Member 

My community
Forum
Hands on
All tools

Newsletter

Pilot Project: Chemistry for Primary Schools

Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre is developing in co-operation with the University of Helsinki, the Vantaa City School Administration, Federation of Chemical Industry of Finland, and 15 pilot schools new methods for teaching and learning chemistry and science by using the science centre laboratories and exhibitions as an open learning environment combining informal learning and formal school education.

The purpose of the R&D –pilot project is to find out how the primary school pupils explain some concepts of chemistry. The pilot project evaluates the accomplishment of the aims of the Science Centre Heureka’s Children’s Laboratory. The purpose of is also to describe and develop how the pupils experience working in the laboratory under guidance. Secondly, the project is also aiming to get information about different types of motivation and their appearance in science centre learning.

The multidiscipline contents of modern science centre exhibitions are large and unique. This content is a reliable learning source – most of informal learning sources are not valid for schools. The main target group of the project are schools, both pupils and teachers. The goal is to use modern, interactive science laboratories and exhibitions combining the best practices of informal learning and formal education. The network will create new science education solutions.

The goal of this project is to create science education materials by providing the best content already tested in science centres. Access to the results of this project will be disseminated on free-ware basis. The project will develop new strategies in the form of hand-books, directories and guides to spread best practices within the use of science centres. The main focus is on web-based services.

Primary school groups in grades 1–6 are welcome to come and experiment. The laboratory accommodates a maximum of 24 children, who work in pairs under the supervision of a guide.

During the PENCIL-project, Heureka will develop in its Children’s Laboratory five educational chemistry programmes: Bubbling Chemistry, Detective Laboratory, Colourful Chemistry, Water Analysis and Rock Examination.

The exhibits convey to visitors a modern picture of chemistry as a science and an industry, without which our lives would be much more disagreeable, difficult and dangerous.

Target age group
6-12 years old

Languages
Finnish

Methodology

The science centre will use the pedagogical expertise of the other consulting partners (teachers, local school administration, university, and industry) by exchanging information, training the project co-ordinators and promoting project results.
Science centres are made accessible for teachers and schools as open learning environments. Using the information and communication technology strategies is the main element of this co-operation.

Location
Materials will be produced for school, internet and science centre use.

Planned outputs
Documents with best practice for teachers: five laboratory programmes
Guidelines for the Heureka guides about how to use the five laboratories
Programmes at various grades from age 6 to 12
Description and guidelines for how to raise motivation and develop the observation skills of the pupils at the children's lab.

Impact
The aim of the Children’s Laboratory is to interest children in experimental natural science observations. Through the programmes, the children are introduced to laboratory work. In addition, we want to illustrate the significance of cooperation in scientific research. The idea is to develop solutions to be used also in the schools facilities. The demand for chemistry teaching already in primary school level is rising. This project will create innovative solutions for school curriculum to be utilised in every-day school education, too.

Evaluation strategy
Each of the laboratory programmes will be developed and evaluated for certain age groups between 6-12 years.
Partners will together develop pre- and pos-materials to be used before and after the visit.

Pilot coordinator

Heureka, Vantaa, Finland

Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre, works for advancing public understanding of science. It is run by the Science Centre Foundation, a non-profit organisation, with involvement of the entire Finnish academic community, industry, and public administration. It opened for the public in 1989; since then it has had close to 4 million visitors (annual average 307 000), 27% (annual average 78 000) in school groups. Abroad, Heureka’s exhibitions have been seen by 7 million visitors. The main activities are interactive science exhibitions, demonstrations, laboratories, planetarium and school programmes.

Contact details
Heureka, The Finnish Science Centre
P.O. Box 166
01301 Vantaa, Finland
http://www.heureka.fi

Project coordinator
Kati Tyystjärvi
Tel int+358-40-9015214
Email kati.tyystjarvi@heureka.fi
Project leader
Dr. Hannu Salmi
Tel int+358-40-9015263
Email hannu.salmi@heureka.fi

Partners

Scientific partners

University of Helsinki, Department of Education, Finland
Chemical Industry Federation of Finland

Educational partners

The City of Vantaa, School Administration, Finland