Science in Schools
Archive
The Schools Clusters linked to the Earth from the Air Launch
At the Schools’ Launch, Oxfordshire Independent State Schools Partnership (OISSP) launched a series of six ‘cluster projects’ within county secondary schools, each encompassing a different field of science teaching. Schools were invited to sign up to participate in the projects at the same time as the Schools Launch of Earth from the Air. The Cluster Projects were designed to provide enrichment activities for pupils and make them aware of the application of science in industry as well as develop new teaching resources. Each was led by a Project Champion chosen for their expertise in the field. The six ‘cluster projects’ on offer to Oxfordshire secondary schools, each encompassed a different field of science teaching.
Oxfordshire Sustainability [view video]
With the guidance of photographer John Cairns, pupils are producing their own digital photographs that depict sustainability issues and then researching possible scientific solutions. The Cluster culminates in the schools’ own version of Earth from The Air. Eight schools are already participating and an exhibition of their photographs will be held at Oxford Castle in the autumn.
The Great Energy Debate. [view video]
Oliver Rathmill from the Northmoor Trust will be using local landscapes to explore the impact of global environmental challenges. The students will be given the opportunity to act as policy makers, and to explore a variety of possible outcomes for how we could provide energy for a 2026 South Oxfordshire community.
A large aerial map of South Oxfordshire is being used to enhance pupils’ understanding of future energy options. They are asked to create a sustainable fuel economy based on scientific data then see the impact on the landcscape. The map will be on display at the Key Learning Centre at Oxford Castle, and Oliver is running workshops in the coming months.
Science in Health [view video]
Caroline Gregory of Cherwell School is developing a schools workshop with Clinical Engineering, Clinical Measurement and Medical Physics staff from hospitals in the John Radcliffe Trust. The first workshop, giving hands-on experience of measuring instruments and an infusion pump, was very popular with Year 9 students at Cherwell. Similar sessions are planned for schools in Headington and the surrounding areas.
Engineering & Technology [view video]
GO4SET is an initiative from the Engineering Development Trust to stimulate interest in science engineering and technology. This is one of many projects and focuses on the supply and conservation of water in schools. Schools are invited to develop solutions for water conservation and will present them at an awards event next year.
Science and Innovation [view video]
Bridget Holligan and Jo Hodges of The Oxford Trust are running four Science Innovation days. They will use examples from real science and engineering companies to help pupils explore how scientific knowledge can be successfully commercialised using interactive workshops that develop skills in business, team management and communication.
Energy Conservation [view video]
Lynn Hughes is the project champion leading the Schools Energy Efficiency Project, which focuses on decisions that schools need to make for efficient energy management. Students will be given the opportunity to develop a practical understanding of energy efficiency in buildings and will develop ideas to help make improvements in their own schools. The students involved will meet up at the EFTA exhibition site to discuss the different strategies they have introduced.
Energy Conservation Update
Students from six schools participated in a series of workshops in which they were trained to become Energy Detectives and carry out investigative surveys of their schools to uncover energy ‘crimes’.
Ninety-one Yr7-Y9 students were involved from the following schools: Cheney, Chipping Norton, Cokethorpe, Didcot Girls’ School, Rye St Antony, and Sibford.
Students were provided with exciting resources to carry out their detective work including infra-red thermometer ‘guns’, light meters and handheld computers via which they recorded the energy crimes. Every one of the students that took part either strongly agreed or agreed that they had learned a lot about energy efficiency issues and that the experience had been fun. One student arriving late back at the classroom, commented delightedly that she had ‘lost track of time’ as she got so involved in the detective work.
The records of energy crimes (more than 400 in total across schools) were uploaded to a website and sent to teachers so that problem areas could be identified and to inform the development of in-school action and awareness-raising campaigns.
Teachers commented that the workshops provided a ‘unique opportunity’ and that their students ‘looked forward to the sessions’, were ‘engaged throughout’ and ‘learned a tremendous amount’. Teachers at all six schools were hopeful that as a result of the sessions, the students would continue developing energy-saving campaigns. Certainly students’ comments indicated their intention to take things forward - suggestions included taking the issues to the school council, influencing friends’ behaviour, presenting findings in school assembly, creating information boards and ‘best-practice’ awards for teachers and pupils. Teachers will feed back on progress in due course.