Since announcing in the Education White Paper (DfE, 2010) that initial teacher training would be reformed so that more training was "on the job," and that Teaching Schools would be created, giving outstanding schools the role of leading the training of teachers, the School Direct (SD) programme has been developed. Some teachers reading this may…

There is very little in the way of dedicated subject-specific continuing professional development (CPD) provision for science teachers in special schools, nor for those who work in the mainstream, but have children with special educational needs in their classes. For the last two years, the Centre for Science Education (CSE) has been working with…

The mission over the past 15 years at Cambridge has been to raise the profile and enjoyment of chemistry amongst students. However, having recently hosted its second annual reception for the very top students who entered this year's Cambridge Chemistry Challenge written paper, one thing was quite striking; despite the wide range of schools and…

A recent YouGov poll indicated that almost half of eight to 18-year-olds aspire to a career in science. The latest Association of Colleges enrolment survey indicates a large increase in uptake of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at further education (FE) colleges. These reports, along with other findings that suggest an…

With the recent changes to expectations at General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), many teachers, in all subjects, are being faced with the need to persuade unwilling students that there is a need to write "properly" in lessons. Living in the information-rich society, faced with a wide range of scientific issues, it will be incumbent on…

Well-designed and thoughtful approaches to practitioner research can bring about very positive impacts to improve teaching and learning in science classrooms. Readers of highly-rated research also need to appreciate and understand research design, literature critique, appropriate data collection, methods of analysis, theoretical frameworks,…

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is a public sector organisation, operating at the leading edge of technology and with a 38,000 strong workforce deployed at locations in the UK and overseas. Around 50% of its personnel are technically employed and 40% of all annual vacancies are for the technically competent. Currently, 13.5% of the workforce is female.…

The popularity of forensic science in schools continues to grow alongside the proportion of prime time scheduling devoted to CSI television shows. Yet the understanding of how forensic tests are used in narrowing down a field of possible suspects to the point where just one can be arrested or taken to trial is far less well understood. Students…

St Michael's RC School aims to develop in its students an understanding of the importance of scientific knowledge through the delivery of a more diverse but appropriate scientific curriculum: a curriculum that is enriched and accessible to all students, regardless of ability; a curriculum that will encourage them to continue the study of both…

There is perhaps no subject more contentious in schools than assessment and yet, often, at classroom, school and national level, inferences and decisions are made without much reference to research in this area. In fact, teachers often accept or interpret assessment requirements without question, feeling that assessment has to be approached in a…

Following on from taking part in the successful "Getting Practical: improving practical work in science across the primary-secondary transition" CPD project, Uplands Community College with Wadhurst and Ticehurst Primary Schools in East Sussex worked together on developing the CPD--focusing on effective practical work across the primary-secondary…

"Why is it so difficult to pick holly without getting pricked?" This was the investigation carried out by a group of pupils under the guidance of their teacher, Lesley Hunter, at Creavery Primary School in Northern Ireland. After considering the question, pupils thought that the leaf would have anything between four and nine prickles. Having…

Lawrence Anthony is a conservationist for whom actions speak far louder than words. An imposing figure, Anthony does not take "no" for an answer and uses his commitment, enthusiasm and indefatigable drive to change situations, both in his native South Africa and around the world. Anthony has worked tirelessly alongside tribal leaders over many…

Part of the School of Physical Sciences mission and plan is to deliver an effective outreach programme to the community and South East regions to stimulate interest, both in school pupils and the general public, in science. To do this, it offers many activities that are school-based and aimed at students in Key stages 3, 4 and 5 (ages 11-18).…

The original call for research papers went out in the summer of 2011 and, by September, there were over thirty abstracts returned for review, from many countries including Hong Kong, Nigeria, Poland, Jamaica, Malta, the United States, Japan, Ireland and, of course, Britain. Of the proposals reviewed and accepted, 21 were finally presented at…