ANNUAL REVIEW
2009
A MESSAGE
FROM THE CHAIRMAN
The
theme of tight fiscal restraint which pervaded Institute affairs
in 2009 will be continued throughout the coming year.
However
as a result of careful control of expenditure by the Institute
Manager and her colleagues last year, we were able to maintain
a full programme of activity in our core areas and additionally
provide support to the 41st Chemistry Olympiad which, perhaps
surprisingly, was being held in the UK for the first time.
Ahead
of schedule we were able to run back-to-back Chemistry Camps
at all seven participating Universities and this year plan to
repeat this attractive, but organisationally demanding arrangement,
at all eight centres.
One
interesting development in the curriculum area, has been an
interim analysis which shows that where the 21st Century Science
course has been adopted, the number of students going on to
take AS level sciences has increased substantially e.g. by 30%.
This is a trend we will continue to observe. So far we
have no firm proposal for a Key Stage 3 initiative, but continue
to consult closely with our Science Education Group colleagues
in York to keep abreast of their current thinking.
Dr
Peter Doyle CBE FRSE
A MESSAGE
FROM THE DIRECTOR
The
Annual Review illustrates the wide range of the Institute’s
work whilst acknowledging the expertise of the Institute’s staff
at Salters’ Hall and the continuing support we enjoy from our
many partners.
The
general oversight and much detailed administration of over 50
Festivals and 16 Camps rests with the Institute’s staff at Salters’
Hall who work closely with Universities and schools across the
United Kingdom. The Institute’s curricula work is undertaken
by the Science Education Group at the University of York lead
by Professor Robin Millar. This Group has had a very busy year.
The specifications of three A level programmes - Salters Chemistry,
Salters Horners Physics and Salters-Nuffield Biology - have
all been extensively revised; and the revision of Twenty
First Century Science is now underway prior to the launch
in 2011. The tight timescale set by the regulatory bodies for
these reviews creates considerable pressures on the staff concerned,
not to mention the schools. It is therefore good to note that
a recent survey of centres using the Twenty First Century
Science suite of GCSE courses indicates increases of 24%
to 38% in the numbers beginning AS level courses in the three
main sciences.
Sir
David Harrison CBE FREng
For
the fifth year the Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry were run in
partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry. Fifty-four Festivals
took place between mid March and mid June at Universities throughout
the UK and Ireland. Two Festivals were held at the Universities
of Bath, East Anglia, London South Bank, Plymouth Southampton
and Glasgow and three Festivals at the University of Manchester.
For the third year a second Festival was held at Keele University
which was primarily for special schools, participants undertaking
the same Salters’ Challenge as done at other Festivals.
The
Salters’ Challenge, “Murder(?) at Saltmarsh Farm” a forensic activity
involving flame tests and test tube reactions was the morning
investigation, with the second activity, The University Challenge,
set by each individual University, taking place in the afternoon.
Most of the Festivals finished with a “chemical magic” demonstration
followed by a Prize Giving Ceremony, during which prizes were
presented to winning schools, and fun prizes and certificates
of participation were given to all those who took part.
Below are
some quotes from teachers and students who participated in the
Salters' Festivals of Chemistry 2009:-
“It
was a smooth and well planned day. My students had a great time!”
“A
big thank you for a very enjoyable day….the students had a wonderful
time, the prizes were fantastic and very much appreciated.”
“Many
thanks for all your hard work in organising such an engaging and
interesting event.”
“The
day made a great impression on my daughter and Angel Delight has
taken on an entirely new dimension!”
“Our
children had a fantastic day and really enjoyed the independent
practical work that they carried out throughout the day, not to
mention the Chemistry ‘magic’ show!”
For any
information about the Salters' Festivals of Chemistry please visit:
www.festivalsofchemistry.co.uk
or
contact the Festivals Administrator on:-
Tel:
020 7628 5962 ext. 224
Email:
festivals@salters.co.uk
In
2009 fourteen Camps were hosted by Universities across the UK
with 50 students participating at each Camp. The Camps at Manchester,
St Andrews and York featured a varied practical programme and
were sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers.
The Camps at Bath, Nottingham and Sussex focused on pharmaceutical
chemistry and were once again supported by GlaxoSmithKline. The
Camps at Leeds were, as usual, based around colour chemistry and
were once again supported by a partnership between the Clothworkers’
Company, the Dyers’ Company and the Salters’ Institute.
Each
Camp included hands-on practical investigations in the University
labs, lectures and a variety of social activities during the evenings.
Below are
some quotes from teachers and students who participated in the
Salters' Chemistry Camps 2009:-
“I
would like to thank you for organising such a fantastic Chemistry
Camp. I had a really great time, making new friends and doing
lots of experiments that I wouldn’t otherwise get to do! It also
gave me an insight into University life!”
“
Alice came back very excited by ‘Cold Light’ and ‘Paracetamol’
I think the course is excellent. My thanks to everyone who made
it such a success!”
“The
chance to experience a small slice of University life and to carry
out experiments and use new equipment has been a great opportunity.”
“Once
again our students came back from the Salters’ Camp full of enthusiasm
and appreciation.”
“I
would just like to say that the Salters’ Chemistry Camp really
inspired me and opened my mind to science. Even though I am not
currently studying any science or science based learning, I am
still interested in science as a career.”
