Practical work in science
The issue
Concerns have been expressed by sections of the science
community, industry and business that schools in general are not
doing enough practical work in science.
Policy advice
This work contributes to SCORE's long term policy that practical
work is integral to science education. Practical work should be
intrinsic to the curriculum and be used not only to develop a
pupil's understanding of scientific enquiry and practical skills
but also to further a pupil's scientific knowledge and
understanding.
The quality of practical work in science is heavily
dependent on the confidence and competence of those teaching and
supporting the practical work. High-quality Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) is vital for science teachers and technicians
throughout their career.
The Resourcing of Science in Schools project provides the
foundations to assess the impact that appropriately resourced
practical work has on student attitude, attainment and progression
within the sciences. The project seeks to establish a
baseline of resources required to facilitate high quality
practical work in science to ensure every pupil has the
opportunity to experience practical work in a well maintained and
adequately equipped laboratory.
Activities
The SCORE partnership are embarking on a project
to provide evidence on what the appropriate level of
resourcing for practical science in a school should
be. This baseline will enable SCORE to make a case to
government and schools to ring fence funding specifically for the
delivery of practical work in school science. In addition,
this project will provide schools with a checklist of essential
(and desirable) resources required to deliver high quality
practical work.
This 18-month project will be delivered through four modules
which will run alongside each other, with completion
expected in January 2013. The first module, which is due to
complete in November 2011, will include a review of existing
criteria for practical work to obtain an appropriate set
of standards. In the secondary module CLEAPSS and the Royal
Society for Chemistry will lead a review of the resource check list
by technicians and teachers. This module is due for completion in
December 2011. Module three will include a national survey on the
resourcing currently taking place in schools, and module
four comprise a communication strand that will run throughout
the project.
The project will be led by the resourcing task and finish group
which includes Nicole Morgan (RSC), Ginny Page
(Gatsby), Anne Helme (Royal Society), Marianne
Cutler (ASE), Vicki Symington (Society of Microbiology)
and Clare Thomson (Institute of Physics).
Engagement with the science community
SCORE's work in this area is informed by a consortium of
stakeholders, who meet regularly to discuss the progress of the
recommendations set out in the framework and to identify future
policy issues.
SCORE held a workshop on 3 October to engage the wider
science community in the project.