Science skills and School Self Evaluation
I believe the school self evaluation process needs to be used to examine STEM practice in a school because STEM is an area that has changed greatly in recent years. It is important to find ways to improve science teaching and learning with reference to modern science skills. The first step would be gathering and analysing evidence of good practice relating to science in the school. A school’s participation in Curious Minds Award program and staff participation in whole staff CPD workshops could be two targets for a SSE. Another target could be ensuring all teachers engage in practical investigation when they are engaging in scientific activity of any kind within their classrooms. Teachers could be supported by school leaders to the scientific approach of observing, hypothesising, predicting, investigating and analysing. A uniform school wide approach to this scientific approach would be best. Using ESERO’S Framework for Inquiry would be best to use. A STEM Improvement Plan would be a great idea to create an achievable timeframe for the achievement of targets. The SSE would then allow the school to report to the whole school community about the STEM strengths in the school as well as its priorities for improvement and development.