Primary Science Education Conference

Overview
Would you like to get outdoors more with your children and develop your understanding of the benefits of outdoor learning? This seminar brings together experienced practitioners who will share resources and effective pedagogy for outdoor learning that could be immediately put into practice within your own school environment. There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion to support the development of outdoor learning within your own school grounds and beyond.

Talk 1 - Jeannette Morgan
Using the outcomes of the project ‘Let’s Go! Science Trails’, Jeannette will outline the benefits of taking children outdoors to learn science. The principles behind these science trails, and the new ‘Let’s Go! STEM Trails’ will be explored with reference to particular trails and the impact on learning associated with them.

Talk 2 - Nicky Collins
Nicky will describe the process of creating a science trail, using an example of one based on the seashore. She will discuss this trail and consider the science learning opportunities that can be provided through the seashore and other natural environments inclduing the school grounds in her own school. Having taken part in a Bioblitz, where children and parents had the opportunity to work with marine biologists, Nicky will also describe her experiences of studying the biodiversity of an area and to consider how this model could be applied in a school setting. She will share weblinks and other relevant material that could help teachers organise their own Bioblitz or become involved in a Bioblitz being run in their area. Her talk will consider which science objectives can be taught through this type of activity.

Talk 3 - Leigh Hoath
Much of the existing published work focusing on the outdoors relates to the children’s learning. Teachers often however talk of children’s behaviour being different or the challenges to managing the classroom outside. Leigh will discuss what an effective pedagogy for the outdoor setting looks like and the theoretical underpinnings of this. Her talk will suggest that in order to support children’s learning beyond the classroom the teachers’ teaching should be a priority in terms of adjusting practice and approaches.

Chaired by Katherine Forsey