Narrative
Global challenges make it crucial for society to have a scientifically literate population that can respond to major social and environmental threats to human wellbeing. However, Ofsted (2023) and others have noted that the status of science in primary schools has declined since the removal of national tests in 2009, with some pupils going an entire half term without learning science. The Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub (SEERIH) was established in 2014 in the university’s Faculty of Science & Engineering to inspire excellence in STEM education by upskilling and retaining primary and secondary STEM teachers and academics. SEERIH designs and delivers educational research, projects, and campaigns that address the needs of future STEM innovators. Its inclusive values have resulted in engagement from diverse communities, closing the opportunity gap and improving young people’s choices in STEM at various levels.SEERIH achieves impact by providing coherent training programmes for in-service teachers, using an immersive approach to professional development. Teachers experience the wonders of science and engineering, aligned to the national curriculum and cutting-edge research. Opportunities include regional network meetings for science subject leaders, involvement in research projects, conferences, masterclasses, and events that connect schools with researchers and industry. SEERIH’s work has improved attainment and achievement for children by building teacher confidence and modelling practical learning approaches aligned to global issues. The Hub has engaged over 11,000 teachers and approximately 1,300,000 pupils in around 7,000 schools, with 59% serving pupils from poor neighbourhoods.
One of SEERIH’s successful campaigns is the ‘Great Science Share for Schools’ (GSSfS), which inspires teachers to give time for young people to ask, investigate, and share scientific questions, making them science communication experts. GSSfS involves the annual publication of free-access resources and a celebration day in June. Sharing events take place in various settings, including schools, hospitals, museums, zoos, football stadiums, and art galleries, where pupils demonstrate science experiments to their peers. The campaign has international engagement through social media and digital platforms, with school-led initiatives involving pupils training their peers and other teachers worldwide.
Through research and innovative curriculum and professional development projects, SEERIH has elevated the quality of teaching through recognized publications and campaigns that impact at multiple levels. SEERIH catalyses opportunities for learners to question and contribute to solutions for societal challenges, inspiring a step-change in the UK’s curriculum. Strengthening teacher confidence and curiosity is vital, and this momentum must accelerate to recruit, retain, and revitalize educators who shape young minds every day.
Impact date | 2014 |
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Category of impact | Attitudes and behaviours, Awareness and understanding, Policy, Society and culture |
Impact level | Benefit |
Documents & Links
Related content
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Research output
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Are we doing enough? Perspectives on disadvantage in the context of primary science learning
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Let music be the food of... science!
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Being Focussed: monitoring the 10 Key Issues* to inspire improvement in children’s learning experiences in Primary Science
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Inclusive Science Teaching & Learning Report
Research output: Book/Report › Other report
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The right CPD for the right teacher at the right time: But are we getting it right?
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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What role can professional learning frameworks play in developing teacher agency in subject leadership in primary science
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Tinker Tailor Robot Pi: the project
Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Progressing to be an Engineer
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Progressing to be an Engineer – the Approach
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Shining a light on inclusive science teaching and learning (7-14 years)
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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What's love got to do with it? What have the 10 Key Issues done for children’s experience of primary science in England?
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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A response to the Ofsted Finding the Optimum report: implications for practice in primary science
Research output: Book/Report › Other report
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Creating Chances, Inspiring Choices: the value of embracing primary engineering
Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Scientist-teacher collaboration: exploring the nature of successful STEM placements in primary school
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Great Science Share for Schools Special Issue Primary Science
Research output: Contribution to journal › Special issue
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Children’s scientific question asking – an initial scoping of academic literature
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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A trajectory for the development of professional leadership in science education
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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A scoping literature review of learning progressions of engineering education at primary and secondary school level
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Tinkering for Learning: Learning to teach engineering in the primary and KS3 classroom
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review
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The 10 Key Issues with Children’s Learning in Primary Science in England. : University of Manchester & The Ogden Trust
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Primary Curriculum Advisory Group - Framework for a Primary Science Curriculum
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review
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QuBuild: A guided approach to asking better scientific questions in primary school
Research output: Book/Report › Book
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‘Across the Divide’: Developing Professional Learning Ecosystems in STEM Education
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Mind the Gap: Using Lesson Study to Develop Cross-Sector Landscapes of Professional Practice: Symposium: Models and Theories in Teacher Professional Development: The relationship between theories of teacher professional development and their implementation in practice
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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A response to the Ofsted Research Review for Science: Guidance for primary Schools
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Child-focused primary science inquiry: Can the right balance be found between curiosity, curriculum objectives and assessment requirements?
Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Prizes
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Royal Society of Chemistry Education Excellence
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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University of Manchester Better World Showcase Award
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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THE Awards Shortlist for Widening Participation Initiative of the Year
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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University of Manchester Making a Difference Award for Social Responsibility
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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University of Manchester Making a Difference Award for Social Responsibility
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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University of Manchester Making a Difference Award for Social Responsibility
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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University of Manchester Better World Showcase Award (Winner Greater Manchester Engineering Challenge
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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University of Manchester Making a Difference Award for Social Responsibility
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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University of Manchester Better World Showcase Award
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Activities
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IET Downing Street Roundtable on Engineering Education
Activity: Participating in or organising event(s) › Participating in a conference, workshop, exhibition, performance, inquiry, course etc › Teaching and Research
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GM STEM Collaborative CoChair
Activity: Internal positions, career professional development, other peer review and other › Internal positions › Teaching and Research
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Engineering in the Primary Curriculum
Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Teaching and Research
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Greater Manchester Learning Partnership
Activity: External visiting positions or secondments › Visiting an external non-academic organisation › Teaching
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St Thomas More Roman Catholic Primary School, Middleton, Rochdale
Activity: External visiting positions or secondments › Visiting an external non-academic organisation › Teaching
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Greater Manchester Engineering Challenge Director
Activity: Internal positions, career professional development, other peer review and other › Internal positions › Teaching
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Great Science Share for Schools Director
Activity: Internal positions, career professional development, other peer review and other › Internal positions › Teaching
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St Peter's RC Primary School Rochdale
Activity: External visiting positions or secondments › Visiting an external non-academic organisation › Teaching
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UoM Centre for Higher Education Research, Innovation and Learning (CHERIL) Steering Group member
Activity: Internal positions, career professional development, other peer review and other › Internal positions › Teaching
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Engineering Educates Director
Activity: Internal positions, career professional development, other peer review and other › Internal positions › Teaching
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Engagement & Enjoyment in Mathematics Education Committee Member
Activity: Internal positions, career professional development, other peer review and other › Internal positions › Teaching
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Press/Media
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BBC NEWS ONLINE: 'Tinkering' children make robots, planes and catapults
Press/Media: Expert comment