Purpose and vision
The Great Science Share for Schools is a campaign for everyone to involve young people from 5-14 years in asking, investigating and sharing a scientific question they care about.
It places young people at the heart of the communication of science to each other.
GSSfS is relevant to all young people, in whatever educational setting, any where across the world.
3 simple values provide the foundations to all campaign activity:
Learner-focused science communication
Inclusive and non-competitive engagement
Promotes collaboration on many levels
The GSSfS concept is simple and transferable.
Young people decide on a scientific question they care about. They work scientifically to gather evidence and draw conclusions and share their learning with new audiences.
GSSfS is a supports teachers and educators in their endeavour to raise the profile of science in schools and communities.
With the young people being the communicators, this is unique in enhancing their agency and involvement in science enquiry.
With the status of school science in the UK lower than other core curriculum subjects, GSSfS leads to
more time for science learning in school and at home
more open-ended opportunities led by young people asking, investigating and communicating their own scientific questions
more involvement from different audiences who may not traditionally engage with science
more focus on real-world issues aligned to global sustainability within a curriculum, mainstream context.
First launched as part of the European City of Science in 2016, the campaign grew from strong roots in SEERIH’s children-to-children’s science conferences. Since then, the initiative has continued to grow in size, importance and overall impact at a international level.
What impact on young people does the Great Science Share for Schools have?
Evaluation of the campaign has shown how the Great Science Share for Schools impacts on children’s learning in science:
Read the Impact-ED Summary Report
2019 External Evaluation Report
Download an article published in the Association for Science Education’s Primary Science journal.
Increased enthusiasm, excitement and interest in learning science as a subject.
Pupils are given opportunities to lead, choose and be at the forefront of science investigations.
Pupils having a desire to ‘do more science’.
Improved standards of science questions and answers.
Pupils’ general confidence building – of science specifically but also as a life skill. And in addition, a realisation that ‘science is everywhere’ in our lives.
Confidence building and network generation for teachers.
Pupils are learning an appreciation that science is more than just the investigations they do in class.
GSSfS pupils have scored substantially higher than comparison in mathematical problem solving and creativity aspects of openness, and the academic persistence elements of resilience.
Winners of prestigious awards:
THE Award Shortlist 2022 - Outstanding Achievement in Widening Participation
Better World Showcase Award Winner 2022
Better World Showcase Award Winner 2020
Better World Showcase Award Winner 2019
Making a Difference Award for Social Responsibility 2018
Chemical Industries North West Sustainability Award 2018
National Chemical Industries Association Reputation Award 2018