British Science Association CREST Star Investigators Award Scheme
When the British Science Association contemplated what to do with their Young Science Investigator programme, they decided to commission Millgate House Education to rethink, restructure and rewrite the programme. The challenge was to create a new programme that was in tune with best practice in science education. This was an opportunity to put into practice the principles underpinning Brenda Keogh’s and Stuart Naylor’s work in the field of science education in an informal learning context.
The new scheme encourages children to talk about their ideas, and to work autonomously and collaboratively to explore, investigate and research science problems. A range of creative activities present engaging problems, set in real life contexts, appropriate for children from 5 to 11 years old. Educators will not be surprised to see the odd Concept Cartoon popping up here and there. The materials have been brought to life by the creative design skills of Red Biro. There are four awards in the scheme, to recognise children’s increasing independence and sophistication in how they solve the problems. The final award expects children to support others in their scientific development, as well as pursuing their own ideas.
The writing team is led by Brenda Keogh and Stuart Naylor and includes Jayne Barnes, Tara Mawby, Tanya Shields, Jane Turner, Nicky Waller, Jo Williams and Sue Wright. Since the scheme was launched in 2007, further units have been written on behalf of Institute of Physics, OPAL and Royal Society of Chemistry. The response to the new scheme from both club co-ordinators and children has been highly positive. The scheme has been independently evaluated by Evaluate, with very positive outcomes. In Greater Manchester, SHINE funded a project to offer the scheme to disadvantaged children in primary schools, with Millgate House Education supporting and evaluating this project.
