News

Durham University helps local school revamp science lessons

(5 December 2006)

At a time when the Government is looking to reform science education, a County Durham school decided to revamp its approach to a subject which many students find boring.

When Durham University contacted Easington Community School about placing a PhD student in the school, the Head of Science was immediately interested. The Durham University Teaching Fellowship Scheme is one of the many projects the University runs in its Science Outreach programme. The scheme places highly qualified PhD students into local secondary schools where they assist with teaching and enrich the curriculum by bringing up-to-date science into the classroom. The Head of Science at Easington Community School, Jane Martin said: ”Before we took part in the scheme we only had a small number of physics teachers at the school. Helen Vaughan, a physics PhD student joined us for two days a week last year where, as well as teaching, she revamped the lesson plans and ran the after school science club. “The Teaching Fellowship is fantastic, the pupils get so much out of the PhD students. It boosts lessons and activities by having people there that know and really care about their subject. The students support and enrich the curriculum in class and develop staff expertise as well as enhancing out-of-hours learning. “When the University contacted us again I was more than happy to take on another student and we now have a biology PhD student with us.” Laura Corrigan, 24, is currently on a placement at Easington Community School. Laura said: ”On a day to day basis I’m helping in lessons, offering support for GCSE students with their coursework, preparing revision worksheets or guiding them through a practical experiment. “My most memorable time so far was a school trip to Lindisfarne. The children found rare brittle starfish that I have never come across in the UK before. They were all extremely fascinated and thought they were very ‘Cool’! “I try to prepare up-to-date activities that keep the children interested in all aspects of science. The general consensus amongst most children is that science is boring; my aim is to try and turn that idea around. “It is very important to me to keep science alive in schools. I think my being here gives the children an idea of what you can do with science after school.” Jane Martin added: “Laura has been a godsend. It is like having another teacher in the room. She has a real passion for science and helps us relay that same passion to our pupils and teachers. “It is refreshing that we had a change of specialism because it has allowed us to build up our bank of resources, skills and teaching materials. She has allowed us to do so much more in school.” Dr Paula Martin, Durham University’s Science Outreach Co-ordinator said: “The Durham University Teaching Fellowship Scheme is one of the many projects we run in our Science Outreach programme. “In line with the Government agenda we aim to stimulate interest in science primarily in schools, and to encourage better understanding of the application of science in everyday lives. “Many of the major questions about the world can be answered through science. Developing an understanding of science can help us understand everything from the Big Bang to how everyday technology works. “The Science Outreach programme is designed to spread the excitement of modern scientific research to students who will soon be making career and examination choices. “We hope that the Teaching Fellowship Scheme will make sure pupils leave school with an interest in everyday science and play a vital part in encouraging the next generation of scientists.” Jane Martin concluded: “Our pupils now see that it is not just scientists that do science, there is science in the real world. The links that we have now established with Durham University are fantastic and I want to nurture and continue this partnership.”