10 women trailblazers to study this British Science Week
British Science Week takes place on 5-14 March, just as school pupils head back the classes following the latest lockdown. If you’re planning some memorable science lessons this week, then put paid to scientist stereotypes with these 10 women trailblazers. When asked to depict a scientist, too many children draw a white man with ‘mad professor’ hair. Former primary school teacher Abby Harper of education resource experts PlanBee offers a way to show them that science and technology has always been the domain of brilliant, creative women… 10 women trailblazers in science Mary Anning: geology rocks Anning was a palaeontologist and a fossil collector. She was born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, Dorset. She collected fossils with her father. When he died, Mary sold them to help her mother pay off debts. Among the fossils Anning discovered were: ● A 5.2 meter-long skeleton of an Ichthyosaur, the first to be found. ● A Plesiosaurus skeleton initially considered too good to be genuine. An interesting fact about Mary Anning Even though she found lots of fossils and was an expert in the subject, she was often not credited with her finds. Women were not allowed to be members of the Geological Society of London until 1904, 57 years after she died. Anning is now starting to get the recognition she deserves: a statue of her is to be erected in Lyme Regis after a successful campaign by 13-year-old local teenager Evie Swire, and a film about the life of Anning, ‘Ammonite’, starring Kate Winslet, is due out later this year. Ada Lovelace: switched-on programmer The daughter of poet Lord Byron and Annabella Milbanke, Lovelace was born in 1815 in London. She became interested in Charles Babbage’s machines, which were designed to calculate mathematical tables mechanically, removing the errors that can appear when calculations are done by humans. Although Babbage’s machines were never built, Lovelace’s notes are an important part of early computer programs. An interesting fact about Ada Lovelace She has a computer programming language named after her: Ada. Marie Curie: prized Nobel laureate Marie Curie was a Polish-born physicist and chemist. She is well known for working with her husband Pierre as they discovered the radioactive elements Polonium and Radium. In 1903 Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for her involvement in research on radiation. In 1911, she became the first person to win a second Nobel Prize, this time for her work towards the discovery of Polonium and Radium. It is believed she died from the effects of long-term radiation exposure. An interesting fact about Marie Curie One of Curie’s daughters, Irène Joliot-Curie, also won a joint Nobel Prize in Chemistry with her husband – for their discovery of artificial radioactivity. Rosalind Franklin: DNA discoverer Franklin was an English chemist whose work was essential to understand the complex structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the molecule in the cells of all living things that contains the genetic code. The code can determine things like skin, hair and eye colour as well as other traits which we inherit from our parents. Franklin took the first X-ray picture showing that the DNA molecule was shaped like a double helix. This photo was used by other scientists to discover the structure of DNA, without clearly naming her as a contributor. The work that led to the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1962 – but the award went three men, and Franklin’s work went unacknowledged. An interesting fact about Rosalind Franklin Australian astronomer John Broughton discovered an asteroid and named it ‘9241 Rosfraklin’ in tribute to Franklin. Jane Goodall: primate pioneer Born in London, Dame Jane Goodall is considered the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees and is best known for her life-long study of chimpanzees and their social interactions in Tanzania. Through hours and hours of careful watching, sketching and note-taking, Goodall was one of the first to observe a chimpanzee using tools to fish termites from their mounds. She was also one of the first to observe chimpanzees hunting for meat and gnawing on animal bones, debunking the theory that chimps were herbivores. An interesting fact about Jane Goodall Instead of numbering the chimpanzees as was the custom at the time, Goodall named the chimps. David Greybeard was one of the first she named. Others included Gigi, Mr McGregor, Goliath, Flo and Frodo who eventually kicked Goodall out of the troop when he became the leader. Mae C. Jemison: out of this world Mae Carol Jemison became the first black woman to travel into space in 1992. Born in the US, Jemison graduated from university with a degree in chemical engineering before earning her medical degree. Jemison was part of the 1992 STS-47 mission during which she orbited the Earth 127 times! She was in space for almost 200 hours during which she conducted experiments on the effects of weightlessness on herself and the crew. An interesting fact about Mae C. Jemison Jemison is a huge Star Trek fan. Whilst she was in space, she would often open communications by saying “Hailing frequencies open” which is a quote from the show. She even appeared on an episode of Star Trek in 1993. Maggie Aderin-Pocock: star quality Maggie Aderin-Pocock was born in north London in 1968. She is a space scientist and has a passion for sharing and educating both adults and children about space and other areas of science. She co-presents “The Sky at Night” as well as appearing on many children’s TV shows too! An interesting fact about Maggie Aderin-Pocock Aderin-Pocock was diagnosed with dyslexia at age eight. She struggled at school but was passionate about science. Mary Somerville: astronomical achiever Somerville was a Scottish scientist who studied mathematics and astronomy. She was jointly admitted as the first female member of the Royal Astronomical Society. Her work focused on the sun’s radiation effects on Earth’s substances and many have agreed that her later
Get free science resources for British Science Week!
