Teachers

On the benefits of the ‘Drawing the Sun’ workshop:

For the students - Inspiring to speak with two female scientists as role models for working in the scientific field. A wide range of knowledge provided but well balanced with questioning, interactions with the class, high-quality images, video clips etc. Really inspiring to speak to a solar scientist too which was relevant to the specific topic and the reasons as to why we need to study solar activity. Great to address misconceptions about the topic also.

For teachers and TAs present: Brilliant for our own subject knowledge and because it links beautifully with our Topic on The Earth and the Solar System in science also. As said previously, it is also great for raising the profile of science in the school and for female role models in science.

The art project was so fitting and because you had given us examples of what the children could do to explore the topic. I think that really helped and I loved the poem too. It was all so higher ability and really aimed to extend the children in a creative and a stimulating way. I think the children really engaged with different medias to express their inspired ideas based on the knowledge they received because the first session was so engaging.

It was a pleasure to work with Geraldine again and to work with Steph too. It is inspiring for the children to meet with real scientists who are very passionate about their fields of study and they were so kind, clear in their responses to the children and gave wonderful feedback to each child's work. I really enjoyed the workshop and I think children in general are enthralled with the topic of the Solar System

Year 5 Teacher, A Kelly, St Martin of Porres.  

Teachers

Thank you, Geraldine for the opportunity! It was brilliant. 

On the benefits of the workshop:

For the children. They gained expert knowledge about the Sun (linking to Earth and Space - Science Module Year 5). They were able to lead with their questions about the Sun and use this to inform their learning later on in the workshop. They learned from scientists and artists. They were inspired to find out about space and ask interesting questions about the world we live in. They loved the curation at the end and getting to see a presentation of their work. They were proud to discuss their learning and their artwork. They evaluated their own work and praised one another.

The workshop was cross-curricular providing opportunities to put what they had learnt about magnetic fields for example into the creative work afterwards. Some of the learning was very advanced for the children however they enjoyed it. The art-based task was open-ended so all could access it.

 For myself: I made links with Geraldine and Emma. My subject knowledge increased. The children were inspired which in turn made better outcomes and more satisfaction. I enjoyed the curation and evaluation of work which there is usually not time for in the normal day.

Year 6 Teacher, Michael Rodney, St Joseph’s School.

The kids were mesmerised! They were calling all at the same time telling me how great it was.

Year 6 Teacher, G Hinc, St Martin of Porres.

community leaders

Rochdale Science Initiative has a new friend.. It was an absolute pleasure to work with both Geraldine and Dr Stephanie. Geraldine came across and someone who is culturally sensitive, passionate, and accessible.

How kind, considerate and generous of Geraldine to tweak the workshops to bring cultural and faith inclusion. Dr Stephanie’s scientific insight. Geraldine’s artistic flair and a splash of faith heritage made the workshops relevant, powerful, truly engaging and inspiring for all participants.

Even before the workshop, the participants had amassed a rich collection of cool, wacky, fun imageries from the magnetic field experiments. It was no surprise to learn that after the first workshop 20+ youths had commented over 200 times on the Zoom chat and how the conversation continued into our WhatsApp learning group.

Some of the youths commented on how being able to interact with two female scientists was inspiring. Zahra said “I was very intrigued by the first session. Bring on the next one.” Others thought the hour and a half had finished too quickly and wanted to ask more questions. about the Sun and Physics. Raniyah said “Today’s session was very interesting and fascinating. I want to create my piece now”. This was the same for most of the youths. After the first session they had already formed creative ideas about how they wanted to express/represent the Sun.

After both workshops, the youths curated and celebrated their creativity with their local community. Around 400 local visitors came to see the paintings, pictures and ‘sun baking’.

Mohammed Rahman, Rochdale Science Initiative.

On the brilliant workshop you delivered: It was a good combination of scientific insights and creativity and was delivered in an accessible way which really engaged the participants. Thank you for a great session, which was really well prepared and calmly delivered. I especially liked the session where you had linked their artwork to celebrated artists, as it affirmed them in their creativity and artistic style.

Gaynor Smith, Creative Curator, Westminster City Lions.