Education Scotland held a series of conversation days with the Scottish education community throughout 2013/2014 to develop a shared, partnership approach to improving 3-18 science education. We also hosted a dedicated primary and early years science conversation day in August 2014.
One of the key themes to emerge was the importance of supporting learning and teaching of the sciences in the primary and early learning and childcare sectors, a theme also identified in the Sciences 3-18 Curriculum Impact Report.
In response to this, Education Scotland has established a National Primary and Early Years Science Network.
The purpose of this network is to create a cross-authority sharing practice group to:
- develop a common understanding of standards and progression in the sciences
- create a national model for moderation
- build capacity in understanding the sciences curriculum
- produce resources to support the planning, teaching, assessment and moderation of the sciences curriculum within the Broad General Education.
The next meeting of the National Primary and Early Years Science Network will take place on Wednesday 18th November in Glasgow. The initial meeting of this network took place in June 2015, and this forthcoming event will build on the work and activities of the groups that formed at the first event and, in addition to other aspects, will further develop science frameworks, resources to support progression in skills, professional learning materials and approaches to assessing progress and achievement.
Many resources to support the delivery of the Sciences experiences & outcomes can be found on our Glow Sciences Community at http://bit.ly/scienceshome .
Local authorities have been asked to nominate one early years and one primary practitioner to attend this event. Anyone interested in attending should contact their local authority or Colin McGill (Development Officer – Sciences ) at colin.mcgill@educationscotland.gsi.gov.uk
