#ASEchat Archive

The Association for Science Education (ASE) promotes excellence in science teaching and learning. Follow #ASEchat Mondays at 3pm ET.

Monday February 18, 2019
3:00 PM EST

  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:02 PM EST
    I have a question for you now. If you were a teacher of science working in a school, how would you reactive you discovered 25% of your class missing to attend a climate change demo? #ASEChat
    In reply to @A_Weatherall
  • A_Weatherall - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:04 PM EST
    I'd set them extra homework - climate science related of course :) #asechat
    • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:02 PM EST
      I have a question for you now. If you were a teacher of science working in a school, how would you reactive you discovered 25% of your class missing to attend a climate change demo? #ASEChat
      In reply to @A_Weatherall
  • staffdb66 Feb 18 @ 3:04 PM EST
    And I refused to let the techs throw them out.... there are hidden away in a cupboard somewhere #ASEChat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @A_Weatherall
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:05 PM EST
    A day or so ago @MichaelT1979 asked if science really was a core subject (English NC)what do you #asechat ters think?
  • A_Weatherall - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:05 PM EST
    About the same as potassium in water. #asechat
    In reply to @ViciaScience
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:05 PM EST
    Can you still get those huge batteries for them - odd design I remember, bit like old cycle lamp batteries #ASEChat
    In reply to @staffdb66, @A_Weatherall
  • TeacherChemist Feb 18 @ 3:06 PM EST
    It should be #ASEChat
    In reply to @NeedhamL56, @MichaelT1979
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:06 PM EST
    Really? I think I would be pleased that they were standing up for what they thought was right, just do not do it in my lessons! #ASEChat
    In reply to @A_Weatherall
  • staffdb66 Feb 18 @ 3:06 PM EST
    It's the old 6volt ones with the 2 springs on top... the special twisting lock in top.... pretty sure they still make them #ASEChat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @A_Weatherall
  • A_Weatherall - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:07 PM EST
    I'd do an impromptu lesson on climate change for the other 75% #asechat
    • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:02 PM EST
      I have a question for you now. If you were a teacher of science working in a school, how would you reactive you discovered 25% of your class missing to attend a climate change demo? #ASEChat
      In reply to @A_Weatherall
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:08 PM EST
    It got me wondering what we mean by “Core” I always thought it should have equal status to Maths and English, but it currently doesn’t Skewed status by performance tables #asechat
    In reply to @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • A_Weatherall - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:09 PM EST
    If it's right then it does not matter whose lesson it's in. Students get pulled out of lessons for random things all the time. Maybe just sodium in water #asechat
    In reply to @ViciaScience
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:10 PM EST
    Trouble is most lessons seem to be about evidence of climate change taking place rather than what we (and others) can do about it. Saw a moving video by Pacific Islanders explaining their culture is in danger of disappearance #ASEChat
    In reply to @A_Weatherall
  • staffdb66 Feb 18 @ 3:10 PM EST
    Still get them on amazon for about £2 each in bulk ... not sure that they couldn't be just hooked up to a power pack at 6v though....#ASEChat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @A_Weatherall
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:10 PM EST
    Careful - conjuring up images of iron in water #ASEChat
    In reply to @A_Weatherall
  • owl_physics Feb 18 @ 3:11 PM EST
    Struggling with A Level Physics? try these resources on Electromagnetic Induction! https://t.co/xZyGBJ0I5D #ukedchat #science #asechat #nqtchat #ittchat #aussieED #edchat #physics #physicsteaching #physicsalevel
  • TeacherChemist Feb 18 @ 3:11 PM EST
    It does in my school but we do not have to follow the NC being independent. All pupils will benefit from studying all sciences up to GCSE even if they don't continue further as it gives them essential skills that are important in all subjects #ASEChat
    In reply to @NeedhamL56, @MichaelT1979
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:11 PM EST
    Another response to Is science a core subject? Maybe this could be a new hashtag? Not surprising that children need persuading when so much emphasis on E & M #asechat
    • katesutton70 Feb 18 @ 2:19 PM EST
      I think you are right- such a shame. Children seemed to think of Science as a discreet lesson of an hour each week and had this vision of making potions! We have worked hard on changing that perception right through school, enhancing Science and raising science capital for all.👍
      In reply to @STEMatSandfield, @ciecyork
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:12 PM EST
    Love it what we have a genuine (random) #ASEChat with multiple threads firing off al over the place
  • A_Weatherall - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:12 PM EST
    #asechat
    • Claire_Lee Feb 18 @ 3:08 PM EST
      I'd be disappointed it was only 25%, and take the rest of the class out to join them.
