St Andrews Learning Community

St Andrews Learning CommunityGlasgow City Council

Our Learning CommunityOur Lady of Peace Primary SchoolSt Benedict's Primary SchoolSt Bridget's Primary SchoolSt Francis of Assisi Primary SchoolSt Joachim's Primary SchoolSt Maria Goretti Primary SchoolSt Paul's (Shettleston) Primary SchoolSt Rose of Lima Primary SchoolSt Timothy's Primary School

St Andrews Learning CommunityLearning Community Science MentorsLaura DegnanOur Lady of Peace Primary School Tony ByattSt Benedict's Primary SchoolMoira MacLeodSt Bridget's Primary SchoolAnton GallagherSt Francis of Assisi Primary SchoolMichelle WilsonSt Maria Goretti Primary SchoolFiona KeddiltySt Paul's (Shettleston) Primary SchoolLorraine IzzettSt Rose of Lima Primary SchoolKatrina McDonnellSt Timothy's Primary SchoolOur ObjectivesTo use our experiences from our attendance at the residential to help raise levels of engagement in science and technology in our school cluster through working with other mentors and teachers from our cluster.Action Plan - Part 1All primary teachers in the learning community asked to complete a Confidence in Teaching Science Wheel

Action Plan - Part 2Learning community science mentors to hold a series of meetings to organise, resource and deliver a science inservice day for the learning community.

Action Plan - Part 3Proposal drawn up and presented to learning community Head Teachers and Quality Improvement Officer for endorsement.

Action Plan - Part 4St Andrews Learning Community Science Inservice held on Monday 21st October 2013 at St Benedicts Primary.

Our Lady of Peace PrimarySt Benedict's PrimarySt Maria Goretti Primary

St Bridget's Primary

St Joachim's PrimarySt Paul's (Shettleston) St Rose of Lima Primary St Timothy's PrimarySt Francis of AssisiSt Andrews SecondaryAction Plan - Part 5Support learning community staff with further twilight opportunities Organise and encourage learning community participation in SSERC GlowmeetShare resources within the learning community

Learning Community Science Inservice125 teachers took partEach teacher participated in 2 workshops5 workshops offered by LC Science Mentors and SSERC approved providers

Workshops offered includedExploring the Local EnvironmentUnderstanding ElectricityTeaching ForcesTopical ScienceMicroscopes in the Primary Classroom

Presented by 3 of our learning community mentors.This session offered examples of fun, practical, simple activities to explore biodiversity through outdoor learning.The session was held in the school garden.Exploring the Local Environment

Feedback: Exploring the Local EnvironmentHow relevant were the aims and objectives to your longer term professional needs? (question 1b)

Very relevant 76% (41 people)Relevant 22% (12 people)Marginally relevant 2% (1 person)Irrelevant 0%TeacherQuotesFeedback: Exploring the Local EnvironmentQuotes

Today has developed my confidence in delivering outdoor education.Will encourage and implement development of science.Make more use of the school garden.

Presented by two of our learning community mentors.Drawing on experiences from the initial SSERC residential, participants were involved in a range of engaging activities, for use within the classroom Objectives of the presentation were to Improve understanding of circuitsDiscuss symbols and energy transfer

Understanding Electricity

Feedback: Understanding ElectricityOverall effectiveness of the event? (question 9) excellent 78% (25 people) good 22% (7 people) Irrelevant 0%

Feedback: Understanding ElectricityQuotes

Very practicalGreat to see active ways you can teach electricity.Appropriate for all levels.

TeacherQuotesTeaching ForcesThis workshop was paid for from our learning community budget.We enlisted the services of Tom Clark from the SSERC approved catalogue of workshops.Included in this session was; common misconceptions teaching strategies fun activities using everyday resourcesCfE links

Feedback: Teaching ForcesIs it likely that you would use the activities in your classroom?

Definitely - 94% (30 people)Possibly - 6% (2 people)Irrelevant 0%

TeacherQuotesFeedback: Teaching ForcesQuotes

Very enjoyable and really beneficial to the classroom.Not often I say this, but it could have been longer! (2hrs)Excellent ideas.

