Science Learning in Kent

No SAT's - opportunities and threats

Keith Milchem — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:29:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Radiation Protection Supervisor Training - Feb 09

Keith Milchem — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:00:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Teachers TV science catalogue

Keith Milchem — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:21:00 GMT

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...(read more)

AQA Physics Module PHY 1AP Nov 2008

Keith Milchem — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:40:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Radioactive Sources in schools

Keith Milchem — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:28:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Political Science

Keith Milchem — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:14:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Science news update

Keith Milchem — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:12:00 GMT

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

Keith Milchem — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:41:00 GMT

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...(read more)

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

Keith Milchem — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:25:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Technician Training

Keith Milchem — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:16:00 GMT

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...(read more)

AS Chemistry Text book

Keith Milchem — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:52:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Pupils' questions based science course

Keith Milchem — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:00:00 GMT

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...(read more)

DNA Master Class

Keith Milchem — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:14:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Dept review support materials

Keith Milchem — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:36:00 GMT

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...(read more)

STEM directories

Keith Milchem — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 08:53:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Secondary Science Conference

Keith Milchem — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:38:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Framework for Science / Interactive teaching support

Keith Milchem — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:18:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Application / Booking form

Keith Milchem — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:08:00 GMT

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

Training Information and Booking

Keith Milchem — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:55:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Practical science web support

Keith Milchem — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:49:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Early September Newsletter

Keith Milchem — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:08:00 GMT

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

Keith Milchem — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:49:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Triple Science Support

Keith Milchem — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:20:00 GMT

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...(read more)

KS3 SATs results

Keith Milchem — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:33:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Exemplification of the Framework and PoS for KS3

Keith Milchem — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:42:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Want to teach astronomy?

Keith Milchem — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:08:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Success in science

Keith Milchem — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:30:00 GMT

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

Keith Milchem — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:42:00 GMT

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

Keith Milchem — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:36:00 GMT

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...(read more)

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

Keith Milchem — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:06:00 GMT

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...(read more)