careers talks or help at careers fairs and public outreach events , provide technical advice to teachers and practical support to STEM projects in and outside the classroom and help to improve the way STEM is delivered within a school .
Technicians training Technicians
Be it internally or externally , technicians regularly support each other through provision of continuing professional development ( CPD ). In addition , CPD training for science technicians is delivered on a regular basis by several UK suppliers covering such things as microscope maintenance , chemical handling and risk management .
Technicians also support each other at a higher level , delivering CPD through national centres of excellence such as the National STEM Learning Centre , or by working through funded projects , such as those supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation , to deliver a programme of training , development and change for technical staff in other schools . This can involve on-site visits to other schools to help technical teams organise resources , identify equipment and set it up safely and correctly .
Classroom Delivery
The role of the science technician is evolving and much of this is evolution is driven by technicians themselves . Increasingly , technicians are either asked or offer to prepare and develop demonstrations and present these direct to students in the classroom . This allows the students to see technicians in a new light and appreciate the knowledge and skills they have . Paul Cook , Senior Lead Technician and Technician Advisor at Burlington Danes Academy in the UK has previously been asked to create a chemistry demo show and then train A-Level students to carry out the activities before presenting them to lower year students to encourage them to take science subjects in the future . This gave the A-Level students more confidence and inspired the younger students .
School Science Technicians have a huge impact on the lives of young people
The research carried out amongst science technicians has highlighted one common thread - that it is essential for technicians to shout loudly and publicise what they do , use social media groups , twitter , school newsletters , blogs , YouTube , journals and education magazines . Gratnells , subject associations , professional bodies and campaigns such a Technicians Make It Happen are all keen to hear your stories , publish
your writing and celebrate your contribution .
Feeling inspired ? Want to find out how you can gain recognition for the work you are doing ? There is a lot of support available for those wanting to get involved in any of the activities listed above and some great recognition opportunities , such as the Gratnells International Science Technician of the Year Award and STEM Learning ’ s STEM Inspiration Awards . School science technicians can also achieve professional accreditation via RSciTech and RSci routes .
So what are you waiting for ? Get stuck in , and when you do , make sure you join us in shouting about all the amazing work technicians are doing to support the learning and development of young people .
Author Dr Katherine Forsey @ DrBiol
Education & Outreach Consultant and Gratnells ’ Learning Rooms and STEM Consultant . Keynote speaker at the 2016 and 2017 National Technicians Conference and presenter of the Gratnells Science Technician of the Year Awards .
Gratnells trays are used extensively in the Science Prep Room at Repton School in Dubai
Class Time | | May - Jun 2018 | 13