Attached is the document (word) which contains the separated threads of the 5 Assessment Focii for science.
I have received early notification of some Physics workshops for next year. The information hints some more funding might be found to support schools with this. Please see attached zipped files for more details.
As usual, click on the title and a new page opens. The zipped file is attached and visible on the new page.
Please find attached the APP tracker spreadsheet as discussed in various training sessions recently. This is one way to track your judgements. Please see the instructions which are included with the spreadsheet in the zipped file. These also include some "Health Warnings" about using the spreadsheet.
You might like to read the recent article in "Education in Science " (the ASE journal) about APP and how the "Wiki science" team are apporaching the issue. I'm sure other systems and methods will emerga as time goes by. A crucial factor will be the way inspections, school policies and teacher preferences mould the way APP is used.
It will, under whatever "system" adopted, be important to be able to show how you have moderated judgements within schools and between schools. Watch this space for support with the latter.
A public consultation on GCSE science criteria by the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) to gain views on proposed changes to the content and assessment of science GCSEs will begin on Friday 19th June.QCA has been working with its counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland to develop and update the criteria for biology, chemistry, physics and science GCSEs starting in September 2011. QCA has collaborated with teachers and representatives across the science community, including subject associations and learned societies, to develop the draft criteria for consultation. The draft criteria are designed to make sure all GCSE students develop appropriate scientific knowledge, understanding and skills and support their progression to A levels, other qualifications or employment.Individuals or organisations interested in shaping the content of the criteria for GCSEs in science can contribute their views via the QCA website here:http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_21855.aspx
I have just received this from the National Skills Academy for Nuclear Energy. Their booking form with some further information is attached.
Hi,
Dates up to the end of 2009 are now available for the Energy Foresight programme.
The Energy Foresight programme promotes Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) in schools by training teachers in the use of the supplied material and funds a relief teacher. The programme is fully funded and therefore does not impact on school funds. The material that the teachers are trained to use is aimed at Key Stage 4 (14 to 16 year olds) and is mapped to the curriculum. For more information, see http://www.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk/teacher-zone/energy-foresight-programme Regards, Robin TinklerSE/E Regional ManagerNational Skills Academy for Nuclear07500 026 020
I've just received this from Myra Gibbons of Edexcel. If you're thinking of introducing BTECs, this is an opportunity to find out more at a venue close to Kent. They write:-
Dear Colleague
I’m running a free training event in Gillingham in 3 weeks’ time that you might like to come to (details and booking form attached).
In the morning I’m going to cover ‘New to BTEC’:
· generic overview
· delivery
· assessment, and internal/external verification
· where we’re currently up to in terms of the 2010 changes (20 minutes, there are fuller half-day briefings taking place across the country).
This session does not include the actual ‘Assessor Training’ that is part of the approvals process.
I hope that you, or one of your staff can join me on Thursday 25 June for the morning session.
Regards
Myra Gibbons
Edexcel Curriculum and Development Manager (Kent & Medway)
01634 571411
Just in, details of a 'Chemistry of Dentistry' day organised at the University of Greenwich on 23rd June.
Chemistry of Dentistry, 23rd June 2009
This is the latest in a series of events to be held at the University of Greenwich as part of the national project "Chemistry for our future". This is an Aim Higher project aimed at Year 12 students, and encouraging them to consider studying at university.
The day will cover a variety of aspects of the application of chemistry to dentistry, including the chemistry of tooth decay, the preventive role of fluoride, and the repair of teeth with modern plastic materials. There will also be some careers advice available on the subject of studying dentistry at university.
After an opening presentation to introduce the subject, students will carry out various experiments. These include measuring the release of fluoride from toothpaste, and showing how this taken up by tooth mineral. Students will also be able to study the setting of a modern tooth-coloured filling material that sets in blue light. Finally they will take an impression of a tooth using a modern silicone impression material, as used clinically, then use this impression make a model of the tooth from cement. This will allow them to see how artificial materials are used in prosthetic dentistry to make accurate replacements for lost teeth.
Please contact Professor John Nicholson by email (J.W.Nicholson@greenwich.ac.uk) or telephone (0208 331 9965) if you would like further details.
Please find attacherd a zipped file with the threshold boundaries and an analysis tool that you might like toi use with any SATs that you used this year. I have previous years analysis tools if ever you need them. Keith Milchem (Click on title, look for attachment in new window which opens)
Please find attached the newsletter sent to HoDs on May 21st.
The STEMPOINT contract was awarded to canterbury Christ Church University College and they have now set up a web site to support STEM subject development and enrichment and engagement. This can be found at www.canterburystem.org.uk . The new STEMPOINT are charged with brokerage for stem based activities and the administer the STEM Ambassadors programme (previously the SEA's Ambassadors). They are updating their list of ambassadors and training new volunteers. Visit the site or contact the STEMPOINT for more information.
A teacher from Westlands school (Holly Mason) has kindly agreed to share the resources & SoW she has written for the OCR Science Nationals course so that other schools can use them.
I have attached the resources that she thinks will be most helpful to other people. This is a zipped file. Click on post and download the zipped file from the new window.
The Science Learning Centre have an AfL course (with Impact Award funding of £200) running at the University of Sussex, Brighton on 7th May. This venue is just off the A27 and M23, so should in theory be accessible to schools in Kent. Attached are details in a word document.
Just got this in from Edexcel.
FREE Getting Ready to Deliver BTEC Firsts Applied Science events!
Edexcel have organised FREE Getting Ready to Deliver events to take place in May and June 2009. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, to find out more and book your place.Here is the link: http://www.edexcel.com/notices/Pages/FREEGettingReadytoDeliverBTECFirstsAppliedScienceevents!.aspx
I have received the following request from Josephine Querido [Josephine.Querido@cancer.org.uk]. I hope some of you can help her out.
