Developing a school policy
There needs to be a greater recognition that what is called Western science drew on a world heritage, on the basis of sharing ideas that make science what it is. The sharing culture of science must be recognised as an important organisational tradition, which continues to be significant today.
(Amartya Sen, winner of the 1998
Nobel Prize for Economics,
New Scientist No. 2340, 27 April 2002.)
Some schools have developed their own policy to show how the global dimension is incorporated across the curriculum and how it is part of the school's ethos. Global links in the primary curriculum might feature in, for example, pupils' written work, displays, artwork, music, whole school projects and assemblies.
Teaching young people about global issues and ensuring there is a global perspective in science enables them to:
- develop a better understanding of the world they live in;
- understand the role of science and scientists;
- explore the idea of mutual interdependence, global citizenship and sustainability;
- examine their values and attitudes;
- play an active role as global citizens;
- understand and respect others locally and globally.
Making global links
Linking with another school in a different country can also successfully encourage a broader understanding of science.
Partnerships with other schools can help integrate both science and the wider world into the learning experience, and can offer a powerful and enjoyable framework within which issues can be addressed. In addition, partnership activities can help to raise levels of literacy, competence with ICT and presentation skills.
The practicalities of such partnerships can seem daunting, but various organisations exist to help schools in this process. The Activity on the right will introduce you to some of these organisations.
The Oxfam 'Cool Planet/On the Line' project encouraged people living along the zero meridian line to exchange ideas on environmental and development issues. In one successful activity shared between link schools, pupils designed, set up and managed school gardens, exploring with partner schools the effects of the different climates on the management, choice of plants, and use of the products obtained.
Activity Resources:
- Images
- Interactive
- Sound
- Text
- Video
Activity
- Click onto the Curriculum Online website below. CurriculumOnline Take a little time to review the primary curriculum and jot down those areas of science which could be contrasted and compared successfully with one or more countries in another part of the globe. Try to identify areas where members of staff and pupils have a particular interest that could be developed.
- Click on the link below: ASE global dimension Click on 'How to teach the global dimension' and scroll down to read about 'School linking'.
- For further information on how to set up North-South school links or to find partner schools, look at the British Council site below: Windows on the World programme. Or you could try their newer site: Global Gateway Click on the 'Teachers' link to find lesson plans to introduce the global dimension and guidance on how to form partnerships across the world.
Pupil activity
- Go to the 'Oxfam Cool Planet' site for pupils. www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet
- Use the search facility to locate a 'sustainable living sourcebook'. There is a lesson plan and resources for you to develop ideas on sustainability.
- Send your sustainable living sourcebook to another school in the UK or abroad.
