Up - Skilling in Practical Science: Bristol ChemLabS and the N3 Bristol Primary Cluster Project

Aims and Outcomes

• Aim 1: To create a loanable library of scientific apparatus for local schools.
  
  Outcomes: A substantial resource will be created that counters the argument that practical work cannot be done in schools because of lack of sufficient equipment or storage.
  
  
• Aim 2:To give large numbers of KS2 pupils the opportunity to enjoy their own exciting practical work and to communicate that enthusiasm.
  
  Outcomes: ~60 of the KS 2 pupils in each school will have the opportunity to carry out practical investigation work using appropriate apparatus on several occasions throughout the year. Every pupil in the school will also have the opportunity to see a chemist deliver a lecture demonstration entitled 'Gases in the Air'; something that pupils seldom see. Pupils' subsequent work will be posted on the web site and some work will be presented (defended) at a poster conference at Bristol University.
  
  
• Aim 3: To up skill KS2 science coordinators, other class teachers and School Governers responsible for science and to provide the opportunity to see practical work in action with training for the teachers.
  
  Outcomes: At least two teachers per school will have increased capacity and confidence to deliver subsequent practical sessions of their own. Teachers will have the opportunity to develop an investigation of their own with access to a research chemist to help realise the experiment.
  
  
• Aim 4: To improve teacher knowledge of and confidence in practical science.
  
  Outcomes: At least two teachers per school will demonstrate increased confidence in conducting practical work in science. All teachers who attend the demonstration assembly will have increased knowledge of the gases in the air.
  
  
• Aim 5: To create a web site to support the project.
  
  Outcomes: the resources available will be easily accessed by all participants and observers. A selection of pupils’ reports on the activity will be logged as will the project report.
  
  
• Aim 6: To provide experiences of chemistry outreach for the researchers involved.
  
  Outcomes: To provide additional opportunities for the communication of science by research chemists and to contribute to a master’s degree for a young chemist on the topic of ‘primary science outreach’.