Science: Unlocking Potential

Dr Caroline Oprandi keeping you up to date with science & technology at PACA

A while back I was looking at the shocking suggestion made by private schools’ Head Teachers to scrap GCSEs and replace them with, well nothing, leaving all exams until pupils are 18. Very few other countries have anything like the GCSE and yet GCSEs are very expensive to implement. We are led to believe that pupils only want to learn if there is an exam or grade at the end of it. From the evidence we have gathered so far; this is far from the truth.
We now teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) on the KS3 curriculum. It is a project-based approach and the only assessment that takes place is peer assessment when the pupils have to present their work to their classmates. We have demonstrated that children are very motivated to learn when they are allowed the freedom to develop a project their way.

Not once has any pupil asked the STEM teachers for a grade; yet they all completed the tasks set. Furthermore, pupils (even challenging ones!) ask if they can take the work home with them. The answer is always yes but we never mention the homework word! Here are some comments from the students: “I think STEM lessons are great. They open up the student imagination. I love STEM lessons. They can get us used to entrepreneurial attributes.”
“The team worked well as a team and we were able to create a masterpiece with a brilliant teacher.”
“The project was a lot better than I thought as not only was it fun but it was interesting.”
A comment from a parent: “when my son has STEM he always says he feels like a proper scientist!”
Implementing the STEM strategy is not for the fainthearted and has involved some risk taking and creativity. We are after all kicking back against the traditional Victorian model of education and are introducing 21st century elements into the classroom. However, the success of the STEM centre is not solely down to me but thanks to a whole host of fantastic people whom I have met along the way. The list is a long one but to name a few: STEMSussex, Aj from STEMNet, Phil Avery from Bohunt Academy, Scott Atkins from Midhurst Rother Academy, East Sussex Astronomy Society, Gill Collinson National STEM Centre, Ricardo Engineering, Dr Howland and Dr Baskill from University Sussex, the science technicians and the wonderful science/maths teachers at PACA who deliver the STEM curriculum.
Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) is a college offering sixth form, 11-16 years, youth centre, adult learning, community education, sports centre and pre-school. Find out more at www.paca.uk.com