INSET - Investigative Science in the Classroom

Sphere Science Ltd offers primary INSET days to support the teaching of science enquiry and investigative skills. Although we include ideas for investigations, the sessions aim mainly to increase teachers’ understanding and confidence in structuring investigations for themselves and in encouraging pupils to ask questions and look for answers.

The investigative sessions are set within the context of materials and their properties and physical processes (Sc3 and Sc4 for schools following the English National Curriculum) and we design the day to meet the needs of each school.

We can also arrange twilight sessions, but these should normally follow a specifically designed school workshop day with three classes of pupils. As many members of staff (whose classes are not involved during the day) as possible should attend workshop sessions briefly, so that we can establish an initial framework for discussion in a short twilight INSET.

Sphere Science offers CPD courses, to increase confidence in teaching science enquiry and investigative skills, for primary teachers and teaching assistants.

We can also provide a course for teachers with more experience in teaching primary science, including science co-ordinators and subject leaders, to discuss a small range of contexts which may be challenging to present to primary pupils, are likely to introduce misunderstandings, or which are difficult for class teachers to extend (to level 4 in the English Curriculum and beyond).

The usual cost of a one day course is £490 + VAT. Costs include materials. Notes are available but photocopying is not included.

We have run courses in Science Learning Centres, universities, teachers centres and schools over the past seven years. We continually update the content of our sessions to meet current needs.

To contact us please email spherescience@yahoo.co.uk or click here to complete our online form...