The BA
The grant recipient
The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is a registered charity. Its national science events, activities and Award programmes are accessed by thousands of school aged students every year.
the Crest* Investigators programme
What it aims to do
- excite and engage children in science
- raise achievement levels
- motivate children to study and achieve in science subjects
How it works
A SHINE grant is funding BA Crest* Investigators science clubs in fifteen schools in inner city Manchester – an area currently ranked as the third most deprived district in England.
The BA partners with schools to set up a series of out-of-school-hours workshops focusing on practical scientific experiments and problem solving. The BA provides all Crest* Investigators science award scheme materials, training for teaching staff and a Project Co-ordinator to support and monitor all aspects of delivery. The schools host the workshops and provide the teaching staff.
Results
Anecdotal evidence from a pilot shows that the clubs are popular and help children to focus more in school. During the period of the SHINE grant the success of the project and progress of the children are monitored through:
- the BA framework of Awards
- national standardised test results
- an independent evaluation
The funding and replication
A pilot of this programme was carried out in Southwark. SHINE is funding all set up and delivery costs for inner-city Manchester.
Funding: £94,211 to the BA, over three years (2007-10)
Visit the BA's website:http://www.the-ba.net/the-ba
"There is no other extra curricular club in schools that attracts the same level of interest or enthusiasm."
Teacher, Crest* Investigators Club
"I can see a difference in the children, not only at the club but also in their science lessons."
Teacher, Crest* Investigators Club
"The renewed focus on English and mathematics in schools has meant that in some schools this has been to the detriment of science."
The Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-14: Next Steps Report
"Ofsted has reported that attitudes to science are affected by how actively involved pupils are in scientific equiry, making decisions and expressing their views."
The Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-14: Next Steps Report
Quotes
"There is no other extra curricular club in schools that attracts the same level of interest or enthusiasm."
Teacher, Crest* Investigators Club
"I can see a difference in the children, not only at the club but also in their science lessons."
Teacher, Crest* Investigators Club
"The renewed focus on English and mathematics in schools has meant that in some schools this has been to the detriment of science."
The Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-14: Next Steps Report
"Ofsted has reported that attitudes to science are affected by how actively involved pupils are in scientific equiry, making decisions and expressing their views."
The Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-14: Next Steps Report