Department of Chemistry, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
CH30159 University ambassadors scheme: science |
| Credits: 12 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW75OR25 |
| Requisites: |
| In taking this unit you cannot take CH30063 or take CH30144 or take CH30132 |
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Aims: To help the student gain confidence in communicating their subject and develop strong organisational and interpersonal skills that will be of benefit to them in employment and in life.
To enable the student to understand how to address the needs of individuals and devise and develop chemistry projects and teaching methods appropriate to engage the relevant age group they are working with. To allow the student to act as an enthusiastic role-model for pupils interested in chemistry, especially those not considering further or higher educational study, and to offer students a positive experience of working with pupils and teachers. Learning Outcomes: After studying this unit, students should: * have gained substantial experience of working in a challenging and unpredictable working environment. * have gained a broad understanding of many of the key aspects of teaching science in schools. * have gained experience of answering questions about their subject and will be able to assess and devise appropriate ways to communicate difficult principles or concepts. * have developed their communication skills, both in a one to one situation and when speaking to an audience. Students will be able to use these skills to address some of the problems specific to science education such as the need to break down stereotypes of science as a subject, Higher Education study, and employment as scientists that pupils may have. Skills: The specific and transferable skills they will have attained include: * Understanding the needs of individuals (TFA). * Widening Participation awareness (FA). * Interpersonal skills (TFA). * Staff responsibilities and conduct (TFA). * Teaching methodology (FA). * Preparation of lesson plans and teaching materials (FA). * Handling difficult and potentially disruptive situations (FA). * Public speaking and communication skills (TFA). Content: There are no formal lectures associated with this course. An initial one day of training will provide the student with an introduction to working with children and the level of teaching with which they will be involved. Introduction to relevant elements of the National Science Curriculum and its associated terminology, (e.g. 'Key Stage 2' etc.). They will receive basic training in working with children and conduct in the school environment, and will visit the school in which they will be working before commencement of the module. Students will be assigned to a school and a teacher in the local area and this teacher will then act as a mentor and input into the assessment of the student during the course. The teacher will offer guidance to the student during their weekly interaction, and in discussion with a Department Supervisor will individually determine the level of responsibility and pupil interaction to be expected of the student. Classroom observation and assistance: Initial contact with the teacher and pupils will be as a classroom assistant, watching how the teacher handles the class, observing the level of chemistry/science taught and the structure of the lesson, and offering practical support to the teacher in laboratory or administrative work. Teaching assistance: The teacher will assign the student with actual teaching tasks, which will be dependent on specific needs. This could include offering problem-solving coaching to a smaller group of pupils, or taking part of a lesson for the whole class. |