How can we acknowledge their importance in schools?
When I introduce EiC, I describe it as a magazine, in print and online, for secondary school science teachers and technicians. But is that a realistic claim? Is EiC doing enough for school science technicians?
I’m conscious that we commission the majority of content with chemistry teachers in mind, not technicians. Yes, technicians write articles for EiC, from the collaborative efforts of the Undercover technician to individuals such as Sandrine Bouchelkia and Richard Blunt, as well as classroom activities for our Education website. And yes, there are articles containing content specifically for technicians; for example, the technician notes with Exhibition chemistry. But should the EiC team be looking for articles specifically appealing to school science technicians?
After all, we know that school science technicians are crucial in secondary school science education. EiC regularly hears from teachers how invaluable their schools’ technicians are. And while those anecdotal reports are easily dismissed (by some, not us, I hasten to add), the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and the Royal Society of Chemistry are among the many who champion the important contribution school science technicians make to pupils’ attainment. See Gatsby’s Good practical science report and the Science technician workforce in English secondary schools report (pdf) from RSC, NFER and Gatsby.
After all, we know that school science technicians are crucial in secondary school science education. EiC regularly hears from teachers how invaluable their schools’ technicians are. And while those anecdotal reports are easily dismissed (by some, not us, I hasten to add), the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and the Royal Society of Chemistry are among the many who champion the important contribution school science technicians make to pupils’ attainment. See Gatsby’s Good practical science report (bit.ly/3m4hZZT) and the Science technician workforce in English secondary schools report (pdf: bit.ly/3xW0i1b) from RSC, NFER and Gatsby.
The RSC also offers school science technicians recognition and support via RSciTech and its Technician support commitment. More specifically, technicians in schools can join the free Teach Chemistry service, with benefits such as free online PD, events and funding opportunities, not to mention EiC’s wonderful free print magazine. If you receive the print magazines, then of course you’re already signed up, but are you a science technician or a teacher? If you’re a teacher, are your technicians registered? Ask them, give them this issue and encourage them to join – and to tell us what they want to read.
The RSC also offers school science technicians recognition and support via RSciTech (bit.ly/3IxSJmf) and its Technician support commitment (/bit.ly/3EF2Cxo). More specifically, technicians in schools can join the free Teach Chemistry service (/bit.ly/3Y78O8l), with benefits such as free online PD, events and funding opportunities, not to mention this wonderful free magazine. If you’re reading this in print, then of course you’re already signed up, but are you a science technician or a teacher? If you’re a teacher, are your technicians registered? Ask them, give them this issue and encourage them to join – and to tell us what they want to read.
We want to make sure EiC and our Education website support everyone involved in science education. We want to engage with more early career teachers, biology and physics specialists, and technicians – everyone who makes a contribution to teaching the chemical sciences. So as this year’s #TECHOGNITION takes place on 10 March, I’m hanging on to its coat tails and not just for the week, but forever. Tell us what you want by emailing eic@rsc.org.
We want to make EiC and our Education website support everyone involved in science education. We want to engage with more early career teachers, biology and physics specialists, and technicians – everyone who makes a contribution to teaching the chemical sciences. So as this year’s #TECHOGNITION takes place on 10 March, I’m hanging on to its coat tails – not just for the week, but forever – and asking technicians to help us help you. Tell us what you want by emailing eic@rsc.org.
Lisa is editor for Education in Chemistry
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