connecting with science newsletter - winter 2011

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T he Irish American Partnership is a non-profit charity based in Boston dedicated to encouraging Irish Americans to honor their Irish heritage by supporting education programs in Ireland, North and South. The Partnership understands that part of Ireland’s long-tem objectives is to build a unique capacity in technology, science and research & development. For this to happen, Ireland needs to invest heavily in its educational system in particular in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Through the Rural Primary School Science Program, the Partnership is playing its part to develop and enhance the teaching of science. Beginning in 2003, the Partnership has worked with Ireland’s Department of Education & Science to jointly fund a six year science program to fifteen rural primary schools in South Kerry. Following on the positive impact of the South Kerry Science program, in 2008, a similar project was funded by the Partnership and Department of Education & Science in the counties of Mayo, Galway and Donegal. For 2011, the Partnership’s focus on science education continues. Working with St. Patrick’s College and the local county education center, the Partnership is coordinating a program of professional development in science in selected rural schools. We have begun the project in Mayo and will extend to additional counties once the model is underway. Finally, the Partnership is funding the publication of this newsletter, along with other newsletters to follow, to continue to support teachers in the area of science. Having a cohort of teachers that has in-depth knowledge of science education and is confident in its ability to teach science is of tremendous importance. The members of The Irish American Partnership are pleased to honour their Irish heritage in this meaningful way. They commend the teachers and pupils involved in the program to date. We are indebted to Dr. Paula Kilfeather and Greg Smith of St. Patrick’s College for their tireless work in the promotion of science in primary schools. Mary Sugrue McAleer Executive Director The Irish American Partnership November 2011 The Irish American Partnership Connecting with Science Newsletter November 2011 Rural Primary School Science Program Page 1 W elcome to the first of, what is hoped will be, a regular series of Science newsletters. Over the last few years a network of schools in Counties Kerry, Galway, Mayo and Donegal has been doing fantastic work in science. This was made possible through the generosity of the Irish American Partnership (IAP) which enabled a great deal of science expertise to be built up among dedicated teachers. The aim of this newsletter is to help teachers share some of this expertise and to connect schools with each other, from Kerry to Donegal. Hopefully, ideas for the teaching and learning of science, that have developed over the years in this network of schools, can be exchanged and the work that was started by the IAP science project in County Kerry in 2003, will continue to grow and develop.

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Connecting With Science Newsletter - Winter 2011

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Page 1: Connecting With Science Newsletter - Winter 2011

The Irish American Partnership is a non-profit charity based in Boston dedicated to encouraging Irish Americans to honor

their Irish heritage by supporting education programs in Ireland, North and South.

The Partnership understands that part of Ireland’s long-tem objectives is to build a unique capacity in technology, science and research & development. For this to happen, Ireland needs to invest heavily in its educational system in particular in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Through the Rural Primary School Science Program, the Partnership is playing its part to develop and enhance the teaching of science.

Beginning in 2003, the Partnership has worked with Ireland’s Department of Education & Science to jointly fund a six year science program to fifteen rural primary schools in South Kerry. Following on the positive impact of the South Kerry Science program, in 2008, a similar project was funded by the Partnership and Department of Education & Science in the counties of Mayo, Galway and Donegal.

For 2011, the Partnership’s focus on science education continues. Working with St. Patrick’s College and the local county education center, the Partnership is coordinating a program of professional development in science in selected rural schools. We have begun the project in Mayo and will extend to additional counties once the model is underway.

Finally, the Partnership is funding the publication of this newsletter, along with other newsletters to follow, to continue to support teachers in the area of science. Having a cohort of teachers that has in-depth knowledge of science education and is confident in its ability to teach science is of tremendous importance.

The members of The Irish American Partnership are pleased to honour their Irish heritage in this meaningful way. They commend the teachers and pupils involved in the program to date. We are indebted to Dr. Paula Kilfeather and Greg Smith of St. Patrick’s College for their tireless work in the promotion of science in primary schools.

