Techniquest: Teacher Scientist Network (TSN) Wales
Aim
To develop and implement a Teacher Scientist Network in Wales, linking teachers in schools with local researchers and offering a range of professional development opportunities for teachers.
Background
TSN (Wales) stems from a pilot network launched in Cardiff in 1999, with 16 partnerships. In 2001 the network was extended throughout Wales to include Swansea, Aberystwyth, Bangor and Wrexham, as well as developing the existing network in Cardiff. TSN (Wales) now has 41 partnerships across Wales, working to increase enthusiasm for science. Projects being run include investigating evolutionary relationships using ‘protein fingerprinting’ with Key Stage 4 students; a junior astronomy after-school club; and a primary/secondary school link using the Faulkes Telescope.
The network aims to give an added dimension to National Curriculum and AS/A2 Level Science by:
- Providing teachers with easy access to a practising scientist for information and advice
- Providing students with role models
- Offering scientists novel and challenging ways of communicating their science to a new audience
- Providing grants to allow the development of partnership activities
- Offering exciting and excellent value professional development opportunities for teachers
- Disseminating ideas and opportunities to the network through a newsletter once per school-term.
Contact
Rachel DoddsTelephone 029 2047 5475
Email rachel@techniquest.org