The Clare School, Norwich - 2009

Comments from the children

Dear Anne, Caroline and Trevor,

Form ME say how are you all? We all enjoyed the heat and colour work we did with you. Thank you very much for helping us. Heidi says she enjoyed colouring the teapot best. George, Joanna and Kaylie liked watching the colours on the ice cube. Jake enjoyed choosing his thermographic picture. Lizzie says writing the poem and spell was her favourite part. Stephan really liked thinking about the words associated with hot and cold and Callum liked his elephant picture the most.

Once again thank you very much. We are busy putting all our work on display.
Callum, George, Heidi, Lizzie, Joanna, Jake, Kaylie and Stephan

Comments from the teacher

“The link with colours and thermographic images captured the pupil’s imagination and led to learning which can be developed further in several subjects. The pupils could think of a wide range of descriptive words linked to heat/temperature. The investigation with ice cubes was very interesting, with pupils concentrating for whole session. All pupils enjoyed this aspect as the results developed throughout the session. I will be linking the results to next term’s work on mixtures. In the ‘spare’ week the pupils asked to try the investigation again using large blocks of ice. I also introduced heat sensitive paper. The pupils also enjoyed writing their poetry.

Overall all staff and pupils think the project was extremely interesting and valuable. The pupils were challenged to think differently and responded very well. Personally I was very pleased with all aspects of the project and I know that I will think differently about teaching some aspects of the science curriculum. Sylvia, Helen and myself thank you all very much for such an inspiring project. I would love this to be repeated with a different class next year if possible.”
Kathy Lofthouse, 14 -19 Phase Leader, The Clare School

Comments from the scientists

“I liked the way different aspects of the projects appealed more to some, so during the whole experience I felt like I saw each of the children at their most animated. It was rewarding when they got so excited at times by contributing to the class with words and ideas. I felt like they all gained something from the experience and I certainly did in having a chance to work individually with these children who have such difficulties. The ideas that resulted from this work were very inspiring and do not show the challenges that they have in order to achieve such work.”
Caroline Smith, Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre

“I knew how enthusiastic the kids could be… what really surprised me was how much I enjoyed working with them and seeing what they could achieve once one found the right stimulus.”
Trevor Wang, Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre