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Science programmes in the UK

Using puppets to engage children and get them talking about science

Jasmin and Benny are two puppets who have dedicated themselves to
getting primary school children interested in science.

The puppets owe their existence to Brenda Keogh and Stuart Naylor,
internationally-recognised experts in primary school science. Brenda
and Stuart have researched how to use puppets in science lessons and
developed guidance for primary teachers. We are supporting them in
their work, aided by the Nuffield Foundation.

Jasmin and Benny work with teachers using a storybook and animated CD.
In each story our two heroes are faced with some kind of problem, and
these problems have a science theme. The children have to find out how
to solve the problems in order to help Jasmin and Benny.

Research to date has shown that Jasmin and Benny are very popular with
their young audience, so they seem set for a glittering career in
primary school science education.

With GSK’s support schools will get access to a package which includes:

• a storybook and animated CD;
• Jasmin and Benny (or two of their puppet friends);
• professional development to provide guidance for teachers on using the stories and puppets.

The training and resources are available through local authorities and Science Learning Centres (in England) at highly subsidised cost.   Contact your local science adviser to find out about training in your area, or look at the project website www.puppetsproject.com for details of courses each term.

CREST Star Investigators
CREST Star Investigators is one example of a GSK-supported initiative that encourages students to become actively involved in science activities.

The new UK-wide programme provides primary schools with motivating science activities to run in after-school science clubs, backed by training for club leaders. Children engage in activities which will count towards CREST Star Investigator awards at three levels: Science Star Awards for 5-7 year olds, Science Superstar for 7-9 year olds and Science Megastar for 9-11 year olds. Also for 9-11 year olds there will be an opportunity to become Young Science Ambassadors. By 2010 it is planned that 5,000 schools and 55,000 children will be taking part in the programme.

This scheme is being developed and managed by the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

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