Science - Working together for active learning

Science and Curriculum for Excellence

PDF File: Good Practice: Curriculum for Excellence conference - Science (847 KB)

Science is at the heart of our ambitions for Curriculum for Excellence, which aims to bring about transformational change and ensure the best possible education for our children and young people. Improving children and young people’s experiences in science is a key priority for Curriculum for Excellence.

The Scottish Government is developing a new strategic framework for science. Science is essential for sustainable business growth in Scotland in the key sectors that underpin our economy, while finding answers to global issues that impact on our daily lives. In that context, high quality science education will deliver the science workforce we need in the future. It will also encourage all our children and young people to develop as scientifically literate citizens with a lifelong interest in science.

The main purpose of the conference was to highlight how effective, innovative practitioners in pre-school, primary, secondary, and special schools and further education are taking forward the development of practice in specific aspects of science. The aims were to:

• reflect on current opportunities for advancement in science education
• raise awareness of curricular influences on science education in the next few years
• provide examples of good practice in learning and teaching.

The intended audience was teachers, lecturers and education authority officers with responsibility for the subject area. The programme included presentations on:

• The extent to which current practice is successfully promoting the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence
• An update on the Curriculum for Excellence science experiences and outcomes
• Safety in science practical work (Dr Tom Pringle).