Rob Tweats
Keele University


Introduction

The project at Keele University had several aims:

• To alert our immediate school science departments (within the ITT Partnership) that the Ideas and Evidence in Science aspect of Scientific Enquiry (Sc1) is a neglected area of school science and needs addressing;

• To produce innovative materials that could be disseminated initially across our ITT Partnership and eventually to a larger audience via the website;

• To enrich the existing ITT provision. Associate Teachers (ATs) bring enthusiasm and naivety to teaching and this can be utilised to cascade the ‘message’ and materials into schools;

• To provide professional development opportunities for school-based mentors, hopefully leading to a stronger ITT partnership;

• To raise the standards of teaching & learning, thereby improving pupils’ understanding of science;

• To initiate the review of schemes of work in school science departments.

The participants

There were 8 Associate Teachers at 8 partnership schools involved in the project, with Rob Tweats acting as group leader.

Teachers	Schools
Carolynne Delves John Perry Nikki Bratherton Anna Guy David Bellfield Pauline Woodcock Rob Swinnerton Allison Garside Kath Swinson Kevin Rendall Garry Hamblin Patsy Barron Vuli Sibanda	Malbank School, Nantwich Endon High School Maryhill High School, Kidsgrove Newcastle Independent School Leek High School Eaton Bank High School, Congleton St. Thomas Moore Catholic High School Brine Leas High School, Nantwich Thomas Alleynes High School, Uttoxeter Shavington High School Weston Rd. High School, Stafford Hagley Park School, Rugeley Cheadle High School

Associate Teachers involved were Marie Wain, Angela Craig, Fiona Sutton, Alexandra Edwards, Vikki Diggle, Jo Hulse and Hannah Severn

Initially, a core working party was set up, which included university ITT staff, school-based mentors and Associate (student) Teachers. A workshop was held to introduce the project and plan, design lessons and materials, and to formulate the best way forward, given the nature of the individual schools. In the second workshop the lesson activities were evaluated and revised ready for use with the whole of the Partnership.


Overview of activities

Activity M: Spreading Disease

Developed by:

Teachers	Trainees	Schools
Anna Guy Kath Swinson Nikki Bratherton Patsy Barron Carolynne Delves Rob Tweats	Angela Craig Jo Hulse Hannah Severn Fiona Sutton	Maryhill High School Thomas Alleynes High School Edensor High School

This lesson focuses on an issue never far from the headlines, namely the spread of the influenza virus. It should appeal to pupils because it makes use of recent events. Some pupils may even have been to places where they had to wear masks due to the outbreak of SARs. Pupils collect and consider evidence related to the effectiveness of masks.


Activity N: Acids & pH

Developed by:

Teachers	Trainees	Schools
Garry Hamblin Allison Garside Vuli Sibanda Carolynne Delves Rob Tweats	Alexandra Edwards	Cheadle High School Weston Road High School

This lesson requires pupils to think about the evidence they would need in order to decide whether given statements about acids are true or false. A subsequent practical activity provides them with some evidence, but will it be sufficient to make decisions about all of the ideas presented?


Activity O: The Earth & Beyond

Developed by:

Teachers	Trainees	Schools
John Perry David Bellfield Pauline Woodcock Rob Swinnerton Kevin Rendall Carolynne Delves Rob Tweats	Marie Wain Vikki Diggle	St. Thomas More Catholic High School Shavington High School Malbank School

A PowerPoint presentation is the key resource used in this lesson where pupils examine ideas and evidence about the Earth and the Universe.