Mary Sugrue McAleer

Executive DirectorThe Irish American PartnershipNovember 2011

The Irish American Partnership

Connecting with ScienceNewsletter November 2011

Rural Primary School Science Program

Page 1

Welcome to the first of, what is hoped will be, a regular series of Science newsletters. Over the last

few years a network of schools in Counties Kerry, Galway, Mayo and Donegal has been doing fantastic work in science. This was made possible through the generosity of the Irish American Partnership (IAP) which enabled a great deal of science expertise to be built up among dedicated teachers.

The aim of this newsletter is to help teachers share some of this expertise and to connect schools with each other, from Kerry to Donegal. Hopefully, ideas for the teaching and learning of science, that have developed over the years in this network of schools, can be exchanged and the work that was started by the IAP science project in County Kerry in 2003, will continue to grow and develop.

Page 2: Connecting With Science Newsletter - Winter 2011

In 2003 the Irish American Partnership initiated a project to help the development of science in ten primary schools

in south Kerry. The South Kerry Science Project (SKSP) was directed by the Biology Department in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. (SPD) Positive results from this project led to the expansion of the programme to fifteen schools and an extension of the programme for a further three years. The value of the programme was recognised by the Department of Education and Skills (DES), and it agreed to support the work of the IAP. Ms Sinead O’Reilly, who was based at SPD, facilitated the programme and she travelled to Kerry on a regular basis to run science workshops with the participating teachers. The workshops were held in two locations, Kenmare and Cahersiveen. Following the completion of this phase of the project a compilation of the work was published in a book, Move and Sense in Science, by Sinead O’Reilly and Thomas McCloughlin.

Back row. Michelle Doyle, Pauric Travers, President St. Patrick’s College, Paula KilfeatherFront row.Ornait Ni Loingsigh, Mary Sugrue McAleer IAP, Regina Murphy Director of Inservice Education. In absentia; Gail O’Sullivan

Back row. Janet Varley, Biology Department, Cian O’Siochru, Ornait Ni Loingsigh, Michael HusseyFront row. Michelle Doyle, Paula Kilfeather, Regina Murphy, Director of Inservice Education, Norah Golden In absentia; Gail O’Sullivan

Certificate in Education (Primary Science)Additional funding from the IAP enabled any of the SKSP teachers who wished, to commence a Certificate in Education (Primary Science). St Patrick’s College organised the programme and workshops were run by Cliona Murphy, Orlaith Veale and Emer Whyte. This work culminated in the award, in 2008, of Certificates to six participating teachers.

Onwards and upwardsThe IAP also provided funding which enabled three of these teachers, Michelle Doyle, Ornait Ní Loingsigh and Gail O’Sullivan, to embark on a Diploma in Education, (Primary Science). Following much hard work and with the help of their supervisors, Cliona Murphy, Orlaith Veale and Emer Whyte, their dissertations were successfully submitted in May 2010 and the three teachers graduated in November 2010. Michelle Doyle is continuing with a Masters in Education (Primary Science).

Starting points

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Page 3: Connecting With Science Newsletter - Winter 2011

The Western Seaboard Science Project (WSSP)

In 2008 the Irish American Partnership initiated a similar continuous professional development (CPD) programme in

counties Galway, Mayo and Donegal. Five schools in each county were selected and the project was given the title Western Seaboard Science Project (WSSP). The programme was directed by the Biology Department, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra and facilitated by Mr Greg Smith who put in place a comprehensive science education programme for the fifteen schools through a series of workshops.

There were many aims for this new programme including the development of a model of professional development in science that would increase the teachers’ confidence in teaching science and their knowledge of science. It also examined how the pupils’ knowledge and attitudes were affected by the programme.

One of the most important aims was to develop sustainable learning communities within and between participating schools. It was hoped that it would become apparent what features of this model could be incorporated into continuous professional development for primary teachers more widely.

The project concluded after two years. Plaques were presented to the participating schools to mark the dedication and enthusiasm of the teachers and pupils taking part.

WSSP Transfer Initiative

The IAP continues to support the teaching and learning of science. A ‘Transfer Initiative’, which has just started, hopes

to transfer the WSSP model from a research and development phase to a mature, mainstream phase. Initially it is confined to one county, Mayo, and involves a project team working closely with the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) through the regional Education Centre. Gráinne McConnell is the project coordinator and seven schools are involved. Teachers in these schools will actively engage in their own learning of science, and they will share their experiences with each other and with other teachers in their schools.

