the conference, all of which had produced either an oral or poster presentation of their group research. Many of the presentations were interactive including games, quizzes, tastings and interactive models. The programme for the day saw oral presentations taking place during the morning session. Schools were split to ensure the groups were presenting to peers form different schools. The emphasis was on pupils from the primary feeder schools and secondary schools having the opportunity to meet and interact. Before lunch the pupils were invited into the main lecture theatre for a keynote presentation by James McKay - a local environmental preservationist who brought along his Honeybank Animals Roadshow. Having appeared on CBBC TV shows such as Deadly 60 he was a recognisable face for the pupils who enjoyed the hour long presentation. During lunch the poster presentations were displayed in the main University Atrium and visitors, pupils and teachers were able to wander around the displays and ask pupils about their research.
Oct 2012
During the academic year 2011/12 Global Science Explorers (GSE) worked with Year 6 and Year 7 teachers to investigate an alternative view of the KS2/3 transition within the context of environmental science and cross-curricular learning. The project worked with nine teachers and over 200 pupils from South Yorkshire. The project included engaging CPD for all teachers involved and an exciting environmental science pupil research conference. For more information about the project please visit www.science-explorers.com
Oct 2012
The Global Science Explorers project has begun working with three school clusters in the South Yorkshire region. Each cluster is made up of one secondary school and two primary feeder schools. The project began with an introductory workshop in December 2011 which was followed in January by a creative planning workshop. Each cluster is currently working on their chosen environmental science topic areas to develop them into exploratory research challenges for their pupils. The topic areas so far include farming, travel, holidays, bees, school-life, home-life and building materials - all of which have been linked to some aspect of environmental science. The next steps for the project are one final workshop in March with in-school delivery taking place in May/June. The project finale will be the exciting pupil research conference at Sheffield Hallam University on June 28th.
Jan 2012
Gallery
Project Summary
This is a science transition project which looks to explore primary to secondary transition within the context of dynamic and engaging environmental science problem solving scenarios where the Y6s and Y7s work together both electronically (via social networking tools) and face-to-face at a pupil science conference. The project aims to do this by bringing together a small, tightly knit community of teachers from the three secondary schools, and six primary schools to create 18 individual environmental based resources which will be available to be downloaded from a bespoke AZSTT website, along with tips and guidance for adapting cutting edge science for use in the classroom.
Aims
GSE used Environmental Science to…
- · Provide year long CPD for participating teachers
- · Embed pupil skills development into all resources
- · Develop environmental science classroom activities which can be used to stimulate pupil-led research
- · Ease pupil transition from primary to secondary school
- · Increase pupil enjoyment and understanding in school science