Science - Feel the heat and tweet

Twitter reveals great resources by chef Blumenthal and others
4th November 2011, 12:00am

Share

Science - Feel the heat and tweet

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/science-feel-heat-and-tweet

There’s nothing quite so likely to strike terror into the heart of a science teacher as the realisation that there’s a new chemistry topic on the horizon - one you’ve never taught before - particularly if you specialise in biology.

I have found relief, much to my surprise, from Twitter - the latest front to be opened up by the Association of Science Education (ASE) in its quest to support science education. In fact, it has been a revelation and I have come across numerous new ideas and resources that have been of real benefit.

I didn’t know, for example, that celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal had produced chemistry resources in association with the Royal Society of Chemistry, called Kitchen Chemistry.

The ASE’s offering is #asechat, which hosts a weekly online discussion group for science educators. The rationale is to provide a forum for discussion between science educators on a different topic each week. A recent one, on teaching microbes, resulted in many excellent ideas being posted. It had never crossed my mind, for example, to use UV powder to show how microbes can be spread from one person to another.

For those who are new to Twitter, the concept is fairly simple. Once you are a registered Twitter user, you can search for #asechat and view each comment posted. The discussion takes place on a Monday evening during 8- 9pm.

Andrew Lochery is managing director of Green APL Education

WHAT ELSE?

Recommended

To find out more, read the ASE’s guide to #asechat at www.ase.org.uknewsase-chat

In the forums

What lessons would you leave for a non-scientist who has to cover for you? Teachers share their ideas and tips.

Teaching electricity is rubbish! Do you agree? Visit this discussion to share your thoughts.

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared