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SCIENCE Assembly corner ersy in science


“You send your child to the schoolmaster, but ‘tis the schoolboys who educate


him.” Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), American lecturer and poet


“You can get all A and still


flunk life.” Walker Percy (1916-1990), American author


“My parents told me, ‘finish your dinner. People in China and India are starving’. I tell my daughters, ‘finish your homework. People in India and China are starving for


your job’.” Thomas L Friedman (1953-), American journalist and author


“The one real object of education is to have a man in the condition of continually asking


questions.” Bishop Mandell Creighton (1843-1901), English historian and Bishop


“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors


into windows.” Sydney J Harris (1917-1986), American journalist


Celebrating Cultural


Diversity in the United Kingdom


The trial of Girl A: Thistley Hough students during their Dramatic Enquiry work in science, including Gordon Poad on the stand (right, top) and audience reaction (right, middle)


Their interest was further intensified by the


disclosure of new evidence. The prosecution reveals that Girl A was actually aware that her father was suffering from Huntingdon’s disease. The girl’s diary, explaining her position, her understanding and her motives in avoiding the obligatory genetic testing is offered as evidence. It is actually a blank notebook and working in teams, the children then tell her personal account themselves in prose and through dramatic expression. Each team adopted a different approach which


was demonstrated using a diverse range of scenarios which they explored together and discussed with their facilitators. Finally, the jury debates its stance and delivers its verdict. This last stage encouraged learners to consolidate their ethical standpoint, to take responsibility for their reasoning, and to substantiate their views. Students enjoyed the role-play, their independent


development of the drama and the benefits in terms of confidence raising, improved friendships and learning opportunities. But it is the potential of Dramatic Enquiry for examining controversies that makes it particularly valuable as a teaching tool. One pupil said: “I learned how to debate and


understand opinions other than just my own.” Another added: “I learnt how to debate without getting angry. Usually I would have shouted.” Students also appreciated the active involvement of their teachers who were also seen to emerge from their own comfort zones. The Trial of Girl A was then transformed into a stage


performance scripted, choreographed, produced and staged at New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme with the assistance of 15 Thistley Hough students. The audience, invited from Stoke schools, themselves became active participants in the Dramatic Enquiry process, taking some of the roles and entering into the discussions. Mr Phillipson and Mr Poad reprised their parts as


expert witnesses. Mr Phillipson explained: “We used deliberately provocative arguments around the role


SecEd • June 16 2011


of suffering in society and parallels with previous experiments in eugenics. “We invoked scientists’ responsibility to apply their


understanding to reduce social misery and juxtaposed two contrasting ethical perspectives – that of absolute moral values against that of pragmatically meeting the needs of the majority rather than that of the individual.” Armed with a handheld voting system, audience


members were able to make their reaction count in a particularly novel way when their response was sought. Their degree of agreement was measured to statements such as “the witness was biased”, “the witness had a strong ethical argument” or “the evidence given by this witness was based on fact”. The experience was a real experiment in multi-


dimensional learning which benefited students and staff alike. It demonstrated without question that drama can be used to improve students’ confidence in exploring contemporary, science-based controversies and enable them to develop and express informed opinion. Mr Phillipson added: “Science is well placed to sit at


the heart of creative cross-curricular learning and there is huge potential for the approach, both in pursuing its original aim (to improve the quality of public engagement in science) and in other areas of education. “Funding is an issue and perhaps we need to be a


little more creative about how we look for it – it has been suggested that the NHS might fund enquiries around local public health issues for example.” In Stoke-on-Trent, a Dramatic Enquiry network


has now been established and at Clarice Cliff Primary School, the end-of-year production will be an enquiry around the use of social networking sites by children. Mr Phillipson continued: “Often schools can


provide their own drama specialists and I am happy to help with the enquiry ‘storyline’ and the Philosophy for Children element. I am also exploring the possibility of working with the computer games industry to stimulate philosophical and ethical discussion in the classroom.”


SecEd • Carrie Saint Freedman is a freelance journalist. 9


A COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE


The competition The NASUWT arts & minds competition is a major UK-wide competition that has been running successfully for a number of years. Its aim is to promote and celebrate cultural diversity.


arts & minds is open to children and young people from primary, secondary and special schools across the UK and entries are judged in two categories: art and creative writing. Entries for creative writing must be from individual students. Entries in the artwork category can be from individual students or groups of pupils.


Over the years, schools have been extremely creative in their entries, submitting poems, digital artwork, stories, photography and collages. Teachers have incorporated the competition into their lessons in various subjects, including history, humanities, literacy, art, citizenship and school projects.


2011 This year we want children and young people to find new and imaginative ways of expressing what diversity, equality and identity means to them and how this is reflected in their lives, families, schools and communities.


Awards ceremony and prizes The winners will be invited to attend a prestigious awards ceremony in Central London, which will be held during Black History Month on 11 October 2011. The NASUWT will provide overnight accommodation at a top London hotel and appropriate travel and subsistence expenses for winning pupils, their parent/guardian and a teacher. Prizes include up to £1,000 for schools and vouchers worth up to £100 for individual pupils.


CLOSING DATE: 8 JULY 2011 NASUWT


The Teachers’ Union


To obtain an application form and more details, go to: www.nasuwt.org.uk


The largest teachers’ union in the UK Sponsored by


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