Encouraging teachers to facilitate debates

To support the pupil activities, we are doing some teacher guidance sessions that will hopefully slot into the existing teacher CPD programme at the science learning centres.

These sessions will consist of:

• Eminent scientist working in a controversial area of science speaking about the science, their work and the ethical issues.
• Showcasing freely available, relevant and helpful resources for use with pupils
• Demonstrations of debating strategies: techniques and technicalities

To this end, I am looking for a bunch of engaging and willing scientists to cover the first part, preferably working (or with an interest) in stem cells initially (more topics will be covered as the supporting materials are produced).

I will eventually be looking to recruit a crack team of about 10 teachers/facilitators to be trained up to deliver the debating strategy element. The education team at the @Bristol science museum have expertise in this and are looking into running a 'train the trainers' event for us.