Jenifer Burden | SMEC 2008

Ms. Jenifer BurdenJenifer Burden

Project Director, Twenty First Century Science, University of York, UK

ABSTRACT:

The term ‘scientific literacy’ has been increasingly used in recent years to characterise an important aim of school science. A major national project in England and Wales, Twenty First Century Science, implements a flexible approach to the curriculum for students aged 14-16. At the centre of the programme is a core Science course to develop students’ scientific literacy. Alongside this core students are offered a range of additional courses, tailored to meet their diverse science education needs and aspirations. The development of a detailed teaching programme for the core Science course has been an important tool for clarifying the meanings of a scientific literacy approach, and highlighting implications for both the assessment of these ideas and teacher training.

The development of Twenty First Century Science was initiated by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority for England and Wales. Following a pilot phase in 78 schools from September 2003, the project led to a revision of the National Curriculum for students aged 14 – 16. Launched nationally in September 2006, over 1000 schools currently use Twenty First Century Science courses, with over 250,000 students being awarded final grades in August 2008.

Biography

Jenifer Burden spent thirteen years as a teacher and Head of Science in several comprehensive schools in the North West of England. In 2001 she joined the Association for Science Education as Director for the Science Year project, moving to the Centre for Innovation and Research in Science Education (University of York) in 2002. Jenifer is currently Co-director for Twenty First Century Science, an innovative curriculum for GCSE science, which was highly influential in shaping the 2006  Programme of Study for Key Stage 4 science (England and Wales), in particular the increased focus on the nature of science. Jenifer is an experienced trainer and examiner, and is the author and editor of a range of school science resource materials, including print, interactive, and film