Well, of course, I’m going to say YES to that question.
What’s This?
Here is the evaluation report on the first half of the debate kits project, comprising the first two kits (from Summer and Autumn 2009). Obviously I was supposed to publish this MONTHS ago, but it’s fallen by the wayside, until now.
Why now?
We have just brought out the third IAS debate kit, on Stem Cells. We posted out 1,500 stem cells debate kits earlier this week. I got an email from a teacher this morning saying ‘Just got the Stem cell pack…fantastic!’ so I’m hopeful they’ll be as popular as previous kits:-)
What are the debate kits?
The debate kits are designed to get students in their science lessons debating and discussing science issues, seeing things from different points of view and learning to back up their opinions with evidence. Each kit is developed in consultation with teachers, and fact checked with scientists.
Evaluation summary
“This is great I couldn’t have done a debate without it”
I’m a Scientist debate kits is a project to help get more debate and discussion going in the UK’s science classrooms. We are developing and distributing debate kits to UK science teachers. The kits are designed to give a teacher everything they need to run a structured debate on a set topic and help their students develop their discussion skills. The activity gives them a structured way to start discussing and gets them practicing the behaviour. The Wellcome Trust have funded Gallomanor to produce and distribute three sets of kits in 2009/10.
The first kit was developed as part of I’m a Scientist, Get me out of Here!, in 2008. This first kit was re-printed and distributed to 1,500 teachers and science communicators in Summer term 2009 as the first nationally distributed IAS debate kit. We also provide an electronic version of each kit, which more people can download from the website. The second kit was produced in Autumn term 2009. The topic (suggested and picked by teachers) was ‘Are we too clean?’ The third kit will be produced and distributed in Spring term 2010. A fourth kit will be developed in Summer term and distributed electronically.
Outcomes
Key aims met:-
- Kits well used
- The resources worked ‘straight out of the box
- They really engaged the students
- They developed students’ discussion and critical thinking skills
Kits also:-
- Were good way for students to learn new content
- Were effective with a range of students
- Got quieter students talking
- Inspired teachers to start making their own!
Recommendations
- Next kit in Summer term 2010, on stem cells (done!)
- Produce an electronic large print version (done!)
- Produce DIY debate kit templates for teachers to use (done!)
- Increase print run to 2,000 (done!)
More details in the full Debate Kits Interim Report (pdf).
If you would like to order a copy of the latest debate kit (they are free!) go here
If you would like to download a copy of one of the kits go here
If you’d like to know more about the kits or the project there’s more info here, or feel free to get in touch and ask us!