Connecting with other schools in the network

Teachers who have been and are still involved in these projects have developed an in-depth knowledge of science

education. As such they are a tremendous asset and resource which would be wonderful to share. A momentum in science education has built up in all the network schools listed on the back page. The hope is that a newsletter such as this could help teachers keep in-touch with each other, working as a community of like-minded colleagues, sharing resources and ideas that would improve their classroom practice and student learning.

So please send us any news, events or happenings in the area of science in your school that you would be prepared to share. We would especially welcome any suggestions for science topics that you felt worked well and that benefited the pupils. Equally problems that you encountered would be interesting to know about and possibly solutions could be found from among the readers. With your permission we would print them in the next issue of the newsletter so that all the teachers in the network would benefit.

Contact; [email protected]

Or [email protected]

Virtual Learning Environment

For the next stage we would hope to set up a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to allow any network teachers

who are interested, to contact each other through a password protected secure network. This would enable digital resources to be uploaded and downloaded and even more information and ideas in science education to be shared.

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Page 4: Connecting With Science Newsletter - Winter 2011

Science suggestionsAt this time of year a topic such as electricity is often dealt with. We use more electricity because of longer nights and colder weather. So some websites that you might find useful are included below.

County Kerry• Tulloho, Bonane, Kenmare: [email protected]

• Lauragh NS; Tuosist ;Killarney: [email protected]

• Scoil Realt na Mara; Tuosist; Killarney: [email protected]

• Kilgarvan NS; Kilgarvan; Killarney: [email protected].

• Scoil an Fháill Mór; Foilmore; Cahersiveen: [email protected].

• S.N Phroinnsias Naofa; Kenmare BNS, Kenmare: [email protected]

• St Clare’s GNS; Kenmare. [email protected]

• Cahir NS; Cahir ; Kenmare

• Gap Of Dunloe NS; Beaufort; Killarney

• Scoil Naomh Michael; An t-Snaidhm; Killarney

• Scoil Eoin XX111; Tahilla; Sneem: [email protected]

• Boheeshill MXD NS; Glencar ; Killarney

• SN Muire Gan Smál; Coars; Cahersiveen: [email protected]

• SN Cillín Liath; Maistir Gaoithe; Cahersiveen: [email protected]

• Portmagee NS; Portmagee; Cahersiveen: [email protected]

County Galway• Milltown N.S. Milltown, Tuam

• St. Brendan’s N.S. Belmont, Milltown

• Carnageehy N.S. Ballyglass, Milltown

• Sylane N.S., Sylane, Tuam

• Kilconly N.S., Kilconly, Tuam

County Mayo• S.N.Sheamais, Barnacogue, Swinford

• Kinaffe N.S., Swinford

• St. Treasa’s N.S. Kilkelly

• Coogue N.S. Aghamore, Ballyhaunis

• St. Joseph’s N.S., Midfield, Swinford

County Donegal• Scoil Roisin, Dungloe, [email protected]

• Meenagowan N.S., Meenagowan

• SN an Aingil Choimeadai, Keadue,

• Scoil Chroine, Dungloe, homepage.eircom.net/~dungloens/index.html

• SN Mhuire, Belcruit

WSSP Transfer Initiative: County Mayo• St. Joseph’s N.S., Killasser, Swinford

• Bekan N.S., Bekan, Claremorris

• Knock N.S., Knock, Claremorris

• Barnacogue N.S., Swinford

• Kinaffe N.S., Swinford

• Culleens N.S., Meelick, Swinford

• Culmore N.S., Swinford

Network of IAP schools

Very good site for teacher lesson plans, games quizzes and interactive videos.

Great site to learn about electricity circuits as you experiment with batteries, voltages and light bulbs in this great electricity activity. Wiring them in different ways.

Excellent site for understanding electricity using the interactive white board

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/electricitycircuits.html

http://www.learningcircuits.co.uk/flashmain.htm

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