Teachers' views on possible LC science specifications. AerPrize Biennial Competition details. The GLOBE (Ireland) Programme. Myths, Mistakes & ...
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S p e c i a l I S TA
Official Journal of the Irish Science Teachers’ Association Eol-Oidí na hÉireann
Annual Conference
Volume 55
Number 1
November 2019
Teachers’ views on possible LC science specifications.
AerPrize Biennial Competition details.
The GLOBE (Ireland) Programme.
Myths, Mistakes & Misconceptions about Respiration.
Pioneer of Science Education - William Heller.
SCIENCE - November 2019
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SCIENCE - November 2019
In this issue of SCIENCE
SCIENCE is the journal of the Irish
Science Teachers Association (ISTA).
The ISTA promotes the interests of
President’s Reflection...................................................................................Gerald Fleming...................3
Irish Science Teachers.
Chairman’s Report........................................................................................A Ó Súilleabháin . ..............5
SCIENCE is published three times a
News & Views................................................................................................Mary Mullaghy....................8
year. The material published in SCI-
ISTA President Receives Highest Honour..........................................................................................8
Dave Fahy RIP: .................................................................................................................................8 ENCE by the voluntary editorial team
ISTA Annual Conference 2020...........................................................................................................8 and contributors must not be taken as
Senior Science Quizzes.....................................................................................................................8 official ISTA policy unless specifically
Chemistry in Action ...........................................................................................................................8 stated.
Science & Technology in Action.........................................................................................................8
ICASE – World Science & Technology Education Conference..........................................................8
ISTA Council Executive
The Great Irish Science Book............................................................................................................9 Association President
Women in their Element.....................................................................................................................9 Gerald Fleming
Chairperson
Transit of Mercury 2019 ...............................................................................Seosamh Ó Braonáin.........9 Aodhagán Ó Súilleabháin.
AerPrize Competition 2020...........................................................................Info & Entry Details...........10 aosuilleabhain@heywood.ie
Vice-chairperson
Moving from JC Science to the LC Sciences.............................................Dr Declan Kennedy..........12 Seán Finn.
s.finn@ucc.ie
Astrophotography in the classroom............................................................Dr. Richard Moynihan.......18 Honorary Secretary
Dr. Maria Sheehan.
GLOBE (Ireland) Understanding of the real-life implications of science.................................................20 mariasheehan400@gmail.com
SciFest: Take STEM from the classroom to the world stage....................Hugo Rowsome................22 Past-chairperson
Seán Fogarty.
What happened to the Physics & Chemistry course?...............................Dr. Peter E. Childs............25 snjnfogarty@gmail.com
Treasurer
STEMreach Problem Solving & Puzzle Fair................................................Dr Cordula Weiss ............26 Brian Clarke.
bclarke@cik.ie
Implementing ‘Blended Learning’ into Modern Day Science Teaching....Ryan Gallagher................28 Assistant Treasurer
Get Your Writing Right!.................................................................................Randal Henly....................31 Dr. Brian Smyth
bds53@eircom.net
Sea of Desolation..........................................................................................Paul Holland.....................32 Membership Secretary
Dr. Declan Kennedy.
McCulloch’s Musings....................................................................................Ian McCulloch .................34 d.kennedy@ucc.ie
Website Administrator
Myths, Mistakes & Misconceptions about Respiration..............................Declan Cathcart................36 Mary Mullaghy.
A Day on The Bog..........................................................................................Nuala Madigan.................41 mmullaghy@gmail.com
Editor of SCIENCE
Pioneers of Science Education #8: William Mayhowe Heller....................Dr. Peter E. Childs............42 Sean Fogarty.
snjnfogarty@gmail.com
Crossword......................................................................................................Randal Henly....................50
ISTA Branch Representatives
W
elcome reviewing what makes a the high grades and the Cork.
Ryan Gallagher.
to the good syllabus and make associated points they are ryangallagher2010@hotmail.com
James Holden.
first ISTA it clear to the NCCA that looking for. So if any of this jimmyholden2gmail.com
journal for the we do not want a repeat concerns you do make Donegal. Christopher Hegarty.
christopherhrgarty@donegaletb.ie
2019/20 school of the fiasco that is the sure to read Declan’s Dublin.
year. This is a Junior Certificate science article and sign up for Humphery Jones.
humphery.jones@gmail.com
bumper issue syllabus. our special symposium in Sean Kelleher.
with great articles, too February. kellehersean@jahoo.ie
This year’s rather belated Mary Sheridan.
many to mention them all Junior Certificate results I must also draw your mary.j.sheridan@gmail.com
Galway. James Stephens.
here. I would however like came as quite a shock to attention to the second jamesstephens24@gmail.com
to bring your attention Dr most science teachers with running of the AerPrize
Kerry.
Declan Kennedy’s article only 2% of their students ( w w w. a e r p r i z e . c o m ) Kildare. Dorothy Fox.
discussing the imminent nationwide achieving a competition, aimed at
dorothyfox@wicklowvec.ie
Kilkenny/Carlow. Rachel Hott
release of the new Leaving distinction in this the first rachel.balance@gmail.com
Certificate science syllabi. Limerick/Clare. Maria Sheehan.
running of the new exam. Continued on page 50. mariasheehan400@gmail.com
In his article Declan It would seem from the North Midlands. Irene O’Sullivan
reviews the response of Write for osullivan.irene@gmail.com
reports of correctors that Sligo. Caroline Hooper.
