‘Leading the thinking, doing, talking approach in primary science’ at the National STEM Learning Centre in York is a highly engaging two-part residential course for primary teachers and science subject leaders. The course is based upon the successful 'Thinking, Doing, Talking Science' project from Oxford which works on the premise that science lessons which are most successful at engaging and motivating pupils and raising their attainment feature more practical activity, deeper thinking, more discussion, less (but more focused) writing and more questioning.
Research has shown that this approach has a positive impact on pupils' attitudes to science, science lessons and practical work in particular. Unlike the national project, the course in York is available to teachers from the full primary age range and those working with mixed age classes. You will learn how to embed a range of strategies across different areas of the primary science curriculum, including EYFS, and lead this approach throughout your school.
Some of the topics covered during the course are:
- higher order thinking skills
- practical prompts for thinking and hands-on challenges
- materials, sound and light, plants, animals, evolution, forces activities
- data logging challenges
- leading challenge and change in your school
Previous primary teachers who have attended this course, evaluate the whole experience extremely highly:
“All of the sessions were full of practical ideas with the science behind them. I now feel confident that I can go back to school and disseminate to my colleagues.”
“I loved the sessions, feeling the wonder and enjoyment that I hope to inspire across our school. I appreciated that course is about growing what we already do and refining it with the confidence of an evidence-based pedagogy. This can impact my practice but also the wider school.”
There are still places for you to book onto this course, the only exception being that your school is not currently involved in the TDTS main trial across the country 2022-24.
Go to Leading the thinking, doing, talking approach in primary science | STEM or search for course code NY001.
Enthuse Subsidy information
These subsidies are for all UK state-funded schools and colleges and contribute towards the fees for attending world-class CPD provided by the National STEM Learning Centre. If you’re eligible for an Enthuse subsidy, STEM Learning will send you a form from our Impact toolkit that acts as an application form for your subsidy. Once you have completed all parts of your CPD, your subsidy money will be paid back to school six to eight weeks afterwards.