THE call for children to experience more practical science in school has been backed by leading figures at the Centre for Life.
A Commons committee report recently warned that students were missing out on the practical studies that could inspire them to take up science.
The Centre for Life runs Europe’s largest practical science workshop programme in the form of Lifelab, and it’s an approach to education that chief executive Linda Conlon considers crucial to bringing through the next generation of scientists.
She said: “Everyone learns best by doing, and children are no exception. The Centre for Life is a science village where real science happens.
“We are able to capture some of that excitement through our education resource, Lifelab, which offers a huge selection of practical workshops and experiments focusing not only on science but also technology, engineering and maths.
“By keeping kids switched on to science and STEM subjects at critical stages in the curriculum, we are able to give them the best possible opportunity to pursue science as a future career.
“We are encouraged the Government agrees that practical lessons, fieldwork and fieldtrips are essential contributors to good quality science education.”
The Commons Science and Technology Select Committee published a report in September calling for measures such as a central resource for information on standard experiments and for exam boards to require courses to include fieldwork.
However, the Government responded yesterday by saying that while practical lessons are “essential contributors to good quality science education... it is not the place of the National Curriculum to prescribe the detail of how teachers should teach science”.
The committee has described the response as hugely disappointing.
Chairman Andrew Miller MP said: “We must make science an exciting subject to study and an obvious route to future employment.
“The Government agrees with this but has failed to show us how it will address the poor practical science experiences of many students.”
Life has seen a quarter of a million North East schoolchildren benefit from Lifelab workshops in the last 10 years, and education and outreach manager Noel Jackson said the aim is to support teachers in providing science experiences that are memorable, enjoyable and of lasting benefit.
Life is currently a partner in the Hands On DNA project, which is looking to give teens the opportunity to use cutting-edge lab equipment and the latest techniques to explore DNA and evolution. The project is run by the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres, and is supported by the Wellcome Trust.
Source:
nebusiness.co.uk
A Commons committee report recently warned that students were missing out on the practical studies that could inspire them to take up science.
The Centre for Life runs Europe’s largest practical science workshop programme in the form of Lifelab, and it’s an approach to education that chief executive Linda Conlon considers crucial to bringing through the next generation of scientists.
She said: “Everyone learns best by doing, and children are no exception. The Centre for Life is a science village where real science happens.
“We are able to capture some of that excitement through our education resource, Lifelab, which offers a huge selection of practical workshops and experiments focusing not only on science but also technology, engineering and maths.
“By keeping kids switched on to science and STEM subjects at critical stages in the curriculum, we are able to give them the best possible opportunity to pursue science as a future career.
“We are encouraged the Government agrees that practical lessons, fieldwork and fieldtrips are essential contributors to good quality science education.”
The Commons Science and Technology Select Committee published a report in September calling for measures such as a central resource for information on standard experiments and for exam boards to require courses to include fieldwork.
However, the Government responded yesterday by saying that while practical lessons are “essential contributors to good quality science education... it is not the place of the National Curriculum to prescribe the detail of how teachers should teach science”.
The committee has described the response as hugely disappointing.
Chairman Andrew Miller MP said: “We must make science an exciting subject to study and an obvious route to future employment.
“The Government agrees with this but has failed to show us how it will address the poor practical science experiences of many students.”
Life has seen a quarter of a million North East schoolchildren benefit from Lifelab workshops in the last 10 years, and education and outreach manager Noel Jackson said the aim is to support teachers in providing science experiences that are memorable, enjoyable and of lasting benefit.
Life is currently a partner in the Hands On DNA project, which is looking to give teens the opportunity to use cutting-edge lab equipment and the latest techniques to explore DNA and evolution. The project is run by the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres, and is supported by the Wellcome Trust.
Source:
nebusiness.co.uk
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