ISTA members, to the ‘SCIENCE’ Hopper.caroline78@gmail.com
this was the level that Tipperary. Paddy Daly.
prospect of the same the SEC felt appropriate patrickdaly1943@gmail.com
format used for the for the cohort of students Contributions of
Waterford. Mary McDonagh.
mmcdonagh@delasallewaterford.ie
Junior Certificate being taking science. If this is the features, news items Wexford. Seán Fogarty.
used for the new Leaving snjnforgarty@eircom.net
case, for a common level and photographs for
Certificate science syllabi. paper, at Junior Certificate SCIENCE are always Editorial Team
Editor
The responses were so level then we can expect welcome and should Sean Fogarty.
unanimously opposed to that the success rate in be sent to the Editor
snjnfogarty@gmail.com
Assistant Editor for Biology
such a scenario that we any forthcoming paper at snjnfogarty@gmail. Siobhán Sweeney.
have decided that a special for the updated Leaving com.
siobhanscottsweeney@gmail.com
Assistant Editor for Chemistry
and earlier ISTA AGM will Certificate science course Mary Mullaghy.
be held in February (more Contributors' guide- mmullaghy@gmail.com
will be no better. Many of lines can be down- Assistant Editors for Physics
details in News Section). you have expressed your Richard Fox.
This will give all of us a loaded from the ISTA richardtw.fox@gmail.com
concerns that students will website, www.ista.ie. Seosamh Ó Braonáin.
chance to take part in be put off taking Leaving
obraonainseosamh@gmail.com
Assistant Editor for Primary Science
To join ISTA and
Certificate science Dr. Maeve Liston.
receive three issues of maeve.liston@mic.ul.ie
subjects as they will
SCIENCE delivered to Advertising Sales Director
perceive them as being too Aodhagán Ó Súilleabháin.
you each year, please
difficult and offering them aosuilleabhain@heywood.ie
also go to our website.
little chance of achieving
1 www.ista.ie
SCIENCE - November 2019 www.ista.ie 2
SCIENCE - November 2019
President’s Reflection
Gerald Fleming
T he Nobel Prizes in some of the scientific dis-
ciplines were announced recently, and it is
interesting to reflect on the topics that were the
fundamental insights into who and what we are,
and where we came from.
I am reminded that the work of physics derives
subject of the prize-winner’s work. The prizes from what used to be called “natural philoso-
in chemistry, shared between three researchers, phy” and that, for all the technological devel-
were for work in developing lithium-ion battery opment spawned by physics discoveries down
technology. The development of these devices through the ages, the essential philosophical
has greatly increased the “energy density” of imperative that drives physics remains as strong
rechargeable batteries and enabled smaller vi- as ever. As humans the impetus to understand
able battery packs to be developed for mobile and make sense of the world around us remains
phones, laptops and the like. More recently it an essential challenge; that which differentiates
is the same battery technology that provides the us from the animals and is in many ways the
power to electric cars. Given that we will prob- essence of our “humanity”.
ably all be moving over to electric cars in the
next decade or so the timeliness of this break- All of which emphasises the need for “basic”
through in electro-chemistry is striking. scientific research; research that is not direct-
ed at improving some technological process,
Of course, as is usual, the Nobel Prize is award-
or focused on processes and developments that
ed for work carried out some time ago – in this
can be patented and monetised (although there
case during the 1970s and 1980s. Still, it is
should be a place for all of these too). Basic
impressive to realise how quickly the technol-
research, aimed at broadening and deepening
ogy made it from the research laboratory into
our knowledge and understanding of ourselves
enabling smartphones and other “essential”
and all that is around us, is an obligation placed
tools to modern-day living, and to realise that
upon us by our role as representing the highest
without this work we might still be carrying
point (thus far) in the evolutionary process.
around mobile phones that were the size of a
small brick, and suffering a lot more “charging Of course there are many who would challenge
anxiety”. There is still a bit of work to do before the notion of humans as the highest point of
the batteries that power electric cars can deliver the evolutionary process, and there is a wealth
the range of a tank of petrol or diesel, but every of evidence to support that view. Among that
year seems to bring improvement and no doubt evidence might be that we have known about
the solution will be found. climate change and its attendant risks to our ex-
It is a quirk of the lithium-ion battery that, under certain condi- istence for many decades now, but we have still to put a mean-
tions, such as excess applied pressure, they can spontaneously ingful dent in the ever-increasing rise of carbon dioxide emis-
combust. Thus the extra lecture we now routinely receive dur- sions to the atmosphere. During the upcoming Science Week
ing the pre-flight safety demonstrations on-board aircraft, about in early November, I will be presenting a documentary on RTÉ
calling your friendly steward or stewardess if your mobile phone One television, along with environmental scientist Dr Cara Au-
happens to fall into your seat. Adjusting the seat while the phone gustenborg, during which we will look at the challenges of Cli-
is trapped may inadvertently provide that applied pressure, and mate Change in the Irish context.
one place you don’t need even a small fire is on a Boeing or I got to interview some very fascinating people during the mak-
Airbus! ing of the documentary, and while none of them underestimated
In contrast, the Nobel Prize for Physics was shared between two the scale of the challenge nonetheless there was an overall posi-
research efforts in the related fields of astronomy and cosmolo- tive sense that we can get on top of this problem and devise car-
gy. The stars have fascinated mankind throughout our existence, bon-neutral lifestyles that will not entail tremendous sacrifices
and the most ancient cultures made records of what they saw in at the personal or community level. Of course our temperate cli-
the night skies, marvelling at the rich textures of starlight now mate and ocean-side location will shield us from the worst of the
invisible to most of us in the western world, living as we do in physical manifestations of climate change, but other parts of the
a light-polluted environment where true darkness has become world – and of Europe – will be much more seriously affected
almost unknown. and may become virtually uninhabitable. Dealing with the social
So it is interesting that the stars are still a subject of fascination and political fallout from all of that may prove a challenge of a
and study, and all the more astonishing when we read that the different order.
2019 Nobel Prize for physics was given for work that “contribut- During the making of the documentary I got to visit Greenland
ed to answering fundamental questions about our existence” no and to walk on to the edge of the icecap there. Once you adjust to
less! As someone who was a physicist before specialising as a the noise of the wind that howls down from the centre of Green-
meteorologist, I am fascinated by how physics looks at the very land, where the icecap reaches to an altitude of about 4,000 m,
largest things we know about - stars and galaxies – and the very the prevailing sound is the constant drip-drip-drip as the edge of
smallest – sub-atomic particles such as quarks, mesons, muons, the icecap slowly melts and retreats. This is the audio track of
bosons, neutrinos – and in each case derives very profound and climate change; slow, steady and seemingly inevitable.
