Cricket Science Project Handbook for Schools

‘Sporting Science:
ricket’
A project to develop primary science activities inspired by a local sporting venue
Handbook
for Schools
‘Sporting Science:
ricket’
Intended Project Outcomes:

Develop cricket science activities, transferable to other sports.

Trial with a cluster of local schools and provide support for the science
activities.

Create an on-line resource bank of activities at three levels, aimed at KS1,
Lower KS2 and Upper KS2, cross-referenced to the 2014 National Curriculum
for Science.

Host a Professional Development twilight training event at the cricket ground.
Project leader:
Janet Barnett CSciTeach
Formerly at Newker Primary School
Waldridge Road
Chester-le-Street
DH2 3AA
[email protected]
Supported by:
Dave Ross
Learning Beyond the Boundary
Emirates Durham ICG
Chester-le-Street
DH3 3QR
[email protected]
Local schools taking part in the project:
Bournmoor Primary School
Cestria Primary School
Lumley Infant and Nursery School
Newker Primary School
Red Rose Primary School
St Cuthbert’s R.C. Primary School
Woodlea Primary School
A Primary Science Teaching Trust Funded Project
‘Sporting Science:
ricket’
Project Background
Chester-le-Street, in County Durham, is home to Newker Primary School and the
inspirational setting of Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground.
In 2012, Newker Primary Science Leader, Mrs Janet Barnett, contacted Learning Beyond
the Boundary, the education pillar of Durham County Cricket Foundation, hoping that cricketrelated science activities were available. Mr Dave Ross (Learning Beyond the Boundary)
was able to offer literacy, numeracy and computing activities but none for science. As a
result of this, a morning of science activities was planned and took place in Summer 2013.
The activities were featured in the Learning Beyond the Boundary blog “Newker Science of
Cricket”. ‘Newker Primary School had a visit to the Emirates Durham ICG to look at how
science helps the game of cricket. Highlights were looking at the big replay screen at the
different colours and spending time chatting to the head groundsman, about his job. They
loved it.’
Newker’s blog entry ‘Cricket Science Morning’ stated: ‘We did lots of science, including how
the scoreboard shows different colours, which materials are used for protective equipment
and the groundsman told us about how he looks after the grass for the pitch. It was a
fantastic morning of ‘champion’ cricket science. ’
A questionnaire carried out with the children showed that before the visit, almost all children
thought that cricket did not have anything to do with science. After the visit, every child was
able to give at least two examples of the application of science.
Children were fully engaged by the context and this is exactly what the new curriculum
advises: “… teachers will wish to use different contexts to maximise their pupils’ engagement
and motivation in science.” (The National Curriculum in England Framework, September
2013)
Mrs. Barnett received an AstraZeneca Primary Science Teacher of the Year Award in March
2013, becoming a fellow of the Primary Science Teacher College. Funding was applied for,
to develop further cricket related science activities, and the Primary Science Teaching Trust
agreed to fund this “Sporting Science: Cricket” project with a cluster of six local schools.
A Primary Science Teaching Trust Funded Project
‘Sporting Science:
ricket’
Project Roles
This project aims to excite and engage both pupils and teachers with science
activities at the inspirational Durham County Cricket Ground, which will be followed
up back at school.
School
Janet Barnett
(Project Leader)
Attend introductory twilight
Attend introductory twilight
Carry out ‘Before’ project
survey in class
Provide survey questions.
Class visits the cricket ground
for ½ day session
Devise science activities
linking to NC 2014.
Fund coach transport (where
necessary).
Fund Dave Ross’ time.
Follow up with science
Devise science activities
activities at school. Feedback linking to NC 2014.
and suggest improvements.
Provide draft pack of activity
ideas.
Carry out ‘After’ project
survey in class
To provide survey questions.
Analyse data to assess
impact.
Write a short summary
evaluation report (100 - 200
words)
Collate school reports to
produce report for PSTT.
Attend twilight CPD and
celebration event.
Write and edit activity pack.
LBB and PSTT to host activity
pack on websites.
Co-organise event, send
invitations, fund
refreshments.
LBB – Learning Beyond the Boundary
Dave Ross
(Learning Beyond the
Boundary)
Attend introductory twilight
Devise science activities
linking to NC 2014.
Dave Ross works with class at
the cricket ground.
Book coaches.
Arrange dates of visits.
Devise science activities
linking to NC 2014.
Provide draft pack of activity
ideas.
Write and edit activity pack.
LBB and PSTT to host activity
pack on websites.
Co-organise event and
provide venue.
PSTT – Primary Science Teaching Trust
A Primary Science Teaching Trust Funded Project
‘Sporting Science:
ricket’
Project Activities
1. Introductory twilight to explain the project.
2. ‘Before’ project survey with the class and teacher. This is essential for
assessing the impact of the project.
3. Class visit to the cricket ground for ½ day of cricket related science activities.
Coach transport is provided where necessary. It would be helpful if
photographs could be provided for the project leader with photographic
permission.
4. Science follow-up activity back at school using the provided lesson plan,
or even better, schools carry out their own science activity inspired by the
visit. (Please briefly record your own activity on the blank lesson plan template
and reference to the National Curriculum 2014 programme of study.)
5. Feedback on the lesson plan activity by teacher with possible
improvements.
6. ‘After’ project survey with the class and teacher. This is essential for
assessing the impact of the project.
7. Short summary evaluation report (100 - 200 words) from school/teacher for
the project leader.
8. CPD/Celebration twilight event at the Emirates Durham International Cricket
Ground to share success and aid continuing professional development.
A Primary Science Teaching Trust Funded Project
‘Sporting Science:
ricket’
A Primary Science Teaching Trust Funded Project

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