Access Science Flashmeeting

The final Access Network Flashmeeting of the school year saw five Science teachers meet to discuss the wide range of Science units and courses available at Access level.

Colleagues spoke about the options available at Access 1, including delivering 'stand alone' or 'derived' units. We found out about: delivery of Access units alongside Intermediate 1 and Standard Grade; one colleague's experience of running Access Physics; and links with other areas of the curriculum eg wiring a plug (SVS), growing plants, environment projects (both Managing an Environmental Resources - MER). There was recognition of the difficulties in delivering parts of the Access 3 course without a dedicated Science room and a consideration of the wider choice of activities/experiments in the Access 2 Science course (see these Dundee City Council resources on the LTS site).

Each participant spoke about web/ICT resources which they were using to enhance teaching and learning, as well as enabling pupils to complete NABs. The following were recommended:

• Assessment in the Sciences (SQA)
• SSERC 3-18 Science guide for teachers
• Ohm's Law
• Eyesight
• Human Space Flight
• Aircraft and Space Artifacts
• Physics 2000
• SMART Notebook
• Sound and Light.

Thanks to Sinclair McKenzie, a Science teacher in Thurso, who kindly promoted this event via a couple of Science teacher forums.

Access Network - June update

In recent weeks, Flashmeetings have taken place covering resources such as Honeycomb (from Softease) and the Books for All database of accessible print resources (CALL Scotland/LTS). Both sessions have been recorded; replays of which are available on request.

Learning and Teaching Scotland have been in discussions about suitable times for sessions on 'A Curriculum for Excellence' (ACfE) and Glow Learn. The ACfE session will take place mid-September/early October, with the Glow Learn meeting on from 4-5pm on Thursday, 4th September. The event introducing Twitter will be rescheduled for October. Suggestions for Autumn/Winter 2008 sessions are welcome.

The final Flashmeeting of the school year is for Access Science on Thursday, 19th June (4-5pm). Following this, CPD certificates will be emailed to all Spring/Summer term participants, listing sessions attended.

The face-to-face shared Development Meeting (SQA in attendance) which takes place at Hillside School, Aberdour after the summer (Friday, 5th September - now confirmed) will allow attendees to discuss centre-produced Access 1 and 2 materials with two SQA Access experts (20-30 minute slots). Access 3 materials and NABs can be discussed among Network members. There are still a couple of places available; email David at noble_d@hillsideschool.co.uk to join in. As this is a shared event, the cost will be minimal.

Finally, if you have not taken part in any Access Network activities this school year but are on the contact list, please click on 'COMMENTS' below and indicate one change in circumstances (within the Network's control) which would enable you to take part during the next session.