Improving Young People's Engagement with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
This paper, published to coincide with Science and Engineering Week 2013, presents evidence from research carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) to explore how to encourage further engagement in, and take-up of, STEM subjects. It discusses why STEM education is important and looks at how policymakers,…
Supporting Scotland's STEM Education and Culture: Second Report
This report, published by the Science and Engineering Education Advisory Group in January 2012, addresses many of the challenges and opportunities arising in implementation of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) as it affects the delivery of STEM education and engagement. It examines the ways in which STEM education may…
Second Report of the Independent Review of Teachers' Standards
This report sets out the recommendations of an independent Review of Teachers’ Standards, chaired by Sally Coates. The review was launched by the Secretary of State in March 2011 with a remit to review the existing framework of professional standards for teachers. The Review Group comprises excellent teachers, head teachers…
Ready to Grow: Business Priorities for Education and Skills
This is the third education and skills survey published by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The survey provides an authoritative barometer of business opinion on key education and skills issues. It was conducted in February 2010, with responses received from 694 employers, collectively employing over 2.4 million people,…
STEM Careers Review 2010
This review of STEM careers, led by John Holman, was funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation in February 2010. The review covered provision of STEM careers education, information, advice and guidance in England. The report focused on secondary and further education, but recommended the need to commence careers related work from…
Scientific Enquiry and its Place in the National Curriculum
This is a report of a SCORE workshop held in September 2011 at the Royal Society to explore the place of scientific enquiry in the national curriculum. The report summarises the main issues raised and describes the views of the participants. The workshop was chaired by Libby Steele, Head of Education at the Royal Society. The group…
Global Grant-Making: a Review of UK Foundations' Funding for International Development
This report published by the Nuffield Foundation in January 2012 provides an up-to-date picture of the scale of UK foundation resources devoted to international development. It also identifies how these resources are distributed across region and need, and how foundations approach international funding activities. Commissioned…
Leading Debate: 21 Years of the National Curriculum for Science
In July 2010, 21 years after the National Curriculum was first introduced, the Wellcome Trust convened a seminar to reflect on the impact of the National Curriculum for science. Presented in this report are views that emerged from the seminar where delegates considered the National Curriculum’s initial development and subsequent…
Exploring Young People's Views on Science Education
Published by the Wellcome Trust in September 2011, this report aimed to find a deeper understanding of young people’s attitudes to science education, particularly regarding the value young people place on science education (for themselves as individuals and for society in general), as well as the key factors determining their…
Evaluation of the Wellcome Trust Camden STEM Initiative
This report, published in March 2012 by the National Foundation for Educational Research, presents the findings of an evaluation of the Wellcome Trust’s Camden Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Initiative which provided funding to eight Camden schools to develop interdisciplinary projects. Projects…
Darwin Education Initiative
Published by the Wellcome Trust in January 2011, this report provides the findings from the final stage of the evaluation of the Darwin Education Initiative. It includes the findings from follow-up interviews with case study schools which explored the continued use of the Great Plant Hunt and Survival Rivals materials. Of specific…
Creative Encounters: Feasibility Study for a Touring Exhibition to Promote Creative Learning in Science
Published by the Wellcome Trust in 2007, this report is the product of a feasibility study for a touring exhibition to promote creative learning in science. The study involved: • Evaluating the Trust's objectives for such an exhibition and making recommendations on the feasibility of meeting these objectives (and advising…
Subject Choice In STEM: Factors Influencing Young People (Aged 14-19) in Education
The Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Coordinating Centre (EPPICentre) was commissioned by the Wellcome Trust to undertake this systematic review of research about subject choice. The main aim of the review was to examine the factors that influence the STEM subject choices of young people (14-19 years) in education…
Teaching of Social and Ethical Issues Arising From Developments in Biomedical Research
This research, commissioned by the Wellcome trust, was undertaken by an interdisciplinary team led by Ralph Levinson and Dr Sheila Turner at the Institute of Education, University of London between May 1st and December 1st 1999. The project reports on five main areas: • The perceived importance amongst teachers (especially…
Big Picture Teaching Resources: Evaluation Report
This report, commissioned by the Wellcome Trust, evaluates Big Picture, its free publication on bioscience, and explores ways in which it could be developed. It was hoped that this summary of the main findings would be of use to other organisations developing materials for teachers and students, particularly those interested in offering…
Improving the Assessment of Practical Work in School Science
This report, published in October 2012, reviews how practical work in science is currently assessed in England by the three main awarding bodies (AQA, Edexcel and OCR) for GCSE, A level and for certain other qualifications. Comparisons are also made with the way in which practical work is assessed across a range of other subjects…
