View from the Lab podcast

Ep 27: Early Career Teacher series episode 4 with Vicky Hilditch   

In this episode we continue our early career teacher series with new science teacher Vicky Hilditch.

For this recording I caught up with Vicky just before May half term 2022. Vicky was busy as always; the external exams had just started, and the summer break is on the horizon.

In this episode we find out what she's been up to and how she’s feeling as the end of the academic year approaches.

Ep 26: Award winning science teaching with Ollie Stewart from The Whitehaven Academy

In this episode of the podcast, Andy Woods catches up with Early Career Teacher - Oliver Stewart an award-winning teacher who works in a comprehensive school in Whitehaven, Cumbria (UK).

Ollie won a ‘Golden Apple Award’ back in 2021 for his inspirational approach to science teaching. In this episode we talk about the challenges of making abstract scientific ideas relevant to our young learners and discuss strategies to engage the great variety of pupils who enter our classes from their different starting points.

I hope you can join me on this episode and be inspired!

Ep 25: Making practical science count with Simon Quinnell

View from the Lab returns with a refreshing episode focused on practical science. How can we make this lynchpin of a great science education have the greatest impact? Andy Woods talks to chair of the ASE in 2021 and all-round practical enthusiast Simon Quinell (@Quinnell75).

We delve into his wide-ranging experience in supporting teachers and science technicians in his role or as curriculum lead for the science PGCE course at the University of York (@yorksciencePGCE).

Could this be the most practical episode yet?

Ep 24: Tackling misconceptions in the science classroom with Dr Niki Kaiser

In this episode of the pod Dr Niki Kaiser joins Andy Woods to talk about the perennial problem of misconceptions in the science classroom.

Niki is a science teacher at the Norwich research school and has previously worked closely with the EEF developing their ‘RADAAR’ resources to help identify, challenge, and solve common problems that students face when learning science.

Ep 23: Bringing a passion for DNA to the primary sector with scientist and author - Dr Amanda Hartley

In this episode Andy Woods talks to DNA expert Dr Amanda Hartley (@LittlestoryCo). Mandy has had a wealth of practical experience in the science of DNA across many sectors. In our conversation we talk about her passion for this fascinating area of biology and her commitment to bring this area of science alive for primary school children, with her innovative school workshops.

In addition, we also hear about Mandy’s mission to set up more ‘real world’ labs that school age students can visit and experience cutting edge science equipment. And last, but not least we hear how Mandy’s literary creations - the DNA detectives were born!

Ep 22: Early career teacher series (episode 3)

In this episode of ‘View from the lab’ our host Andy Woods catches up with Early Career Teacher (ECT) Vicky Hilditch – just before February half term, to see how things are going in her school.

We talk about the continued challenges of staffing as COVID absences increase and how her students are feeling about this year’s summer exams. 

Ep 21: Cognitive science in the classroom. A review of the evidence with Dr Tom Perry

In this episode Andy Woods talks to educational researcher from the University of Warwick Dr Tom Perry (Twitter @TWPerry1). In 2021 Tom led a team of researchers funded by the EEF to carry out a systematic review of the current research evidence of cognitive science strategies and their effectiveness in the classroom. In this episode we discuss the evidence of many popular techniques used in schools today including spaced practice, interleaving and embodied learning amongst others.

This is a deep dive into Tom and his team’s work and is a fascinating insight into the way educational researchers gather evidence and make their judgements.

Ep 20: From science teacher to YouTube extraordinaire with Primrose Kitten

In episode 20 of 'view from the lab', Andy Woods finds out how YouTube pioneer, Primrose Kitten, built her ever popular science education channel (from scratch!).

We talk about her love of all thing’s science and maths and how her career journey took her from her early work in cancer research, to science teaching in London and onto educating the nation’s students with her prolific and engaging digital output. 

Ep 19: Early Career Teacher mini series #2 - Vicky Hilditch's autumn 2021 review

Andy Woods catches up with Early Career Teacher (ECT) Vicky Hilditch to have a chat about how things are going in her 1st ‘full-on’ (!) year of science teaching.

We discuss how the autumn term has gone, what she has learned and the challenges that may lie ahead in 2022!
Find out more about our Mocks Marking Service, as mentioned in the podcast

Ep 18: Seven ways to optimise your learning environment with Dr Katherine Forsey

In this episode Andy Woods delves into what makes a positive difference to our learning environments and their impact on our students.Dr Katherine Forsey (@drBiol) has wide ranging experience in outdoor education and works at the interface between school science and STEM based industries.In this episode we discover how Katherine’s career in science education has evolved after she finished her PhD at the University of York. Katherine then describes and explains the 7 important factors (based on research by Professor Stephen Heppell) in which schools can optimise their spaces to support learning.

