Primary Science Education Conference

The unique University of the West of Scotland Summer STEM Academy residential event included team building workshops in forensics, engineering and molecule building, followed by 'Hands On' workshops including Astrobiology, Highland STEM Journey, F1 in Schools, Air Race Challenge and Solar Energy concluding with an industrial placement.  Primary teachers and S5 pupils worked together in an academic environment aligned with industry and supported by academia to develop STEM activities for future use in schools and communities. STEM Academy practical workshops and follow on co-created activities for use in Primary schools will be delivered and links to industry and careers identified.

Join Robbie on a practical, creative workshop discovering some of the wonderful animals of Antarctica, how they have adapted to survive the extreme cold and their interactions. Robbie Taylor spent several years working for the British Antarctic Survey before becoming a Primary Teacher.

Light Fantastic – make light work of teaching the concepts behind reflection, refraction and the visible spectrum! In this practical workshop from the SSERC team you will explore a range of simple activities that are easy to transfer to the classroom. Using safe and inexpensive resources you will mix coloured light, investigate reflection and refraction and take a closer look at perception. Common misconceptions will be addressed. This workshop, incorporating physics, biology, art and history, has already provided solid foundations for primary/secondary transition projects. Delegates will get to make and take away a range of resources to support teaching and learning in their setting.

This hands-on, interactive workshop will illustrate the use of microscopes within and beyond the science curriculum, developing extensive ideas generated in the primary sector. The overall aim is to use the microscope's power to engage and 'wow factor' to promote the exploration of everyday things in a different context, maximising the impact in STEM subjects and exploring how creative approaches can incorporate other disciplines including art and literacy. This enjoyable workshop shows the impact that microscopes have upon children's learning, their cross curricular benefits and their future in the classroom. The workshop will also introduce the Microscope Activity Kit, a free resource to primary schools developed by the Royal Microscopical Society and used by over 90,000 children nationally to support science learning, with ready-made activities, resources and worksheets.

Come along and take part in some practical activities that will help children work as scientists. A series of lessons have been developed that use the theme of space and football to engage and excite teachers and children to work scientifically. 'Pitch Perfect', 'Feel the Pressure', 'Kick Off, Lift Off' and 'The roar of the crowd' are just some of the titles of the lessons. Come and find out how we have used simple equipment to create a reason to collect data and look for patterns.

In an ever-increasing digital world, enabling children to use technology to enhance learning is becoming more important. Children love science and they love technology so why not combine the two? This session will focus on how a range of apps and websites can support the teaching and learning of science for all learners. You will also see how children at West Jesmond Primary School in Newcastle have used technology to showcase their science work to a wider audience and the benefits of this. Bringing a Wifi enabled device to this session would be beneficial.

This interactive, discussion-based workshop combines research design principles and project management skills to give practitioners the opportunity to think systematically about the aims of their next project in primary science teaching. Do you want to pilot a new teaching strategy? Or perhaps use your Science Week to conduct some research? Bring along your ideas and we will cover: defining project objectives; how and when to collect data to demonstrate impact; the timeline, milestones and possible issues you will face; and ways to share your results beyond your school walls. Sources of funding for science projects will also be discussed.   

This workshop has been inspired by the philosophy and the festivals of Science on Stage. The workshop incorporates a wide range of demonstrations and activities. The materials used are inexpensive and readily accessible in most cases. Participants will be actively engaged throughout. Many of the demonstrations have surprising outcomes which invite prediction, discussion and validation. There is an atmosphere of playfulness in the demonstrations that are used. The activities are quite short and simple but emphasize good principles of working as a scientist.

An energetic, hands-on carousel of practical, curriculum-based activities. Easily recreated in your own setting. Useful as lesson starters, to support theory work, for science week or STEM clubs. Five stations, five minutes per station, five areas of the primary science curriculum. Full resource pack and equipment list provided in addition to prizes for the winning team. Tweeting is encouraged via #WhatsInMyTray.

See www.learning-rooms.com/teaching-resources/ for more free practical science activities.