      In reply to @ViciaScience, @NeedhamL56, @A_Weatherall
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:13 PM EST
    Agreed. Bet they still work too. Built to last in classrooms #ASEChat #MfA
    In reply to @staffdb66, @A_Weatherall
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:14 PM EST
    It is time we abandoned talk of any subject being ‘core’. There should be no hierarchy amongst subjects, #ASEChat
    In reply to @NeedhamL56
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:15 PM EST
    So does core mean compulsory unto 16? ...Maybe it doesn't matter what we call it? I agree that M,E and Science are fundamental for understanding the world, and should be regarded as cornerstones of our curriculum #asechat They DO have higher status
    In reply to @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:16 PM EST
    Some argue we should teach science as it is part of our culture - but so is music, art, literature? #ASEChat
    In reply to @NeedhamL56, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • TeacherChemist Feb 18 @ 3:18 PM EST
    There is room in the curriculum for all if the curriculum is planned well. Should this be our aim and we scarp options in year 9? #ASEChat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @NeedhamL56, @MichaelT1979
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:20 PM EST
    Now that’s a good question! What do people in other parts of the World think? where there is less of an emphasis on exam results at 16. Choice been left to post 16, with quals at age 18 #asechat
    In reply to @TeacherChemist, @ViciaScience, @MichaelT1979
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:20 PM EST
    We need (many) more options at 16+. 14/15 is the wrong age to ask children to make life changing decisions, and it is the wrong age for schools to impose these ‘choices’ #ASEChat
    In reply to @TeacherChemist, @NeedhamL56, @MichaelT1979
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:21 PM EST
    As in ... this is the reason to teach science to students? #asechat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @NeedhamL56, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • staffdb66 Feb 18 @ 3:22 PM EST
    I think the problem is. Is more to do with money and specialists ... most schools don't have enough music resources to provide that for all at KS4 ... would be interesting to see a model where students did just 2 lessons of everything and have a massive synoptic exam #ASEChat
    In reply to @TeacherChemist, @ViciaScience, @NeedhamL56, @MichaelT1979
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:23 PM EST
    Oh congratulations! What a lovely badge #CSciTeach #asechat #proud @theASE
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:24 PM EST
    One of them! And probably more important I once thought. #ASEChat
    In reply to @marshychemist, @NeedhamL56, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • scarycurlgirl Feb 18 @ 3:24 PM EST
    Remember this from 2003? I was in a rural Sussex comp & loads of kids went out on to the school field, protesting for an afternoon. I sided with the RE dept that the kids shouldn't be punished! Seems they might be on the right side of history... #asechat https://t.co/HGvZrAQxgj
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @A_Weatherall
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:25 PM EST
    IB currently allows a decent amount of freedom at <16 with a few objectives. However, they’re focused on bringing in e-assessment and therefore this will change eventually. It’s very sad as it currently gives me incredible scope and time for cross curricula projects etc #ASEChat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @NeedhamL56, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:26 PM EST
    Certainly seems true that some subjects are cheaper to teach the others, and that the cheaper ones seemingly are surviving the times of curriculum upheaval #ASEChat
    In reply to @staffdb66, @TeacherChemist, @NeedhamL56, @MichaelT1979
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:26 PM EST
    I think it’s important to include science in a broad curriculum (including the arts) and to build links to those subjects too #asechat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @NeedhamL56, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:27 PM EST
    Yet another case of the assessment tail wagging the curriculum dog #asechat disappointing Some countries seem to make reduced specialism work well
    • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:25 PM EST
      IB currently allows a decent amount of freedom at <16 with a few objectives. However, they’re focused on bringing in e-assessment and therefore this will change eventually. It’s very sad as it currently gives me incredible scope and time for cross curricula projects etc #ASEChat
      In reply to @ViciaScience, @NeedhamL56, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • TeacherChemist Feb 18 @ 3:28 PM EST
    And this is true beyond school also #ASEChat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @staffdb66, @NeedhamL56, @MichaelT1979
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:28 PM EST
    It should be core because of how it allows students to understand the world around them #asechat
    In reply to @NeedhamL56, @MichaelT1979
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:28 PM EST
    'Thatcher milk snatcher' was more my era! These events certainly test teacher’s views judging by twitter last Friday #ASEChat
    In reply to @scarycurlgirl, @A_Weatherall
  • ITeachBoys92 Feb 18 @ 3:29 PM EST
    We also like to provide these short videos for students as a draw-along for diagrams such as these ray diagrams, it's useful as they can pause at each stage when completing these independently! #STEM #science #physics #asechat #TeamScience #technologyintheclassroom
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:30 PM EST
    I would agree with you. Teachers need the professional freedom to make judgements about how and what to teach different groups. Assessment is (or should be) the servant of curriculum #ASEChat
    In reply to @marshychemist, @NeedhamL56, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:30 PM EST
    There are huge problems with the IB e-assessment as it stands, mainly with the software being used... meaning we will have to teach the students how to deal with the software rather than teach them stuff #ASEChat
    In reply to @NeedhamL56
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:33 PM EST
    Tongue in cheek comment, but is that not justification for making politics a compulsory subject at the moment? #ASEChat
    In reply to @marshychemist, @NeedhamL56, @MichaelT1979
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:35 PM EST
    My students get the chance to reflect on how science affects their everyday life. We also have to build in cross-curricula links with other subjects so that they see that science isn’t an isolated subject. It’s a shame that we don’t have time to have more of them #asechat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @NeedhamL56, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:36 PM EST
    More of what? #asechat
    In reply to @marshychemist, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:37 PM EST
    Why not? We should give students an understanding of how the Government or the local council works for them #asechat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @NeedhamL56, @MichaelT1979
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:37 PM EST
    This cant be right, can it? Surely they cant launch an e-assessment regime until it has fewer glitches! #asechat Anyone else teaching IB?