Topical ScienceThis workshop was paid for from our learning community budget.We enlisted the services of Nicky Souter from the SSERC approved catalogue of workshops.Aims for this workshop included;Giving participants the opportunity to explore a variety of media whilst promoting a learners general education in the context of topical science.

Microscopes in the Primary ClassroomThree of our mentors presented to LC teachers.Sharing our LC microscopes we looked atFunctionality of the microscopesApplication in science outcomesCross curricular opportunitiesPractical use of the equipment - observing materials and using the software.

Feedback: Microscopes in the Primary ClassroomOverall, how effective was the trainer for this event? (question 8)Excellent 95% (36 people)Good 5% (2 people)Irrelevant 0%

TeacherQuotesFeedback: Microscopes in the Primary ClassroomQuotes

Enjoyed looking at different materials.The possibilities are endless in the classroom.Enjoyed having this opportunity to actually use microscopes.

Further Resourcing & TwilightsFun with Forensics GlowmeetSSERC resource boxes shared throughout the learning communityScience planners and pathways shared with all schoolsLearning Community Twilights on the skills of science enquiry provided by our QIO

GlowmeetFun with Forensics Glowmeet held on 28th January 2014Met with broad enthusiasm from staff members throughout the LC

Science in our schoolsSt Pauls ShettlestonWe first had the challenge of using circuit components to light a lamp.

Science in our schoolsSt Pauls ShettlestonWe simulated the circuit by passing tokens around our circle. We learned that the moving particles in circuits are called electrons and that they all move at the same time.

Science in our schoolsSt Pauls ShettlestonThen we acted as the electrons in the circuit, carrying energy from the battery to the lamp. This helped us to understand that the electrons keep apart and continue to move until all the energy is transferred from the battery to the lamp.

Science in our schoolsSt Pauls ShettlestonWe predicted what would happen when we used two batteries in our circuit instead of one. We carried out an investigation by simulating and then building the circuit. We found out that the lamp is brighter because it gives out more energy in a shorter time.

Science in our schoolsSt Pauls ShettlestonTo help us learn about and recognise circuit symbols we played component snap and matching games.Next we learned about conductors and insulators. Through investigation we found out that metals are good conductors.

Pupil QuotesWhat the pupils saySt Pauls quotes

I liked identifying and classifying.It was fun and interesting I liked using the components to make the circuit.I thought it was very good and may be useful for when we are older.I enjoyed looking at circuit diagrams then actually making them.

Science in our schoolsSt BridgetsWe explored the woods hunting for minibeasts

Science in our schoolsSt BridgetsP1 and P2 investigated our sense of taste

Science in our schoolsSt BridgetsWe investigated the link between the sense of taste and the sense of smell

Science in our schoolsSt BridgetsP7 pupils worked with P1 pupils to help them with their investigations

Science in our schoolsSt BridgetsP3 investigate the human body

Science in our schoolsSt BridgetsPractical investigations encourages enthusiasm for science

Science in our schoolsSt BridgetsExploring the woods led to classroom based investigations

Science in our schoolsSt BridgetsPupils planned and carried out fair testing

Science in our schoolsSt BridgetsCollaborative working is encouraged

Science in our schoolsSt Bridgets

Pupil QuotesSt Bridgets

Science in our schools

Science in our schoolsSt Francis of AssisiIncreased engagement across the school

Science in our schoolsSt Francis of AssisiDevelopment of after-school science club

Science in our schoolsSt Francis of AssisiCollaborative learning promoted throughout the school

Science in our schoolsSt Francis of AssisiIncreased enthusiasm for science from our pupils

Pupil QuotesWhat the pupils saySt Francis of Assisi quotes

Testing the fingerprints was the best thing we have ever done.We learned how cola can affect our teeth by looking at how it changed the eggshell.I was surprised at how the plants grew differently in different places. (dark and light)