User School Case Study
Rose Hill Primary School in Oxford use New Star Science from Foundation to Year 6. The school allocates 2 lessons per week to science and places great emphasis on practicals, including them in at least one lesson per week.
Topic-based approach
We use all the units of New Star Science for all years, and have been using it for the past 3-4 years. I chose the programme because we felt that there was some overlap between our coverage of QCA topics and we felt that the topic-based approach of New Star Science would resolve those issues.
Clear structure and layout
It works well for us across the school. The structure is great because it lets individual teachers approach it in the way that best suits them and their class. The layout is clear, and the guidance in the Teacher's Notes is very good, particularly in terms of indicating potential pitfalls. The children like using the Pupil Books as well. I find that there is plenty of material to occupy the brighter sparks, which is a great plus.
Testing the software
Ginn approached us to try out Interactive Activities and Investigations in our classroom. We tried out all four years of the software and I found it very simple and easy to navigate. The children enjoyed the activities and thought the graphics were great. I found that it provided a good fit with topics covered by the New Star Science units, and there were a good range of activities. There are some excellent activities for recapping and solid opportunities for use of fair test data.
The best science software
It's innovative, educational and fun! I really like the way it puts activities in context with the rest of the programme and the way it gives the teacher control in tacking the activities at the most appropriate pace for them.