An action packed 2007 SATs revision day for Year 6 pupils prior to the SATs Test

The purpose of the activity

The purpose of this day, from the perspective of CLC Staff, was to demonstrate to teachers and pupils how technology can be effectively used as a learning tool in science. The technology used was Qwizdom remote handhelds, Ginn Star Science and PASCO Light Sensors.

The purpose of the day from the perspective of the teachers was to provide pupils with four very different science/technology activities aimed at providing support for pupils and teachers preparing for the SATs Science Test by contributing to the school's revision program to raise attainment in science, by providing a confidence boosting day and giving the pupils an experience of learning science through a varied program. This was the third year of running this successful booster workshop.

The activities described

1. The class teacher led a session using Ginn Star Science with pupils revising topics from the Science QCA Syllabus selected by the teacher as appropriate to cover areas of identified weaknesses in the pupils' learning.

2. The class teacher also chose from a number of topics, delivered a lesson on the chosen topic and led the pupils through an assessment of the material by each pupil using a Qwizdom remote handheld input device to answer questions leading to a print out of the answers for further analysis and follow up back at school.  This activity was facilitated by a member of CLC staff.

3. A CLC member of staff used the CLC's purpose built laboratory to lead the pupils through an investigation into separating materials. This highly practical activity also included opportunity for the pupils to observe the use of Bunsen burners to separate salt and water.

4.The fourth activity was an Sc1 activity involving pupils in a scenario to determine the thickness of cellophane to coat the classrooms windows so that the light reduction would enable a pupil sensitive to sunlight to work in the classroom. This activity used light sensors and used torches as the 'sunlight' source. This activity was led by the teachers.

Participating schools

The day was provided to 31 Wirral Primary Schools (one third of the total number of primary schools on the Wirral), 47 teachers and 1357 pupils. Classes visited the centre the week before the spring break and preceeding weeks to the SATs test date in the summer term. Four classes visited per day.

The participating schools were St Peter's Catholic Primary (Noctorum), Rock Ferry Primary, Millfields Primary, Gayton Primary, Hayfield, Bidston Avenue Primary, St Alban's Catholic Primary, Woodlands Primary, Hillside Primary, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary, Leasowe Primary, St Joseph's Catholic Primary (Birkenheand), Grove Street Primary, Somerville Primary, Poulton Lancelyn Primary, Heswall Primary, Lingham Primary, Woodchurch CE Primary, Overchurch Junior, St Michael & All Angels Catholic Primary, Fender Primary, Townfield Primary, Park Primary, Great Meols Primary, Egremont Primary, Casteway Primary, Christ Church CE Primary, Mersey Park Primary, Liscard Primary, Dawpool CE Primary and Bidston Village CE Primary.

Teacher action

A key part of the day was to give teachers an experience of using a fully equipped computer suite, access to software covering the full range of the science syllabus, experience in using remote handhelds for teaching and assessment and practice in using data logging sensors. Teachers visited the centre on a pre-visit to determine the organisation of the day, practice their involvement in the activities and match expectations with CLC members of staff.