Investigating Energy
The aim of the Investigating Energy booklet was to present curriculum-led contexts for investigations into energy conservation. The booklet also reviews the resources available, at the time, for Key Stages One to Three. At Key Stage One and Two, this resource gives ideas for routes into energy conservation through topic work.…
National SEA LIFE Centre Activity Packs
These activity packs, from the National SEA LIFE Centre, provide a range of additional activities which can extend the enjoyment and learning from a visit to a SEA LIFE Centre. The packs contain puzzles, games and drawing exercises, focusing on a small number of species, which encourage children to observe them carefully and note…
Alternatives for Science Education
Alternatives for Science Education was produced and published by the Association for Science Education (ASE) in 1979. Its sub-title, A Consultative Document, indicates its aim and status. In addition to being a document of considerable historical interest, it contains arguments of continued relevance. The working group that produced…
The Sky’s the Limit! Introducing GCSE Astronomy at Glyncoed Comprehensive School
Edexcel’s GCSE Astronomy syllabus provides an opportunity for students to develop their understanding and enthusiasm for astronomy, as well as to complement and extend the reach of their study of Key Stage Four science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. This article from School Science Review is based…
Teaching Astronomy in UK Schools
This School Science Review article attempts to summarise the good, bad and (occasionally) ugly aspects of teaching astronomy in UK schools. It covers the most common problems reported by teachers when asked about covering the astronomy/space topics in school. Particular focus is given to the GCSE Astronomy qualification offered…
Resources for Teaching Astronomy in UK Schools
This School Science Review article looks at a selection of resources currently available for use in the teaching of astronomy in UK schools. It is by no means an exhaustive list but it highlights a variety of free resources that can be used in the classroom to help engage students of all ages with astronomy and space science. It…
The James Webb Space Telescope: Inspiration and Context for Physics and Chemistry Teaching
This article from School Science Review, describes the design, delivery, evaluation and impact of a CPD course for physics and chemistry teachers. A key aim of the course was to use the context of the James Webb Space Telescope project to inspire teachers and lead to enriched teaching of STEM subjects. The authors are: Dan Hillier,…
Evaluation of the European Space Education Resource Office
NFER has been commissioned by the National STEM Centre to evaluate the effectiveness and early impacts of the European Space Education Resource Office for the UK (ESERO-UK). ESERO-UK aims to promote the use of space as a context for enriching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teaching and learning in schools…
Science 5-16: a Statement of Policy
This publication, from Her Majesty's Stationery Office, sets out the government’s priorities for science education as expressed by them in 1985. It builds on the outcomes of a consultation on the document ‘Science Education in Schools’, which was published in 1982. It seeks to establish the principle of ‘Science…
Generic Grade Descriptors and Supplementary Subject
In January 2012 Ofsted implemented a new framework for inspection to be used by inspectors in the Section 5 inspection of schools and academies. At the same time Ofsted published supplementary subject-specific guidance for inspectors on making judgements during visits to schools. The supplementary guidance aligns with the generic…
Technical and methodological statement for Key Stage Two Science sampling 2010
Produced by the Department for Children Schools and Families and the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency, this 2010 document lays out the size, nature and procedures around the sample of Key Stage Two science tests that was implemented after testing of all students was discontinued in 2009.
Review of Teacher Assessment: Evidence of what works best 2009
Commissioned by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, this Oxford University Centre for Educational Assessment review of teacher assessment in 2009 looked at teacher assessment in practice in a number of countries to see what works best and to consider the implications for Assessing Pupils’ Progress (APP). Context…
International Comparisons of Compulsory Assessment Systems 2007
Produced in 2007, this is an an International Review of Curriculum and Assessment (INCA) thematic probe to compare compulsory assessment systems which the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) asked National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) to undertake. It gathered information via the 20 INCA country archives to…
GCSE criteria for Science 2011
This set of subject criteria were produced by the Ofqual, the Welsh Assembly and CEA (Northern Ireland) for Awarding Bodies to produce subject specifications for use in 2011 GCSE Science, GCSE Additional Science, GCSE Additional Applied Science, GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry, and GCSE Physics. GCSE specifications had to meet these…
Key Stage Three Science Tests 2000
This resource from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) contains the standards report for the Statutory Assessment Tests for Key Stage Three (ages 11-14) science for the year 2000. The tests and mark schemes themselves are currently unavailable. Students in England took national tests at the end of Key Stage Three…
Running Science and Engineering Events
From the British Science Association, these resources give useful guidance and tips for running a public engagement in science event. This could be as part of the Association's annual National Science & Engineering Week (NSEW). Two guides are included in these materials. Guide to running your event This booklet covers…
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