This report,  published in 2015, looks at how Independent Research Projects in Science (IRPs) are considered to be scientific projects that are about more than a pedagogical approach of ‘enquiry’.  They are open-ended research investigations led by the student, often with the support of a teacher and/or an...

This Powerpoint...

This film tells the story of how DNA sequencing was used to identify the gene BRAF. Clinical researcher Ultan McDermott tells the story of how scientists at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute discovered a specific mutation in the BRAF gene, which is found in around half of malignant melanoma cases. He...

This paper, presented at the Using STEM Research Conference in May 2016, reports on an approach, that could be used in primary classrooms, to develop the kinds of process skills that could enable children to comprehend a more scientific way of looking at the world through improvisation as a scientist-in-...

This Powerpoint presentation from the May 2016 Research Conference looks at the issues facing teachers in using evaluation in their CPD activities and illustrates how to do this more effectively.

Author: Irina Kudenko

This paper from the May 2016 Using STEM Research Conference looked at two research projects  which were intended to develop beginning and experienced teachers’ explanations in secondary science classrooms.

The first study involves beginning teachers and is focused on developing their understanding of what is...

inGenious was a multi-stakeholder initiative in STEM education launched by European Schoolnet and the European Roundtable of Industrialists (ERT) with an aim of increasing the links between science education and careers. This €8 million European programme in STEM education involved more than 40 partner...

Published in May 2016, this paper by David Barlex identifies the following key points:

1. The differences between STEM subjects are legitimate and need to be respected

2. By teaching in the light of STEM …  Learning in the STEM subjects can enhance one another. This requires planning but...

A Powerpoint from the May 2016 Research Conference which describes how the Crest Awards scheme has made an impact on research-led learning.

The purpose of this Ofsted conference was the use of assessment in raising standards of teaching and learning. Workshops drew on good practice from Key Stage Two and Key Stage Three, and provided 31 delegates with the opportunity to work with other professionals on assessment for learning (AfL).

The...

These conferences were a collaboration between Ofsted, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), the Secondary National Strategy (SNS) and the National Advisers and Inspectors Group for Science (NAIGS). The Programme of Study (PoS) for Key Stage Four science has changed and been reduced to a core. QCA is...

In this unit of work students consider the implications of prenatal ultrasound in terms of the risks of screening and the certainty of results. It also asks them to consider the ethical and moral implications of the decisions that may arise due to the results of a prenatal ultrasound and...

• What is practical science like in many secondary schools?
• What do we want it to look like?
• How can teachers, departments and schools be encouraged to plan...

In celebration of its founder, Fritz Schumacher’s centenary year Practical Action have created Small Is...Challenge. Schumacher’s philosophy was based on the idea that even a small change can have a big impact on people’s lives. The challenge for students is to look at technologies from the last 100 years and...