Shirin Bahai, astrophysicist and researcher at UCL, Institute of Education, is currently leading these programmes and primary science education at the Harris Federation (based in Coleraine). Shirin’s main role is to deliver science teacher training which links physics, chemistry and biology with PhD research into the effects of questioning on thinking processes.
One of the projects requires a minimum of 100 pupils (or up to 250) and involves children working on a space programme. Last year’s programme was a science experiment to see how certain things grow in space and at what rate (items were taken up to the international space station). Please see details below for further information on how your school can take part.
Please email Shirin to express interest in any or all of the following programmes: s.sheikhbahai@harrisprimarycolerainepark.org.uk
Science Leaders Programme
- Training for primary science leaders/specialist teachers: schools will participate in the PhD research and will have access to an innovative science curriculum for Years 1 – 6, produced as part of that research. The curriculum has a logical progression and supports conceptual and abstract thinking.
- It is a 4-day programme run over 8 to 12 weeks beginning in September 2018, dates tbc.
- The total cost for each member of staff is £150. There is no maximum number of participants.
- Further details here (external link)
All is One (Universe) Project
- An engaging Year 6 particle physics project designed to prepare pupils for KS3/4 science, run with UCL since 2012.
- Requires one day of training for the science subject leader or specialist teacher (if they are taking part in the above Science Leaders Programme, this is one of those four days, not additional)
- It is a 12-week project, two hours per week (in a solid block) which is then run by the home school.
- For pupils participating, the final outcome is to run a science workshop over a whole day for visitors/ parents/ sixth formers. Coleraine’s workshop day is 5 July and staff from other schools are invited to see it in action – please let Shirin know if you would like to attend.
- The cost of the training is £150 ( it is free if you are also doing the Science Leaders Programme). The is an additional cost of £150 for the project. Equipment costs £500 – £700 but can be used in all science lessons for all year groups.
- Further details here (external link).
Astronomy Club
- Year 5 hands-on activities with the National Space Centre using lesson plans produced by Cambridge Education. The aim is to extend pupils’ knowledge and interest in physical sciences and engineering through a focus on space and astronomy.
- A 12-week programme delivered after school as a club for 90 minutes. Some materials are needed but these are usually items schools already have, e.g. string, fabric etc.
- Pupils visit the National Space Centre in Leicester (separate cost) and the outcome is the whole school Big Bang! Exhibition/assembly. All teaching materials provided.
- The training is delivered as part of the Science Leaders Programme (SLP) at no extra cost. For schools wishing to be involved in this but not the SLP, the training costs just £75 per school. Practical resources cost £100 – £150
- Further information (external link).
100 Pupils Project
- A project linked to the International Space School: ISSET.
- It needs a minimum of 100 pupils to take part (can be up to 250 pupils).
- Pupils work on a space project, e.g. science experiment to see how certain things grow in space and at what rate (items are taken up to the space station).
- 3 – 5 days (3 full days or 5 part days). Cost is approximately £150 – £200 per pupil and depends on the project and number of children. The more involved, the lower the cost.
- The project is led by a co-ordinator in each participating school but is organised by Shirin.
- NB This project will only run if there is enough interest.