STEM SUSSEX

Primary Engineer & The Primary Engineer Challenge

Primary Engineer is a Primary Liaison Project where Secondary Design and Technology teachers receive training in the key skills, knowledge and understanding required by Primary Teachers to deliver effective Design and Technology education for pupils aged 4-11yrs. Training initiates through secondary school hubs building strong departmental links and ensuring effective Primary-Secondary transition.

Primary Engineer, through a combination of industrial sponsorship and Learning Grid funding, is able to offer primary school teachers a training package in ‘Jinks Technology’, and entry into The Primary Engineer Challenge KS1 and KS2.

In-service training courses for Key Stage 1 & 2 teachers will be offered at local secondary Specialist Engineering and Technology Colleges thereby helping to build strong curriculum and community links between primary and secondary schools.

These courses are compatible with QCA Design & Technology requirements for Key Stages 1 & 2. The training will take 12 hours, dates and length of sessions will be decided through discussion between secondary and participating primary schools.

Teachers will develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of ‘Jinks Technology’ allowing them to enter the children they teach in regional Primary Engineer Competitions.

Key Stage 1 & 2 children will be asked to design and build land based vehicles displaying a growing awareness and understanding of fundamental engineering principles.

www.primaryengineer.com

Science Learning Centre South East

If you teach in a state maintained school or college, you may be able to apply for SEEDA sponsorship to cover course costs and supply cover for Science Learning Centre South East courses.

www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk/WebPortal.aspx?page=8

The Earth Science Education Unit

The Earth Science Education Unit (ESEU), based in the Education Department of Keele University, is a provider of INSET (in-service education and training) in Earth science to UK teachers.

Short (up to two hour) modular workshops, built around the Earth science content of the English, Welsh and Scottish National Curricula, are delivered within schools by a nationwide team of 49 centrally-trained facilitators. These workshops are activity-based, stress the importance of enquiry in science and address pedagogical issues as well as subject content. They have been based on materials and strategies developed initially, and supported by, the Earth Science Teachers’ Association (ESTA). Workshops for Scotland have been developed in collaboration with the Scottish Earth Science Education Forum SESEF.

In 2002, ESEU successfully secured funding from UKOOA (UK Offshore Operators Association), the representative organisation for the UK offshore oil and gas industry, for a five year programme of INSET delivery, research and development. This programme is designed to improve teachers’ skills and understanding in teaching core Earth science topics.

Workshops are provided singly or as a half-day or full day of complementary modules. Facilitators take a set of equipment with them and schools are asked only to provide standard laboratory equipment and to photocopy worksheets etc. Schools are also asked to cover facilitator travelling expenses, but workshops are otherwise free of charge.

ESEU are providing high quality teacher CPD in an important neglected area of the curriculum that has been greatly welcomed by the teachers involved.

www.earthscienceeducation.com