British Science Week takes place from 6-15 March 2020 and a well-known parenting blogger is launching a digital campaign to provide parents and teachers with free learning resources – raising money for charity at the same time. Helen Neale, the creator of the UK’s No.1 Parenting Blog Kiddycharts.com, is launching 31 Days of Learning which will give schools and families free access to a range of fun learning activities, bringing the wonder of science and creative subjects into classrooms and homes. This special digital event will provide parents and teachers with exciting experiments, crafts, projects and games to bring STEM and STEAM learning to life. From making rainbow slime to growing fruit and vegetables, the activities will help children to get hands-on with science, and to see the links between art and STEM subjects. Launching on 1st March, a new activity will be made available on the KiddyCharts website each day throughout the month. Covering Science, Maths, Languages, Literacy and Art, the free resources will also include activities to boost awareness around mental and physical health. One project encourages children to create a journal helping them to recognise their emotions, while another looks at healthy eating. Ranked as the leading UK Parenting Blog by Rise Global, Kiddycharts.com is the only UK Blog that is a registered social enterprise, with most profit going to charity. All proceeds from the 31 Days of Learning campaign will go to Reverence for Life, a charity that supports local UK and International charities in their work to help homeless, disadvantaged and vulnerable people and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Helen said: “31 Days of Learning will give parents and teachers access to fantastic free resources just in time for British Science Week. We’ve recruited some of the UK’s best-known bloggers to help us, and each day they’ll provide an exciting new activity for kids – helping them to learn about the world around us while raising money for a really important cause.” Teachers and parents are encouraged to visit www.kiddycharts.com from 1st March to start downloading the free resources. The content will also be available via Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #31DaysOfLearning. Helen can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. Picture: This fun science experiment blows up a balloon using baking soda and vinegar. This free activity will be available on Day 1 of the campaign provided by blog Daisies and Pie: daisiesandpie.co.uk.
Free classroom resources launched by Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics (IOP) has announced the launch of a brand new education website – IOPSpark – designed to provide online classroom resources for every aspect of teaching pre-19 physics. In a single, easy-to-navigate destination, teachers can discover: The UK and Ireland’s most comprehensive set of free, quality physics classroom resources A carefully curated collection of themed research, news, video content and expert comment designed to bring classroom teaching to life with topical content CPD content including articles on developing professional skills as well as a brand new and constantly updated glossary of physics terms Research and strategies designed to help identify and address common student misconceptions Access to an active community of physics teachers across the country The site is just one element of the Institute of Physics’ dynamic and rapidly growing education programme which aims to support teachers, schools and policymakers in creating the optimum conditions in which physics as a subject can thrive. The UK’s most comprehensive set of free physics classroom resources IOPSpark has been designed to give teachers, trainees and teacher trainers a one-stop-destination to access the best physics resources and thinking available. A growing bank of over 2000 free, inter-linked IOP education resources from lesson plans and teacher notes through to topical video content and student worksheets are available 24/7 and easily searchable by student age, physics topic or type of resource (eg. lesson plan or enrichment activity). All classroom resources on the site are IOP-approved, themed by curriculum areas and have been tried and tested by physics teachers for their peers. Many of the resources also feature teaching tips and links to carefully selected further reading. To make the site even more valuable as a time-saving way of enhancing lesson planning, resources are linked in ways that help users find related materials and navigate through sequences of activities. The gateway to a thriving community IOPSpark also provides the gateway to TalkPhysics – an active online physics teaching community. Here teachers can find a safe, friendly and knowledgeable environment in which they can share best practice, discuss opportunities and challenges they encounter and ask any questions around teaching physics. A rich seam of research, news and content The site gives time-poor teachers a single destination for accessing the