Belfast academics lead the way in new science research
For immediate use – 17 September 2004
Queen’s University and St Mary’s University College are joining forces to spearhead a UK wide programme assessing whether primary school science education could do more to give us all a better understanding and interest in science.
Following growing concerns that pupils are becoming less engaged in science and calls for teachers to have greater support in keeping up to speed with scientific developments, Belfast academics have led the way with a new programme researching the issue.
The project funded by the Wellcome Trust, the UK’s largest medical research charity, has seen researchers at Queen’s University and St Mary’s University College interview almost 400 teachers across the UK. This offered a unique understanding of primary school science teachers’ experiences, and formed an important basis for their work.
The researchers will be unveiling their initial findings during a conference at St Mary’s University College and Queen’s University on 23 and 24th September, when a range of experts, including governmental representatives from across the UK, will be present.
Peter Finegold, senior project manager at the Wellcome Trust said:
“This research programme is very timely. Even for those of us who don’t go on to study, or develop a career in science, it is important that we understand the basics and are able to engage in scientific debates, that can impact on our day to day lives. Queen’s and St Mary’s have the proven expertise to lead on this project and we are delighted to work with them. ”
Dr Colette Murphy, Head of Learning and Teaching in the Graduate School of Education at Queen’s University and Project Director said:
“We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with primary teachers and other groups involved in primary science across the UK. Having already surveyed primary children, we feel that this work will contribute strongly to ensuring that primary school children are best supported to develop the sorts of skills that will help them to become active and informed citizens”
The Very Reverend Professor Martin O’Callaghan, principal at St Mary’s said:
“St Mary's University College is delighted to host this very important conference on primary science education. We will wait with great interest for the findings of the conference and their implications for the preparation of science teachers of the future”
The conference will form part of a study examining how the UK teaches primary science to ensure that we are all more aware of scientific developments, but also that the infrastructure needed to keep the UK a world leader in science is in place.
The project is also intended to encourage primary school teachers from across the UK to attend the National Science Learning Centre in York, funded by the Wellcome Trust as part of a wider initiative with the English Department for Education and Skills, when it opens in 2005. Teachers with a background in science will have a chance to update their scientific knowledge, and those without formal science training will be supported in finding out more about the research process.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Queen’s University, Ken Bell, has been fully supportive of the initiative and is pleased with the collaboration involving the Wellcome Trust, Queen's University and St Mary's University College. He said; "I look forward to hearing the outcomes from the research and I am sure that they will have significant impact on the sector."
ENDS
Media contacts:
The Wellcome Trust
Mark Anderson - 020 7611 8612
m.anderson@wellcome.ac.uk
Queen’s University
Colette Murphy - 028 9097 5953
c.a.Murphy@qub.ac.uk
St Mary’s University College
Jim Beggs - 028 9026 8290
j.beggs@stmarys-belfast.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
1. The Wellcome Trust is an independent research funding charity established in 1936 under the will of the tropical medicine pioneer Sir Henry Wellcome. The Trust’s mission is to foster and promote research with the aim of improving human and animal health and it currently spends over £400 million per annum.
2. Attendance for the conference must be booked in advance with Colette Murphy on 028 9097 5953 or c.a.Murphy@qub.ac.uk
The programme for the conference is below:
Thursday 23 September 2004
Morning Arrival at St Mary’s University College
Registration and refreshments
12.00pm Lunch in St Mary’s University College
1.00pm Welcome (The Very Reverend Professor Martin O’Callaghan, Principal, St Mary’s University College)
1.15pm Keynote Address (Bob Ponchaud)
2.15pm Overview of findings from a UK-wide survey of primary teachers (Colette Murphy)
3.00pm Coffee and Tea
3.30–5.00pm Workshop 1 (mixed-sector groups) and plenary
7.00pm Reception at Queen’s University
8.00pm Dinner in the Wellington Park Hotel
Friday, 24 September 2004
9.30amKeynote Address (Professor Hugh Lawlor)
10.30am Coffee
11.00amReport and discussion of day 1 (Chaired by Colette Murphy and Jim Beggs)
11.30–12.30 Workshop 2 (sectoral groups)
12.30pm Lunch
1.15pm Report of day 2 discussions
Plenary discussion and evaluation
2.30pm Close of conference