Science Oxford Centre Highlights Higher-Order Thinking Skills in National Primary Science Journal
Education leadership at the Oxford Trust has been featured in a special academic publication focusing on pupil development and scientific enquiry. Francesca MacLennan, the Director of Science Education and Engagement, shared insights into the impact of regional educational initiatives within the pages of the Association for Science Education journal, Primary Science.
The publication’s open-access release marks a decade of the Great Science Share for Schools initiative. Within the issue, MacLennan explores how regional programmes help foster essential cognitive abilities among younger age groups through collaborative inquiry-based learning.
Fostering Curiosity and Problem-Solving in Oxford Schools
The spotlight centres on the collaborative efforts behind the Big Science Event, a programme that has encouraged children aged five to eleven to ask inquisitive questions, test practical hypotheses, and present their findings since 2010. By partnering with the national Great Science Share for Schools framework, the initiative aligns shared values aimed at expanding pupil-led scientific investigation.
According to the reflections featured in the journal, the design of these learning experiences intentionally targets core developmental outcomes. Organisers sought to nurture natural curiosity, strengthen problem-solving capabilities, elevate verbal communication through oracy, and sharpen analytical, evaluative, and creative proficiencies for participating students. Readers interested in a deeper look at the partnership's goals can access the full article via the academic publication's resources.
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