Secondary Science

NEWSLETTER Summer 2004 ______

Transit of Venus

You watched the Eclipse of the Sun but will you be observing the Transit of Venus? This rare astronomical event, last witnessed in 1882 will occur on 8th. June this year between 6.00am and 12 noon. During the transit, Venus appears as a dark disc moving slowly across the bright background of the Sun as the planet passes between the Sun and the Earth. Astley Hall in has an exhibition celebrating the work of and has several school events planned for July. For information contact Louise McCall on 01257 515555. To watch the transit safely set up a refractor telescope or binoculars to project an image onto a screen. NEVER LOOK THROUGH THE TELESCOPE TOWARDS THE SUN. For the background to the big event see page 2.

Murder at West Craven

Pupils turned detectives at West Craven Technical College during Science Week. Sixty Year 11 students took part in an exciting Forensic Science Day lead by Dr Peter Wearden from the University of Central . The Year 10 GCSE drama group presented a short play in which a murder was committed and the purpose of the workshops was to find the culprit using evidence and forensic tests that were available. Students worked in groups and named their “suspects” after analysing DNA, blood and soil matching fingerprints and fibres and questioning the cast of the play. The event was held with the help of the East Lancashire EBP and was deemed a great success by all those taking part. The drama group earned a silver CREST award for their efforts.

Book early for the next KS3 Strategy course SCIENTIFIC ENQUIRY Monday, 24th. May 2004 at the Novotel,

Once in a lifetime!

The transit of Venus is a once, well twice in a lifetime experience and no one alive today has ever seen it happen. Every hundred years the transit can be seen twice over an 8 year period, in 2004 and 2012 and it last occurred in 1882. The Lancashire connection goes back to 1639 when a young astronomer, Jeremiah Horrocks, first observed the transit. He was the curate at St. Michael’s church at Much Hoole near Preston where Lynne was married last year and Crispin and Damian were ushers! Between services he is reported to have run back to nearby Carr House where he was tutor to the Stones family. It was from here on a late November afternoon that he made the first recorded observations. After a day of indifferent weather, the Sun broke through into a clear stretch of sky as it approached the horizon, and Jeremiah saw a small, perfectly circular, black dot upon t he Sun’s disk as he projected the solar image through his telescope on to a card screen. During the thirty minutes of sunlight that remained, he made three accurate measurements, as the black dot of Venus moved across the Sun's face. That half-hour was one of the most momentous in British astronomy. His observations showed that the Sun was several times further away than previously thought and provided dramatic confirmation of the work of Kepler, Tycho, Galileo and Copernicus.

He was assisted in his calculations by William Crabtree, an old boy of the Manchester Grammar School. They worked together to improve the astronomical data tables and were rewarded by seeing the transit on the day they predicted. The next transit in 1769, was famously viewed by Captain James Cook and a 'party of gentlemen' from the Royal Society in London on the Pacific Island of Tahiti.

Above left is an image of one of the 1700 plates taken worldwide during the 1882 transit, showing Venus crossing the disk of the Sun. Also visible is the image of the ruled glass reticule mounted in front of the plate and the vertical line in the centre is that of a thin silver plumb line that hung between the plate and grid. The small dots on the picture were caused by defects in the glass photographic plates.

Viewing the Transit

You and your pupils can view the transit safely by looking at the reflected image. NEVER look directly at the sun through telescopes, binoculars, lenses or filters. Good advice can be found on CLEAPSS guide PS17 “Viewing the Sun”. This is available FREE to all Lancashire EA schools. Telephone: 01895 251496

Pinhole method

This is the simplest and safest way to view the Sun. Take a piece of card and use a pin to pierce a small hole. Facing away from the Sun hold the card up so that light passes through the hole on to a wall or other flat surface. An image of the Sun should be visible. You can use this method to see the changing shape of a partial solar eclipse.

Alternatives to this method include using a square of aluminium foil stuck to a cardboard frame (to produce a smaller, more uniform hole), or a kitchen colander (to produce multiple images of the Sun).

