Of primary interest

Abstract

Launched at the end of September was a new UK national centre for initial teacher training in primary school science. The SCIcentre, based at Leicester University, aims to increase the output of good, newly qualified primary teachers and has been set up at the instigation of the Society of Chemical Industry. The Society recognized that if there is to be an improvement in the public understanding of science and its achievements, then change must be rooted in primary schools. Helping new primary teacher trainees to improve their scientific understanding and to appreciate science as an integral element of our lives has been recognized as holding the potential for lasting value, and the sum of £400 000 has been earmarked by the SCI over four years for this Millennium initiative. It is intended that newly qualified primary teachers should have an accurate understanding of science concepts and skills; be able to assess young children's scientific development in order to provide work at a suitable level; provide a range of scientific learning experiences that stimulate and excite children and demonstrate the relevance of their learning to their everyday lives and welfare; and finally promote a wide, positive and nonstereotypical view of science and scientists. Several projects are already being developed by the SCIcentre for use in initial teacher training institutions and their partnership schools, including interactive video materials linking college and school-based work focused on the development of science skills; approaches for widening children's views of science and scientists; and the provision of support materials for student teachers to help them link information technology to their science teaching. Director of the new Centre is Tina Jarvis, and she will be working with Associate Director Philip Stephenson (coordinator of primary science at Homerton College, Cambridge) as well as Deputy Director Frankie McKeon (science tutor for both primary and secondary courses at Leicester University). One of the centre's first tasks will be to contact colleagues in initial teacher training in science throughout the UK to find out what is going on. By collating and constantly updating a record of best practice, questions and ideas, it is hoped the SCIcentre will act as the depository for all useful information and a clearing house for innovation. The questionnaire and the results will be placed on the Internet for maximum availability to anyone with an interest. The Director and her Deputy can be contacted via fax (no: 0116 2523653) or email (jar@leicester.ac.uk or fm10@le.ac.uk), and the Associate Director by telephone (01223 507278/507111) or email (ps233@cam.ac.uk). It is hoped that success will enable the Centre to continue into the 21st century through self-funding activities.