    In reply to @marshychemist
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:38 PM EST
    #ASEChat
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:38 PM EST
    sounds like Gina disagrees! #asechat
    In reply to @TheScienceBreak, @marshychemist
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:39 PM EST
    More cross-curricula projects. Chemistry lends itself to so many but either we lack the time or the teachers lack the inclination #asechat we currently have sensible links to Maths but it would be great to have one with Art (for example)
    In reply to @NeedhamL56, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:41 PM EST
    Should that badge be embroidered onto a lab coat for you? #ASEChat
    In reply to @80sgirlsue
  • MarcNeesam Feb 18 @ 3:41 PM EST
    There is so much that schools could do there needs to be more clarity on what they should do, and should do well. The issue for science is the need for teachers to have ‘embedded subject knowledge’ History/art/etc (especially in primary) can be done in an amateur way #ASEChat
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:41 PM EST
    They say it’s reliable and it probably is in terms of it not crashing but it seems ridiculous that we’ll have to teach the students one way of solving the problem because of the software that’s being used and then teach the students in a different way for the Diploma #asechat
    In reply to @TheScienceBreak, @NeedhamL56
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:41 PM EST
    I think places like Norway and Germany(?) have these sort of opportunities anywhere else? #asechat
    • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:39 PM EST
      More cross-curricula projects. Chemistry lends itself to so many but either we lack the time or the teachers lack the inclination #asechat we currently have sensible links to Maths but it would be great to have one with Art (for example)
      In reply to @NeedhamL56, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • MarcNeesam Feb 18 @ 3:43 PM EST
    Why? Why force a link or create a link if one isn’t ‘ready’ to make? It is good to show subject links but a desire for them shouldn’t drive curriculum design - they should fall naturally out of your individual subjects when the subjects are aligned #asechat
    In reply to @marshychemist, @NeedhamL56, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • TheScienceBreak Feb 18 @ 3:43 PM EST
    They (IB Organisation) are saying the eAssessment is innovative, wonder how? Would have to be very good at assessing open responses. #ASEchat
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:44 PM EST
    Expectations on schools, especially beyond the formal curriculum, seem to be increasingly unrealistic. #ASEChat
    In reply to @MarcNeesam
  • FergusonMr1 Feb 18 @ 3:44 PM EST
    It’s a strange quirk to me that they weren’t in this or the previous spec. Remember it from my Standard Grade days. However, something else would have to go as I think there is enough content. #asechat
    In reply to @A_Weatherall
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:45 PM EST
    I don’t think many teachers have said anything, maybe because they aren’t aware of the problem with the approach #asechat I’m not sure why tbh
    In reply to @NeedhamL56
  • MarcNeesam Feb 18 @ 3:46 PM EST
    Schools (and the system) tend to react to new ‘things’ but without formalising then in the curriculum. We end up with a curriculum of ‘important things’ that ends up being less than the sum of its parts as there is no whole curriculum approach being followed. #asechat
    In reply to @ViciaScience
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:46 PM EST
    Subjects are just a way of organising the world for our school based education system, and all the paraphernalia that brings. We have lost the adaptability to see the big picture particularly for older children #asechat
    In reply to @MarcNeesam, @marshychemist, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • TeacherChemist Feb 18 @ 3:47 PM EST
    Agreed, but somebody needs to identify the links e.g., science and history both use sources and assess their reliability to draw conclusions #ASEChat
    In reply to @MarcNeesam, @marshychemist, @NeedhamL56, @ViciaScience, @MichaelT1979
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:47 PM EST
    Besides @A_Weatherall perhaps being flippant, logic gates taught a disciplined way of thinking about problems. This seems to have gone out of fashion in England and been replaced by easier to assess knowledge #ASEChat
    In reply to @FergusonMr1, @A_Weatherall, @A_Weatherall
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:48 PM EST
    It wouldn’t need ‘forcing ‘ just a tweak to when topics are being taught and looking at the outcomes in a different way. That takes effort and some people prefer to leave it #asechat
    In reply to @MarcNeesam, @NeedhamL56, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:49 PM EST
    Perhaps computer science needs to be identified as a science then? #ASEChat
    In reply to @A_Weatherall, @FergusonMr1
  • MarcNeesam Feb 18 @ 3:49 PM EST
    I think subjects are more than a school education phenomenon they are reflective of wider workplaces/ society and usually subjects in a curriculum reflects a society at a point in time. #asechat
    In reply to @NeedhamL56, @marshychemist, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:50 PM EST
    It should be about allowing students to have a broader sense of how science fits in their world #asechat otherwise what’s the point?