Although this method is the safest, it does have the disadvantage of producing a faint, small image. The size of the image is roughly equal to the distance between the pinhole and the image, divided by 100. The farther the distance between the pinhole and image, the fainter the image will be.

Binocular projection

Do not use the binoculars to look directly at the Sun. To produce a larger, brighter image you can use the binocular projection method. Attach the binoculars to a tripod or stand. Cover one side of the binoculars with a piece of card. To protect the binoculars from becoming hot and overheating, cover over half of the binoculars with another piece of card, containing a two-centimetre diameter hole in the middle. This will reduce the amount of light and heat that enters the binoculars, which may otherwise damage them. Aim the binoculars at the Sun and project the image on to a screen or wall. You may notice sunspots with this method. At no time should you look through the binoculars to view the Sun.

Webcams

You can also view the transit on one of several webcams around the world. One of them is set up in Norway and can be viewed on www.astronomy.no

Clipbank Science TV ROMs

Channel 4 is offering a 20% discount to Lancashire schools on their Clipbank Science TV ROMs and site licences. If you have not used the TV ROMs before this means that you can get all 5 titles for the price of 4 and existing users can save 20% on site licences in schools. The TV ROMs contain about 40 minutes of useful short clips from their TV programs and are ideal for use with data projectors or whiteboards. The first five titles are; EM Spectrum, Forces and Motion, Electricity and Magnetism, Plants and Photosynthesis and States of Matter. Three new titles are being produced later this year covering Energy, Human Biology and Materials. Further details can be obtained from Bill Spencer, 4Learning, PO Box 400, Wetherby, LS23 7LG , telephone 0870 124 6444 or from their website www.channel4.com/learning

Red Hot Science

Red Hot Science is a series of FREE resources produced and piloted by the ASE. They aim to reach 'challenged' secondary schools and to motivate their reluctant learners. The target schools are those with 30% or less A* - Cs at GCSE. If your school fits this category why not sign up for Red Hot Science and try some of our innovative activities? They are available on CD Rom or downloadable from the ASE website www.ase.org.uk Each activity uses one of three fun approaches to engage even your most challenging pupils at KS3. “Nemesis Inferno is one of the best experiments I’ve ever done. It got me so excited, I want to hear of another of your experiments” commented a pupil from the Red Hot Science pilot.

KS3 Strategy Update

The strategy is now moving whole school in a big way … are you aware of your schools’ priorities for the next year? Which whole school initiative have they signed up for?

The strategy has four areas to strengthen the whole school curriculum with a phased introduction: ƒ Assessment for learning (from April 04) ƒ ICT across the curriculum (from Sept 04) ƒ Literacy across the curriculum (from Jan 05) ƒ Leading in learning (from Jan 05)

All schools will receive one core day of training on AfL this summer term for a member of the senior management team. Consultants in your school may provide support in one of these areas for the next year.

Richard Owen

The will be hosting an exhibition on the life and work of one of its most famous sons Sir Richard Owen. An exhibition, ‘Richard Owen: Dinosaur Man’ will be on display at the city’s museum from 26th. June 2004. Richard Owen invented the term Dinosaur and was a leading scientist of his day. The exhibition explores Richard Owen, the famous Victorian scientist behind the name 'Dinosaur', and how advances in science change our views of the world: From the Flintstones to Walking with Dinosaurs!

There will be a range of educational opportunities for KS3 pupils to join in including;

• Museum Dino-Day: A novel way of covering ‘variation, classification and adaptation’ by using dinosaur fossils (Lancaster City Museum: September – December 2004, Museum of Lancashire, Preston: January – July 2005)

• Dino Debate: We are looking to arrange for a scientist to visit a number of local schools in order to re-enact the great ‘Evolution Debates’ of the Victorian era (Lancaster schools: December 2004, Preston Schools: July 2005)

If you are interested in, or would like more information about the exhibition or the above educational offerings, please contact Hannah Chalk by phone on 01772 534202 or by email at [email protected]

