Working in Partnerships

 

Examples of partnership activity

The TSN is a scheme that puts the scientific community of the Norwich Research Park into contact with the teachers of science in the Norfolk Education Community. The core activity is a network of one-to-one teacher-scientist partnerships.

Its main purposes are:

1. To support and encourage teachers in helping them to deliver up-to-date and relevant science.
2. To help counteract the ‘eccentric boffin’ stereotype of scientists.
3. To encourage scientists to interact with teachers and children.

TSN Members contact one another informally about science and about science education. The core activity of the network is contact and communication between 'partnered' scientists and teachers but other activities and events have evolved in response to teacher feedback, and the network come together annually at our Annual Meetings (originally termed kick-off conferences).

Where do TSN partners meet, and how often?

Most partners meet at school, with the scientist engaging in classroom activities with the pupils. This seems to be very rewarding and productive for everyone. The frequency of these contacts ranges from many visits a term for some partners to just one or two times a year for others. We do not set a minimum or maximum level of commitment. Beyond the Induction meeting, each partnership self-mamanges itself, making its own arrangements - whatever suits; whatever is needed.

What do they meet for?

Many teachers encourage classroom visits from the scientist so that their children and the scientist get to know one another; children can talk to a 'real' scientist and get to know him or her as an ordinary person. The scientist may help the teacher or the children develop new investigations and other activities, perhaps by suggesting different contexts or procedures. Occasionally the scientist may make a more direct contribution by illustrating his or her work. As well as offering advice and expertise, some scientists are able to help with resources and materials for a particular section of school science work.

TSN Certificates for pupils

These are for TSN teachers and scientists to use in their partnership work. They may be used in any way appropriate, e.g for a particulary good investigation or presentation by a pupil or group of pupils, or for very good effort in a science task etc., but they should be used in a way that does not degrade their worth.

For supplies of these certificates contact Phil Smith (sorry: certificates are available to TSN members only)