latest research, news and content to help bring classroom teaching to life in topical, fresh ways. An innovative area of the site is also dedicated to helping teachers identify and address common student misconceptions in physics. Here teachers can discover links to current research, strategies and materials to help them address common misconceptions before they become entrenched or an obstacle to student attainment. Charles Tracy, Head of Education at the Institute of Physics commented: “Teaching physics today is hugely rewarding. However it can be daunting to teach something new or to teach something familiar in a new way. We know it’s also challenging for teachers to stay constantly abreast of the latest resources, news and content, particularly when teaching and lesson-planning means time is limited. “Our hope is that the new IOPSpark site will provide teachers with a trusted source of ideas and professional learning, whether they are looking for a quick fix or pedagogical contemplation. Some of the site’s resources are ready to use whilst others will allow users to delve a bit deeper and explore the best ways to present those ideas and develop their own explanations. “By providing teachers with high-quality resources, open access to the latest subject thinking and by empowering collaboration amongst the physics teaching community we hope to help create the optimum conditions in which this fascinating subject can flourish in schools for generations to come.” Jemma Duncombe, Teacher of Physics at King’s College School, Wimbledon said: “It’s invaluable to find all these resources under one roof. It’s going to be my starting point whenever I’m looking at a new topic.” Alessio Bernardelli, Professional Practice Coach at CollaboratEd, commented: “It’s great that the very best of what the IOP has access to has been curated into easily navigable collections. It can be time-consuming to look through other sites and sift through what is worth using. Here you know you’re getting quality.” See the website here for free classroom resources from the Institute of Physics.
Girls’ progression in science studied by Institute of Physics
Schools from across England are being invited to sign up for free to the Institute of Physics’ Improving Gender Balance national research trial. Across England, the trial, funded by the Department for Education (DfE) will work with teachers on whole-school approaches to tackling gender stereotyping and the resulting limits on both boys and girls’ choices. In doing so it seeks to redress the fact that for more than 30 years only a fifth of those taking A-level physics in England have been girls. The randomised control trial, will see half of participating schools receiving a wide-ranging programme of valuable evidence-based support including: · Training and continuous professional development for teachers · The development of a whole-school strategy to combat gender stereotyping · Options evenings, careers guidance, and student-led projects · A dedicated, Institute of Physics coach A previous smaller scale pilot project run across six schools in 2014-2016 saw the number of girls taking A-level physics more than treble over two years. Participating schools reported that a non-gendered whole school approach and head-on tackling of gender stereotypes had equipped teachers to ensure that all students were able to explore the possibility of studying subjects across the board, irrespective of gender. Fifty-five per cent of A-levels were awarded to girls in 2018. However, girls just 43% of A levels awarded in STEM subjects and only 22% of A-levels awarded in physics, with only 13% of girls who achieved grade A or A* in GCSE physics going on to study the subject at A-level. This compares to 39% of boys who go on to study physics at A-level having achieved grade A or A* in the subject at GCSE (Institute of Fiscal Studies, August 2018). The Institute of Physics’ ground-breaking Improving Gender Balance trial is open to all state-funded co-ed secondary schools where a gap currently exists between the proportion of girls and boys taking physics A-level and all girls schools with a relatively low number of girls progressing to A-level in physics. Beth Bramley, Gender Balance Programme Manager at the Institute of Physics commented: “Physics is hugely rewarding subject to study at A-level and a gateway subject to so many exciting career roles and higher education options. We want to ensure that as many young people as possible, irrespective of gender have the chance to benefit from the opportunities it can open up. “This ground-breaking research study represents a unique opportunity to make a real difference. It will tell us what really ‘works’, embed whole-school approaches to tackling gender stereotyping and help set the future agenda for best practice in gender balance improvement in schools.” All interested schools can sign up to participate in the Institute of Physics trial at beta.iop.org, with applications open until 31st May 2019.
Dr Emily Grossman: ‘Anyone can be a scientist!’
