Primary Science Special Issue Journal celebrates the diversity and reach of the Great Science Share for Schools

This month, the Association of Science Education have published a special edition of their Primary Science Journal focussed on the Great Science Share for Schools (GSSfS), showcasing the many ways educators from across the UK and internationally have engaged with the newly adapted, digital campaign. Readers can gain an insight into the scope of the campaign by exploring the journal and discovering the inspiring ways in which educators have harnessed the Great Science Share to unlock their learner’s scientific questions.

This special issue of ‘Primary Science’ is part of a larger COVID-19 response from GSSfS, as face-to-face dissemination methods and teaching has been curtailed. The GSSfS project has run for several years and 2020 was an exceptional year – for many reasons! Like so many others, GSSfS had to respond and adapt – and this issue highlights some of those adaptations and how GSSfS maintained its success despite the challenges; all published in this online, open access journal.

Among the articles, is the journey of one school in Northern Ireland who have taken part in the campaign since 2017, involving other schools in their local community. Neil McAllister, Deputy Headteacher of Fairview Primary School, Northern Ireland speaks of the enthusiasm at his school: “Staff and pupils talked about it all year – what they would share, can they have more than one table to share their science?”

The Great Science Share for Schools is the award-winning campaign that invites 5-14 year olds to share their own scientific questions and investigations aiming to raise the profile of science in schools and communities and inspire young people into science and engineering. Since its inception, the campaign has reached over 200,000 young people nationally and internationally.

Dr Lynne Bianchi, GSSfS Director, University of Manchester, said: “GSSfS stands apart by valuing children’s scientific curiosity and communication – placing it front and centre of this fast-growing campaign.”

You can access the special issue here.

To keep up to date with the Great Science Share for Schools campaign, visit the Great Science Share for Schools website and follow them on Twitter @GreatSciShare