LeiPriSci PSTT Cluster

I am motivated by the teachers around me, they all want the children to love and enjoy their science lessons. I particularly want teachers to have the confidence to teach a practical science lesson, enjoy it and want to teach more science.

Teachers are all very busy people, they all want to do their very best in the classroom for all their pupils. Our team is special because all the members have not only given up their time to attend meetings but have then passed on the information and ideas to other teachers. We have been enthusiastic, supported each other, shared success stories and given words of wisdom and advice when we have a question, problem or lesson objective that seems difficult to teach. Our shared goal of improving science in our schools has kept us going, we are not sure it will be ever be reached but that is the challenge that keeps us going. We are a diverse group and our strength comes from sharing our ideas and ensuring there is a fun element whenever we meet.

In our primary curriculum chemistry starts at an early age. Looking at natural materials in the environment around us starts us thinking about the world around us; this leads onto learning about materials and their properties, and investigating how they feel, react and can change. Looking at rocks, fossils and soils plus the water cycle not only broadens knowledge and understanding but promotes many 'working scientifically' skills and allows the children to become more independent in planning their enquiries and research. From the clothes we wear, to the foods we eat, to the houses we live in, it makes chemistry immediately relevant. Problem solving and finding solutions to problems is at the heart of chemistry and making the children realise this is essential.

Being able to work as a team is our highlight. Knowing that we have inspired other teachers and children to enjoy science lessons, become more confident, more relevant and curious in the future, means we are enthused to do more.

Teaching as a career has many challenges but as a team we all know how important science in the primary curriculum is, so we want to ensure that it is being taught enthusiastically with relevance.

Our next venture is to try and incorporate the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals into our science teaching, and we believe that having good problem solving skills is vital to this. We have already begun this and hope to see an impact in the next few years.

Making teachers and children aware of the chemistry around them is the first step: What are you wearing? What did you eat? How did you make sure you got to school? What happens when you are ill? There are so many questions that link to chemistry in our lives and we all want to make the world a better place for ourselves, our families, our communities and the world.

Teaching in a classroom is more often than not solo; finding like-minded people is essential to keep you motivated and excited about teaching.

Copernicium – it's named after Copernicus but is a gas at room temperature! Weird!

I am inspired by the children I teach every day. I just love the reaction of the children when they have those 'lightbulb' moments and just get it!

Science is a subject I have always been interested in; teaching science to primary-aged children has made me love it more. Linking science to the real world, making it relevant and making children aware of scientists around the country that are similar to them is vital to them seeing themselves as lifelong learners.