Teaching Practical Science: Progress Student Learning Through Hands-On Science
Discover how to engage students aged 14-16 in science, using hands-on experiments in this three-part CPD ExpertTrack for teachers.
Duration
Approx 9 weeks3 hrs per week
Teaching Practical Science: Progress Student Learning Through Hands-On Science
Discover how practical work improves student learning across science subjects
This CPD ExpertTrack is aimed at secondary school science teachers who are looking to improve learning and engagement among students aged 14-16 through practical science.
The three featured courses explore strategies and approaches for incorporating practical work into science lessons. By looking at context, progression, assessment, and learning outcomes, those involved in teaching science will develop approaches to improve engagement and encourage learning. The three courses build up teaching practice by using examples from biology, physics, and chemistry.
Improve science learning outcomes using active learning
The question of how to engage students in science subjects goes wider than just schools. It is a matter of record that we are facing a global STEM skills gap. Developing practical and scientific skills with students throughout school will be key to addressing this skills gap in the near future.
Explore approaches to making learning come to life using practical science experiments
Hands-on science allows students to better understand the connection between theory and practice. Using practical science experiments can make what students have learned in textbooks come to life. By involving students in the learning process, teachers can encourage active learning, and ultimately boost learning outcomes.
Teachers on this ExpertTrack will benefit from our CPD approach which emphasises reflecting on practice and trying out approaches in their own classroom whilst learning online.
Discuss how to improve learning outcomes in a social learning environment
You’ll benefit from a peer-to-peer learning environment. Teachers can share their insights on how to engage students using practical science experiments with fellow professionals, exchanging advice and sharing best practice.
The practical work examples in this ExpertTrack are taken from the UK’s GCSE curriculum. However, the pedagogical approaches and many of the experiments are transferable to other curricula.
Key skills you will learn
- Teaching
- Practical Work
- Teaching Science
- Planning Lessons
- Teaching with Contexts
- Teaching Science Experiments
- GCSE Teaching
- Active Learning
- Student Engagement
- Teaching Biology
- Teaching Chemistry
- Teaching Physics
Learning outcomes
By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...
- Develop your confidence in delivering and evaluating teaching for practical skills in biology, chemistry and physics for 14-16 year olds.
- Develop effective learning outcomes for practical work in biology, chemistry and physics.
- Reflect on the effectiveness of practical activities on every students’ learning.
- Design progression and assessment approaches within practical work.
- Collaborate with peers, educators and mentors to share and critique ideas for teaching practical science.
Experience required
This ExpertTrack is aimed at those involved in teaching science in secondary schools, to students aged 14-16 years. You’ll need to have awareness of the science curriculum and health and safety requirements for teaching hands-on science in your local area. The courses are built around the UK GCSE framework, though the insights would be relevant to any science teaching context.
The examples used in this course are based on practical science experiments for students aged 14-16 years. The approaches to practical science explored would also be relevant for those teaching students aged 11-19 years.
Getting started
This ExpertTrack will improve your confidence in teaching practical science and enable you to develop approaches in planning practical science experiments to improve student learning.
This CPD ExpertTrack for teachers and others involved in teaching science to students aged 14-16 is designed to facilitate a peer-to-peer learning environment, with discussion, activities and reflection.
Learners would benefit from some experience of teaching science as well as a strong grasp of relevant scientific principles.
ExpertTrack course overview
Course 1
Teaching Practical Science: Biology
4.5 (26 reviews)Develop practical lessons to help 14-16 year old students understand biology with this CPD for science teachers.
3 weeks
3 hours per week
Week 1
Teaching with context in biology
- ExpertTrack: Teaching Practical Science: Biology
- Developing your teaching with us
- Teaching with context
- Context for biology practical
- Planning for context
Week 2
Learning through practical work in biology
- Learning through practical work in biology
- Enzymes practical work
- Learning objectives for practical biology
- What does success look like?
- Classroom task
Week 3
Progression in practical biology
- Progression in practical work
- Building progression of skills
- Progression of knowledge
- Reviewing your professional development
Course 2
Teaching Practical Science: Physics
4.5 (24 reviews)Participate in CPD to enhance your physics lessons with effective practical work for 14-16 year olds.
