Trust Projects

Cedar Mount High School, Transition Forensics Project (Cluster Project)

The project is designed to stimulate interest and passion in science at KS2 through exciting and skill enhancing experiments and science practical based activities; to raise attainment at KS2 in science across all primary schools involved; provide continuity between the KS2 and KS3 science curriculum through increased staff knowledge and respective understanding; build on transition partnerships and to ease the transition of primary school pupils to secondary school. The project involves the collaboration of five primary schools in the East Manchester district of the city (Stanley Grove, Aspinal, Ashbury Meadow, Armitage and Old Hall Drive), with Cedar Mount High School, the University of Manchester and Greater Manchester Police Force.

 

Overview

Pupils from all primary schools will work collaboratively to solve a scientific investigation, facilitated by pupils from Cedar Mount High School. The project is based on strong collaboration between partner schools, the University of Manchester, Manchester Museum and Greater Manchester police allowing pupils to experience the real life application of Science.

The project will significantly boost Science education amongst Year 6 in readiness for SATs and transfer to the secondary sector by stimulating pupils’ enthusiasm for Science through access to state of the art laboratory facilities, science experiments as well as practical and engaging science activities. The projects particular focus for 2008 -2009 is Who Killed Lindow Man: A bog body mystery ( current exhibition at Manchester Museum)

The project comes at an excellent time as Cedar Mount HS moves into its New School Build in September 2008. A 21st Century Education Village that will transform learning and teaching. The award winning design of the New Build has Science as its design focal point in readiness for our October Science Specialist status bid.

 

Aims

The project is intended to enhance transition between Years 6 and 7 (from primary to secondary school). Specific science skills involved: DNA analysis – use of eppendorf tubes; understanding the periodic table; use of restriction enzymes and bromophenol dye; Gel Electrophoresis; soil analysis; evidence analysis and examination.

Learning outcomes include:

  1. Learners start to see themselves being in control of their own learning and thus become more independent learners in the future
  2. Improved science investigation skills and enjoyment / motivation in Science.
  3. Improved ICT skills.
  4. Development of problem solving and decision making skills.
  5. Improved planning and organization skills.
  6. Improved communication skills.
  7. Awareness of the importance of collaboration for learning
  8. Increased self esteem and confidence when pupils transfer to secondary school.
  9. Increasing independency
  10. Increase attainment acquired thought processing and scientific skills
  11. Develop love of science.

 

Programme

This project is sustainable as there is a strong transition working group between all the partner schools and organisations involved. Several science transition workshops take place through out the year in order to enhance attainment and foster enjoyment of science. The Forensics Project will be a more long term and in depth project, evaluated and re-run each year with improvements based on self evaluation and external evaluation. The work undertaken within this project will subsequently be built upon within the subsequent Year 7 Curriculum

Structure of the project:
Five primary schools will work with Cedar Mount on a forensic science project. The project will span from October – June as the primary pupils move from year 6 to year 7.

Stage 1. October: Mentor training

20 Science Gifted and Talented year 7 pupils will receive specific peer mentor training. They will also be trained in all the scientific techniques to be used in the forensics project.

Stage 2. November - December: Family Science Sessions

Each Year 6 class will come to Cedar Mount with their parents to complete a 3 hour forensic lab session. The pupils and parents will work with Year 7 mentors competing with each other to solve a ‘crime’ using various lab techniques such as flame tests etc.

Stage 3. January: Teachers & TAs session at Cedar Mount

All Year 6 teachers and class TA’s to attend a training afternoon at Cedar Mount. The Cedar Mount Science Transition co-ordinator will go through all the resources for the forensic morning and give the primary staff an opportunity to practice the Scientific techniques and the outcomes expected.

Stage 4. February: G&T day at Museum

10 Gifted and talented pupils from each school will spend a day at the University of Manchester carrying out forensic techniques such as isolating DNA and running an electrophoresis gel. Pupils from each school will have the opportunity to work with pupils from other primary schools and Year 7 pupils from Cedar Mount High School.

Stage 5. March – April : Forensics Morning

The Forensics morning will take place at each primary school. Cedar Mount will prepare all the scientific resources that will be sent to each primary school. Pupils will watch a police video setting the crime scene (Greater Manchester Police will set the scene). They will be provided with information about evidence and suspects for the crime. The pupils will work with Cedar Mount mentors and G&T primary pupils to carry out forensic techniques to solve the crime. These will include finger print analysis, chromatography and chemical tests (ph and protein testing). Throughout the morning pupils from each school will be connected via video conference. The pupils will use this channel to share information and discuss the case. Through out the morning the police will either circulate all for schools or be available via video conference. A CSI agent will also circulate the schools helping pupils will the various techniques and answering questions about the role of a CSI agent. The pupils will solve the crime, complete a crime report and feed back to the other schools via video conference. The Cedar Mount Media crew will film the morning in each school.

Stage 6. June: Celebrations

Cedar Mount will attend each primary school to show the DVD of the morning to the whole school / upper school, celebrating the achievements and raising the awareness of Science with the younger pupils in the school.

A celebrations event will be held at Cedar Mount. All 5 primary schools and Cedar Mount mentors will be invited, as well all parents / carers of those involved. The film of the forensics morning will be shown and certificates will be awarded to all pupils by University and Police staff.

 

Evaluation

The LA Science Strategy Manager will be crucially involved in the evaluation process in their capacity as a critical friend to the project.

  1. Interim evaluations will be undertaken after each stage has been completed in order to get a good understanding of what went well and what requires to be improved upon. Pupils and staff will be asked to complete evaluation forms after each stage. The anticipated learning outcomes will be matched with actual outcomes based on collected data, evaluations and Teacher assessments
  2. Baseline attainment data of participating pupils will be collected from the relevant primary schools with regard to participating pupils. Specific skills expected to be developed will be tracked and monitored through Teacher Assessment throughout the year. Learning outcomes to be grid referenced for progression recording. An attitudinal questionnaire will be given to all participating pupils prior to the project and after the Forensics project.
  3. The documentation received by all schools, pupils and outside support will be collated into a final Evaluation Summary distributed to the key staff and participants involved.

 

Additional

Dissemination

The lead staff from each school will meet termly to review progress to date and for planning purposes. The lead member of staff for the project will write an amalgam report of progress to the respective Headteachers and Chair of Governors for the purpose of accountability and to share anticipated good practice. A formal report to the LA Science Strategy Manager will be undertaken and a joint project evaluation be disseminated to local primary and secondary Headteacher networks to share good practice.

 

Contact

Contact e-mail: jrichford@cedarmount.manchester.sch.uk