Dr Emily Grossman is an expert in molecular biology and the face of many a scientific TV and radio slot (including The Alan Titchmarsh Show and Duck Quacks Don’t Echo). Here, Emily speaks to QA Education editor Victoria Galligan about why she’s involved with Rocking Ur Teens, a social enterprise that runs inspiring conferences that help encourage girls and boys to become confident in their school life and beyond… To say Dr Emily Grossman is an inspiring person is, quite frankly, an understatement. In 2017 Emily was made the second Honorary STEM Ambassador by STEM Learning – the first was astronaut Tim Peake. When I ask her about her childhood influences, she immediately tells me about her dad – a doctor and research scientist. Emily – who discovered a new molecule while working in cancer research – says: “We used to go on some long car journeys and dad would tell me really fun stories about the world, which were inspiring and relevant to my life. They were really scientific facts and theories, like telling me our ancestors were monkeys. So obviously I thought I may have monkey cousins and aunts and uncles somewhere! “Stories about science fascinated me and I loved finding out about the world around us. “Because these stories were framed for me by my dad, and made relevant to my life, I found them so interesting and that’s how we need to engage youngsters today.” Emily attended an all-girls school and her teachers also had a positive influence on her. The female environment eliminated sexism in the classroom and girls were encouraged to communicate, ask questions and find answers – although Emily admits not all of her peers were enamoured by the STEM subjects. “There was no stereotyping in the classroom and maths was taught from the root upwards, which really helped my understanding. But it wasn’t always easy for me and on occasion I was bullied, being labelled the “teacher’s pet”. Girls still face this stigma in school when they speak up – luckily I had some great friends and teachers who were really supportive and the female environment allowed our ideas to thrive.” Talkative, passionate and friendly during our interview, it’s hard to believe that she has ever suffered a crisis in confidence. However when Emily started university, where she studied physics, natural sciences and later cancer research, that’s exactly what happened. She noted a huge shift in attitudes working alongside her male peers. Emily says: “Many women feel out of place in a scientific learning environment – traditionally it’s seen as a cold, calculating and competitive world. “It can be challenging in this environment, and I found it very hard. I was used to a more supportive learning experience and I became scared of asking questions. I lost my confidence and see this today in many girls – and boys – who I meet when I visit schools now. They are nervous to try things and speak up, and we as educators need to let them know that they shouldn’t be put off by how confident other people seem to be. “I dropped physics after a year and remember before I ended that part of my course, many of the boys were bragging after an exam about how easy it had been. I had found it difficult but gave it my all – and I came out with better results than those boys!” It is these traditionally competitive, often sexist attitudes in the STEM subjects that Emily is working to change, through her work giving talks in schools and as a speaker at events like Rocking Ur Teens. Emily was asked by a friend who she met through a women’s group, Hannilee Fish, to attend the all-female event as Hannilee was speaking there too. Emily says: “Hannilee is an incredible role model and very inspiring. I was grateful for the opportunity to speak at Rocking Ur Teens and was happy to help dispel some myths about what it is to be a scientist, and help and inspire young women. “It was great to communicate with pupils from so many different areas and from such different backgrounds. For schools that don’t get a lot of funding, Rocking Ur Teens is a great opportunity for youngsters to hear from so many speakers and it really works. Seeing women like them, who perhaps were not very confident as teens and are just normal, everyday people, but who have become successful after working hard and being tenacious, really helps.” Having had quite a few career changes – Emily spent around 10 years acting and worked on the stage and screen in productions from Macbeth to Snow White – she is keen to impress upon youngsters the fluidity of STEM subjects and the range of options available. Emily adds, “Not all girls feel confident in STEM subjects and some feel they’re not clever enough, or that they’re too sensitive or creative. Girls who like science are often called ‘geeks’ or ‘weird’ or ‘boring’, but they shouldn’t be put off. Sensitivity and creativity are very beneficial to STEM. We need every sort of person to study STEM – gender, colour, sex, race etc doesn’t matter. If you have a passion for STEM then get involved!” Regarding women working in STEM, Emily would like to see policymakers continue to make roles accessible for women who have to consider their family needs, and to encourage women to bring their “whole self” to work. She believes that if STEM employers are compassionate, supportive and inclusive, then more women will want to start working and stay working in the field – even after starting a family. So what advice does Emily have for teachers who want to better engage girls in STEM? “Keep encouraging them to see the diverse range of careers and impress upon them the different types of people that STEM needs. They may be outgoing, shy, sensitive, analytical, team players or better working in private. Whatever sort of person
