Showcase of world’s best science teaching arrives at Queen Mary University of London

It is the first time a UK institution has hosted the conference, which runs from Wednesday 17 to Saturday 20 June, and more than 350 primary and secondary school teachers who have been chosen through national competitions from all over Europe and Canada have come to take part.  

The programme includes a dazzling laser display from educational light show ‘Light Express’, demonstrations from international teaching projects, and a fair packed with teachers sharing creative, innovative ideas and resources.

Stalls were set up by representatives of each country attending and each held demonstrations from radical new ways of teaching science to children with disabilities, the science of Harry Potter, teaching fractals through Islamic tiling and ways to involve pupils in research and development that has real industrial applications.

Charlotte Thorley, Chair of the UK National Steering Committee, said: “This is a unique opportunity for teachers from all over the world to get some fantastic ideas about science teaching, but having it in London means for some it’s right on their doorstep. We want them to leave with a hundred plans to help improve their teaching rather than just a bag full of leaflets they’ll never look at again.”

Peter McOwan, Vice-Principal for Public Engagement at QMUL, added: “We’re delighted to be chosen as the first ever UK hosts for Science on Stage. It’s an opportunity for science teachers to inspire each other with knowledge and experience and to learn about new developments in science research.”

The festival also includes an open day on Friday 19 June for all science, technology and mathematics teachers. The open day is an opportunity for teachers from schools near the campus to see some of the best science teaching in the world without leaving London.

For more info head to science-on-stage.eu/