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Week commencing 15th March 2010

During National Science and Engineering Week 2010, Teachers TV is showing a week of programmes showing innovative and inspirational practice in the teaching and learning of science including a new series featuring a whole range of great science lesson ideas for primary teachers; a brand new 3-part series on urban engineering, and a whole range of new science programmes for use in primary and secondary classrooms.

KS2 Science - Engaging Girls with Practical Science

When the staff at Skyswood Primary school in St Albans gave the children an annual questionnaire about their enjoyment and understanding of subjects, they were concerned to discover that whilst 70% of boys loved science, only 30% of girls had the same level of enjoyment, citing dull lessons and not enough practical experiments and investigations.

The school also discovered the girls had developed an anti-experimental culture within science; they were so keen to get the answers right that they were afraid to experiment in case they got the results 'wrong'. As a result, the school adopted a number of initiatives to tackle the issue, including more visits out, more science-related visitors in, and more practical lessons. They also pair up younger and older classes within science, encouraging the less confident children to take on the role of 'teacher' and thrive, as well as ensuring the older children have a very thorough understanding of the topics.

Monday 15 March, 6.15pm

For more science and engineering videos go to www.teachers.tv