reuse4education – like eBay, but better
With another term underway, schools, colleges and universities will have the opportunity to make their budgets go a little bit further thanks to the launch of reuse4education. At a time when funds are constantly being stretched, this free, easy to use online platform allows educational institutions to buy, sell, swap and loan anything from photocopiers and PE equipment, to musical instruments and books, and reuse4education is the only site that is exclusively for education institutions. Accessible on a local, regional, national and international scale, it is hoped that reuse4education will not only help fill resource voids, reduce waste and maximise recycling, but also build a sense of community between users. The service has been created by Mark Abrahams, the CEO of Recycle Your Cycle, an innovative programme run in partnership with HM Prison Service that sees over 300 bikes and more than 100 vacuums being refurbished by UK offenders every month. Mark says, “While buying, selling and recycling furniture, books and clothes on a personal level is common place, this isn’t generally the norm in educational settings, but with this site, it could be. Whether you need a new set of French textbooks or stacks of old classroom chairs are taking up valuable space in your school hall, you can add them to reuse4education, the only site of its kind for the education sector, and we are confident that a solution will be found. He adds, “We believe that by re-using, recycling, upcycling, and sharing equipment, not only will students be educated within budget, but a new community will be created and connections will be made. We know there is a need in the UK for this service, but we also hope reuse4education will help those studying in developing countries where resources are scarce but the passion for learning is alive and kicking. One teacher, says, “As a science teacher in an 11-16 secondary school, I often find myself wanting pieces of equipment for lessons that wouldn’t justify the cost of only being used once a year. I love the idea of sharing such equipment between schools and allowing the students to access even better resources for their learning!” Another teacher comments, “Amazon and eBay are great but searching for text books and resources is hard work, so reuse4education is just fantastic and really, really needed. We have items at school which I know would be of use to someone else when we finish doing certain courses, so it is great to know we can now put them on this site and pass them on.” Users simply sign up and list the equipment they need, as well as the things they no longer require and want to donate to someone else. As well as items being listed on the website, an email is sent out to members once a week as a reminder that a wealth of resources are there for the taking. For more details go to reuse4education
Plastics recycling education programme launched
The recycling plastics education programme R-Generation is widening its reach for 2018, and will now be available to every primary and secondary school in the UK. Following its launch in 2016, Nestlé Waters UK is continuing its partnership with recycling charity, RECOUP, and environmental education organisation, Wastebuster, to deliver an updated programme for 2018. This year will see the national roll out of the initiative, which aims to help children understand the responsibility they have in becoming more environmentally aware citizens. There is a still a role to play in encouraging consumers to increase their recycling behaviour. The average UK household uses nearly 500 plastic bottles a year but recycles just over 280 of them[1]. This latest initiative aims to help children understand the responsibility they have in becoming more environmentally aware, both at home and in their communities. The programme gives school staff teaching Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 education access to a host of materials and resources which will help put recycling firmly onto the agenda for their schools. The 2018 programme features a host of new digital materials which will help create excitement in the classroom and deliver relevancy for today’s students. Resources include teacher notes, assembly guides, games, quizzes and fact sheets and aim to help inspire young recyclers of today to become recycling champions of the future. As well as classroom resources, the packs also include step by step instructions on assisting schools in setting up successful recycling schemes in their schools. Priya Hamilton, Corporate Communications Manager, Nestlé Waters UK comments: “As a business we are passionate about driving education and encouraging individuals to take action and responsibility to protect the environment through recycling. Having launched this initiative in 2016, we are delighted to be continuing to spearhead such an important initiative in driving the recycling agenda. Our commitment to recycling was also reinforced earlier this year, when we announced the roll out of the introduction of recycled plastic to all water bottles produced at our UK site. As well as the actions we take at a manufacturing level, we believe we also have a major role to play in helping to drive the uptake of recycling in the UK and this latest programme will certainly help address this amongst our youngest generation.” Anne Hitch, Communications Manager, RECOUP comments: “We are delighted to be able to work with Nestlé Waters UK and Wastebuster on this initiative. Capturing the imagination of young recyclers to encourage plastic recycling is essential for the future in driving a circular economy and long-term sustainability. “Plastic is a valuable material that can be reused if we only do the right thing with our waste. The tools within the packs give a complete understanding about different types of plastic and I hope they will motivate students and staff to recycle more at school and at home.” For schools interested in taking part, the plastics education resource pack is available for free download here
KidZania London STEAMs into October
Launching Friday 5 to Sunday 7 October, KidZania London – the indoor city run by kids at Westfield London, Shepherd’s Bush – will be hosting an action-packed STEAM Week, inspiring kids to develop their skills across science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. With 2018 seeing the launch of the government’s Year of Engineering campaign, of which KidZania is an official partner, there has been an increased focus towards recognizing and celebrating STEM subjects and careers spanning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. However, KidZania also recognises that the demand for arts resources has also rocketed, as teachers are increasingly championing the importance of creative thinking and visual learning in the classroom. The three-day STEAM festival will look to merge these disciplines together, demonstrating that no matter where children’s strengths are, whether its number crunching or a way with words, there are careers and opportunities out there for everyone to explore. From STEAM-themed world record challenges with Guinness World Records Live, to slimy Jelly Belly X-ray operations with PDSA and structure building workshops with Engineering Development Trust, there will be fun and educational workshops to bring the school syllabus to life – whether that’s on a school trip or a weekend visit with the family. Eddie Kemsley, CEO at KidZania comments: “Embracing creativity through the arts is something we positively encourage at KidZania – whether through our Book of The Month Activity with Little Tiger, inspiring even the most reluctant book worms, to our music academy and dance studio. We are hugely excited to be incorporating this into our existing STEM focus, to really demonstrate the wide variety of subjects and career opportunities out there. She continues: Not everyone can be great at numbers or science, but as some of the most innovative engineerable solutions have been developed by creative thinkers, it’s important for us to be able to showcase the importance of arts subjects too.” Exciting partnership activities include: Take the Guinness World Record Challenge 5th – 7th October Does your child have what it takes to be the next Guinness World Record Holder? KidZania’s Guinness World Record Live event will put kids to the test with one of three STEAM-themed world record challenges. Jelly Belly Operation at PDSA – Saturday 6th October Join PDSA for a fun and interactive Jelly Belly Operation. Examine X- rays and find the foreign bodies in our pet patient’s slimy stomach! Design and Build with the Engineering Development Trust 5th – 7th October Come and get involved in one of our fun ‘hands on’, design, build and test challenges with the Engineering Development Trust.. KidZania believes in ‘Learning by Doing’. By bringing the classroom to life in the city, it aims to boost children’s curiosity and imagination through curriculum-based real-life activities. To book tickets for your school trip now, please email schools@kidzania.co.uk or call 0330 131 3335. See KidZania.co.uk for more details. Twitter – @KidZaniaLondon Instagram – @KidZaniaLondon Facebook – /KidZaniaLondon Pricing: Access to all additional activities is included in the entrance price £14 per child. Reduced pricing available for schools with a high Pupil Premium level Learning outcomes: KS1 – KS2 Science KS1 – KS3 Maths, Art, Design & Technology and PSHE About KidZania London: At KidZania London, children can take part in real-life adventures. Spanning across 75,000 square feet, KidZania is an amazing indoor city built just for kids! KidZania provides children with the opportunity try out a variety of real life role-play activities from being a firefighter, journalist to a surgeon. Each role-play is developed to teach kids essential life skills including financial literacy, teamwork and independence. Designed to empower and entertain kids, KidZania gives them the chance to challenge themselves and gets children thinking about which career they may pursue in the future. KidZania is a unique role-play experience for 4-14 year olds, blending learning with reality and entertainment.
