Secondary Online Magazine
Thinking About Science is a twice yearly free online magazine for secondary science teachers.
Thinking About Science (TAS)
TAS (Issue 2 2009)
This new resource contains two elements:
PowerPoint Presentation of the Transformers project
The Transformers project began as a web-based learning module which was written to involve KS3 students in thinking about science, technology and local history.
Its main purpose was to help students to identify the events and innovations that cause communities to change.
The resource used The Lake District, in Cumbria, as a focus as this is an area of great natural beauty and also one in which large industries operate.
Cumbria provides a clear case study for students to get to grips with the forces for change that have, and still do, influence the different ways of life in the Lake District.
This new Transformers material aims to build on the previous work and provide teachers with a clear outline and resources to help deliver a research project with KS3 students. The primary aims of this resource are:
- To build on the case study outlined in the Transformers project.
- To provide teachers with a useable framework from which to plan their own research projects to use with their classes.
- Use cross-curricular approaches to help make meaningful learning links for students.
- Link to Key Stage 3 Frameworks for Literacy and Maths and QCA Schemes of Work to help teachers meet school-based planning expectations and curriculum coverage.
- Help both teachers and students develop a variety of research and ICT skills.
- Help teachers/students create and share their ideas with a wider audience and hopefully create wider learning communities/networks by sharing work through the website.
- Develop/highlight creative approaches to learning which could help schools who wish to embark on the creative curriculum approach to learning.
- Teach students about a variety of presentation tools and techniques.
- Help improve competence and confidence when presenting.
- Improve group working and cooperation skills.
Previous editions
TAS November 2008 PDF (8.05MB)
If you have any comments on this issue or suggestions for future articles, please email TAS@rfl-ltd.com
Carbon Footprints
Carbon Footprints is a new online magazine for secondary students. Its aim is to get you thinking about science and how it affects your life.
It starts off by giving you some basic info and opinion about global warming to get you up and running so that you can check out what you really think.
But it's not just a read; there's lots of opportunity for you, your teachers and your family to have your say about global warming. And there's a chance to win real money for your efforts.
Download Carbon Footprints PDF (1.2MB)
Pupils can also help parents and other family members who work to complete this survey about carbon footprints / global warming.
Email the completed surveys as attachments to carbonfootprint@rfl-ltd.com
The survey results will go into a national database which will appear on this website in March 2008.
GCSE case study
Scientists Talking - A Story of Three Boxes provides GCSE pupils with a case study that supports 'thinking about science' in the new Science GCSE specifications.
The case study illustrates the course of action taken when a particular nuclear power station in Wales comes to the end of its electricity generating life.
A Story of Three Boxes outlines how engineering solutions are developed in response to the scientific understanding of nuclear contamination. This kind of contamination occurs in parts of a nuclear power station during its lifetime.
The engineering solutions that are developed to cope with these problems, when the power station is decommissioned (dismantled), include matters of safety to people and care for the environment, as required by a variety of important, responsible organisations.