Hands-On Science

A CD-Rom and Resource Handbook of tasks to support assessment for Learning and Teaching Primary Science has recently been published by Dr Paula Kilfeather and Dr Janet Varley of the Bioscience Department, and Dr Michael O'Leary of the Education Department, St Patrick's College. 

The principle that assessment is integral to learning and teaching is strongly advocated in the 1999 primary school curriculum.  The hands-on science tasks presented in the book and CD have been developed to address this issue.  124 tasks are contained on the CD-Rom.  The tasks are organised by the strands Living Things, Energy and Forces and Materials, by strand unit and by class level.    Each task is presented using a common grid format.  The grid contains information about the concepts and skills being assessed, the prior knowledge/skills required by pupils to undertake the task and the resources needed.  Background science information is also provided for the teacher.  A scoring guide accompanies all tasks.  Pupil worksheets are included where appropriate.