Transforming science learning through collaboration with museums RJ315 / C03

Join us for six sessions over the academic year to explore how you can develop science learning through working with museums. The different sessions are explained below.

SESSION 1 - Why come to the museum?

You will

• explore the current level of museum use and barriers to museum use
• improve the confidence of staff in delivering the science curriculum
• explore what the museum has to offer
• cover an introduction to ideas that will be explored further in subsequent sessions eg enquiry based learning

Outcomes for session 1

You will be able to:

• understand the aims and intended outcomes of the project
• have an improved knowledge of museums in general and the Great North Museum: Hancock in particular
• develop an understanding of the role of questioning in using real objects to develop working scientifically
• create a set of principles for transforming science through partnership with museums
• use the GROW model to audit and plan for change in transforming science through working with museums
• investigate how museum visits can develop scientific habits of mind
• plan for school based activities

SESSION 2 - Putting it together and planning your first visit

You will:

• think about how the school currently teaches science and what models of engaging with the museum may work best
• try out an activity based on a real life object eg fossil
• identify the focus of the project and how the museum will for into this
• identify ways to best structure the enquiry, visit, and classroom activities to tie it all to the real world

Outcomes for session 2

You will be able to:

• reflect on and share practice from the school based activities and reflection
• develop understanding of school and museum perspectives on transforming learning through working with museums.  Tom Jones – West Jesmond Primary School
• plan for linking a museum visit with classroom activity and science enquiry activities

SESSION 3 - Reflecting on the visit and its place in wider learning

You will:

• decide on a a personal project
• conduct a class visit to the museum
• identify successes and challenges of the visit
• refine the project ideas
• identify ways to bring the real world into the classroom

Outcomes for session 3

You will be able to:

• reflect on and share practice from the museum visit and school based activity
• work with experts to develop approaches to using field notebooks, and archive material in working scientifically
• plan in school activities to develop children’s ability and mastery of using field notebooks and ‘real’ sources in working scientifically
• plan linked museum visit for children to apply and further develop scientific habits of mind in the light of this session

SESSION 4 - Big questions and citizen science

You will:

• support another class in planning a visit
• try out some classroom activities
• learn how to make science more relevant
• identify real life projects to get involved in

Outcomes for session 4

You will be able to:

• reflect on and share practice from the museum visit and school based activity
• develop understanding of how to bring together the classroom, museum and ‘real’ world through a mini-project
• develop understanding of how to use local solutions to ‘Big Questions’ to use Citizen Science to transform learning in working scientifically
• plan for setting up in school ‘Big Questions’ and engage with local and national Citizen Science activities with children in the classroom and outdoors
• develop a curriculum map for using Big Questions and Citizen Science across the primary years

SESSION 5 - Developing for the future

You will be able to:

• plan an enquiry based on the 'big questions'
• plan a programme of science which build on skills and knowledge
• plan ways to embed engagement with the museums into that

Outcomes for session 5

You will be able to:

• reflect on and share practice from the museum visit and school based activity
• develop science leader skills on embedding and sustaining change
• map approaches to learning and using museums against the national curriculum for science working scientifically

 SESSION 6 - Pulling it together!

You will:

• discuss project with colleagues to gather their views
• produce a two-year programme with a skills map
• reflect on the project - how have the barriers been overcome etc
• write it up

Outcomes for session 6

You will be able to:

• reflect on and share practice from museum visit and school based activity
• share visions for the future – local headteacher
• reflect on and analyse project outcomes, and to consider lessons for the future
• develop an understanding of mapping your North to transform learning in science
• develop an action plan for sustainable use of museums and other venues bespoke to your own school to transform learning in science
• complete project case studies