Dramatic Science for KS 1 Report on an innovative project funded by Astra Zeneca. ASE : January 2011 Friday 7 th Jan : 11.30 – 12.30 : HUMSS 126 Dr D.

Dramatic ScienceDramatic Sciencefor KS 1for KS 1

Report on an innovative project funded by Astra Zeneca.Report on an innovative project funded by Astra Zeneca.

ASE : January 2011ASE : January 2011Friday 7Friday 7thth Jan : 11.30 – 12.30 : HUMSS 126 Jan : 11.30 – 12.30 : HUMSS 126

Dr D. McGregor (University of Wolverhampton)Dr D. McGregor (University of Wolverhampton)Dr W. Precious (Staffordshire LA)Dr W. Precious (Staffordshire LA)

Aims of the talkAims of the talk Introduce and outline the AZ projectIntroduce and outline the AZ project

Introduce you to the ‘Drama’ techniquesIntroduce you to the ‘Drama’ techniques

Enable you to appreciate the drama techniquesEnable you to appreciate the drama techniques

Reflect about where the techniques may be best Reflect about where the techniques may be best usedused

Consider the application of dramatic science to Consider the application of dramatic science to teach concepts!teach concepts!

Background to the projectThe need for more active, engaging, participatory

and exciting science learning

Where has the third core subject gone (Blank 2008)?

Many children experience rather limited, somewhat unexciting, but safe transmission of appropriate science knowledge (Pollard et al, 2000; Reay & Wiliam, 1999)

“Children and teachers are increasingly turned off science as it becomes a content-led, vocabulary-heavy subject where personal curiosity is thwarted and opportunities for children to develop investigative, questioning and thinking skills are limited” (Alexander & Flutter 2009 : 28)

Outline of the approachOutline of the approachThe 8 different approaches : The 8 different approaches :

On the tableOn the table

Spontaneous role playSpontaneous role play

Hot SeatingHot Seating

Mind moviesMind movies

Miming movement & Miming movement &

Freeze frameFreeze frame

ModelingModeling

Mini-historical playsMini-historical plays

On the tableOn the tableObserve carefullyObserve carefully

What does it seem to be?What does it seem to be?

Why do you think it might be this?Why do you think it might be this?

Keep watching do you change your mind?Keep watching do you change your mind?

Why?Why?

Reflection : What kinds of scientific skills are Reflection : What kinds of scientific skills are being developed through this technique?being developed through this technique?

Spontaneous role playSpontaneous role play You are in the toy shop – there are games, soft toys, DVDs, sports You are in the toy shop – there are games, soft toys, DVDs, sports

equipment, etc…. equipment, etc….

You have to buy a present for :You have to buy a present for :

Your baby sisterYour baby sister

Your eight year old brotherYour eight year old brother

Your teenage cousinYour teenage cousin

There are three of you (Mum, sister & brother)There are three of you (Mum, sister & brother)

Discuss what your character would advise about which toy to buy Discuss what your character would advise about which toy to buy and why.and why.

You must discuss safety, the materials the toy is made of and how it You must discuss safety, the materials the toy is made of and how it works before you decide what is best.works before you decide what is best.

Miming Movement & Miming Movement & Freeze frameFreeze frame

You are in the toy shop – the clock chimes You are in the toy shop – the clock chimes midnight…all the toys come alive…….think midnight…all the toys come alive…….think about which you might be…..and be ready to about which you might be…..and be ready to mime its movement. mime its movement.

Rehearse your movementRehearse your movement

Be ready to showBe ready to show

Which toy is being represented? Which toy is being represented?

Why did you think that? Why did you think that?

How do you know?How do you know?

Mind Movie, MHP & Hot Mind Movie, MHP & Hot SeatingSeating

In small groups (practice with the narrative) In small groups (practice with the narrative)

The Harbutt storyThe Harbutt story Characters : Will Harbutt (born 1844 in Newcastle upon Characters : Will Harbutt (born 1844 in Newcastle upon

Tyne) Tyne) Old Soldier : Williams helperOld Soldier : Williams helper William’s daughter : OliveWilliam’s daughter : Olive

In the hot seat:In the hot seat: William HarbuttWilliam Harbutt Olive HarbuttOlive Harbutt Old SoldierOld Soldier

ModelingModelingYou are a ball of plasticine…what happens?You are a ball of plasticine…what happens?

Dropped on floorDropped on floor

Dropped in bucket half full of waterDropped in bucket half full of water

Bucket filled with waterBucket filled with water

Reflection point:Reflection point:

How does this strategy help you teach science?How does this strategy help you teach science?

AchievementsThe aim and objectives of the project :

Improve teacher’s knowledge and understanding of science (at KS 1) through development of these Dramatic Science materials.

Support the development of scientific understanding of and about teaching science at KS 1.

Increase children’s interest in and understanding of science at KS 1.

Design and produce at least 45 interactive, inclusive, engaging and thought provoking activities that help teachers teach and children learn science through drama at KS 1.

Evaluate the effectiveness of varied forms of drama that engage children in learning

Develop a useful and sustainable form of teaching science that is appropriate to share more widely (even internationally) with environmentally aware communities.

Some Findings 1The Teachers’ Learning Story 

1. Recognising and realising opportunities

2. Drama can provide revelations!

3. Succeeding despite the challenges

4. Becoming more confident and creative

5. The finale

Some findings 2

Some findings 3

Some findings 4

Evaluating the impactEvaluating the impact Reflective journalsReflective journals

Evaluation of the workshopsEvaluation of the workshops

Any questions?Any questions?

Thank you for listening Thank you for listening

If you would like to know more please contact us : If you would like to know more please contact us :

[email protected]

[email protected]@staffordshire.gov.uk