3 www.ista.ie
SCIENCE - November 2019 www.ista.ie 4
SCIENCE - November 2019
Chairman’s Report
Aodhagán Ó Súilleabháin
Ihope that all readers of SCIENCE have enjoyed settling
into the new academic year with its many challenges and
are feeling energised after a much needed mid-term break.
also reiterated “Mr Google has his place, but it cannot be-
come the touchstone for everything”. He concluded with
the assertion that the points race has to figure strongly in
Many thanks to Mr Sean Fogarty, our editor, on behalf of all curriculum reform.
ISTA members throughout the country, for his patience and
energy in putting this issue of SCIENCE together with such At this point, the Minister for Education and Skills Mr Joe
a wonderful result. Thank you also to all the contributors McHugh, TD, arrived and addressed the assembly. He
and advertisers. spoke eloquently to reassure us that he was conscious
of the current flux and pace of change happening in sec-
Senior Cycle Review ond level and spoke of “ensuring we take the time to get
National Consultation forum this right”. He encouraged the continuation of consultation
mechanisms saying “If we are going to get it right we need
I was delighted to be in a position to attend the ‘Senior
to hear everybody’s voice”. He acknowledged teachers
Cycle Review: National Consultation forum’ in Croke Park
as equal arbitrators in going about change and stressed
on Wednesday, 16th October. After an introduction by
teachers’ ability to be pragmatic. He highlighted the need
the NCCA chairperson, Ms Mary O’Sullivan, Ms Beatriz
to move toward pathways instead of endgames and ac-
Pont, Senior Education Policy Analyst (OECD) presented
knowledged the need to ensure we equip schools with
the preliminary findings of the OECD assessment. Find-
guidance councillors. He stressed the importance of ap-
ings indicate that the Irish Leaving Certificate holds high
prenticeships and the need to prepare young people for
levels of trust by the public, is deeply rooted in national
culture and that the Leaving Certificate assessment and life, progression and the development of resilience and
points system, “gatekeeper to Higher Education,” results responsibility. He acknowledged that the current Leaving
in highly motivated students with above average anxiety Certificate system provides a lot of this, requiring time
levels. The introduction of the Junior Cycle came to my management, prioritisation etc. He appreciated the exten-
mind at this point. The confusion that resulted at Junior Cy- sive comments from teachers and parents on the pressure
cle level from the introduction of new specifications, while Leaving Certificate students are under during the three
most teachers were unable to engage with CPD due to weeks of the State Examinations and emphasised the cur-
industrial action, simply cannot be allowed to happen at rent opportunity to address this. He concluded his address
Senior Cycle level. We will see unprecedented levels of with an Irish phrase ‘Rotha Mór an tSaoil’, using it to em-
stress among our students. Notably, the report also found phasise the need to ask ourselves what we can take from
an above average index of teacher support in Science les- the past to build for the future.
sons. Ms Evelyn O’Connor of the NCCA then outlined what
The remaining events comprised of the presentation of
was emerging from the NCCA review to date and outlined
three table discussion questions that were opened for
the guiding principles for an evolving Senior Cycle. A report
stakeholders to discuss in groups and submit their com-
of this review will be issued in due course.
ments. Each discussion was preceded with a thought-
Ms Deirdre MacDonald, President of the ASTI and Mr ful overview of feedback to date by Ms Louise O’Reilly
John MacGabhann, General Secretary of the TUI gave (NCCA) with perspectives presented by other invited
their perspectives. Ms MacDonald emphasised that our speakers. Of particular note was the suggestion by Mr Tim
current external assessment systems are highly regarded Desmond, Head of Examination and Assessment Division,
internationally and that the teacher/student relationship is SEC, that pressure surrounding the Leaving Certificate
essential and must not be interfered with. She claimed that examinations, with the “relentless pursuit of CAO points”,
everything that matters does not need to be timetabled ex- could be reduced by having more general entry courses
plaining that much current extracurricular school activity into Third Level Institutions. This received a spontaneous
developed life skills. She also emphasised that we need to round of applause. The discussion questions put to all
thoroughly examine Junior Cycle and its outcomes before present were:
moving on to the Senior Cycle, stating, “We cannot build
• How can we develop and diversify pathways and cur-
on wet cement”. Mr MacGabhann emphasised that teach-
riculum programmes?
ers “will not fall victim to workload” however virtuous the
purpose may be. He stressed the importance of retaining • How can we broaden assessment and reporting to
the 6 - 7 subjects of the Leaving Certificate, discouraging support successful transitions beyond school?
excessive specialisation at this point. He called for curric-
ulum developers to “not be lured into fads and fashion”, • What are the implications of senior cycle change for
encouraging a focus on durability and validity instead. He professional learning and for teachers and school
5 www.ista.ie
SCIENCE - November 2019
leaders? The ISTA will have raised these issue directly with the
NCCA by the time this issue is published. A delegation
Overall the day was a productive opportunity for those
from the ISTA is meeting with the NCCA very shortly to
attending to be informed of the findings of the review of
present a report on the ‘Draft background paper and brief
Senior Cycle to date, to reflect on these findings and to
for the development of Leaving Certificate physics, chem-
have some input on the key questions outlined above. I
istry and biology (September 2019)’ on behalf of the ISTA.
came away with the feeling that those involved in curricu-
lum reform are very much open to ideas and that the de- NCCA feedback on the early enactment of the
velopment of solutions to some of these issues will not be Junior Cycle Science, Business Studies and En-
straightforward. I would encourage teachers to engage in glish Specifications
such events if the opportunities present themselves in the Teachers are now being asked by the NCCA to provide
future. feedback on the early enactment of the Junior Cycle Sci-
Senior Science Specifications ence, Business and English Specifications. Three con-
sultation events have been organised. A maximum of 20
I would like to thank our subject convenors, Mr Sean Finn teachers per subject, per event, is permitted to register.
