Client: PLANET SCIENCE
Project: Science by Design
Background
Planet Science is a DfES-funded educational programme aimed at inspiring young people and enhancing their perception of science.
Many schools had already benefited greatly from the various initiatives over the previous two years, but the Government wanted to reach out to schools who had below average levels of attainment in science.
Learn by Design was one of only six national agencies awarded funding to achieve this aim.
Action
Learn by Design created a tailor-made programme called Science by Design. It used sport as a communication vehicle to teach science across 25 secondary school in the Birmingham Local Education Authority area.
The programme consists of the following three direct contacts:
- Contact 1 - a sixty minute 'physical science' interactive workshop
- Contact 2 - a presentation, called 'sci-sport', delivered by one of our Olympic presenters
- Contact 3 - an interactive 'physics in action' lecture, where students participate in live experiments
In addition to a range of worksheets and resources for pupils and teachers, Learn by Design created a comprehensive web site, www.sciencebydesign.net with games and educational resources for students and teacher information along with links to other relevant sites.
The Science by Design website was delivered with web partners The Other Room.
Result
More than 3,000 Key Stage 3 (Year 9) students across 25 secondary schools in the Birmingham area have engaged with the project, seeing science in new light.
The feedback from the schools has been excellent with the programme continuing for a second academic year.