For
any information about the Salters' Chemistry Camps please visit:-
www.chemistrycamps.co.uk
or
contact the Camps Administrator on:-
Tel:
020 7628 5962 ext. 213
Email:
camps@salters.co.uk
Salters'
National Awards for Science Technicians
2009
was the sixth year of these Awards, which are now run on an annual
basis. Once again the Awards were supported by:-
In
2009, three technicians were presented with an Award at the Salters'
Institute Annual Awards Ceremony. One of the Winners, Tracey
Insuli from the Coloma Convent Girls' School, gave the following
account of her experience.......
"I
actually felt very moved that the teachers at my school took time
out of their extremely busy working day to nominate me for the
Salters’ National Awards for Science Technicians 2009. They were
all so excited when we found out I was on the shortlist. I was
surprised that I had been chosen, and felt a little nervous as
the day the judges were coming approached. There was no need to
be. The judges were so friendly and were genuinely interested
in how I worked day to day, and in the Science Club I run twice
a week after school. I and the whole science department were so
pleased when we found out I had won an award. In fact, members
of the whole school community - both staff and pupils - were very
supportive, and I even made it into the local paper!
The
Awards Ceremony was a very special day, particularly as my husband
was able to attend. Everyone was so friendly, and made me feel
so appreciated for what I do. It left me with many very happy
memories".
The
closing date for 2010 has now passed, the next round of nominations
will be in 2011. Information about the National Awards for
Science Technicians can be found by visiting our website by clicking
on the link below:-
Salters'
National Awards for Science Techncians
or
contact the Publicity Co-ordinator on:-
Tel:
020 7628 5962 ext. 260
Email:
publicity@salters.co.uk
Salters'
Curricula
During
the summer of 2009, the first cohort of students completed AS
Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses based on the revised specifications
and teaching materials for Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology,
Salters Advanced Chemistry and Salters Horners Advanced
Physics.
Salters-Nuffield
Advanced Biology
The
new Salters-Nuffield Biology A2 student book and website
were published in March and May 2009 by Edexcel/Pearson.
In
June 2009, the first group of candidates following the 2008 Edexcel
Biology specification completed their AS course. The 2008 specifications
had been converged, with the context- and concept-led approaches
having the same content and leading to the same examination.
Workshops for
teachers were held in 2009, with 31 attending the A2 workshop
and 16 attending the workshop for AS Biology.
Salters Advanced
Chemistry
All
A2 books and resources were published and in use by September
2009. These publications include the A2 Chemical Storylines
book, A2 support pack, A2 revision guide and the A2 teacher interactive
Presentations CD-ROM.
The number
of Salters Advanced Chemistry candidates rose slightly
in 2009 in line with the national average, with the numbers of
centres entering candidates remaining stable.
A series
of one day training events, designed to update current Salters
Advanced Chemistry teachers' knowledge of the new A2 specification,
were provided around the country. A total of 99 teachers
attended these courses. A residential workshop for 30 trainee
teachers also took place at the University of York, followed by
a workshop for AS and A2 Chemistry.
Salters Horners
Advanced Physics
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The Horners' Company |
The
new Salters Horners Advanced Physics A2 course materials were
published in May 2009. These publications included the student
book, teacher/technician pack and ActiveTeach.
As
with biology, a new 'converged' AS-level physics syllabus
was offered to students from September 2008. This meant
that students following the Salters Horners Advanced Physics
course sat the same examinations as those following a ''traditional'
course. Additionally, some students may have been taught
using a combination of approaches. It was therefore not obvious
how many students followed Salters Horners Advanced Physics
in 2009.
In
2009 Salters Horners Advanced Physics workshops were
offered to teachers and technicians with another round available
in 2010.
Twenty
First Century Science
The
market share of the students following Twenty First Century
Science remained steady in 2009.
A survey of centres following the course during 2008/9 has suggested
that the adoption of Twenty First Century Science has
resulted in a marked increase in the uptake of numbers of students
starting AS-level courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
2009 EVENTS
CEG
Seminar
Tuesday
3 March 2009
The
CEG Seminar in 2009 focused on "The Teaching and Learning
of Science at Key Stage 3". For some time there has been
concern about the teaching and learning of science at Key Stage
3. Research seems to show clearly that many students lose their
enthusiasm for science during the 11-14 years, and begin to see
a career in science as 'not for them'. It is not at all clear
that the changes introduced in 2008 to the national curriculum
KS3 programme of study will solve these problems.
This
Seminar provided an opportunity to think about what we want of
Key Stage 3 science - and in particular of its chemistry strand.
The
audience consisted of representatives from the teaching profession,
Government departments, examining and validating bodies, Local
Authorities, publishers, and a range of employers.
Chemistry
Olympiad 2009
The
41st International Chemistry Olympiad took place, for the first
time in the UK, at the University of Cambridge in July 2009, forming
part of its 800th anniversary. The Olympiad is held annually
over a ten-day period with around 600 people in attendance from
almost 70 countries.
The
Master of the Salters' Company, Mr Richard Callingham; Dr The
Hon. Alexander Todd and the Director of the Salters' Institute,
Sir David Harrison, who was also a patron of this event (pictured
right in the photograph above), presented Medals and Certificates
to some of the Winners.
The Salters'
Institute Annual Awards Ceremony
Thursday
19 November 2009
On
Thursday 19 November 2009, Salters' Hall played host to the Salters'
Institute Annual Awards Ceremony. The Master, Mr Richard
Callingham (pictured on left) presented Awards to Winners of the
following:
Salters'
Graduate Prizes
Salters'
National Awards for Science Technicians
Salters-Nuffield
Advanced Biology Prizes
Salters
Advanced Chemistry Prizes
Salters
Horners Advanced Physics Prizes
Salters'
City & Guilds Prizes
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