Project – Perspectives on Science

The Level 3 Extended Project:The Perspectives on Science Model

Dr John L. TaylorDirector of Critical Skills, Rugby SchoolChief Examiner, Edexcel Project QualificationsDirector, Perspectives on Science Projectjlt@rugbyschool.net

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Project – Perspectives on Science

An Example of an Extended Project Programme:

Perspectives on Science (PoS)

A Project course in History, Philosophy and Ethics of Science

From 2004 – 2008 a free-standing pilot AS qualification

Evaluated in 2008 by Levinson et al, Institute of Education

A prototype for the extended project dissertation

2009: PoS style resources developed for other types of EP

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Project – Perspectives on Science

“Can the Kyoto Protocol be defended using a philosophical and ethical approach?”

“Should the UK’s Law on Abortion be changed?”

“Is there a life after death?”

“Is Schizophrenia Genetic?”

“Should the amount of funding in Autism Research be raised to the amount received by Cancer Research?”

“Are Darwinism and Marxism Related?”

Sample titles from the 2006 cohort

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Topic Theme

Skills Development (40 hours)

History of science / research skills Philosophical frameworks/ thinking skills Introduction to ethical thinking

Research Project (80 hours)

Research Proposal /PlanningWriting/ Editing

Presentation

Course Structure

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Timetabling ModelsOne year One term of skills acquisition/ research

proposalsOne term of research/ presentation trainingAssessment around Easter

Two year One year for introductory phase, Research Proposal development after AS modulesTwo terms for research.Assessment around Easter

Extension One year or two on reduced teaching time. This can be either a compressed full course

or in some cases straight into research with skills phase left up to the student. Only recommended with the most able students with relevant prior subject knowledge.

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Teaching Research Skills

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Teaching Thinking Skills

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Developing Ethical Reasoning

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Supervising the research process and rewarding initiative

Facilitating research

“Better a guide at the side than a sage on the stage”

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Project – Perspectives on Science

The Project Proposal• Student’s choice of research

question • A rationale for the project • An identification of areas of

research to be addressed • Plan of activities

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Project – Perspectives on Science

• The origins of the universe• The human mind• The beginning and ending of life• The mechanistic universe • Genetics• Animal welfare• Scientific revolutions

Research Fields

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Scrutinizing Project Proposals

“The most intellectually satisfying and successful projects are those which are interesting, feasible, sustaining and focused. Students should be explicitly taught by example what distinguishes a good research question from a poor one.”

Levinson et al (2008), p31

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Structure• Abstract• Introduction• Research Review• Discussion / Development• Conclusion / Evaluation

Project Development

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Presentation of the Project

• Building confidence• Ensuring authenticity• Celebrating success

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Project – Perspectives on Science

A Joy to Teach..

“I am really enthusiastic about the course. I think it’s probably the most enjoyable teaching I’ve ever done in my whole teaching career. I think it’s because for once the students and I are actually exploring knowledge, for the love of exploring knowledge, rather than trying to prove that Ohm’s Law is still Ohm’s Law. “

PoS Pilot teacher, quoted in Levinson et al (2008) A Research Study of the Perspectives on Science AS-level Course, p29

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Shaping aspiration

Hugh completed his Perspectives on Science Dissertation on the mind/body problem in May 06. His work led him to explore the overlap between science and philosophy.

In Feb 09 he wrote, “I'm currently studying Neuroscience at King's in London and this year have started a module called ''Neuroscience and The Mind'' which is also bridging the gap between science and philosophy. To tell you the truth I am loving it!! And I'm also doing quite well in it…”

 

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Preparation for HE

“Part of my coursework was sent with my Oxbridge application and I think it was a strength of my application...Philosophical discussions of both Kuhn and Marx formed a large part of my interviews and I was prepared for the rigorous debate by the Perspectives on Science course. Not only do I believe that the course aided my application, but now that I am at Cambridge I genuinely feel that Perspectives opened up new spheres of inquiry and angles of approach which I would not necessarily have explored otherwise.”

Jess (PoS student 2004 – 2006. Jess has now switched to study HPS at Cambridge)

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Project – Perspectives on Science

Building Confidence

"Perspectives on Science (POS) and the Extended Project (EP) allowed me to develop a variety of skills which are now helping me with my studies at university.  Doing the POS/EP gave me the necessary skills for researching topics and producing extended essays and dissertations.  In addition, it has given me much more confidence when doing presentations and when I am involved in discussions groups and in tutorials.  I have appreciated that points of view should be based upon evidence rather than unsubstantiated ideas. The skills given to me by the POS/EP are of great benefit to me given the nature of some of the modules in my degree.  I am really pleased that I had the opportunity to practise these skills before I came to university."

(Michael, now studying Law and Economics at Leicester)

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Project – Perspectives on Science

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Project – Perspectives on Science

The Level 3 Extended Project:

The Perspectives on Science ModelContact for Training / Further Information:Dr John L. TaylorDirector of Critical Skills, Rugby SchoolChief Examiner, Edexcel Project QualificationsDirector, Perspectives on Science Projectjlt@rugbyschool.net

Resource Linkhttp://www.heinemann.co.uk/Series/Secondary/PerspectivesonScience/PerspectivesonScience.aspx

Photos courtesy of the Welcome Trust