Embedding a life-long love of science through a high-quality resource
Executive head teacher Malcolm Drakes explains how a science resource has changed the way that the subject is being taught across Broadford Primary School… “Pupils at Broadford Primary School wake up excited at the prospect of the school day ahead. We work to give the 568 children in our care a rich educational experience with challenges and the highest quality teaching. “We want our pupils to develop a lifelong love of learning. This informs every aspect of our work and has won us recognition from outside bodies. This year we were chosen as the Times Educational Supplement Primary School of the Year and we also won the coveted Overall School of the Year 2017. “Here was a set of simple but effective resources that would let us deliver high end lessons with a WOW factor” “It is hard to believe that back in March 2012 Broadford Primary School was in Special Measures. The Senior Leadership Team decided that a systematic and sustained focus on continuous professional development (CPD) was key to improvement. “Within two years the school was transformed. An emphasis on planning, resourcing and training meant that teachers were more confident and competent when teaching core subjects. Creating awe and wonder in science lessons “A fine example of this was the teaching of science. Very few primary teachers have a background or qualification in science. This is a pity because science, taught well, provides some of the most exciting and dramatic moments in a classroom. “We wanted to thrill them with exciting experiments and activities so that even the youngest of our pupils could experience the ‘awe and wonder’ of science. It was a tall order. It was essential to equip teachers with the necessary subject knowledge and to find the money for resources so that they could conduct high quality experiments. “There was no local training we could tap into and we were disappointed to find that many of the science schemes we could buy in would require the teachers to interpret the ideas, resource the lessons and develop their own subject knowledge. “This was going to place too heavy a workload on our teachers and would make it very difficult for us to differentiate teaching so that we could provide high end challenges for our more able learners. “We came across Empiribox and were immediately impressed. Here was a set of simple but effective resources that would let us deliver high end lessons with a WOW factor. “Each month all year groups study the same topic featuring hands-on investigative activity guaranteed to engage pupils of all abilities create a school-wide buzz of excitement and promote collaborative working and best practice amongst staff. “Empiribox was developed by Dan Sullivan, an experienced secondary head of science. It gives us twelve themed monthly packages of inspiring lesson plans covering chemistry, biology and physics and assessment tools designed to measure, track and record pupil development. Everything is mapped to the KS 1 & 2 National Curriculum schemes of work. It is a great time saver for our staff and means we don’t have the stress and anxiety of planning the annual science curriculum. “When you are delivering science sessions you need equipment but we don’t have the necessary space to store science resources when they are not in use so we were delighted to discover that Empiribox would deliver a trolley load of specialist equipment for every year group and collect it when the classes had finished that topic. “This is such a brilliant idea: it keeps down our capital costs, makes best use of our limited storage space and provides all the kit needed for exciting hands-on activities designed to enthral pupils of all abilities.” “The training provided by Empiribox is a key benefit for us. We estimated that the cost of training 25 teachers for three days would typically total upwards of £10,000 alone, so the Empiribox package represents an affordable solution for our school and the CPD they provide is free. “The company provides a termly CPD training programme delivered by science graduates which boosts the confidence of our teachers and makes sure lessons go with a bang – sometimes literally! “Empiribox was rolled out across the whole of KS1 and KS2 from February 2015. Each month all year groups study the same topic. They enjoy practical investigations suitable for the whole ability range and we even find staff talking about the topics and working together so there is a school-wide buzz of excitement. “They have access to online resources to support planning and to enable them to answer questions from curious pupils and Georgina Barron, our AHT for Curriculum, regularly observes the lessons and then helps teachers to develop the quality of their teaching “We have been working with Mead Primary School, one of our partner schools in the federation. The teachers can work together on training, planning and evaluation so pupils at both schools get access to the same high quality teaching. It also means that science teaching in the federation is not just the responsibility of one member of staff so we can ensure consistency even if staff leave or are absent long-term. “Teachers are building their skills and subject knowledge. Tej Lander, a Year 4 teacher, told me, ‘Empiribox has really helped me to develop my scientific knowledge. My confidence with the vocabulary and how to address misconceptions has really improved with the training.’ “His pupils are very appreciative too. Paige said, ‘The teacher demonstrations have been amazing. When my Mr Lander blew the top of the paint can off it was incredible. It makes the learning so much fun.’ “When we asked the staff, 90% agreed strongly that their scientific knowledge had improved while 100% said they were more confident at planning and delivering experiments with their classes. “Working with Empiribox has significantly helped to raise