Department of Education and Skills approved Summer Course for Primary School Teachers (participants qualify for 3 EPV days)

The European Space Education Office (ESERO) Ireland, is offering places for teachers on a 5-day professional development course at five unique space related locations in Dublin, Cork, Birr Co. Offaly, Lismore Co. Waterford and Lough Gur, Co. Limerick from 4th to 8th of July 2016.

The course ‘Using space to teach science through inquiry’ explores teaching approaches that develop numeracy skills in an integrated way across the curriculum, specifically through Science and Geography, with an emphasis on the theme of Space. The focus will be on inquiry based learning and how to use the “DPSM/ESERO Framework of Inquiry”

“This course provided me with the materials, resources and confidence to bring science to life in my classroom. I am looking forward to the coming year and having fun with the children through science.” Testimonial from previous participant.

COURSE CONTENT
The objective of the course is to assist participants to develop a cross-curricular approach to teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) using Space as a theme. The course will have an emphasis on inquiry based learning and provide opportunities to apply skills and knowledge to real life situations. The main curriculum areas covered by the course are SESE (Science, Geography) and Mathematics with a focus on skills:

Mathematical skills: applying and problem solving, integrating and connecting, communicating and expressing, reasoning.
Literacy skills: developing competence and confidence in oral language and using a scientific vocabulary. Developing cognitive abilities through oral language
Science and Geography Skills: Observing, estimating, measuring, predicting, designing and making, recording and communicating, a sense of place, a sense of space, using pictures maps and models, Maps and globes.

The course will commence with hands-on sessions based around the DPSM/ESERO Framework for Inquiry and a range of classroom based activities, which have been developed, tested and used widely by primary teachers. The DPSM/ESERO Framework for Inquiry has been developed by DPSM facilitators & teachers working with science education specialists and is designed to be used in the planning and teaching of a topic, or theme, on the SESE Science curriculum.

The Space related theme of the course will be developed using the International Space Station Education Kit and a range of other resources including the on-site exhibits and facilities at Blackrock Castle Observatory, Armagh Planetarium, Dunsink Observatory, Birr Castle, Lough Gur Heritage Centre and Lismore Heritage Centre.  (participants of the Dunsink Observatory course will travel to Armagh Planetarium on Friday 8th July departing from Dunsink at 8.15am and returning at approx. 3.30pm.  There are no additional costs)

Cost for 5 day course €50 (includes tea/coffee/ lunch). For further information:

Contact: Stephanie O’Neill
Phone: 01 607 3014
Email: Stephanie.oneill@sfi.ie
Web: www.esero.ie

Book a place:
Dublin
July 4th to 8^th 2016 Dunsink Observatory
Course Number: 510
Book on-line at Blackrock Education Centre
http://www.blackrockec.ie/content/services

Birr, Co Offaly
July 4th to 8^th 2016 Birr Castle Observatory
Course Number: 511
Book on-line at Laois Education Centre
http://laoisedcentre.ie/cpd-courses

Cork
July 4th to 8^th 2016 CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory
Course Number: 512
Book on-line at Cork Education Centre
http://www.cesc.ie/index.cfm/page/courses

Bruff, Co Limerick
July 4th to 8^th 2016 Lough Gur Heritage Centre
Course Number: 513
Book on-line at Limerick Education Centre
http://www.lec.ie/courses/

Lismore, Co. Waterford
July 4th to 8^th 2016 Lismore Heritage Centre
Course Number: 514
Book on-line at Waterford Education Centre
http://www.wtc.ie/