A Pinch of Salt!

ANNUAL REVIEW

2010

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Reflecting on the year past it is difficult not to entertain feelings of quiet satisfaction at the way the Institute Manager and her hard working staff have, through planning and careful financial management carried out a full programme of Institute activities while maintaining strict budgetary control.

The Festivals and Camps have continued to be well supported and on the curriculum front, courses have been updated as required, though when the current administration's review of the science curriculum is complete, it could require further work, in preparation for changes to take effect in 2013.

Meantime we are undoubtedly closer to seeing the likely shape and content of a Key Stage 3 initiative, which has been in gestation for several years.

On the strategic front, in preparation for our quinquennial review in 2012, we have commissioned an external survey of the impact of the core Institute activities, to better inform our deliberations next year.

Dr Peter Doyle CBE FRSE

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

The Institute’s work during the past year has continued to focus on its core activities, namely: curricula work undertaken by the Science Education Group at the University of York led by Professor Robin Millar, and Festivals and Camps in University Chemistry departments for pupils of pre-GCSE age. Any sense of continuity from one year to the next is however rather misleading, and especially with regard to curricula work because it is hardly possible to see the completion of one review before the next is announced. Another review of the National Curriculum in England has just been launched with changes to be expected from 2013 onwards. It is not yet clear how much this will require changes in content in addition to changes in methods of assessment.

The Institute makes attractive awards each year to able students about to graduate in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Candidates are nominated by their university departments and a short list is drawn up for interview at Salters’ Hall. The academic standards are high but so too are the indications that the award winners are likely in due course to make notable contributions in industry or elsewhere in public life.

I would like to play a warm tribute to the work and expertise of the Institute’s staff at Salters’ Hall. The Institute also benefits considerably from working with several partners and, in particular, the Horners’ Company (A Level Physics) and the Nuffield Foundation (A Level Biology).

Sir David Harrison CBE FREng

Sixteen Camps took place in 2010 with all participating Universities hosting two Camps each. The Camps at Bath, Nottingham and Sussex were once again based on pharmaceutical chemistry and were supported by GlaxoSmithKline. A varied programme featured at the Camps at Heriot-Watt, Manchester and York which included a Materials activity, sponsored by the Armourers and Brasiers’ Company and the Merchant Adventurers of the City of York. The Camps at the University of Leeds focused on colour chemistry and were supported by the Clothworkers’ Company and the Dyers’ Company.

Participants were given the opportunity to experience hands-on practical investigations in the University labs, lectures and a variety of social activities during the evenings.

University staff play a vital role in helping to make the Salters’ Chemistry Camps a success each year. Mick Henry, Chief Science Technician at the University of Sussex, has provided this account about working as a science technician for the Camps:-

CLICK HERE for Mick Henry's account

Below are some quotes from teachers and students who participated in the Salters' Chemistry Camps 2010:-

"The experiments were great fun to do and it was very interesting and satisfying to discover the science behind them."

"The Camp gave me a useful and interesting insight into both University life and Chemistry."

"I found it a fascinating experience and I thoroughly enjoyed the unusual and extraordinary experiments."

For further 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

in partnership with

In 2010 forty-nine Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry were hosted at Universities throughout the UK and Ireland between March and June. It was the sixth year that the Festivals were run in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Festivals this year included two at the Universities of Bath, East Anglia, Glasgow and Southampton, Heriot-Watt University and University College London. Three Festivals were once again held at the University of Manchester. A second Festival was held at Keele University which was primarily for Special Schools.

The morning activity undertaken by participants at the Festivals comprised of The Salters’ Challenge, “The Mysterious Death of Captain Salter”. This was a forensic activity involving chromatography and test tube reactions. The second activity, which took place during the afternoon, was The University Challenge, another practical activity set by the University. A fun “chemical magic” demonstration was a feature at most of the Festivals following which was a Prizegiving Ceremony where prizes were presented to winning schools. 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 2010:-

"....the pupils thoroughly enjoyed themselves and learnt a few things on the way!"

"Watching them working independently, actively discussing and debating with their partners was a treat and I'm sure they will find their new skills useful."

"....one parent rang to say her son had come home from school that day and talked non-stop about his visit."

For further 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

Salters' National Awards

for Science Technicians 2011

Winners of the Salters' National Awards for Science Techncians 2010

2010 was the seventh year of these Awards, which are now run on an annual basis. The Awards were supported by:-

The Association for Science Education

CLEAPSS

The Institute of Physics

The Nuffield Foundation

The Royal Society

The Royal Society of Chemistry

The Society of Biology

The Awards are open to science technicians with five or more years’ experience who work in schools and colleges for students up to 18 years old. Headteachers and Heads of Science are welcome to nominate a science technician working at their school or college.