3 weeks
3 hours per week
Week 1
Everyday context for physics practicals
- ExpertTrack: Teaching Practical Science: Physics
- Developing your teaching with us
- Bringing in context
- Radioactivity practical work
- Learning with context
Week 2
Progression of learning through physics practical work
- Progression of learning
- Planning progression in practical work
- Linking for learning
Week 3
Assessment of learning through practical work
- Changing barriers into learning opportunities
- Problem solving with practical work
- Assessment through practical work
- Reviewing your professional development
Course 3
Teaching Practical Science: Chemistry
4.7 (27 reviews)Discover approaches to engage 14-16 year old students through practical lessons in chemistry with this CPD for science teachers.
1 peer-graded assignment
3 weeks
3 hours per week
Week 1
Context for chemistry practicals
- ExpertTrack: Teaching Practical Science: Chemistry
- Developing your teaching with us
- Engaging students to learn through practical work
- Making practical work accessible
- Applying what you've learnt
Week 2
Progression in practical chemistry
- Progression of practical technique
- Progression of knowledge
- Planning for progression
Week 3
Assessing learning through practical work
- Assessing learning in practical chemistry
- Planning for assessment
- Subject knowledge or practical skills?
- Reviewing your professional development
Prove you're job ready
Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.
- Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
- Complete each course and pass assessments.
- Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
- Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
- Make your career dreams a reality.
Download a PDF
How ExpertTracks work
Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award which proves your expertise.
Decide if the ExpertTrack is right for you with free access to the full suite of courses and assessments for a week.
Pay a monthly subscription fee of $39 for as long as it takes you to complete the ExpertTrack. You can learn at your own pace and cancel at any time.
Receive a certificate for every completed course and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate.
Use your specialist training to progress further in your career or build expertise in areas you’re passionate about.
World-class learning with National STEM Learning Centre
The National STEM Learning Centre provides world-class professional development activities and resources to support the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.
Meet your instructors
I taught science for ten years and was Head of Science for three years, before becoming a subject specialist at the National STEM Learning Centre.
Professional Development Leader: Physics at the National STEM Learning Centre in York. My background is a Head of Science and Assistant Leader of Teaching and Learning.
www.stem.org.uk
ESERO-UK Teacher Fellow, working for STEM Learning, York. Using the context of space to inspire STEM teaching and learning. Teacher of physics, satellite engineer, father of two.
I am a Professional Development Leader at the National STEM Learning Centre. I have been a biology teacher for 34 years with 10 years as Head of Science and 7 years as a senior leader.
I am a Professional Development Leader at the National STEM Learning Centre in York. My background is chemistry and physics secondary teaching, as well as having been a Head of Science.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
What are our learners saying?
Add a new skill or forge a new path
"I recommend Futurelearn to anyone looking to learn and upskill...If you are in the job market, you might want to add a new skill or forge a new path."
They bring the classroom right to you
"FutureLearn courses are always interesting and informative. They bring the classroom right to you and send you on a journey to explore new ideas and offer interesting topics."
Start learning today - free 2-day trial
After your free trial you can:
- Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
- Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
- Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
- Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
- Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
- Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
- Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends
FAQ
ExpertTracks are a series of online courses designed to help you master new skills in specialist areas. You pay a monthly subscription fee which includes access to all courses within the ExpertTrack, as well as assessments and the final digital certificate.
Each ExpertTrack comes with a 2-day free trial period. You may cancel your subscription at any time and your subscription will automatically cancel when you finish the courses and assessments in your chosen ExpertTrack.
Yes. All of our ExpertTracks come with a 2-day free trial. You may claim one free trial period per ExpertTrack.
You have two days before you will be charged your first monthly subscription fee. When you join an ExpertTrack you automatically receive a 2-day free trial period. You can cancel at any time during the trial period and no payment will be taken from your account.
Please see our full refund policy here.
No, all of our ExpertTracks consist of fully online courses. This means you can take an ExpertTrack from anywhere in the world.
No. ExpertTracks are designed for you to master new skills in a specialist area. You will earn a digital certificate that proves your learning, but it does not carry accreditation.
If you’re looking for certified or accredited courses, many of our microcredentials offer university credit or professional certification.
Have more questions about ExpertTracks? Read the ExpertTracks FAQs, or contact us.