14-19 Education
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Design & Technology
The move towards a circular economy requires a new approach to design and hence to design education, one in which systems thinking is central. In conjunction the Design & Technology Association we are developing a range of learning resources for design & technology in key stages 3, 4 and for ‘A’ level that will be published in September 2012. We are also in discussion with the awarding bodies (exam boards) about how best to introduce circular economy concepts into the exam specifications.
Extended Project Qualification
In conjunction with the University of York we are writing a unit for the Edexcel Extended Project Qualification. The qualification provides a framework for ‘A’ level students to develop a project around a topic of their choice. It encourages independent learning and higher order thinking skills. We are producing a series of lessons to stimulate students to think about the future within a positive framework and to develop their own project ideas, these will be published in September 2012.
Chemistry at ‘A’ level
Chemists and materials scientists are at the centre of creating the cradle-to-cradle materials and products that will be at the heart of a circular economy. In conjunction with Salters’ Advanced Chemistry we have commissioned two ‘chemical storylines’ that allow learners to build their theoretical understanding of chemistry within circular economy contexts, these will also be published in September 2012.
Development Field officer programme
From spring time our newly recruited Development Field Officer team will be working direct with schools and education networks to disseminate our resources and evaluate engagement and impact in teaching circular economy content.
STEM
Currently under development are:
- interdisciplinary learning resources to accompany The Future of Energy, which is published in conjunction with National Grid
- an action-research project with a school in North Yorkshire that brings together a secondary school, a waste collection company and a local supermarket around circular economy thinking
- a resource on bio-digestion – this is being developed with the National Science Learning Centre.
Scotland
In collaboration with Education Scotland, the University of Edinburgh and the University of Strathclyde we are launching a programme in Scotland aimed at teachers of technology, science and business.
Handling collection
We are assembling a collection of cradle-to-cradle products that can be used for in-service teacher training and be sent to schools. Each product has a description for students’ use, and more detailed information for teachers. There will also be teaching notes suggesting how the collection can be used in the classroom. We will be trailing these in schools from April this year and look to have them available for uses in September.
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