Ep 17: Exploring the challenges of tertiary science transition with Professor David Read

In this jam-packed episode of the podcast I talk with Professor David Read (Professional Fellow in Chemical Education at the University of Southampton).

David is an expert in supporting students in their transition from 6th form, to university courses, specifically in chemistry. He has a keen interest in innovative pedagogy techniques and is often in the vanguard for integrating new tech into the courses he teaches. We delve into the pros and cons of different teaching approaches and explore what lessons can be learned from everyone’s enforced ‘lock-down learning’ experience due to COVID -19.

I hope you can take time out of your busy day to listen to David’s ‘View from the Lab’.

Ep 16: Early career teacher series with Vicky Hilditch #1 October half term

In this mini series within 'view from the lab'. I will be catching up with Vicky Hilditch who is an early career science teacher based in northwest England.

I will be dropping in for a quick conversation with Vicki at the end of every half term to see how things are progressing and how she's finding her new career. I hope you'll join me on her journey throughout the 2021 to 2022 academic year. For the 1st episode I caught up with her at the end of October to see how the start of the year had gone. So, without further ado let's hear Vicky's 'view from in the lab'.

Ep 14: STEM career focus: Working in conservation with Dr Rutendo Shackleton

We're putting a spotlight on STEM careers in this episode of the podcast, and talking to inspirational young conservationist Dr Rutendo Shackleton.

Tendo is a scientist based at Chester Zoo and her main focus is the study of elephant behaviour and welfare. During her time at the zoo she has been involved with some ground breaking research on how best to look after elephants in captivity, which we discuss in this episode.

Tendo has had an interesting educational journey to get where she is today, and we dig into her story so far and the challenges she's faced along the way. It's now time to press play, so you can hear her - 'view from the lab'.

Ep 13: Teaching Science in England's 'strictest school' with Pritesh Raichura

In episode 13 of the podcast, Andy talks to Pritesh Raichura - Head of Science at the world-famous Michaela school in North London, sometimes referred to as England's 'strictest school'.

We delve into what makes the culture at Michaela unique, and Pritesh explains how it enables their students to make astonishing progress during their time there. He talks through their approach to learning and how the teachers work collaboratively to produce consistently excellent lessons. Make time in your schedule to listen to Pritesh's informative 'view from the lab'.

Ep 12: The "BEST" resources for science teaching with Alistair Moore

In this episode Andy Woods talks to educational researcher Alistair Moore (@amUSEG) who works at the University of York in the Science Education Group (@UYSEG). He is one of the principal researchers on the "Best Evidence Science Teaching" project; better known simply as "BEST". This important project (funded by @Salters_Inst) is making hundreds of research-informed diagnostic questions and follow-up activities freely available to teachers, and also spawned the ASE’s (@theASE) free "BEST steps” resources. 

In our conversation, we delve into how projects such as BEST are transforming research evidence into free resources, to help teachers develop research-informed practices in their classrooms.

Ep 11: Celebrating young women in STEM with science ezine editor Lilly Denny

In this episode of the podcast Andy Woods talks to an inspirational young woman Lilly Denny, who has set up the vibrant new ezine "Stemmed". Spurred on by the aim of sharing better advice and support for STEM careers than she did growing up as a young person; Lilly has with the help of her international volunteers produced a vibrant and informative ezine, which can be accessed across the globe! Find out how she did it and what her plans are for the ezine in the future, in episode 11 of View from the lab.

Ep 10: Supporting low attainers in an all boys school with Adam Higgins

In this episode Andy Woods talks to Adam Higgins, a science teacher who works at The Royal Liberty School, an all boys comprehensive school in Essex. The focus of our discussion is low attainers, and how best to support them in the classroom. Adam has some fantastic strategies that are both efficient and practical. Press play to find out more!

Ep 09: Strategies to help retain science teachers in your school, with Dr Andrew Chandler-Grevatt

In this episode of the podcast Andy Woods catches up with Senior lecturer in Science Education at the University of Brighton, Dr Andrew Chandler-Grevatt. This episode focuses on how schools can tackle the retention of science teachers. What are the unique problems science teachers face? And which strategies can SLT and Heads of Department apply to help solve the problem?