Previous Teachers' Workshops

The Biochemical Society launch scibermonkey
By Tina Whittaker (Science Learning Centre West Midlands)

An enthusiastic group of science teachers and lecturers from the West Midlands gathered at Birmingham University for the recent launch, March 29th 2006, of a new Key Stage 3 tool for teachers - scibermonkey. The Biochemical Society has developed a quick and easy route for accessing quality assured web based resources to enhance and extend Key Stage 3 science units. Hannah Baker, education officer for the Biochemical Society, says ‘the idea was to throw out all the nuts and leave the teachers with the pick of the bunch’………

After a warm welcome to all Hannah was delighted to introduce Sir Mike Tomlinson to give the key address at the evening presentation. Mike started by reflecting upon the challenge of the perception of science in society as well as in schools. He summed up the public attitude as ‘not believing scientists or believing that science work is not valuable’.

‘The disappearing demonstration’

Science in schools has undergone several key reviews over the last few years and those present were assured that the new curriculum was different and not dumbed down. However it was accepted that the transition between KS4 and KS5 needed to be further supported and understood particularly in the expectations concerning quantitative concepts. Mike outlined that the frequency of practical work in school science had been identified by Ofsted as declining and provided three reasons to research further- Time? Cost? Or Risk? He concluded that the skill of demonstration was too little experienced talking of ‘The disappearing demonstration’ in his observations in schools.

50% of teachers had received no science CPD in the last 5 years

The recent report by Wellcome describing research relating to CPD for teachers was introduced along with the shocking statistic that 50% of teachers had received no science CPD in the last 5 years. Delegates understood that collaboration between the Science Learning Centre and the scientific associations including the Biochemical Society would be able to provide contemporary subject knowledge and effective pedagogy to promote science learning at events in the future.

The final thoughts of the speech were with the messages in the recent budget report. All present were interested to hear of the plans to improve A level science uptake year on year, to continue to improve % attainment at level 6 at Key Stage 3 and to report within school accountability tables 5A*-C such that double award GCSE is included. Looking to the solutions for teacher retention, recruitment and training in chemistry and physics those present were left with a positive outlook to the future and were uplifted as they took on the workshop challenge to make their own DNA necklace.

Biochemistry, Genes and Disease
6th of July 2004 at University College London

The Biochemical Society hosted a one-day workshop for post-16 Biology teachers on 6 July 2004 at University College London. The programme supported teaching of AS/A2 Biology and to update teachers' knowledge in cutting-edge research.

The workshop included:

• Short talks by Dr Joseph Bateman (Cancer Research UK) and Professor John Bryant (University of Exeter)
• Discussions and case studies on Bioethics
• Introduction to online resources for teachers
• Two Biochemistry-based practical sessions, run by BioRad, to show teachers how to use commercially available kits for schools to spice up their classes!

The workshop was attended by 14 teachers from a variety of secondary schools and was a repeat of previous highly successful events. In post-event evaluation, the teachers who responded ranked all sessions as "good to excellent".

Typical feedback:

We have previously run very successful teachers' workshops in collaboration with The Science Museum, Imperial College and The Royal Society of Chemistry. At these events, teachers were given the opportunity to look around the Science Museum and undertake various practical classes. In 2003 July we expanded our workshop repertoire by providing more cutting edge practicals in collaboration with Exeter University, the Genetics Society and BioRad.
Feedback included "it was the best day's INSET we've been to." and "it has fired my enthusiasm". Details of the July Workshop can be seen here programme. If you have any questions regarding the workshops or any suggestions for future workshops that the Society could endeavour to undertake then please contact the Professional and Education Project Manager.

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