Delegates attending our fourth conversation day at Bucksburn Academy identified three key themes for improving science education.
Discussions focussed on:
- Priorities for sciences education
- Identifying partnerships that work
- What does great learning in the sciences look like?
Education Scotland is keen to hear your views regarding the second theme which addressed identifying partnerships that work.
Identifying partnerships that work
Delegates identified various partner organisations that they were engaging with including subsea 7, forest rangers, ABC, mentoring John Lewis, STEM ambassadors, car safety, BP renewable, Forvie Nature reserve, university medical students, Zoo lab, forensic scientists, “curious about chemistry”. Learners at Bucksburn Academy had also set up a programme of advanced level lunchtime lectures in relation to STEM.
Delegates put forward suggestions for successful partnership working. It was agreed that this had to be mutually beneficial, providing support, resources and expertise for the school, whilst meeting the business needs of the organisation. In addition delegates highlighted the following:
- organisation must provide support in the classroom and visit the school (not the other way)
- partnerships should be innovative, curriculum led, embedded in the curriculum
- personnel involved are enthusiastic individuals with a willingness to commit extra time to establish short/long term working relationship
- investment and funding through the partnership provides opportunities for all
Delegates identified areas of partnership working which they regarded as requiring further development:
- not enough organisations/partnerships to support early years
- more visiting scientists lecturing at a high level – aspirations needed to be raised
- speakers need to be able to pitch talk at right level for young people
- mixture of input needed for different levels of interest required
Education Scotland is keen to hear your views. Click on the title of this blog post to leave a comment
