Communicating Earth Science : ESTA, ESEU & BGS

This article reports on collaboration between the British Geological Survey (BGS), the Earth Science Teachers Association (ESTA) and the Earth Science Education Unit (ESEU) aimed at enhancing the teaching and learning within the Primary and Secondary phases in relation to the Earth science areas of the National Curriculum. David Bailey of BGS sets the scene by discussing how the educational side of the work of BGS has developed in recent years, leading to the network of Science Ambassadors. The BGS realised that these professional scientists have not been trained as teachers and asked ESTA and ESEU to help. This led to the development of two day-long courses. One focussed on secondary activities and was presented by Chris King of ESEU, as described below. The second had a primary focus and was run by members of the ESTA primary team and is described by Niki Whitburn, ESTA Primary Convenor.