Project Faraday — exemplar designs for science
The environment in which science is taught can have a major influence on both
staff and students. Project Faraday set out to promote practical and innovative
secondary-school science facilities which:
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support more interactive and exciting ways of teaching and learning
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fully reflect the requirements of the new science curriculum
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exploit the whole school building and its grounds, not just the laboratories themselves.
Project Faraday's main objective was to develop exemplar designs to inform and inspire all those involved in renewing or refurbishing their science facilities, particularly those involved in major capital programmes such as Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and Academies. It set out to deliver:
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science facilities in six school renewals
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science facilities in six school refurbishments
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a series of suggested 'interactive experiences', some of which will be installed in the 12 school renewals and refurbishments.
The DCSF commissioned three teams of designers, educationalists and practitioners to develop the exemplar designs. Each team was partnered with two schools that were being re-built as part of the 'One School Pathfinder' programme (part of BSF) and provided advice to six refurbishment projects. These 12 schools provide at least one demonstration project in each Government Office for the English Regions.
The teams have also designed the 'interactive experiences' that demonstrate key scientific principles. These may be part of the fabric of the school building or free-standing and will be used as an additional teaching tool to help deliver parts of the curriculum in an interactive way.
The resulting designs are published in a book to inspire schools, local authorities and designers involved in major secondary school projects. The book includes a literature search and a visit report each as part of the Faraday teams' research in developing exemplar science facilities. Computer animations of science facilities, interactive experiments and detail design brochures for their allocated schools are also included.
Project Faraday Exemplar Designs for
Science.
The Faraday teams have also produced a literature search and a visit report
each as part of their research in developing exemplar science facilities. Their
reports, computer animations of science facilities, interactive experiments and
detail design brochures for their allocated schools can be found in the links
below:
DEGW:
GovEd communications:
White Design Associates:
Last updated: 02 June 2008
