Prime Minister opens pioneering National Science Learning Centre in York
Posted on 17 March 2006
Science teachers face the challenge of training the next generation of scientists and also equipping non-specialists with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to thrive in a technologically advanced society. They need to stay up to speed with a rapidly developing subject and maintain their enthusiasm so they can inspire their pupils.Thousands of science teachers, technicians and teaching assistants will attend residential courses at the Centre on the University's Heslington campus, where they can learn the latest teaching techniques, experiment with classroom equipment and keep abreast of the new technologies that can invigorate their science teaching.
The network was set up in response to reports from the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee (2001) and the Council of Science and Technology (2000) that identified a need for subject specific continuing professional development for science teachers. The Wellcome Trust has provided £25 million to fund the National Science Learning Centre, and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has provided £26 million to fund the nine regional Centres.
The Prime Minister who took the opportunity to gain first hand experience of scientific experiments at the Centre, said: "I've seen many good ways of teaching science today. This Centre shows a great vision of how science can be taught. At school we all knew that the one thing that made a difference was if the teacher felt personal enthusiasm for their subject, then it was communicated to their students." He added that science was vital to provide future skills for the nation to compete in the global economy.
John Holman, Director of the National Science Learning Centre, said: "The National Science Learning Centre has been created with ambitious goals in mind; not least to help British teachers, technicians and classroom assistants to lead the world in science education by 2015. The Centre offers a fantastic opportunity to reconnect science teachers to the frontiers of science as well as showing them new ways of teaching science in an engaging way. We hope that a visit to the National Science Learning Centre will be a defining moment in the career of every attendee."
Professor Brian Cantor, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, said: "There can't be much more that is more important for educationalists like us than helping to supply the next generation of scientists. We want to help to create a scientifically literate population, so that we can have really well informed public debate on the great scientific questions of our age."
In the first year 1,000 teachers and technicians are expected to attend courses at the National Science Learning Centre in York. This is expected to double in the second year, rising to over 5,000 teachers every year from 2013.
The purpose-built Centre is well-equipped with laboratories, an ICT suite where science teachers can experiment with and create their own multi-media classroom material and a Resource Centre with the latest educational tools, books, journals, gadgets and electronic resources on hand to try out. Course participants stay in Franklin House, the 64 bedroom residential accommodation next door. The building has first class green credentials with geothermal heating and cooling, a sophisticated building management system and a living sedum roof.
The National Science Learning Centre is operated by the White Rose University Consortium, comprising the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York together with Sheffield Hallam University.
In addition to the purpose-built Centre in York, nine regional Centres offer teachers the opportunity to attend courses nearer to home.
Notes to editors:
- www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk
- For contact details for teachers who have attended the Centre call the Wellcome Trust +44(0)207 611 8866.
- The Science Learning Centres:
- The National Science Learning Centre (based at the University of York) is a joint venture initiated by the White Rose University Consortium, comprising the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York together with Sheffield Hallam University, which will host one of the regional centres.
- London: The Institute of Education in partnership with the Science Museum, Birkbeck College and University College London
- East of England: The University of Hertfordshire in partnership with the ASE, Hertfordshire LEA, Bio-Rad Laboratories and SETPOINT Hertfordshire
- South East: The University of Southampton
- East Midlands: The University of Leicester in partnership with the University of Nottingham and Bishop Grosseteste College
- North West: Manchester Metropolitan University in partnership with St Martin's College Lancaster and SETPOINT Greater Manchester
- North East: Durham University in partnership with Framwellgate School, Durham County Council, Newcastle University, Life Knowledge Park, Sunderland University, Teeside University, Northumbrian Water plc and Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd
- West Midlands: Keele University in partnership with Staffordshire Education Service, Stoke-on-Trent LEA, SERCO Learning and Staffordshire University
- South West: At-Bristol in partnership with the University of Bristol and University of Plymouth
- The Wellcome Trust is the most diverse biomedical research charity in the world, spending about £450 million every year both in the UK and internationally to support and promote research that will improve the health of humans and animals. The Trust was established under the will of Sir Henry Wellcome, and is funded from a private endowment, which is managed with long-term stability and growth in mind.