Science Learning in Kent

No SAT's - opportunities and threats

2008-11-20T15:29:00Z

At recent training events we used the opportunity to discuss issues surrounding the ending of KS3 SAT's. The attached file shows what some delegates saw at the opportunities and threats of this move. More will be added as they get typed up. You might like to use other peoples ideas as part of training you do in your department when considering life "post SAT's"....(read more)

Radiation Protection Supervisor Training - Feb 09

2008-11-20T15:00:00Z

The attached file is the flier for the above course. The last course filled up quite quickly and people have placed themselves on a reserve list. New applicants are very welcome but may need to move quickly to get booked. The attached flier has a hyperlink to the application form. To get to the attachment, click on title of this post, the attachment is shown in the new window which opens....(read more)

Teachers TV science catalogue

2008-11-20T14:21:00Z

The link below goes directly to a listing of all the science videos available on Teachers TV. There are some nice video's here for both training and possible classroom use. All are downloadable. http://www.teachers.tv/science If you or any colleagues would like some support with classroom management, there are also some useful video's with some very good ideas here. http://www.teachers.tv/behaviour...(read more)

AQA Physics Module PHY 1AP Nov 2008

2008-11-20T13:40:00Z

I have heard from one school of the printing errors on the above module examination. If you have been affected by this please can you let me know by e-mail. The school who reported the problem have written to AQA to complain and are hoping for some speedy action from the board. If you have been affected, it might be worth getting your school to write to AQA as well....(read more)

Radioactive Sources in schools

2008-11-17T10:28:00Z

Further to previous communications I'd like to clarify the position regarding informing the HSE that you hold radioactive sources. We (Kent's H & S dept and myself) have informed the HSE of all schools holding sources where Kent is the employer. Schools where the Governors are the employer (Foundation and voluntary aided + academies) need to inform the HSE individually. We did try to notify them on your behalf but this was not acceptable! The link below explains the categorisation of...(read more)

Political Science

2008-11-17T09:14:00Z

The Times carried an editorial today entitled "Political Science" in which it argues that more politicians need to understand the process of science. In especially mentions how to weigh up evidence! You might find reading it interesting (and useful for some students). Go to http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article5167984.ece...(read more)

Science news update

2008-11-17T09:12:00Z

Attached is the Newsletter recently sent to HoD's in schools. If you work in a Kent school and want to go on to my circulatrion list to get a direct copy, please let me know at my e-mail address. keith.milchem@kent.gov.uk...(read more)

STEM careers web site

2008-11-13T10:41:00Z

A new web site with links between the STEM subjects and careers has been published. It contains sections for teachers and pupils. The age related pupil pages contain some useful resources including a "job finder" quiz which students will enjoy using. Whilst I have not explored the site fully, it does look like a positive contribution to support the STEM agenda. I recommend a little "surfing" on this site to find useful resources and activities for you and your students. Go to...(read more)

Science Fair, Dartford - Mar 12th & 13th 2009

2008-11-12T15:25:00Z

Dartford GGS are organising a science fair for Years 5,6 and 7 next year. Carol Williams has asked me to advertise this via the blog. I have attachjed a letter sent to school and the application form. The letter explains where priority is given to applications. I hope this is a successful event and that some of you are able to support it....(read more)

Technician Training

2008-11-12T15:16:00Z

Carol Williams at Dartford Girls Grammar has organised a large number of training sessions for technicians. Please see the attached letter (also sent to schools) which gives details. I hope your technicians will be able to avail themselves of pertinent training and that your schools can support this. I'd like to publicly record a big thank you to Carol for organising thiese training sessions. An application form is included in the letter. (To open, click on title and then download the attachment...(read more)

AS Chemistry Text book

2008-11-10T08:52:00Z

I have heard that the Pearson AS Chemistry textbook has a number of errors that seem to have escaped the QA process. They are aware of some specific issues and are planning a free reprint for those already using it. However, if you have noticed any errors, please can you let them (Pearson) know via their custoimer services department. We know the periodic table has errors and some electron structures are wrong. No prizes for finding them but hopefully new books on the way!...(read more)

Pupils' questions based science course

2008-11-10T08:00:00Z

At the recent Heads of science day we were told of a school which based it's new KS3 course on science based questions that the pupils had raised. Years 7 - 11 were asked what were the questions they wanted answered by science. The school then mapped NC requirements into these questions and planned schemes of work. The schemes of work have a core, common element and then a more "open" section where the basic ideas can be taken further and matched to pupils' needs and abilities....(read more)

DNA Master Class

2008-10-24T15:14:00Z

Attached are details of a free master class for teachers and technicians which is being run by the university of Kent. Since posting this the Science Learning Centre (SE) have become involved and there is now the possibility of a bursary to support your attendance. The new flier is attached. They write:- Please also note that an Impact Award of £200 is available to any teachers meeting any of the following criteria: · Teachers and lecturers who have not attended more than one full-day course (or...(read more)

Dept review support materials

2008-10-24T09:36:00Z

I have recently come accross 2 forms/ checklists that might be useful when reviewing practice with your department / colleagues. One is a pupil voice questionnaire and the other a checklist to use when carrying out monitoring / review. This post has a zipped folder with the two forms / checklists in it. Click on title then download zipped folder. Open individual files to view....(read more)

STEM directories

2008-10-24T08:53:00Z

You may have missed the publication of the STEM directory for science. This is a booklet with a huge number of opportunities for enrichment and enhancement in science. (They also exist for Engineering / Technology and Maths). They are available for download and as printed versions. Go to www.stemdirectories.org.uk and have a look / order a copy. You may be aware that no bids for our local SETPOINT were successful in the last two attempts. Another bid is being prepared now. Hopefully we will soon...(read more)

