Beyond Mindless Procedures in Practical Science: Empowering Pupils Through Future-Oriented Science Education Seminar

The talk will draw on two funded research projects to highlight the importance of thinking skills in relation to practical science in secondary schools. The current FEDORA Project funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 programme will illustrate the broader context for the need for thinking skills towards future-oriented science education. The recently completed Project Calibrate, jointly funded by the Wellcome Trust, Gatsby Foundation and Royal Society has produced research findings as well as practical resources for infusing thinking skills in the teaching, learning and summative assessment of practical science at the GCSE level. Research findings as well as resources for science teachers and teacher trainers will be shared.

Engaging students in practical activities without getting them to reflect on why they are doing what they are doing does disservice to them in the long-term. Future problems that the students will encounter, such as climate change and environmental pollution demand the ability to think critically.

Project Calibrate produced resources for continuous professional development of teachers as well as teaching and learning resources at GCSE level. Examples of these resources will be shared during the talk.