How Safe Is Your Playground? Analyzing Soil in Scottish Schools through a University Outreach Project

• Published in: Journal of chemical education Vol. 97; no. 12; pp. 4321 - 4329
• Main Authors: Willison, Debra, Davidson, Christine M, Scott, Fraser J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Easton American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc 08.12.2020; Division of Chemical Education, Inc; American Chemical Society
• Subjects: Classroom communication; College School Cooperation; Experimental Schools; Foreign Countries; Hands on Science; Learner Engagement; Learning environment; Metallurgy; Outreach Programs; Playgrounds; Schools; Science Experiments; Science Process Skills; Skill Development; Soil analysis; Soil investigations; Soil Science; Soil sciences; Soils; STEM Education; Teachers; Teaching methods; United Kingdom (Scotland); Hands-On Learning/Manipulatives; High School/Introductory Chemistry; Analytical Chemistry; Public Understanding/Outreach; Metals
• ISSN: 0021-9584; 1938-1328
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00061

School pupils often perceive STEM subjects to be challenging; thus, in this project, an interactive, nationwide STEM investigation was designed to stimulate their interest. The “Soils in Scottish Schools” project provided teachers with a flexible package of resources to allow them to enhance the profile and understanding of soil science of their pupils. This package included presentations, experimental procedures, activities, and monthly newsletters which could be adapted to the particular learning environment of their pupils. In the focal point of the project, teachers were supported to encourage their pupils to collect samples from their school ground which were then analyzed for copper, lead, and zinc levels. This year-long project also afforded teachers with the opportunity to develop the pupils’ investigative skills through engagement with experiments in their own classrooms where they could engage with real data.