    In reply to @NeedhamL56, @MarcNeesam, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • TheScienceBreak Feb 18 @ 3:50 PM EST
    Anyone heard of the sawtooth effect of grade boundaries over spec lifetimes? Grade boundaries increase because ‘teachers and students become more familiar with the specification’ then they (boundaries) drop when a new spec introduced. #ASEchat
  • TeacherChemist Feb 18 @ 3:50 PM EST
    I thought it was, it is a STEM subject after all #ASEChat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @A_Weatherall, @FergusonMr1
  • MarcNeesam Feb 18 @ 3:51 PM EST
    That comes down to curriculum alignment between subjects. And it does take time and efforts. Maybe the new Ofsted framework will motivate more of that thinking in general #asechat
    In reply to @marshychemist, @NeedhamL56, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • SKLchem Feb 18 @ 3:51 PM EST
    #asechat I am going to girls night out at Jodrell Bank Lots on that night
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:51 PM EST
    yes I see what you mean, but science is a good case, where professional scientists do not work in silos, they have very clear links to other professionals across a wide range of ‘subjects’ #asechat
    In reply to @MarcNeesam, @marshychemist, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:52 PM EST
    There are many overlaps, but efforts to link working scientifically with computational thinking struggled to make progress amongst the clutter of curriculum change several years back #ASEChat
    In reply to @A_Weatherall, @FergusonMr1
  • FergusonMr1 Feb 18 @ 3:54 PM EST
    Is this not where the new Ofsted framework might compel schools to explore overlaps and really dig in the the curriculum? #ASEChat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @A_Weatherall
  • A_Weatherall - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:54 PM EST
    It's me :) there's always a soupçon of flippancy. #asechat
    In reply to @FergusonMr1, @ViciaScience
  • MarcNeesam Feb 18 @ 3:55 PM EST
    Computation thinking should not be the domain of computer science, as it describes a broad skill set involving problem solving that relates to mathematics as well as science. Interesting how computer science has ‘owned’ computational thinking though. #asechat
    In reply to @ViciaScience, @A_Weatherall, @FergusonMr1
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:55 PM EST
    Exactly 👍🏼 #asechat
    In reply to @NeedhamL56, @MarcNeesam, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:56 PM EST
    As always, seems a shame that its taking a different line from Ofsted that will have bigger consequences, rather than us saying ‘what’s best for the children’ in the first place #asechat
    • FergusonMr1 Feb 18 @ 3:54 PM EST
      Is this not where the new Ofsted framework might compel schools to explore overlaps and really dig in the the curriculum? #ASEChat
      In reply to @ViciaScience, @A_Weatherall
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:57 PM EST
    Lets hope that Ofsted has already provided the stimulus for schools to think carefully about their curriculum, and that the schools do not hang around waiting to be told what to do #ASEChat #weareprofessionals
    In reply to @FergusonMr1, @A_Weatherall
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:57 PM EST
    My background is with STEM being a very important part of the school curriculum, having strong links with Maths and DT was so good #asechat
    In reply to @MarcNeesam, @NeedhamL56, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979
  • NeedhamL56 - Moderator Feb 18 @ 3:57 PM EST
    nice use of a circumflex (I think thats what you call ‘em :) #asechat
    In reply to @A_Weatherall, @FergusonMr1, @ViciaScience
  • ViciaScience Feb 18 @ 3:58 PM EST
    This could be the topic for another week - but be good to follow up references if anyone can suggest a few. @ProfTomCrick ? #ASEChat
    In reply to @MarcNeesam, @A_Weatherall, @FergusonMr1, @ProfTomCrick
  • marshychemist Feb 18 @ 3:58 PM EST
    Exactly that! #asechat
    In reply to @SKLchem, @NeedhamL56, @ViciaScience, @TeacherChemist, @MichaelT1979