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Monitoring practical science in schools and colleges

Cramman, Helen; Kind, Vanessa; Lyth, Andrew; Gray, Helen; Younger, Kirsty; Gemar, Adam; Eerola, Paivi; Coe, Rob; Kind, Per

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Authors

Andrew Lyth

Helen Gray

Kirsty Younger

Adam Gemar

Rob Coe



Abstract

This report presents data relating to practical work in science provision in schools1 collected over three years in England and Scotland from 2015 - 2017. This study adopts the SCORE (2013) definition of practical work, namely: “A learning activity in which students observe, investigate and develop an understanding of the world around them, through direct, hands-on, experience of phenomena or manipulating real objects and materials.” (p 3) We report on the quantity and breadth of practical work undertaken and how this changed during the study. The discussion identifies possible reasons for observed outcomes. We examine how these data illustrate how school-based practical work in science prepares students for laboratory based courses at university. Over three years, respondents comprised 4,176 science teachers, heads of science, science technicians, first year science undergraduate students and university staff responsible for first year science laboratory-based courses. Analysis of the heads of science and science teachers responding to the survey showed that they are more highly qualified than the overall teaching workforce, so results should be read with this in mind. Data were collected in year 1 of the study in 2015, during reforms to the Scottish National 5 and Higher qualifications and prior to implementation of reformed GCSE and A level science specifications in England. Data were collected in year 3 of the study (in 2017) post implementation of reforms in Scotland. In England this was at the point when A level students were completing the reformed qualifications for the first time then progressing to undergraduate study, and GCSE students had completed one year of their reformed programmes.

Citation

Cramman, H., Kind, V., Lyth, A., Gray, H., Younger, K., Gemar, A., …Kind, P. (2019). Monitoring practical science in schools and colleges. [No known commissioning body]

Report Type Project Report
Acceptance Date Jan 31, 2019
Online Publication Date Jan 31, 2019
Publication Date Jan 31, 2019
Deposit Date Jan 29, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Publisher Durham University
Publisher URL https://www.dur.ac.uk/research/directory/view/?mode=project&id=934
Additional Information Publisher: Durham University
Type: monograph
Subtype: project_report

Files

Published Report (Appendix 2 – Sample definition) (1.4 Mb)
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Copyright Statement
Appendix 2 – Sample definition Prepared for the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and the Wellcome Trust.


Published Report (Appendix 3 – Additional data) (2.7 Mb)
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Appendix 3 – Additional data


Published Report (Appendix 4 – School staff survey questions (years 1 to 3)) (3.2 Mb)
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Appendix 4 – School staff survey questions (years 1 to 3)


Published Report (Appendix 5 – School staff focus group and telephone interview questions (years 1 to 3)) (904 Kb)
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Appendix 5 – School staff focus group and telephone interview questions (years 1 to 3)


Published Report (Appendix 6 – Higher Education staff survey (years 1 to 3)) (1.8 Mb)
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Appendix 6 – Higher Education staff survey (years 1 to 3)


Published Report (Appendix 7 – Higher Education student survey (years 1 to 3)) (1.5 Mb)
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Appendix 7 – Higher Education student survey (years 1 to 3)


Published Report (Appendix 8 – Higher Education telephone interview questions (years 1 to 3)) (721 Kb)
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Appendix 8 – Higher Education telephone interview questions (years 1 to 3)


Published Report (Appendix 1 - Research Methods) (889 Kb)
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Appendix 1 - Research Methods






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