Science at Mile End

Why science improvement?

- City (and nation) wide priority

- The UK has a shortage of graduates in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

- 830,000 graduate-level Stem experts and 450,000 technicians will be needed by 2020.

The jobs are out there!

What’s been going on?

• Engagement with Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM)

• Exciting staff and pupils!

• New resources, quality CPD and “risk taking!”

PSQM

• National award scheme • Accreditation for teaching and learning of

science• Audit, set targets, modify practice, reflect and

evidence.

Everyone has been involved

Staff involvement in the initial science audit for PSQM was vital for a broad

understanding of where we were and where we needed to go in relation to science

Pupil voice played an important role when deciding our principles.

The children had lots of ideas about when good science was taught at Mile

End.

Creating planning documents for schemes of work and selecting

appropriate resources in conjunction with staff has ensured

a joined up approach to promoting and achieving our

principles.

Science development work is committed to the school improvement plan. All

principles and schemes of work to be reviewed annually.

Science Principles

At Mile End, good science occurs when:

Lessons are exciting and children enjoy talking about their learning

Children are working collaboratively to share ideas and thinking.

Children are investigating and enquiring.

The learning is “hands on”

Pupils have the opportunity to use a variety of equipment and materials.

Investigations and experiments are child led.

Staff and pupils are happy to “get it wrong” and talk about how they might do something differently next time.

Lessons take place outside.

Children are able to make real life links with their learning.

Science is valued in the school

Science activities, information and

principles are highly visible in school

Staff and pupils make effective use of displays to show others the science work they have been doing.

The school website is used to share our

love of science with parents and the

wider world!

We love using the awesome spaces and grounds in our school to enjoy science

activities and learning.

We value science so much that we invited our parents to come and see us

learning!

Science has been popular at a lunchtime

STEM club!

Staff receive quality training

Staff enjoyed a Kitchen Chemistry workshop with Satrosphere staff who came to school. Staff stated that they

had enjoyed the session and have subsequently used what they learned in

class.

Science Champion training at Satrosphere gave staff the skills to run the programme successfully in school. The programme has had a big impact

on our P1 and P7 children

Continually updated, the “Science @ Mile End” pages on Glow are a hub for lesson ideas, research articles, weblinks,

resources, latest news and professional dialogue. A source of independent CPD, staff have used the pages and commented

that “There is always something there to help”

“Lunchtime Bytes” have enabled me to share CPD training on topics such as

concept cartoons, new resources, scientific enquiry and concept mapping

whilst everyone has their lunch!

Excellent resources

Clear organisation of resources in our “science cupboard” has ensured

that all staff have full access. The cupboard is visited regularly by the science co-ordinator and a group of pupils to assess the status of what

we have.

Free resource packs from the British Science Association have been used extensively throughout the school with all classes using them during

Science Week.

Class pets have provided hands on

experience!

Free and home made resources such

as rock kits, investigation materials

and plants have had a big impact

from nursery to P7

Pupils regularly use ICT to enhance and support their learning.

They have experience with many forms of technology, from

microscopes and robots to log boxes, iPads, Net books and PCs.

The use of ICT has supported cross curricular links too.

Improved assessment

Concept mapping has been used by

some members of staff to generate

specific success criteria in science

lesson. The science subject leader

has offered CPD training on this and

will roll out its use next academic

year.

Staff use an appropriate balance of product and process evidence in order to facilitate manageable

assessment.

Staff are encouraged to make use of photographic evidence. A

child’s explanation of how he reduced friction using paperclip

axle mounts is successfully recorded.

The assessment section of our science policy is based upon the

latest advice from Education Scotland.

Children leading the learning

The science fair gives enables children to pursue their curiosity whilst developing their

enquiry, research and observation skills.Attendance at the city wide event promotes involvement and interest

The science champions scheme

has engaged P7 and P1 pupils in

many new and interesting ways.

The children take ownership of

their learning and lead others to

ensure breadth, depth and

progression of science skills.

Enjoyment!Recent, pupil led, school improvement assemblies have shown that science is one of the children’s favourite subjects

“Science Week was awesome! We got to do loads of fun

experiments!” P3 Pupil

“I love all of the new resources we get to use!” Rowan P5

“The looks on the infants’ faces

when you teach them science

makes me smile” Euan P7

I enjoyed being able to test out

experiments and then teach

them to others” Fraser P7

“I can’t wait to do more science

when I get higher up the school”

P1 pupil

“The science fair was ace because I got to come up with my own investigation and find

out more about my interests” Lya P6

Community!

Our S6 Ambassador has been a fantastic support to both staff and pupils as we have tried new ideas and activities in

science. Esther is off to Cambridge Uni with an excellent reference!

The school has developed

strong links with Satrosphere

Science Centre. P7’s learning

how to teach science to younger children.

Our Engineering Day

strengthened our links with

scientists and engineers from the

oil industry. Our pupils now have

a better understanding of science

in action. Scientific researchers from the Hutton Institute helping pupils to gather

forensic evidence!

We enjoy a great relationship with

Generation Science who support us to deliver awesome workshops.

Links with the university have

been developed through our

science fair and through the

school of education.

We have links with oil companies and make use of their expertise to enhance learning.

E.g P5 chromatography

workshop.

We enjoy working with the Grammar school to share resources and ideas. Collaboratively developed transition

projects will help our P7s as they progress to secondary..

Where next?

• Gold level PSQM

• Increase community interaction

• Challenge and enthuse our children!