Physics network

Paul Malpass continues to support Physics teachers through a series of network meetings the latest at Ashton-on-Ribble Science College. CDs containing free resources were distributed to everyone who attended. The photograph left show Stuart Kitchen, Head of Science, exploring the CD with colleagues. Paul has also arranged an “Able and Talented” half day activity session at the University of Central Lancashire. The event is free and each session is for 15, Year 10 pupils from each three schools on 13th and 14th July 2004. Practicals include titration using an electronic pH meter, extracting and keeping their own DNA and solitary waves. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. For more details and to book places contact Paul Malpass on 07779 460374 or by e-mail [email protected]

Bridging units KS3 to KS4

A booklet offering suggestions and guidance for bridging units should be with you via your School Strategy Manager. It should help science departments plan for effective transition from KS3 to KS4 by creating teaching and learning plans that bridge the key stages which can be delivered in the post-SATs period in Year 9. It gives details of 4 possible bridging projects each requiring 4-6 hours of teaching time. There are considerable advantages of working with other schools to pool ideas and share resources. If you plan to carry out a bridging project please let the consultants know so we can put you in contact with others doing the same thing.

Prep Room Gossip

Our congratulations and best wishes go to the following colleagues on their retirement or new appointments.

After more than 20 years at the chalk-face, Derek Bell retires as Head of Science at Walton HS, Nelson as does Bruce Ashmore, Head of Science at Ivy Bank HS, . Both Derek and Bruce are well known in the east of the county and I sure many colleagues would join us in wishing them a well earned retirement. Over in the west, Margarita McBride, Head of Science at HS, is planning to retire in the summer. Congratulations to Phil Jumea on his appointment as Head of Science at HS. Another internal promotion is that of Heather Beezely to Head of Science at Parklands HS, Chorley replacing Dave Moffoot who moves up to Assistant Headteacher and school strategy manager. Heather Millington has taken up her post as Head of Science at SS John Fisher and Thomas More RC HS, . Sue Barnes moves from Cardinal Allen RC HS, , to become teacher i/c of Chemistry at St. Bede’s RC HS at Lytham and Margaret Hall from Our Lady’s RC HS, Lancaster takes over as Head of Science at Fleetwood HS from Brian Bloxham. Matt Renshaw is joining Lancashire colleagues from Bury where he was an AST. He replaces Derek Bell as Head of Science at Walton HS, Nelson from September. Mike Ford leaves Lancaster Royal Grammar School for a post in the Algarve, I’m sure the golf there never crossed his mind!

If you have enjoyed reading about the comings and goings of science colleagues throughout the county please let us know of any future changes in your department and any other tasty bits of gossip! Please email us at [email protected]

KS3 Strategy Science Courses ~ Summer Term

Scientific Enquiry

This course aims to clarify the nature and extent of scientific enquiry including ideas and evidence. It emphasises the need to teach scientific enquiry explicitly using appropriate objectives and drawing on the Framework Yearly Teaching Objectives.

SCI801a Monday 24th May 2004 9.30am - 4.00pm Novotel, Preston

Supporting SEN pupils (new course)

This course is for teachers of pupils in Special Schools. It will provide participants with practical suggestions on planning, possible teaching activities, lesson objectives and learning outcomes for pupils who make less than expected progress in science.

SCI802a Thursday 10th June 2004 1.00pm – 4.00pm Lodge, Leyland

How to get more pupils to L5 and beyond (new course)

Participants will develop clear plans and approaches for:- ƒ Identifying the needs of pupils working below expectations ƒ Providing powerful teaching, support and timely intervention to meet those needs ƒ Tracking the pupils’ progress systematically and securing the gains they make

SCI803a Thursday 17th June 2004 1.00pm - 4.00pm Dunkenhalgh, Clayton–le-Moors

SCI803b Monday 21st June 2004 1.00pm - 4.00pm Farington Lodge, Leyland

Literacy in Science

The course aims to raise the awareness of the importance of language in teaching science and literacy across the curriculum. It will explore the purposes of reading, writing, speaking and listening in science and exemplify techniques that enable pupils to engage fully in discussion.

SCI804a Thursday 1st July 2004 9.30am - 4.00pm Farington Lodge, Leyland

Don’s Page

Don MacNeil is a Teacher Adviser for Learning Excellence. He runs marketed courses and provides school based consultancy in both primary and secondary science.

