Using the discussion pack in a lesson

Your first step is to decide which of the four themes in the pack your group will discuss. Reading the story sheets, and then discussing and answering the questions in one theme will take at least an hour. If your lesson time is shorter, you may wish to copy the story sheets or direct students to the interactive pack so that students can read them prior to the lesson.

Alternatively, you could split the task over two lessons, the first for reading the stories and the second for holding the discussion and recording the results. It is not essential that students answer all of the questions. sciencehorizons would like to hear from as many young people as possible.

1. Split the class into groups

Get students into groups of between 4 and 12. Each group will need its own copy of the pack, or access to the interactive pack online. You can order more copies of the pack online or by emailing contact@sciencehorizons.org.uk.

2. Assign roles

Each group needs a chairperson to lead the discussion (using the Step by Step guide) and a scribe to write down the results of the discussion (using the response form).

3. Read the information

If they have not read the story cards before the lesson, allow students 10 minutes to read the stories for one theme. They can do this using the story sheets, either each read all of the sheets independently or each student can read out a card for the rest of the group. Alternatively the whole group can read the stories together using the CD-ROM or website.

4. Discuss the questions

The chairperson reads out the questions and makes sure that everyone who wants to say something has had a chance to do so. The group should try to come to a consensus, or record the range of views if this has not been possible. The teacher can emphasise that students are free to make their own responses to the questions; there are no right or wrong answers.

5. Record the answers

The scribe’s job is to write down the group’s answers on the reply form. Teachers may wish to complete the ‘Tell us About Your Group’ section, and supply their own contact details for keeping in touch.

Please note: If your school completes more than one response form, for example if you split your class into smaller groups, please give each group a unique name, e.g. “St Mary’s School, Group 1”, and enter this in the ‘Name of your group’ box on the form.

Please complete and return the response form or enter your results online by 25th June 2007.