Building Confidence The University of Glasgow ESESS Project Excellent STEM Education for a Successful Scotland Heather Reid, Kevin Lowden, Angela Speirs

The ESESS Project The 2007 Scottish Survey of Achievement TIMMS - Trends in International Maths and Science Study National Evaluation of Science CPD by the SCRE Centre at University of Glasgow All highlight the need for primary science support

The ESESS Project Developed a suite of science activities - teachers notes - experiments & recording sheets - PowerPoint - videos Science activities can be used within commonly taught Topics such as Knights and Castles, The Lighthouse and The Victorians.

The ESESS Project The project also integrates the use of low cost video recording into the teaching process. The project aims to demonstrate the value of creating a ‘video CPD archive’ of re-usable short videos made by teachers and pupils to demonstrate their best practice, shared using the Internet.

The Victorians and Clean Water

An Example – The Victorians I have participated in practical activities to separate simple mixtures of substances and can relate my findings to my everyday experience. SCN 2-16a By investigating common conditions that increase the amount of substance that will dissolve or the speed of dissolving, I can relate my findings to the world around me. SCN 2-16b I have investigated different water samples from the environment and explored methods that can be used to clean and conserve water and I am aware of the properties and uses of water. SCN2- 18a

Topics The Victorians Natural Disasters Level 2 SCN 2-16a, 2-16b, 2-18a The materials can be adapted for use with other Topics that deal with water or health or human rights.

Topics Magic Magnets Level 1, SCN 1-08a Knights & Castles The materials can be adapted for use with other Topics that have fantasy or magic as a theme, e.g. Fairy tales, The Magic Faraway Tree

Topics Make a Lighthouse Level 1, SCN 1-09a Islands The sea, seashore or coastline. The materials can be adapted for use with other Topics like Katie Morag (Stories by Mairi Hedderwick) The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch (by David and Rhonda Armitage)

Topics Compare the Force Level 2, SCN 2-08a The Ancient World The Greeks The materials can be adapted for use with other Topics that have a magical theme, especially books like Harry Potter, Dark Isle.

Evaluation – SCRE Centre Overall Impact ESESS project has helped to improve classroom practice in science, particularly, practical work and experiments. Teachers feel more confident about covering the science topics addressed by the units. The materials have been very enthusiastically received and are being shared. Teachers believe that the relevance of content and design of the practical components is promoting pupils’ understanding of science concepts. Pupils could understand and use science vocabulary and confidently understood the Learning Intentions and Success criteria.

Evaluation – SCRE Centre Reflection on Professional Practice Overall, teachers believe that the guidance materials provided as part of the units and, to some extent, the video cameras have allowed them to reflect on how they teach science. Teachers are sharing new ideas on teaching science with others in their school based on their experience of the units.

Evaluation – SCRE Centre Pupil Engagement Teachers reported successful engagement with pupils - practical components being seen as a key reason for pupils’ enthusiasm. Learning Outcomes were achieved by most pupils involved. Pupils, regardless of gender and ability, were actively involved in the activities and practical experiments. Pupils enthusiastically using scientific terms and concepts relevant to the units. Experiments also helped develop pupils’ evaluative understanding, team working and discussion skills. Pupils were also able to engage in the wider social and ethical debates that some of the units stimulated such as the Water for All topic.

Evaluation – SCRE Centre Teacher’s Quotes My class and I have really enjoyed being part of this project and I feel it has had a positive impact on science engagement in and out of school. I believe I have developed my science teaching skills and will use more of an investigatory approach during some science teaching. I have also incorporated the experiments into the daily life of the classroom

A Teacher’s Perspective

ESESS Project Team Vic Lally, Principal Investigator, University of Glasgow Andrew Gallacher, University of Glasgow Heather Reid, Consultant Kevin Lowden, University of Glasgow Stephen Boyle, University of Glasgow Susan Kelly, University of Glasgow

Acknowledgements Angela Speirs, St Ninians Primary School Paul Manley, St Angela’s Primary School Teresa McErlean, Fox Covert Primary School Joanne Dayer, Clober Primary School Gregor Steele & Hayley Sherrard, SSERC Paul Chambers, University of Strathclyde Nicky Souter, University of Strathclyde