Media Release: School’s in for Summer! Lemonade Fountain inspires teachers to make science fun

NOTE TO EDITORS – You are invited to send a reporter / photographer to Satrosphere Science Centre, Aberdeen at 4pm on Tuesday 2 August 2011 when teachers will create / experiment with  a ‘lemonade fountain’ as part of their kitchen chemistry lessons!

TWENTY Aberdeen primary school teachers will take a lesson in teaching science during the summer break.

The Science and Technology Summer School at Satrosphere Science Centre will see the P4-7 teachers go back to the classroom when it comes to making science fun, exciting and topical for their pupils.

The Summer School, the first of its kind in Aberdeen, will run from 1-5 August.

The initiative is being run as a partnership between Satrosphere Science Centre, Dundee Science Centre’s Science Learning Institute and Aberdeen City Council.

Teachers will explore how the science behind everything from kitchen chemistry and maths to sound and heat can be translated into pupil-friendly science topics within the classroom.

Teachers will attend from a range of city schools including Ferryhill School, Walker Road School, Woodside School, Kirkhill School, Loirston School, Kingswells Primary School, Milltimber School, Tullos School and Bramble Brae School.

They will be joined by a group of new teachers fresh from university who are beginning their probationary year in Aberdeen City schools in August.

Dr Gemma Catton, education manager at Satrosphere Science Centre, explained: “As well as highlighting that Satrosphere is a strong community resource and one of Aberdeen’s key visitor attractions, the Science Summer School promises to be an exciting and rich professional development opportunity for our local primary teachers.

“Teachers will be inspired and enthused by interactive sessions, discussion groups and hands-on workshops which will be translated into enhanced skills, enthusiasm and confidence to engage pupils in science.”

Practical support for teachers will also be provided through the sharing of loan boxes and other resources.

In addition, all participating teachers will receive a free visit to Satrosphere Science Centre with their class during September to explore the Monster Creepy Crawlies exhibition and take part in complementary educational activities.

All new probationer teachers in Aberdeen City (both primary and secondary) have also been invited to attend an evening reception at Satrosphere on Tuesday 2 August.

This will be a chance for Satrosphere to highlight how it can support science learning and teaching in schools, and provide the opportunity for teachers to gain a hands-on insight into the centre’s education programmes and activities.

For more information, contact Dr Gemma Catton, education manager, Satrosphere Science Centre on telephone 01224 640340, email gemma.catton@satrosphere.net  or visit www.satrosphere.net.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

Satrosphere Science Centre’s education programme has been thoughtfully developed to complement and support the Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes and to help children develop their capacities as successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors to society and responsible citizens.

In addition to offering inspiring and informative science learning experiences for children that complement the science curriculum, Satrosphere Science Centre aims to support and enhance science learning and teaching in schools by providing continuing professional development (CPD) sessions for teachers.

The support for teachers includes hands-on participation in workshops with ideas for classroom activities and working in partnership with industry and academia to facilitate science engagement sessions to enhance and keep subject knowledge up to date.

In addition to rigorous self-evaluation and review, inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) ensures the relevance and quality of all the science learning experiences offered by Satrosphere Science Centre.

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