Support the NQTs

One of the most worthwhile things that I have been able to do this academic year is provide a course for NQTs. I am sure that those who could get released from school gained from having some time to reflect on their teaching and also to share experiences with people starting off in the profession. As I am aware that many of the NQTs in Lancashire were unable to get to the course for various reasons, I am offering a second chance to come along to The Woodlands Centre in Chorley on Thursday, June 10th. It could be a very useful way to help round off the year. The theme for the course once again will be “good practice”. Non- specialists would also benefit from attending.

ICT

This year the ICT/Science Conference organized by the A.S.E. was held on March 20th at King Edward’s School in Chelmsford. There were many excellent speakers who all had interesting ideas about the use of ICT in schools. I would suggest a visit to the BECTA site www.becta.org.uk to keep informed of recommended web-based resources for secondary schools.

Able, gifted and talented

Schools are expected to be aware of the guidance from QCA and be making provision for those pupils that they have identified. Recently some of the clusters in Lancashire have been developing AT1 investigations that can stretch able pupils. I’m hoping that with the agreement of those involved we can soon make some of the resources available on-line.

Health and safety

The CLEAPSS courses that were organized for the end of April have now been rescheduled for March next year. Health and Safety for Heads of Departments / their deputies - March 8th ‘05 Health and Safety for Technicians - March 9th ‘05

Full details of these courses are available on the CLEAPSS site www.cleapss.org.uk and bookings can be made by contacting the LPDS Customer Services Team.

Science Courses

KS3-4 Summer Term

Key Stage 4 Biology: Animal Topics SCI205a

Friday 28 May 2004 LPDS Centre, Chorley

The course aims to give participants a thorough grounding in the area of animal biology. Basic principles and suggested practical activities will be covered. The theory and applications of genetic engineering will be explained. This course may particularly be valuable to NQTs and non-specialists.

Science for NQTs / non-specialists

Thursday 10 June 2004 Woodlands Centre, Chorley

A day to consider what constitutes good practice in teaching. Updates on current initiatives and the opportunity to share experiences. The chance to reflect and listen to some new ideas.

Data logging in Science SCI206a

Friday 11 June 2004 LPDS Centre, Chorley

Participants will be given an overview of the ICT expectations at different ages and the opportunity to gain confidence in using data loggers. A range of applications will be demonstrated allowing participants to return to schools ready to promote this important aspect of ICT.

Courses planned for next academic year include Science for SEN pupils, ICT for Science Teachers, First Chemical Handling (CLEAPSS), Effective Science Teaching and the Secondary Science Conference.

Further details of all Learning Excellence courses can be obtained from the LPDS Customer Services Team or from Don MacNeil on 01257 516100.

For help and advice contact your Science Team

Julian Sims School Adviser for Science – Team Leader Area Education Office (East) The Globe St James Square BB5 0RE Tel: 01254 220530 Fax: 01254 220737

Crispin Myerscough Key Stage 3 Science Consultants Damian Gent LPDS Centre Lynne Carruthers Southport Road CHORLEY PR7 1NG Tel: 01257 516426 Fax: 01257 516424 Email: [email protected]

Don MacNeil Teacher Adviser LPDS Centre Southport Road CHORLEY PR7 1NG Tel: 01257 516100

Visit your website www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/nationalstrategy/ks3/science (For information about KS3 science CPD units, key messages, photographs, downloadable resources, starters and plenaries.)

Photocopy the application form below and use it for any of the KS3 Strategy courses. ------------------

LPDS COURSE APPLICATION FORM LPDS/1 fly

Course Number SCI8 … … … Course Title ...... …...

Date(s) & Time(s) ...... Venue ......

District No...... School No...... Full School Name ......

NAME OF APPLICANT: ...... ………..

Please note any special requirements (diet, disability )...... School Order No. …………………………….

Signed ...... (Headteacher / Teacher-in-Charge)

Date ...... ………

Please return applications to the LPDS Team, Education & Cultural Services Directorate, PO Box 61, County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RJ or Fax 01772 531918. Telephone 01772 531764/65 E-mail: [email protected]