In 2010 there were four Awardwinners – Sarah Atkinson, Rosemarie Hogg, Steve Jarvis and Gemma Towers. Rosemarie and Gemma provided accounts of their experiences:-

"The Salters’ Award put the cap on what has been quite a roller-coaster time in my technician’s life; I has sat and passed my HNC in Chemistry in June 2009, a month before my sixtieth birthday, and in 2010 Salters had decided to give me an Award! The judges were extremely friendly and interested in all aspects of my work.

It was humbling to be so publicly appreciated by the Fortrose Academy Science Staff who all contributed to my nomination. Success as a technician is all down to communication and co-operation between pupils and staff; fortunately we have a happy rapport in our school.

The Ceremony in the Salters Hall was a memorable occasion, and the certificate will be much cherished."

Rosemarie Hogg

Fortrose Academy

"I was quite nervous when I found I had been shortlisted for an award but the judging team were incredibly friendly. They were genuinely interested in the school, staff and pupils and what my job entailed.

I was very honoured to find that I had been awarded one of the prizes. Lots of the pupils at my school came up and congratulated me and were really pleased that I had won!

The day at Salters was wonderful, especially the talk that Professor Waddington gave before the awards which I found very moving. The day made me feel very special and was thoroughly enjoyable."

Gemma Towers

Balcarras School

For further information about the Salters' National Awards for Science Technicians please visit our website by clicking the link below:-

Salters' National Awards for Science Technicians

or contact the Publicity Co-ordinator on:

Tel: 020 7628 5962 ext. 260

Email: publicity@salters.co.uk

Curriculum Development

Salters' Advanced Courses

In 2010, the following numbers of students undertook examinations in Salters’ courses. Salters A Level Chemistry was taken by 6,759 new students, representing 15.3% of the total number taking A Level Chemistry and AS Chemistry by 10,359 students. Salters Horners A Level Physics was taken by 2,650 new students, representing 8.6% of the total number taking A Level physics, and AS Physics by 3,862 students. Salters-Nuffield A Level Biology was taken by 8,247 students, representing 14% of the total number taking A Level Biology and AS Biology by 8,128 students. The Institute’s aim is that 20% of students taking A Levels in the three core sciences will take the Salters’ courses.

GCSE Science

The numbers of students taking the GCSE Science course, Twenty First Century Science, has remained steady with at least 130,000 students, made up of those taking GCSE Science and those taking GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

2010 EVENTS

Salters' Institute Annual Awards Ceremony 2010

CEG Seminar

Thursday 21 October 2010

This year’s Seminar focused on concerns of different kinds about the ways we currently assess school students’ learning in science. For example, are expectations being set appropriately at KS3, GCSE, and A level, or are expected standards of attainment falling unacceptably? Does the assessment regime sufficiently challenge and stimulate the more able; does it reward the achievement of the less able?

The audience consisted of representatives from government, education, academia and industry.

Mr Mark Dixon, Chair of Examiners at OCR, opened the Seminar by giving an overview of the Seminar theme.

The overview was followed by short presentations to highlight current assessment practices and whether they promote good practice in science teaching and learning. These presentations were given by Mr Neil Dixon, South Bromsgrove High School (A Level), Mrs Kate Chaytor, Sacred Heart Language College (GCSE) and Dr Kate Billings, King Edward VI CE Upper School (Key Stage 3).

The Seminar was then divided into six small groups which sought to address three questions posed by Professor Robin Millar which had been sent in advance to all participants. Please click here to see the full report of this Seminar.

Institute Awards Ceremony

Thursday 4 November 2010

Salters' Graduate Prize Winners 2010

On Thursday 4 November 2010, the Institute hosted its Annual Awards Ceremony where all the winners of science related Awards and Prizes in 2010 were honoured.

Awards were presented by Dr Christopher Anderson, Master of the Salters’ Company. An audience of over 130 attended the event which was held at Salters’ Hall. The Awards presented were:

Salters’ Graduate Prizes

Salters’ National Awards for Science Technicians

Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology Prizes

Salters Advanced Chemistry Prizes

Salters Horners Advanced Physics (SHAP) Prizes

SHAP Teacher Prizes -

(Sponsored by Tata Steel Europe and

The Worshipful Company of Horners)

Salters’ City & Guilds Prizes

Institute Staff

Stephanie Amos Vicky Gray

There was a change of staff in 2010 with Stephanie Amos leaving for pastures new in August after nearly four years working for the Salters' Institute. Vicky Gray was appointed as her replacement and took up her new post in October.