Lockdown Learning – the art of science

Teachers in Orkney are continuing to find new and innovative ways to ensure engagement with senior pupils who remain in school part-time.

Stromness Academy S2 pupils have been benefiting from a blended approach to science during lockdown and restrictions.

Science Teacher, Neil Blance, explained: “Recently the S2 science classes have been working on electricity. In order to keep enthusiasm and engagement levels high we have worked on a blended approach to the provision of education.

“This has included live lessons to the year group on Friday mornings featuring some interactive events, live demonstrations and quizzes. Engagement and participation has been very high for this group with big turnouts every Friday morning.

“As pupils have returned to school in small groups, we have been using a blended learning approach due to students being in school part time and providing them with home experiment kits to complement the learning they are doing and keep them engaged in science.”

Recently, they were able to make small electric motors to demonstrate movement caused by electric current and magnetic fields. The exercise tested their patience and ingenuity resulting in some great work submitted by pupils.

Pupils themselves said: “I really enjoyed it, it made learning fun”.

It was good, the teachers made it as straightforward as possible and you could answer questions when needed, also I found the online classes/class helped a lot.

Mr Blance added that this new way of learning is something that may be incorporated longer term due to its success.

“From the positive feedback we will continue to build and develop this style of learning when we have all students back full time.”