We’re currently evaluating the Youth & Schools section of our News & Resources website and we’re looking for some feedback from teachers. Would you be able to publicise this amongst local science teachers? If teachers aren’t already familiar with this section of the website, it would be great if they could take a few minutes to look around http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/youthandschools/before answering our short online survey: https://survey.cancerresearchuk.org/Survey.aspx?s=b98fffd1aec14f8e8de48b5c48c13e71 There are only 5 questions, so it shouldn’t take long….The survey closes on April 30th. Many thanks for your help! Best wishes, Josephine
Please find attached details of all training taking place during the Summer Term. (Click on title of this post and open the attachment to be found on the new page that opens). There are details of:-
Subject Leader Training
APP training for Non subject leaders
Science Network Meetings and
Learning Skills for Science training.
Full instructions of how to apply are included in the attachment.
Please find attached details of some KS5 Masterclasses organised by the Science Learning Centre (SE). These are aimed at teachers of KS5 science. Impact awards are available for some teachers / schools. Full details are attached to this post.
Please find attached the latest newsletter. Further details on the training mentioned willbe forthcoming as soon as possible.
Attached to this entry is a "zipped" foder with word versions of the Assessment Focii for science. The over all grid for science criteria was difficult to convert from .pdf format and this is the best I can get. The other files are better versions and are arranged as a series of "paired levels" of assessment. (Click on title, file appears as attachement in new page that opens.)
As promised here is the link to the National Strategies Home Page for science. Scanning this page will show the range of topics covered in the web site. Try looking at the framework link and the APP link. Both of these will support the development of APP in your school.
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/secondary/science
I have received the attached message from Max Fishel regarding support for pupils with physical disabilities. If you want some advice on how to support these pupils, Max is your man!!
I have recently come accross a useful booklet "Inspiring Science" produced by the SE museums. It shows how local museums might help you with enrichment activities in science. This can be obtained by visiting www.museumse.org.uk/learning/Science.html and either downloaded or requested by post. It is a free publication which also covers primary science.
Recently schoolbased AST's attended training on APP. Attached is the powerpoint we used during this training. This will need unzipping to allow you to view the powerpoint.
The consultation for the proposed science diploma ids now active. Follow the link below to access the consultation page. This also has links to the information on the diploma. Please have your say on this important development.
http://www.sciencediploma.co.uk/online_consultations.aspx
Do you have students who'd like to be paid for summer research opportunities in science? If so, download the attached zip file for more details and an application form.
I have received the info below from Becky Parker at Simon Langton Boys School. I think this needs a pretty good graphics card so you may need to choose the machine you use carefully!!
My name is Becky Parker and I run the Langton Star Centre at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury. I wanted to bring an exciting new development to your attention. We are working with a group of computer experts to develop a new kind of virtual learning environment. It is called umgumbo and students of all ages at our school have found it really enjoyable.It is very visual and looks rather like a computer game. As well as being a game we will be producing lots of visual science teaching materials and these will be part of umgumbo.Do go and have a look at umgumbo and try it out: www.umgumbo.com. If you think it may be interesting to your school then please let the people at umgumbo know. The site offers several ways to send your feedback. It would be great if we could all help to get this innovative resource up and running.
I have received the information below (and in zipped file attached) about some free revision classes being offered by the SE Physics Network. I hope you'll take advantage of this free support.
The South East Physics Network is a partnership of universities across the South East, including Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway and Southampton. We have funding from HEFCE for a 5 year outreach project aimed at GCSE science students to encourage uptake of A Level physics. This is the first year of the project and we are running three different revision events - one on energy, one on radiation and radioactivity and one of electronics and careers.
The University of Kent is one of the universities hosting all three of these events and we are currently trying to raise the profile of the project within schools to encourage uptake. The dates at Kent are 27th February for event 1 and 27th March for event 2. Bookings are open for the first event until the end of January.
If you'd like more support for science teaching and learning why not consider an HLTA. The attached file gives some more detail and where you can find out even more. The team promoting this in Kent are particularly keen on getting more science HLTA's in place. This could be the answer to improved G & T support or perhaps a way of ensuring better intervention with those falling behind expected progress levels. Go on, lift the phone and find out more!
The ASE advisers Committee is currently conducting GCSE surveys to elicit feedback from teachers and pupils about the 2006 courses. The surveys are web based, with a simple hyperlink to access them and should not take long to complete. The cut off date for responses is 13th February 2009. I have attached further details and hope that some of you will complete this. Further details are attached. (Click on title to find attachment.)
You should get your new 2009 disc shortly. Please remember to get rid of the old one and use the new one from now on. Please remember that Kent are fully paid up to use their services. You can call them with any H & S issue (or other advice needed) directly. If they give advice which includes a warning about local rules, there are none that I am aware of for Kent. This means in all matters, I agree with the advice given by CLEAPSS. After all, they are the experts!
There is a Literacy in science course planned for the 11th February at the Ramada Hotel, Maidstone. This one day course will support the development of teaching to improve students’ writing, reading and group work skills in science.
The Spring Subject Leader day details can be found in the booklet (link below). These will cover APP materials and possibly Gifted and Talented materials as well (if we think we’ll have time).
To sign up for these courses use the link below or telephone 01622 203800 and ask for Training and Development section.
Link to web page:- http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/ask8/ask8_professional_development.cfm
Choose Secondary Training Programme and go to p. 14 / 15 for details. At the back of this booklet is a printable booking form. Alternatively, follow the link below the Secondary Training Booklet and use the on-line booking system.
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