Science Transition Hubs York and North Yorkshire schools with NYBEP

1. Science Transition Hubs York and North Yorkshire schools with NYBEP 4 Conclusion 1 Introduction The project involved 4 secondary schools, each working with 2 feeder primary schools and a business partner/STEM Ambassador to form a cluster hub. After a launch event discussing aims and objectives with three science consultants, who provided continuing support and advice, each hub met and choose a science theme on which to base their scientific enquiry transition project. Teachers in each hub met regularly after trying out ideas in the classroom and on field trips with partner organisations. Best practice was shared and lessons plans worked out together to map skills progression. • The main conclusions for each group of schools were: • Useful contacts made cross phase • Increased confidence in understanding the science curriculum in the linked schools so that they can plan progression from KS2 to KS3 or so secondary schools build on skills developed in KS2 • Useful to work with STEM Ambassadors and experts in their field including a bee keeper, local quarry and garden centre. • Partner input enthuses both teachers and learners • All the schools want to build on the curriculum links made: perhaps to offer science activities on Year 6 transition days and to increase the links between students including secondary school students working with primary school students 2 Methods The themes were chosen so they could involve transferable and developmental science skills for each Year Group involved. City of York schools based their enquiry on alternative energy, particularly working with wind turbines. They built wind turbines and Year 7 checked the result for Year 5/6 and suggested design improvements. A resources DVD is available. The Richmond cluster based in the Yorkshire Dales looked at utilising the fleeces from sheep in loft insulation and in compost developing the project to look at plant growth and soil testing. The Scarborough cluster looked at pollination and honey bees and developed secondary and primary school gardens as well as undertaking a field trip with “Natural England”. The Nidderdale cluster working with a local quarry and a partner school in Kenya and developed work around the biodiversity of limestone areas. Teachers have visited Kenyan schools to explain the project and share ideas. A DVD with the teaching resources for the limestone areas is also available. 3 Partnerships The York hub had an alternative energy debate led by the Education Officer from the York Natural Environment Trust and visited St Nicholas Fields Nature reserve as well as working with a STEM Ambassador. The Richmond hub teachers had a CPD day with the Clervaux Trust Clow Beck Eco centre which helped them develop their idea of looking at sheep farming in the dales and how this could be linked to science investigations. The Scarborough hub schools looked at pollination and bees with a STEM Ambassador from “Natural England” and through developing their own school gardens and bee homes. The Nidderdale hub built on existing local and international partnerships to develop their work on the scientific investigation of biodiversity in limestone areas. A geologist from the local quarry provided valuable scientific advice. Contact Project Manager at info@nybep.org.uk http://www.nybep.org.uk