‘Bright Ideas’ for Science students

Come this September, primary school students will be introduced to a new and practical approach to learning science. This practical learning will be taught through a new Macmillan Caribbean Science text book series entitled ‘Bright Ideas’.{{more}}

A workshop was held to sensitize primary school science teachers on the use of the texts. It was held at the Kingstown Methodist Hall on Thursday, June 26, and Friday, 27 June, 2009. The first ever workshop of its kind, the two day session featured approximately 52 Government Primary Schools represented by their respective science teachers. The workshop was organized by the St. Vincent Teachers’ Co operative Credit Union (SVUTCCU) and Macmillan, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education.

The interactive session was lead by Barbadian Education Officer and advisor to Macmillan, Pamela Hunte, who advised the teachers on the way in which the texts could best be used to create more student participation in the classroom.

The books will be used by all government schools as of September, while private primary schools will have the option of whether or not to use the book as part of their teaching. Hunte explained that the books will not be used as the main science text for the curriculum but can be used by teachers to teach topics listed on the school’s curriculum.

Hunte outlined the positive features of the text which include its clear objectives listed at the beginning of each subject area, the realistic activities in the book, the culturally relevant exercises and photographs and subject areas focused around modern situations such as global warming and deforestation. The books range from Grade K up to Grade 6 and vary in content to suit each level. The Grade K books include large colorful pictures and require less written work while the activities become more complex as the series advance.

Speaking to Searchlight, Hunte said that the books are “excellent training tools to help children develop science skills.” The books are focused on teaching science in a practical way, involving them in more creative scientific activities to improve their experimental skills. According to Gailene Peters, Supervisor of the Development Department of the SVUTCCU, the texts, which come with workbooks and Teachers’ Guides, are already on the book lists for the new school year. The workbooks and teachers’ guides will be available by the end of the year, she said. The books range from $29.90 to $38 from Grade K to Grade 6.(OS)