(Physics), Ms Lisa Darley (Chemistry) and Ms Margaret The venues and dates for these events are as follows:
Hourigan (Biology), for their work so far on the Senior Sci-
ence development groups, the first meeting of which took • Cork (Clayton Hotel, Lapps Quay, Cork City):
place on September 13th in Athlone. The curriculum speci- 12th November
fication for each subject is due to be published in Septem-
ber 2020 and is scheduled to be introduced to classrooms • Galway (Galmont Hotel, Lough Atalia Road, Galway):
18th November
in September 2021. Well done to all science teachers who
attended the Focus Group sessions on the Senior Sci- • Dublin (Hilton Hotel, Kilmainham): 5th December
ence Specification development or completed the online
questionnaire. It is vital that each teacher considers the Registration for these events can be done through the
issues involved and communicates their views. Ms Beat- NCCA website under Junior Cycle. Written submissions
riz Pont (OECD) asked of curriculum development at the can also be made on a downloadable template found on
Senior Cycle Review in Croke Park “Does it have vision, the website and e-mailed to consultations@ncca.ie by
theory of change? Does it have inclusive stakeholder en- Wednesday 11th December 2019.
gagement?” Many science teachers are extremely busy at
Youth Assembly on Climate Change
this time of year, working far beyond the allocated teach-
ing hours on sporting events, CBA planning, CPD, Open It is with great enthusiasm I await the debate on Climate
Nights and other events that need attention and careful Change proposals by our newly formed national Youth As-
planning. Many teachers I engage with do not regularly sembly on Climate. I applaud all those who applied for this
look up the NCCA website. It is clear that many teachers wonderful opportunity for their enthusiasm, in what turned
were unaware of the mechanisms of consultation available out to be an intensive application process, and wish all 157
and of the deadlines for these mechanisms. The NCCA who were selected as delegates on the Youth Assembly a
could do more to ensure that teachers are aware of these productive and enjoyable day on Friday November 15th.
consultation devices and deadlines e.g. posters placed in On this date, they will take their seats in the Dáil Éireann
every staffroom in the country. As Ms Pont said, “If stake- Chamber to discuss what Ireland needs to do to take ac-
holders are not included then it will not be implemented in tion on climate and environmental issues. The event will
the classroom”. be broadcast on RTE News Now and Oireachtas TV, pro-
viding an excellent opportunity for teachers to tune in with
In the ISTA report ‘Listening to the Voice of Science teach- their classes to witness the debate and provide material
ers’ a staggering 85% of science teachers responded that for further climate change discussion with their students.
they would be either dissatisfied with (33%) or found un-
acceptable (52%) the application of the Junior Science Amgen Biotech Experience
specification template to the specifications of the Leaving I had the pleasure of attending the Amgen Biotech Expe-
Certificate sciences. This style of template has already rience workshop recently in preparation for the delivery of
been applied to the Leaving Certificate Agricultural Sci- biotechnology classes in my school. The Amgen Biotech
ence specification. I certainly hope the Senior Science Experience (ABE), previously endorsed by the ISTA, is
development groups can produce a satisfactory specifica- an innovative science education program that empowers
tion that will not raise the stress levels of both teachers teachers to bring biotechnology to their laboratories. The
and students, with such high consequences resulting from workshop itself was well structured, professionally deliv-
the Leaving Certificate assessment. This will undoubtedly ered and thoroughly enjoyable. Once I had been trained
happen if there is no clarity with regard to the depth of in its use ample equipment was made available to me
treatment of learning outcomes, a recurring issue in the for use in my laboratory. My heartfelt congratulations and
feedback the ISTA received in its report ‘Listening to the thanks to Ms Barbara Hughes (Project coordinator), Ms
Voice of Science Teachers’. Ann-Marie Barry (Technical Attendant) and Ms Fiona Wat-
www.ista.ie 6
SCIENCE - November 2019
ters (Public Engagement and Module Development Coor- Science planning. Congratulations to all involved.
dinator). Thank you also to Ms Elaine Quinn (ABE Ireland
Site Director). Young Scientist 2020
I would like to congratulate all students who qualified for
ISTA AGM in the Explorium this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition
The ISTA is very excited to hold our annual conference and the teachers who worked with them to achieve this
on the weekend of the 8th of February in the Explorium in goal. As you all know the exhibition is a wonderful event,
Dublin. I had the pleasure of Mr Mark Langtry’s company providing a wealth of life experiences for participants. The
as I viewed the wonders of the Explorium for the first time ISTA has a stand at the competition and we are looking for
during the summer and I must say I was very impressed volunteers among ISTA members to take an hour at the
with the exhibits and the activities available. As the Explo- stand to engage with the public. An e-mail will be sent to all
rium website says “feed your curiosity with more than 300 members soon asking for volunteers to select an hour dur-
eye-popping interactive science and STEM experiences!” ing the exhibition to attend the stand. Your support would
Combined with the usual events organised for the ISTA be greatly appreciated!
AGM it is already shaping up for a fantastic weekend. I
hope to see you there. Senior Science Quiz 2019
Best of luck to all students participating in the finals of the
JCT Science Symposium ISTA Senior Science Quiz to be held at the Trinity Biomed-
The JCT Science team held their inaugural symposium in ical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin on Saturday
Cork Institute of Technology on Saturday the 14th Septem- 23rd November. Regional finals of the quiz were held at
ber. A thoughtful group exercise on communication was fourteen venues around the country during Science Week.
followed by a number of presentations and workshops on Thanks to Ms Mary Mullaghy for all the hard work she puts
a variety of topics. These included a presentation on stu- in every year in preparation for this event.
dent activities in Cork Educate together secondary school
regarding climate change and a report of the activities of That is all from me for now. I wish you the best with your
teachers from Temple Carraig school, Greystones and teaching over the coming weeks and I hope you come out
Templeogue College, Dublin who collaborated on Junior the other side of this term achieving all you set out to do!
CONSIDERING A ENQUIRIES TO:
CAREER IN SCIENCE?
