Rolls-Royce launches interactive resource packs for science teaching

Rolls-Royce plc has launched two interactive resource packs as part of its Rolls-Royce Science Prize initiative.

The resource packs include online games that teachers and pupils can work on together in the classroom plus a wealth of supporting material.

The Darwin’s Footsteps pack aimed at 7-11 year old pupils was inspired by last year’s Science Prize winning project. An interactive whiteboard voyage takes pupils on a journey around the world, during which they complete games and learn about Darwin’s discoveries.

This mirrors the project by St Stephens and All Martyrs’ School in Bolton, Lancashire, which used Darwin’s expeditions to inspire pupils to take an ‘expedition’ around a disused piece of land where they identified, classified and illustrated the local fauna and flora.

Aimed at students aged 14-18, the second resource builds on the work of last year’s runner-up team, Mulberry High School for Girls in London. Teams of pupils compete in an interactive science competition that includes whiteboard and teacher-led activities. The accompanying teachers’ notes show how this can be used as a spring board for cross-curricular activities.

Colin Walton, Science Coordinator at St Stephens and All Martyrs’ Primary School said, “This has been a fantastic opportunity for members of the team and I to help develop a unique teaching resource. Helping to trial the game has been both engaging and motivating for the pupils. I hope that other teachers enjoy using the ideas and lesson suggestions as much as we all have at our school.”

“The Rolls-Royce Science Prize aims to encourage innovative science teaching,” said Vaughan Lewis, Science Prize Project Manager. “By promoting the exchange of prize-winning ideas, these resources will help us to fulfil that.”


Notes to Editors:

1.

The Rolls-Royce Science Prize is open to every school and college in the UK and Republic of Ireland with pupils aged from 3 to 19 years. Awards are presented to teams of adults, led by practising teachers, who can create inspiring and sustainable teaching proposals that address a specific need in their school or college.
2.

The Science Prize programme was developed in consultation with practising teachers and science education advisors in the UK and Republic of Ireland. It has received support from over 25 of the country’s leading education and science-related professional organisations.
3.

The finalists in contention for the 2008 Prize are: La Saggesse School, Tyne and Wear; Matthew Boulton Community Primary School, West Midlands; St Anne’s Primary School, Antrim; Largs Academy, Strathclyde; St Michael’s Roman Catholic School, Cleveland; Upton Hall School, Merseyside; Kings College, Surrey; Loreto Sixth Form College, Manchester and Newent Community School, Gloucestershire.
4.

The nine finalists emerged from a field of 1,500 schools and colleges that registered for the prize before February 2007. All entries are held in a database on the website. By sharing examples of innovation and expertise demonstrated by the teams, the Rolls-Royce Science Prize contributes to the continuing professional development of science teachers.
5.

Rolls-Royce employs 38,000 people worldwide, including over 8,000 scientists and engineers. In 2006, the company spent £30 million on the education and training of its employees, recruiting 154 graduates and 155 apprentices and technicians. In addition, almost 600 undergraduate students were employed for training periods of between two and 12 months. At the end of the year, worldwide there were 295 graduates and 420 apprentices and technicians in formal training programmes.

For further information, please contact:

Justine Steele, Head of Communications Tel: +44 (0) 117 979 0991 Email: justine.steele@rolls-royce.com