An evaluation of the 4forU project

Abstract

Professional development in science for primary teachers takes place mainly at the science centre. Educators at this centre felt that it would be more effective if school-based professional development were to be organised instead. The project 4forU was developed. This project consists of four lessons together with the lesson plans and all the resources needed. Teachers from the science centre go round schools and conduct a one-day in-service course where the lesson plans and the methodology used are discussed. The teachers are then expected to deliver the lessons themselves using the resources provided by the science centre. This research evaluates the 4forU project through interviews with the various people concerned and observation of a number of science lessons. This project concludes that this project has made teachers recognise the importance of practical work in science however teachers are still not using such methodology in other science topics due to various reasons, such as fear of change, a vast syllabus and lack of time to prepare resources. Thus from these findings one concludes that this project does not have long-term effects. This project, however, has showed that students can truly learn science by the methodology encouraged in the 4forU project. It is recommended that teachers have career long professional development which would definitely increases teachers' professionalism and accountability.