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Free online CPD with STEM Learning
Our friends at the National STEM Learning Centre have designed a range of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) all about teaching primary science. They are packed with practical ideas to inspire curiosity and support scientific enquiry.
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When was the first time you remember being curious about the world around you? For many this may be some time ago but as children we would naturally question everything. Anyone with small children will witness the daily discoveries made by our little scientists. Our responsibility as teachers and educators is to ensure that this curiosity is maintained or, in some cases, reignited.
The team at STEM Learning believe that primary science should nurture children’s natural curiosity, develop their understanding of the world and teach them essential enquiry skills. It should start the process of inspiring our scientists of the future as they build their understanding of the value and place science has in their lives.
Last year teachers from all over the world engaged with STEM Learning’s CPD. This online community shared ideas, challenges and offered support. After just 3 weeks teachers had implemented changes in their classrooms and developed the confidence to enable their young scientists to explore and enhance their natural curiosity.
This year teachers have several opportunities to join this community of online learners. The courses are completely free and can be completed at a time that is convenient for you. You can browse the courses and sign up at any time to enrol on one of the start dates below.
Course start dates:
- Teaching Primary Science: Getting Started – 20th April 2020
- Teaching Primary Science: Exploring Space – 27th April 2020
- Teaching Primary Science: Human Spaceflight – 16th March 2020
Don’t worry if you miss the start date, you can join the course at any time during the 3 weeks it is running. Each course has a different focus and incorporates tasks to help you bring about change in your own classroom.
The courses will cover core areas of primary science: planning for practical science, mapping enquiry types and skills and developing thinking and reasoning in your classes. Through a focus on space exploration, you will learn effective ways to engage pupils in different aspects of the science curriculum. Examples from these topics will be used to explore approaches to teaching science based upon sound pedagogy and you will have the opportunity to share your experience in the classroom with others.
These courses are completely free and available to all. Simply log on and join a community of primary teachers wanting to make a difference in primary science.