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Science programmes in the UK

Project Enthuse
Half of secondary school science teachers in the UK have had no subject training within the past five years. Project Enthuse was launched in 2008 to improve continuing professional development (CPD) of science teachers and to provide them with the latest techniques to rekindle interest in science.

Teachers, assistants and technicians can apply for an Enthuse Award to help them study at the National Science Learning Centre at the University of York. The award will cover course fees, replacement teachers to cover their absence, travel and accommodations for 2,200 teachers each year. The schools will also receive a small amount of money to help implement ideas back in the classroom.

£30 million pounds has been generated to fund the project, coming from the UK government, Wellcome Trust and industry organisations including GlaxoSmithKline, which donated £1 million.

Over 4,000 science teachers from around the UK have taken the opportunity to use the amazing facilities and world class teaching at the National Science Learning Centre. The £30 million funding being provided by project Enthuse will allow many state schools throughout the UK to engage with resources they wouldn’t normally have access to.

Using puppets to engage children and get them talking about science

Jasmin and Benny are two puppets who have dedicated themselves to getting primary school children interested in science.

The puppets owe their existence to Brenda Keogh and Stuart Naylor, internationally-recognised experts in primary school science. Brenda and Stuart have researched how to use puppets in science lessons and developed guidance for primary teachers. We are supporting them in their work, aided by the Nuffield Foundation.

Jasmin and Benny work with teachers using a storybook and animated CD. In each story our two heroes are faced with some kind of problem, and these problems have a science theme. The children have to find out how to solve the problems in order to help Jasmin and Benny.

Research to date has shown that Jasmin and Benny are very popular with their young audience, so they seem set for a glittering career in primary school science education.

With GSK’s support schools will get access to a package which includes:

• A storybook and animated CD;
• Jasmin and Benny (or two of their puppet friends);
• Professional development to provide guidance for teachers on using the stories and puppets.

The training and resources are available through local authorities and Science Learning Centres (in England) at highly subsidised cost.   Contact your local science adviser to find out about training in your area, or look at the project website www.puppetsproject.com for details of courses each term.

CREST Star Investigators
CREST Star Investigators is one example of a GSK-supported initiative that encourages students to become actively involved in science activities.

The new UK-wide programme provides primary schools with motivating science activities to run in after-school science clubs, backed by training for club leaders. Children engage in activities which will count towards CREST Star Investigator awards at three levels: Science Star Awards for 5-7 year olds, Science Superstar for 7-9 year olds and Science Megastar for 9-11 year olds. Also for 9-11 year olds there will be an opportunity to become Young Science Ambassadors. By 2010 it is planned that 5,000 schools and 55,000 children will be taking part in the programme.

This scheme is being developed and managed by the British Science Association.

Active Science
The GSK Active Science website is no longer available. The majority of the content from this site has been transferred to the ABPI Resources for Schools website.