Get experimenting with Terrific Scientific
Our education executive Neil Trevethan gives us an update on Terrific Scientific, a major 18-month UK-wide campaign to bring practical science into the classroom and into our homes.
Currently, less than 15% of 10-14 year-olds have aspirations to become a scientist, with girls even less likely to consider a science related career.
To help address this, the BBC has launched a campaign, Terrific Scientific, which aims to empower teachers across the UK to deliver engaging and inspiring lessons.
Aimed at upper primary school level, Terrific Scientific will help deliver the objectives of the science curricula for 9-11 year olds, bringing the subject to life and encouraging children and schools to get involved.
By breaking down the traditional confines of science, and exposing children to the concept that science is all around us, the BBC, along with a host of partners including the Royal Society of Chemistry, will support teachers to show that a life involving science is open to everyone.
How have we been involved?
We have worked closely with the BBC, and have provided expertise and feedback throughout development of Investigation 2 – Water. Various members of the Education department have been involved, including a former primary science leader. We have also provided the BBC with a collection of related resources from Learn Chemistry, so teachers can expand on the topic and take learning further.
Birgitte Johnson, BBC Terrific Scientific Producer says: "Working with the Royal Society of Chemistry has been a really great experience, their expertise has added real value to the resources and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future."
Dr Ruth Smith, Royal Society of Chemistry regional programme manager adds: "As a teacher whose Science Club children loved investigating anything from crystals to caterpillars, Terrific Scientific is a brilliant resource!
"The investigations capture the imagination of young children, and the detailed notes give all the information needed to run the practicals in the classroom or at a club. Being able to up-load data and share it with other experimenters across the UK allows instant comparisons to be made, and lets the children hone their IT skills too."
Working with expert partners
The BBC isn’t the only organisation we’re working with to improve primary science. In fact, throughout 2017 and beyond, we are also supporting organisations such as the Royal Society, the British Science Association and Wellcome.
With so many fantastic, high-profile activities taking place this year, we’ve made the decision to try maximise their impact on improving primary science. Essentially, it doesn’t matter who’s produced the content, if it’s good and aligns with our goals – we’re all for it.
That’s why we have decided to not create a new Global Experiment for 2017. Instead we are encouraging students, teachers and members to take part in our partners’ activities, becoming truly terrific scientists. However, if you really want to carry out a Royal Society of Chemistry Global Experiment, our past investigations, such as Mission: starlight and Water: a global experiment with hydrogels are still open.
Experiment is now live until 19 March
The BBC’s Investigation 2 – Water launched on 6 February. In this investigation, children throughout the UK will test the Mpemba effect, determining whether the starting temperature of water affects the time it takes to freeze.
Classes can then submit their data to the Terrific Scientific map and see how their results compare with those of students throughout the UK. The BBC has provided activity packs and other resources to help students and teachers carry out the investigation.
Children will also test their school’s water hardness using testing strips supplied by the BBC via Wellcome’s Explorify box. Excitingly, this data will also contribute to research being carried out by the University of Southampton.
Further information
If you’re interested in getting involved in Terrific Scientific activities, contact your local Education coordinator for more information, or head to the BBC website.