SAW in the classroom during 2008
Halesworth Middle School – June 2008
‘Plant development’ was the topic explored in this SAW project. Scientists Alexis Moschopoulos and Matilda Crumpton-Taylor worked alongside teacher Hetty van Wijk, artist Sarah Jarrett and writer Tom Corbett with these 10-11 year olds for what was clearly a revelatory day! “I liked science best because we saw mutant plants… [and] I learned that we are 2% banana” (Tom Allenby, 11). “I learned that you can make a poem from a little bit of DNA” (Ruby Brooks, 10).
Eaton Primary School – March 2008
Scientists Clare Mills, Gerry Toole and Louise Salt had a lot of fun exploring the theme of ‘Food molecules’, as did teachers Rosemary Mackie and Ros Earl, artist Chris Hann and writer Tom Corbett. The children, aged 8-9, commented: “The science experiments were fantastic”… “I felt like a real scientist”… “What would have made the day better? Even more science!”
Barford Primary School – March 2008
Remarkable images of villi, soap film, and bubbles inspired these 10-11 year olds to produce varied pieces on the theme of ‘Interfaces’, working with scientist Gillian Rich, teacher Nick King, artist Sarah Jarrett and writer Martin Figura.
Rockland St Mary Primary School – March 2008
Scientists Kamal Ivory and Juan Arques Orobon led a day themed around ‘Immune regulation’. Children aged 9-11 – encouraged by teacher Denise McGee, artist Sarah Jarrett and writer Tom Corbett – worked with striking images of viruses to help explore how they invade cells.
Great Ellingham Primary School – March 2008
‘Pathogens’ was the theme for this day exploring how plants become ‘sick’ and what can be done to help prevent this happening. Scientists Jenni Rant and Andrew Staphnill worked with teacher Ben Cole, artist Chris Hann and writer Tom Corbett to inspire groups of 8-9 year olds about the subject, resulting in lively and colourful artwork and poetry.
Horace Mann Laboratory School, Salem – March 2008
Professor Osbourn visited the Horace Mann Laboratory School, Salem, to run a demonstration classroom session with children age 7-9 on the theme of ‘Maple syrup’. The event was organised by Professor Louise Swiniarski, North East Global Education Center, Salem State College
Click here to see photos from this project
Rockland St Mary Primary School – March 2008
Scientist Keith Chater worked with artist Tony Keeler and writer Mike O’Driscoll introducing children aged 8-9 to the wonders of soil bacteria. Teacher Jess Hoare commented: “The children loved the practical aspect of the science… the microscopes, pH testing, smell tests. They also really enjoyed the writing and art.”
St Mary’s Church of England Junior School Long Stratton – February 2008
Scientific quartet Wendy Harwood, Rachel Wells, Jo Bartlett and Hayley Jeffries explored the theme of ‘Genetic modification’ with classes of 10-11 year olds. Deputy Head Jo Gray, artist Sarah Jarrett and writer Mike O’Driscoll worked with vibrant pictures of dandelion seeds, barley cultures, and green fluorescent wheat seeds to help the children produce vivid artwork and poetry.
Avenue Junior School – February 2008
The properties of groups of actively dividing cells called ‘Meristems’ were the subject of this SAW project. Scientist Robert Sablowski, teacher Tiffany Lacey-Edwards, artist Chris Hann and writer Mike O’Driscoll worked with 8-9 year olds to take an up-close and personal look at plant growth and at the intricacies of pollen.
Dry Drayton Primary School – January 2008
Scientist Richard Morris took ‘Pattern recognition’ into the classroom, working alongside teacher Margaret Prosser, artist Chris Hann and writer Tom Corbett. The children, aged 7-11, created stunning pieces exploring the concepts of non-linear dynamics, chaos and fractals.
Spooner Row Primary School – January 2008
‘DNA Topoisomerases’ was the research science explored in this workshop. “ I enjoyed the day hugely,” commented scientist Tony Maxwell, who worked with teacher Simon Wakeman, artist Chris Hann and writer Mike O’Driscoll to inspire groups of 7-11 year olds. “My best school day ever!” said Megan Welton, age 11.
Kenninghall Primary School – January 2008
The focus for this project was ‘Rhizobia bacteria’. Scientist Allan Downie used a mining analogy to excite interest in how plants communicate and corral resources to manufacture what they need. Teacher Jan Hewitt, artist Julia Sorrell, writer Tom Corbett and musician Geoff Sharkey worked with the classes of 9-11 year olds to develop the theme further, and all agreed it was a memorable day.