School of STEM Office:
Ms. Claire Horan
Email: claire.horan@staff.ittralee.ie
Tel: 066 7145612
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7 www.ista.ie
SCIENCE - November 2019
News & Views
Mary Mullaghy
I STA President Receives European Metrological
Societies Highest Honour I STA Annual Conference 2020
The ISTA Annual Conference 2020 will
In September the President of ISTA, Mr Gerald Flem- take place in the Explorium, on Satur-
ing, was presented with the EMS Silver Medal at the 2019 day 8th February 2020. The conference
Annual Meeting of the European Meteorological Society will open on Friday 7th February in the
which took place in Lyngby, Denmark. The Silver Medal is Conference Hotel with a keynote speak-
the highest award conferred by the EMS and is awarded er - details to be confirmed. The change
annually; among the previous win- from the previously advertised data is due to all the flux
ners is Prof Peter Lynch of UCD. in the Science Education landscape and the Sustainabil-
The citation for the 2019 award ity of Science Education in Ireland. The theme this year
read: ‘This award recognises his is From Junior Cycle Science to Leaving Certificate biol-
outstanding contribution to the ogy, chemistry and physics: Issues and Challenges. All
communication of meteorological conference participants will also have the unique oppor-
information through enhancing the tunity of trying out some of the activities in the Explorium
public understanding of meteoro- - a great place for school tours of all ages. Conference
logical services and issues, and Hotel: Clayton Hotel, Leopardstown, Dublin. Registration
strengthening and fostering exper- and more details will be online via a conference web-
tise in broadcast meteorology’. site later: www.istaconference.com As it is earlier this
year all branches must have their annual general meet-
At the meeting Gerald Fleming gave the Silver Medal Lec-
ings in advance as per the Association’s Constitution.
ture, titled:
From Cardboard Charts to Climate Change – Four De-
cades of Challenges in Communi-
S enior Science Quizzes
cating Weather Information. The Regional Finals of the annual
ISTA Senior Science Quizzes took
The laudation was given by Ms
place in 14 venues nationwide at 7
Haleh Kootval, consulting spe-
pm on Thursday 14th November. The
cialist in meteorology and service
National Final, sponsored by Bio-
delivery at the World Bank and
PharmaChemical Ireland, will take
former Chief of the Public Weath-
place in TBSI in Trinity College on
er Services (PWS) Programme of
Saturday 23rd November. We are delighted to have Mark
the World Meteorological Organi-
Langtry as guest quizmaster in the Final.
sation.
D ave Fahy RIP:
C hemistry in Action
The latest issue of Chemistry in Action! #114
Dave, originally from Galway,
is now out. It is also on the Chemistry in Ac-
was an engineer and business
tion! website www.cheminaction.com togeth-
professional who worked on sci-
er with the most recent back issues.
ence-related events in Ireland.
These included the EuroScience
Open Forum (ESOF)/City of Science in 2012, Festival of
Curiosity, Sci:Com and Schrödinger at 75. “Dave had a
marvellous, wry sense of humour, he knew how to handle
S cience & Technology in Action
The 15th edition of Science & Technology in
the bureaucracy and politics of organising events and his
Action should be in all schools in November.
people skills meant he could smooth things over. He didn’t
Be in with a chance to win a €100 One4All
sweat the small stuff” said Prof Luke O’Neill who worked
voucher by taking their short teacher sur-
with him on several events. “I will miss him as a dear friend
vey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M39RX6C
and adviser”. When I approached him as ISTA chairper-
son/representative he provided free tickets for both ESOF
and Schrödinger 75 which were raffled and distributed to I CASE – World Science & Technology Education
Conference
ISTA members. We have all lost a great friend.
The 6th World Conference on Science and Technology
www.ista.ie 8SCIENCE - November 2019
which is organised by ICASE (International Council of As-
sociations for Science Education) is scheduled for Suan
Nong Nooch Garden Pattaya-Thailand from 2nd - 6th De-
Sky & Space -
cember 2019. The theme of the conference is The Future Transit of Mercury 2019
of Science and Technology Education. Established in
1973, the objectives of ICASE are to extend and enhance Seosamh Ó Braonáin
the work of its member organizations; provide and support
activities and opportunities to enhance formal and non-for-
Monday 11th of November 12.30 to 16.30 (beginning of
mal science and technology education worldwide; estab-
Science Week!)
lish and maintain an international communication network;
and encourage and support the establishment and devel-
opment of professional science and technology organisa-
S
unspot on the left edge,
Mercury bottom centre.
tions, especially where none currently exists in a country.
T he Great Irish Science Book
What is it:
Professor Luke O’Neill has
launched a new science book. Mercury comes directly in between us and the Sun, a rare
The Great Irish Science Book event, the next one is in 2032.
looks at science through a What can we see:
child’s eye. Travel through the
galaxies and stars, down to our very own planet Earth and A small black dot will move across the Sun: DO NOT
across its fabulous features, into our wonderful bodies and LOOK AT THIS
all their cells, and on down to the very elements and atoms How can we SAFELY observe:
that make up all things, learning how it works along the
Use the projection meth-
way. The book is illustrated by Linda Fährlin and published
od with a telescope pref-
by Gill Books, should inspire young minds as to how Ire-
erably at least ×50 magni-
land and its scientists have made huge contributions to
fication (Mercury is small).
science, as well as sparking their curiosity via a few exper-
iments that will help them think like scientists. To observe online:
Professor O’Neill said: “It’s been such a thrill writing The check on https://slooh.
Great Irish Science Book and Linda Fährlin did such a fan- com and NASAtv at https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/
tastic job with the illustrations. We hope the book will en- nasatv/#public they are likely to broadcast live.
courage the next generation of scientists to join us on our
great scientific adventure”.
Why is it important?
W omen in their Element 1. This is how planets orbiting around other stars have
been discovered in recent years
2. See Junior Cycle Science exam 2019 q 10
This book offers an original viewpoint on the
history of the Periodic Table: a collective vol- 3. The Nobel Physics
ume with short illustrated papers on women Prize was awarded this
and their contribution to the building and the year to two scientists
understanding of the Periodic Table and of who discovered the
the elements themselves. Stories of female first exoplanet in 1995
input, the editors believe, will contribute to the understand- 4. The telescope used by the National Schools Obser-
ing of the nature of science, of collaboration as opposed vatory as described by Richie Moynihan in this issue
to the traditional depiction of the lone genius. While the has also discovered many exoplanets using this tran-
discovery of elements will be a natural part of this collec- sit method.
tive work, the editors aim to go beyond discovery histories. BONUS:
Stories of women contributors to the chemistry of the ele-
ments will also include understanding the concept of an el- On 11th November and onwards,
ement, identifying properties, developing analytical meth- Venus is visible low in the south-
ods, mapping the radioactive series, finding applications west just after sunset.
of elements, and the participation of women as audiences For more up to date information:
when new elements were presented at lectures. As for the
selection of women, the chapters include pre-periodic ta-
follow me on twitter @BraonainO
References:
I n a small telescope,
Venus can be seen
to be about 90% full
ble contributions as well as recent discoveries, unknown timeanddate.com, earthsky.org, ex- phase at the moment,
stories as well as more famous ones. The main emphasis aminations.ie, https://www.rte.ie/ its phase will gradually
will be on work conducted in the late 19th century and ear- news/world/2019/1008/1081891-
change to a crescent by
ly 20th century. summer 2020
nobel-prize-winner/
9 www.ista.ieSCIENCE - November 2019
AerPrize Competition 2020
Irish Air Corps
A t our AGM earlier this year we confirmed the 2019-2020
round of the biannual AerPrize competition. The
ISTA is once again delighted to be involved
will then go on to a second round. All members of these
teams will have an equal chance to win the top prize
of flight training in California.
in running this competition, the aim of The second round will take place at the
which is to promote STEM subjects in headquarters of the Irish Air Corps,
Irish schools. As in the 2017-2018 Baldonnel Aerodrome. The airbase,
competition the amazing prize is dating back to 1917 was the one
a fully funded 7-week trip to the from which the first successful
United States for two lucky sec- east-west Atlantic crossing as
ond level students to train and well as the first Aer Lingus flight
get their Private Pilot’s Licence took place in 1936. It was also
(PPL). The competition is spon- the destination at which Doug-
sored by Mr. Seosamh Somers las Corrigan landed on his fa-
and his company Angel City Fly- mous ‘wrong way’ flight across
ers Inc of Los Angeles California. the Atlantic in 1938.
Angel City Flyers is a flight training
The winning teams from the first
and aircraft services organisation.
round will get to experience what life
They are seeking to encourage and
is like on a working airbase and to see
promote STEM education and want to do
many historic items in the bases extensive
so by showcasing the practical application of
science in aviation, their cho-
sen business. With his Irish
roots, Seosamh chose Ireland
and requested the ISTA to as-
sist in his project. We were de-
lighted to be involved.
The competition was first run
in the 2017- 2018 school year
and the two winners went on
to get their PPL in California.
This time the
competition will
again be open
A poster is included in to all students in
this issue of Science Irish secondary
which we ask you to display schools who shall
in your school and bring it be 17 by the 1st
to the attention of 5th and August 2020 (the
6th year students. minimum age to
qualify as a pilot
in the US). The students must have a contact
teacher who is a member of the ISTA or IoP.
The competition will again be in two parts.
The initial round of the competition will be
a team effort. Teams of up to four students
must prepare a short (max. 5 min) video
A
presentation on some aspect of flight train- erprize 2018 winners Conor and Carmel during training in California.
ing. The teams that produce the best videos
www.ista.ie 10SCIENCE - November 2019
I am the product of
an Irish secondary
education. I know if
I had had the chance
to get such a prize, the
opportunity would have
S eosamh Somers addresses finalists at the 2018 AerPrize finals
held at the Alantic Flight Training Academy’s facilities in Cork
turbocharged my efforts
in science and maths.
museum . A final selection process will take place at this
stage to choose the two winning students as well as two
backup students who would be available to take the place
of the winners if for some reason they were unable to trav-
el or avail of the prize. This is a fantastic chance for any After I received an
student with an interest in technology or aviation or who is
thinking of a career in aviation. The US PPL can easily be excellent education
in Ireland and then
converted to the European version and can be extended to
a commercial pilot's licence. The total value of this prize for
the winners is in the order of €35,000. A poster is included
in this issue of Science which we ask you to display in your
school and to bring it to the attention of 5th and 6th year
further education in
students. The formal commencement of the competition
will coincide with Science Week when teams can register the EU, I chose to
make my living in
online for the competition at the competition website www.
aerprize.com. Make sure to alert your students to this won-
derful opportunity
the USA. Aerprize
www.aerprize.com is partly a way of
paying something back
for my great learning
experience.
Seosamh Sommers
F inalests in the 2018 AerPrize competition after receiving
their AerPrize Certificates at the Alantic Flight Training
Academy in Cork
11 www.ista.ieSCIENCE - November 2019
Moving from Junior Cycle Science
to the Leaving Certificate Sciences:
Should the same template of specification (syllabus) design be used?
Dr Declan Kennedy, Department of Education, UCC
I
Very satisfied
n this article Declan Kennedy summarises some of 4%
the key points that arose from teachers’ views on the Satisfied
11%
application of the Junior Cycle template of specifica-
tion design to the proposed new Leaving Certificate
biology, chemistry and physics specifications. Declan
is the author of several papers on Learning Outcomes
in peer-reviewed journals. He is also the author of the Unacceptable
52%
book “Writing and Using Learning Outcomes : A Prac-
tical Guide” which, to date, has been translated into 14 Dissatisfied
33%
languages.
Introduction
Since the introduction of the Junior Cycle science curric- F igure 1 The level of satisfaction indicated by teachers if the
same template used in the Junior Cycle science specifications
were to be used for the new Leaving Certificate biology, chemis-
ulum in September 2016, various discussions have been
try and physics specifications.
held at ISTA Council meetings about teachers’ experi-
ences of implementing this curriculum in the classroom.
What concerns were raised by teachers about the
Arising out of these discussions, the ISTA issued a ques-
template used to design the Junior Cycle science
tionnaire to science teachers throughout the Republic of
specification?
Ireland during the period February - March 2019. The pur-
pose of the questionnaire was to enable science teachers As it is difficult to capture all the key points in this short
to give feedback on their experience of teaching the Junior article, teachers are encouraged to read pages 79 – 95 of
Cycle science specification (syllabus). In this article the the full ISTA report (ISTA 2019) to get a good overview of
terms syllabus and specification are used interchangea- the responses of teachers.
bly. A detailed discussion on the precise meaning of these Many teachers commented on the vagueness of the
two terms is provided in a separate article (Kennedy 2018) learning outcomes and the need for depth of treatment
The responses from science teachers in the light of their to be supplied.
experience of teaching the new Junior Cycle science cur- The learning outcomes do not give enough information
riculum are presented in the report Listening to the Voice about depth of treatment and are open to interpretation by
of Science Teachers (ISTA 2019). A total of 762 teachers teachers and the State Examinations Commission.
responded to the questionnaire. The full questionnaire is
reproduced in Appendix 1 of the above report. This article The vagueness of the Junior Cycle needs to be clarified
concentrates on the responses to one question (question first. Teachers are still getting to grips with the new course.
16) of the questionnaire, below: Leaving Certificate reforms while necessary should not be
rushed in until a full assessment of the success of Junior
Cycle has been carried out.
The new JC specification is not a specification as it is not
specific at all. I have worked in the UK and have seen
what a specification should look like. This vague use of
a list of learning outcomes only resulted in every school
wasting many hours with pointless paperwork such as the
The responses from teachers are summarised in Figure 1. unpacking fiasco.
The fact that 85% of teachers described their level of sat- Too much work trying to “unpack the learning outcomes”.
isfaction as either “unacceptable” or “dissatisfied” is a very Just spell it out clearly and let us get on with teaching.
strong indicator that teachers in the classroom have found I actually would consider leaving teaching. Totally unac-
serious problems with the template of the Junior Cycle sci- ceptable for students to be sitting a common exam without
ence specification. Teachers were also asked to explain a detailed syllabus so that every student in the country has
the reasons why they chose a particular option. the exact same opportunity. It should not be up to teachers
www.ista.ie 12SCIENCE - November 2019
to decide WHAT to teach, it is up to teachers to decide to be like the Junior Cycle would have a hugely negative
HOW best to teach it. impact on how the standard of the Irish education system
would be judged and would make the process much more
Current JC specifications give no detail or guidelines on
unfair on the students. It would be a tragedy.
the depth of treatment required. The specifications are an-
ything but specific. Vague learning outcomes will lead to further dumbing
down and a decrease in the quality of the Irish education
What exactly is wrong with actually indicating the depth of
system that will have serious long term negative effects on
treatment needed for each topic? The current JC specifi-
the education system and economy.
cations basically mean that different teachers can teach
different topics to totally different levels with totally differ- Students’ futures should not be down to interpretation of
ent time allocations. How can that be acceptable? woolly vague specifications.
My JC students have been used as guinea pigs to imple- Far too vague for such a high stakes exam.
ment this new JC course I as a teacher would not be able
Having dumbed down the Junior Cycle we now intend to
to stand over the same at senior cycle. We did not get ad-
dumb down the Leaving Cert. also? We will end up de-
equate training. A DEFINITE SYLLABUS IS REQUIRED
stroying the Irish education system.
FOR SENIOR CYCLE.
They would know very little content at a very vague level
The template being used at Junior Cycle level is simply
and would not be able to cope with science courses at
dreadful. The specification consists simply of a list of
university level. We are being constantly told we have to
learning outcome with no details of depth of treatment. In
share learning intentions with students but how can I do
a recent article in the Irish Times on 26 February 2019,
that when I don’t know exactly what they need to know.
the teacher who wrote the article described Junior Cycle
How can they have a high level of science required for
reform as resembling “an IKEA-style flatpack but with no
university with such a wishy washy foundation. Totally un-
accompanying instructions”. I fully agree with this senti-
acceptable. The only hope universities have of decent sci-
ment. At the JCT courses a lot of time was spent telling
ence students is if we undo the damage Junior Cycle has
us how to “unpack the learning outcomes”. It is not the job
done.
of the teacher to interpret the learning outcomes. It is not
our job to try to read the minds of those who designed the I feel at present the LC Chemistry syllabus is generally
specifications. It is the job of the NCCA and its committees good. I believe it provides a good all round foundation for
to draw up syllabi of international standard as outlined in life/ future chemistry careers. I would be extremely unhap-
the Hyland Report. It is the duty of the NCCA to provide py with the learning outcome approach with a lack of depth
proper syllabi as we have at present in Leaving Certificate of treatment.
biology, chemistry and physics. Leaving Certificate syllabi It would be a destruction of the current excellent syllabi,
need to be properly designed and fit for purpose. a further dumbing down of the subjects and very hard to
It involves a lot of guess work and I am bombarded with teach without clear learning outcomes.
so many initiatives that I am seriously considering retiring There was a strong emphasis placed by teachers on con-
early. Just tell us what to teach and let us get on with it. cern that vague syllabi at Leaving Certificate would lead to
Many teachers commented on the unsuitability of the tem- increased stress being placed on students and teachers.
plate for a high stakes examination. Teachers are left to work out what’s on the syllabus for
No depth of treatment provided, will lead to complete lack themselves. The stress of this is frightening. A disaster if
of standardisation and quality of teaching and learning will brought in at Leaving Cert.
plummet. Until NCCA are willing to give a proper syllabus The new JC science is a disaster. Students hate it and
with depth of learning provided, this specification approach as teachers we are completely stressed with the lack of
will not meet the needs of students or teachers. It has al- guidance. Science is a factual subject and students need
ready been demonstrated through Professor Aine Hyland’s to learn the basic facts before they can plan investigations
report that a proper syllabus is needed. Stop wasting our etc.
time with this ambiguous document (“specification” ).
The non-defining of the Junior Cycle syllabus has led to
The specifications are far too broad and open to too many increased stress for both pupils and teachers. The con-
different interpretations. The courses that are highly re- tents of the textbooks vary so much that it is impossible to
garded by international standards (e.g. the IB) have much know how best to advise students on learning. This level
more specific syllabuses so that the students are very clear of uncertainty is detrimental to wellbeing. I would hate to
about what they need to know. In order for a system to be put our Leaving Cert students through a similar process.
fair and well regarded there needs to be a clear under-
standing of exactly what a student is expected to be able I honestly feel if the LC changed in the same manner as
to do. The depth to which each topic needs to be taught the new Junior cycle that it would be to the detriment of the
has to be clear, otherwise it could leave some students Irish education system and standard of students present-
at a disadvantage depending on how their teacher inter- ed to higher education. The students would be incapable
preted each learning outcome. Changing the Leaving Cert of actually learning important pieces of information. The
13 www.ista.ieSCIENCE - November 2019
absolute vagueness of the learning outcomes would put groups were told that it was NCCA policy that specifica-
a strain on teacher-student relationships, where I wouldn’t tions would be presented in the template that consisted
even have confidence in myself as a teacher that I would simply of a list of learning outcomes. The reports of the
be pointing them in the right direction. ISTA convenors were discussed at ISTA Council which
I think the way the new Junior Cycle was bought in was expressed its concern to the NCCA as far back as 2013
disgraceful. Very little information, very little thought be- when it wrote to the NCCA as follows:
hind the assessments. Assessments that take up a lot of “In terms of structure and clarity of depth of treatment,
class time but have no real importance. A slow dribbling the Leaving Certificate syllabi in biology, chemistry and
release of resources. physics currently being taught in schools are far superi-
I couldn’t face another 2/3 years of teaching the unknown. or to the proposed draft syllabi recently circulated. The
Please no!!!! essential problem with the proposed draft syllabi is that
they simply contain a list of learning outcomes with no
Student anxiety might be an issue as it is unfortunately a indication regarding depth of treatment or range of
high stakes exam. subject knowledge associated with these learning
The level of anxiety experienced by LC students would outcomes. We request that this depth of treatment
have detrimental effects to all. and range of subject knowledge be integrated into
the draft syllabi (as is the case with the syllabi cur-
It needs to be clear what has to be taught. Cannot afford rently being taught) before they are finalised by the
the ambiguity or guess work at Leaving Certificate level. Council of the NCCA. It is vital that this important ma-
With students’ futures directly affected by their LC I could terial is embedded into each of the syllabi and not made
not work with the ambiguity of the learning outcomes sys- available as separate documentation at a later stage.
tem as it stands. It would cause extreme stress and anxi- Even highly experienced science teachers at our ISTA
ety for both students & teachers I believe. For example ‘a Council meeting found problems with interpreting many
range of separation techniques’.....how many? What if I do of the learning outcomes. It is clear that there is still a
4 but the exam paper asks about the 5th we didn’t cover. considerable amount of work to be done in order to re-
It is too vague. duce the “fuzziness” of these draft syllabi and thus bring
them up to the standard of the current Leaving Certifi-
We need to know exactly what to teach. This becomes
cate biology, chemistry and physics syllabi.”, Figure 2.
vital given the significance of the Leaving Cert exam to our
students’ futures. The views of the ISTA were ignored by the NCCA which
stated in a written reply that “We don’t intend to include
Specification is far too vague, “unpacking” very stressful,
‘depth of treatment’ and/or ‘range of subject knowledge’ in
time consuming and open to interpretation...
the new specifications for the sciences or for other sub-
I would be horrified!! I need a syllabus that is understand- jects in senior cycle.
able and written in plain straightforward English which
As no progress was made with the NCCA, it was decided
clearly states what the students precisely need to know
by ISTA Council to commission Professor Áine Hyland ,
(just like the current Leaving Cert. syllabus) and what ex-
Professor Emeritus of Education, UCC, who is an interna-
periments they need to have done. I also do not want to
tional expert in the area of curriculum design and assess-
see any reduction in contact time with classes as I struggle
ment. In addition, Professor Hyland is an expert in the area
as it is to cover the course in the time allowed.
of learning outcomes as it was she who introduced learn-
The new Leaving Certificate Biology, Chemistry ing outcomes into Ireland in the early 2000s, Figure 3.
and Physics specifications
Since the Bologna Agreement of 1999, learning outcomes
In the NCCA draft background paper and brief for the re- have been chosen as the international language for draft-
view of Leaving Certificate physics, chemistry and biolo- ing curricula throughout the European Higher Education
gy syllabi, it is stated that “new specifications for Leaving area and at international level (Kennedy, Hyland and Ryan
Certificate physics, chemistry and biology are scheduled 2006; Kennedy 2007; Kennedy, Hyland and Ryan, 2009).
to be introduced in 2021. The curriculum specification for Learning outcomes are defined as statements of what
each subject will be published a year earlier in September a student is expected to know, understand and be able
2020” (NCCA 2019). In short, the current Leaving Certifi- to demonstrate after completion of a process of learning
cate syllabi in biology, chemistry and physics are due to be (Morss and Murray 2005, ECTS 2015). The definition of
revised over the coming months and new specifications learning outcomes given in the Junior Cycle Science spec-
will be published next September 2020 for implementation ification (“Learning outcomes are statements that describe
the following year. the understanding, skills and values students should be
able to demonstrate after a period of learning”) is incom-
Drafts of the proposed new Leaving Certificate specifica-
plete as there is no reference to knowledge in the definition
tions were completed in 2014. These draft specifications
(NCCA 2016). An extraordinary error! Without knowledge,
caused alarm among several members of the subject de-
one cannot have understanding, application or any of the
velopment groups with responsibility for developing the
higher order thinking skills in Bloom’s Taxonomy.
new specifications. Members of the subject development
www.ista.ie 14You can also read