Secondary Science Conference

2008-10-09T12:38:00Z

Attached to this post is the flier (with application details) for the secondary science conference. We have booked Michael Reiss as our Keynote speaker and have arranged a choice of workshop sessions. NOW is the time to book as we will be needing to finalise numbers and workshop choices fairly soon. To open the attachement (which is zipped) click on the title of this item. In the new page, click on the attachment. DON'T DELAY, APPLY TODAY!...(read more)

Framework for Science / Interactive teaching support

2008-10-06T17:18:00Z

There is now a lot more information on the Science Framework web site. Follow the link below and navigate to the framwork guidance section (look to left hand menu). The sections on amplification and barriers to learning seem, to me, to be really useful when planning new courses. http://www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/secondary/framework/science Another recent addition to the web support for science is the self study unit on Interactive teaching in science. This has some useful exemplars and suggests how...(read more)

Application / Booking form

2008-10-02T14:08:00Z

Here is the form for applying for courses....(read more)

Training Information and Booking

2008-10-02T13:55:00Z

Attached is a pdf file containing details of the training courses we are offering this term. There is also an application form attached to another post. (I can only attach one file / document to each blog). We are trying to encourage people to sign up to the conference as soon as possible so that we know it is viable as soon as possible. If you require somthing more "bespoke" as regards training, please contact me (Keith Milchem) and I will see what we can arrange....(read more)

Practical science web support

2008-09-29T06:49:00Z

I have just stumbled accross these web pages. They may be useful to you, your teaching and technician colleagues. Have a look! The Nuffield Curriculum Centre with Biosciences Federation and CLEAPSS have just launched the Practical Biology website. See http://www.practicalbiology.org/ http://www.practicalchemistry.org/ http://www.practicalphysics.org/ Each experiment on the sites has practical information for technicians and teachers - apparatus lists, health & safety notes, and instructions about...(read more)

Early September Newsletter

2008-09-09T09:08:00Z

Attached for download is the latest newsletter sent to HoDs. (Click on title and find attachment in the new page that opens)...(read more)

Software to monitor pupil progress

2008-09-09T07:49:00Z

Tracking pupil progress is a really important job for HoDs and all science teachers. I have been contacted by Science Monitor who are offering a 20% discount on their monitoring software. I do not endorse this product but you may wish to visit their web site to see whether it might help you track pupil progress accross both keystages. A link to a free evaluation download is included below. Science Monitor can store all of your pupil marks and information, and then analyse data for departmental analysis...(read more)

Triple Science Support

2008-09-08T14:20:00Z

I'm sure you are all aware of the entitlement for all students gaining L6 in the 2008 SATs to study Triple Sciences. In Specialist Colleges there is a requirement that Triple Science is offered to students. The Science Learning Centre (SE) is running training here in Kent at Simon Langton Boys School in Canterbury. I have copied and pasted the information about these below. As these sessions are free and local you may wish to sign up for them. Triple Science Support Programme at Simon Langton...(read more)

KS3 SATs results

2008-07-22T11:33:00Z

I have received the information below and thought you might find it useful when considering your position regarding this years science SATs. My initial responses from Kent schools indicate that the marking is mostly OK and that the mark scheme has been quite tightly applied. We have a range of "ups and downs" reported so far. No pattern determined yet, I will e-mail out to schools if I find one! Here is the information from "above" "We are getting a number of reports from...(read more)

Exemplification of the Framework and PoS for KS3

2008-07-10T17:42:00Z

This zip file contains exemplification of the new PoS for KS3. This will be added to the Framework web site over the summer. This is NOT statutory content, more a selection of ideas you might like to include. Some files are word documents which open properly. Those beginning ._ are code files and open to reveal rubbish! I wanted to get these out quickly so I haven't edited this. Enjoy!!...(read more)

Want to teach astronomy?

2008-07-03T13:08:00Z

I have received some information about resources for astronomy teaching from David Mannion (Maidstone GS). He writes:- These two sheets might be of interest to Heads of Science in Kent schools who want to teach part of the Science national curriculum - the astronomy bits! We have in the RAS www.ras.org.uk come up with about 84 websites and four RAS web resources for teaching astronomy Ks2 Ks 3 Ks 4 and Ks 5. There are 2 files zipped in the attachment. Rules for opening as before. (Click on title...(read more)

Success in science

2008-06-23T18:30:00Z

Attached is a copy of the latest OFSTED report on science. There are some interesting observations here! Click on the title of this page to show the page where the attached file can be downloaded....(read more)

On - line pupil voice questionnaire

2008-06-23T11:42:00Z

Follow this link to get to the on-line questionnaire. I will send schools all their data and a county wide analysis after the closing date of 2.7.08 www.kenttrustweb.org.uk?sciencesurvey...(read more)

2008 SATs analysis tool

2008-06-23T11:36:00Z

Please find attached the 2008 spreadsheet for carrying out a GAP analysis on your 2008 scripts. If you are able to do this on the recently examined cohort, you'll get some ideas of where you might need to intervene in KS4. The spreadsheet contains simple instructions for use....(read more)

Chemistry for non-specialists - news from SLC(SE)

2008-06-16T11:06:00Z

The popular four day RSC Chemistry for non-specialists at KS4 course is being run at Highsted Grammar School, Sittingbourne starting on 16 th July 2008. This course is aimed at teachers of KS4 Chemistry who hold a specialism in a subject other than Chemistry. The course consists of a 2 day residential this term followed by one day in the autumn term & one day in the spring 2009 term. The cost of this four day course for maintained & independent schools is £120 per person. Teachers from maintained...(read more)