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International interest in Twenty First Century Science continued to grow with Robin Millar, Professor of Science Education at the Centre for Innovation and Research in Science Education (CIRSE) at the University of York, travelling to Hong Kong and Australia to give lectures to large academic audiences.
Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology
The
numbers of
students and centres using Salters-Nuffield Advanced
Biology increased substantially following specification
changes in 2008. A new edition of the AS Salters-Nuffield
Advanced Biology Students’ Book was published in May by
Edexcel
Pearson. New online resources, including the materials
for teachers and technicians were also published.
Salters Advanced Chemistry
The total number of candidates for Salters Advanced Chemistry continued to rise in 2008, which reflected a steady share of a slightly increasing market. A new AS Chemical Storylines book and a new edition of Chemical Ideas were published by Heinemann in May.
The specification changes led to more centres taking on Salters Advanced Chemistry courses and workshops were held for teachers and technicians to familiarise them with aspects of the course that have changed, practising some new practical activities featured in the course and exploring the ICT resources.
Salters Horners Advanced Physics
The number of students undertaking the Salters Horners Advanced Physics course rose steadily in line with previous years. New editions of the AS Salters Horners Advanced Physics Students’ Book and AS Teacher and Technician Resource Pack were published in May by Edexcel Pearson. AS ActiveTeach, an interactive teaching and learning resource, was published in September.
Future sales are expected to rise as SHAP can now be taught in one of two ways rather than as a separate specification, therefore centres planning to use a mixed teaching approach as well as those that follow a context-led approach may purchase SHAP publications.
850 students participated at 17 Salters' Chemistry Camps hosted at Universities throughout the UK in 2008. Five of the 4 day Camps were held at the Universities of Leeds (with a colour chemistry theme), Manchester, St Andrews, Ulster and York. 4 back to back, 3 day Camps were hosted by the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Nottingham and Sussex. All the 3 day Camps had a pharmaceutical theme and were supported by GlaxoSmithKline. The Royal Society of Chemistry’s AimHigher Project, Chemistry: The Next Generation supported two back to back Camps hosted by Imperial College London which aimed to attract a greater uptake from more disadvantaged schools, and another two back to back Camps were held at The University of Cambridge for the first time.
Activities included a variety of practical chemistry tasks, demonstrations and lectures, social events during the evenings and site visits at selected Camps.
SPONSORS
The Armourers and Brasiers’ Company Chemistry: The Next Generation The Company of Merchant Adventurers of York The Royal Society of Chemistry
Below are some quotes from teachers, parents and students who participated in the Salters' Chemistry Camps 2008......... “I recently attended the Nottingham Chemistry Camp and I am writing to thank the Institute for funding such a fantastic event.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed myself and made lots of new friends.”
“It was the best time I have ever had and I have learnt so much about myself and chemistry.”
“I have really enjoyed myself through doing the practical experiments and gaining more understanding of pharmaceutical chemistry. I have also made some good friends.”
“We got to do so many new things that I know we will never do at school.”
“The Camp fulfilled all my expectations, surpassing some.”
in partnership with
53 Salters' Festivals of Chemistry, in partnership with The Royal Society of Chemistry for the fourth year, were hosted at Universities throughout the UK and Ireland in 2008. Two Festivals were held at the Universities of Bath, East Anglia, London Southbank, Southampton and Plymouth; three Festivals were hosted by the University of Manchester and a second Festival was held at Keele University, which was primarily for Special Schools.
The morning activity was The Salters’ Challenge, “Who Pinched the Salt!” The afternoon programme featured a second practical activity, The University Challenge, and a “chemical magic” demonstration at the majority of Universities. Winning schools were awarded prizes in a prize giving ceremony at the end of the day. In addition, fun prizes and certificates were presented to all participants. Below are some quotes from teachers and students who participated in the Salters' Festivals of Chemistry 2008.........
“Our staff and pupils were thrilled and excited to visit Keele and they had a wonderful time. The hospitality of the University staff and students was first class.”
“We enjoyed the challenges and (chemistry) magic show very much.”
“They found the experience useful and left the event happy, motivated and inspired.”
“The students gained much from the experience and loved being able to tell their peers they worked in a ‘real’ laboratory solving a crime!”
“Thank you for your team’s work in making such an enjoyable and interesting day.”
“The students and I had an inspiring and enjoyable day and wish to thank the Salters for arranging such a worthwhile event.”
2008 EVENTS The Salters' Institute Annual Awards Ceremony Friday 21 November 2008
An audience of more than 150 people attended this annual ceremony and witnessed the Master of the Salters’ Company, Mr George Kirk, presenting Awards to Winners of the following:
Salters’ Graduate Prizes Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology Prizes Salters Advanced Chemistry Prizes Salters Horners Advanced Physics Prizes Salters’ City & Guilds Prizes
CEG Seminar Thursday 7 February 2008 The aim of this year's Seminar, "Science for the Twenty First Century", was to examine the recent development of new GCSE specifications, including Twenty First Century Science; to hear of experience in schools of teaching, assessment and pilot evaluation over the past year; and to take a forward look in the light of national policies. The audience consisted of people from government, education, academia and industry. Please click here to access the report of the findings of this seminar from our website.
INSTITUTE NEWS The Salters' Institute Photo Gallery
A new photo gallery was launched on The Salters’ Institute website. The gallery features photographs from the Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry, Salters’ Chemistry Camps, Salters’ Annual Award Ceremonies and other events. Please click here to access the photo gallery from our website.
The Salters' Institute E-newsletter The Salters’ Institute launched an E-newsletter this year which can be subscribed to through the website and was devised to be sent out at regular intervals throughout the year. It is planned that this will soon take over completely from the paper copy of ‘A Pinch of Salt!’ The E-newsletter features updates on all Salters’ Institute activities. If you know of anyone who would be interested in subscribing to our E-newsletter, please ask them to visit our website www.saltersinstitute.co.uk and click on 'Subscribe now!'
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