Professional development for science teachers and technicians
The National Network of Science Learning Centres offers high-quality professional development for those involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. Courses help secondary science teachers, technicians, primary teachers and others to strengthen subject knowledge, develop science-specific pedagogical skills and help them stay in touch with developments in science, including cutting-edge technologies and leading scientific research.
"Participation by teachers in Science Learning Centre programmes is associated with improved teaching and learning, and higher take up and achievement in science at their school."
National Audit Office, 2010
In 2012, the Wellcome Trust and the Department for Education conducted an Expert Quinquennial Review of the Network, which concluded that the quality of training delivered is outstanding and has positive impacts on teaching quality, pupil attainment and teacher retention. This review also drew on independent analysis of the impact of the centres by SQW.
National Centre
The Wellcome Trust invested £25 million into founding the National Science Learning Centre in purpose-built residential facilities at York University. Teachers from across the UK are able to access the National Centre's online resources and attend courses at the Centre itself.
Bursaries for attendance
In 2008, Project ENTHUSE was founded to cover the costs for participants on eligible courses at the National Science Learning Centre (including course fees, travel, teaching cover and so on). It was supported by a £10 million investment from the government, £10 million from the Wellcome Trust and £7 million from business partners: AstraZeneca, AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust, BAE Systems, BP, General Electric, GlaxoSmithKline, Rolls-Royce, Vodafone and the Vodafone Group Foundation.
In 2012, the 7000th ENTHUSE Award was made to Louise Jezzard, who teaches at Ripley St Thomas School in Lancaster. She found the course "incredibly stimulating, increasing my subject knowledge and inspiring me to take a new and different approach when teaching". Read our blog post: Why science teachers need support (April 2012).
The National STEM Centre
The National STEM Centre, which is funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, is co-located with the National Science Learning Centre. It houses the largest open collection of resources for teachers of science, design and technology, engineering and mathematics in the UK and hosts an ever-expanding eLibrary, which currently contains more than 4000 searchable teaching resources. Alongside contemporary resource materials including print, multimedia and practical resources is a growing archive collection, which showcases several decades of curriculum development.
Regional Centres
The regional Centres are located throughout England and offer a range of courses of different lengths. They were founded in 2003 with government funding.
Bursaries for attendance
The Department for Education funds Impact Awards for participants of courses at the regional centres.