Tuesday 5 February 2002

Training Scheme Takes Earth-y Approach to Teaching Skills

Secondary school teachers across England and Wales looking for inspiration on how to explain erupting volcanoes, moving continents and the clues hidden in rocks can brush up their Earth Science teaching skills thanks to a £0.5 million "in service education and training" (INSET) scheme launched on 5th February at the Natural History Museum in London.

The Earth Science Education Unit, based at Keele University, uses a dedicated team of 20 specialists to enthuse and motivate science teachers in schools and training colleges across the country through a range of interactive workshops entitled "Teaching the Dynamic Earth".

Practical guidance is given on topics such as plate tectonics, the rock cycle and rock formation, including ideas on how to demonstrate complex geological phenomena using materials that can be found in any science prep room or classroom cupboard. The service is provided free of charge and is tailored to support the National Science Curriculum at Key Stages three and four.

Chris King, the Unit's director, says: "At the project's heart lies the issue that very many science teachers come from biology, chemistry or physics backgrounds and have little or no experience of teaching Earth Science. Yet they are still expected to teach the subject as part of the secondary school curriculum. The workshops aim to build teachers' background knowledge, confidence and enthusiasm while at the same time helping to develop pupils' thinking and problem-solving skills."

The five-year programme is sponsored by the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA), the trade body representing UK oil and gas exploration and production companies. It follows a successful two-year pilot, also funded by the Association, which brought workshops to over 1,700 qualified and trainee teachers in the Midlands, North West England and Yorkshire, potentially reaching more than 300,000 pupils.

It is hoped that a minimum of 200 workshops will be presented to groups of teachers this year. Participants will receive a free pack of resources and on-going support via the project's website: www.earthscienceeducation.com

Speaking at the training scheme's launch, Professor Aubrey Manning OBE FRSE, who presented the BBC TV series "Earth Story", said: "We are fortunate to be living at a time when, for the first time, it is possible to understand fully how our planet "works" and the way that its history and the history of life have been interwoven for billions of years. This is a wonderful story and it is vitally important that its implications are widely recognised. As a biologist, I recognise that through the earth sciences we have a splendid opportunity not just to inform but also to introduce young people to the excitement and enjoyment of "joined-up" science. Too few have this opportunity at present and this initiative by the Earth Science Education Unit, supported by UKOOA, represents a major contribution to a vital aspect of modern education."

The offshore industry's involvement in the project stems from its interest in balancing the economic, social and environmental challenges associated with exploring for and producing oil and gas.

James May, UKOOA's director-general, said: "The launch of the Earth Science Education Unit is an opportunity for industry and education to reinforce how important science is to everyone's understanding of the Earth's complexities. It will help equip young people with the knowledge they will need as tomorrow's stewards of the world's resources in future debates about energy."

Note to Editors

1. The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is the representative organisation for the UK offshore oil and gas industry. Its 32 members are licensed by the British Government to explore for and produce hydrocarbons in UK waters.

2. The Earth Science Education Unit is administered from Keele University but team members are regionally based.

3. Sample workshop activities may be found on the Earth Science website (www.earthscienceeducation.com) and clicking on "Workshop example - the rock cycle".

For more information, please call 020 7802 2400.

or

Chris King, Earth Science Education Unit Tel: 01782 584437 Fax: 01782 584438 Email: eseu@keele.ac.uk Website: www.earthscienceeducation.com