Centre for Effective Learning in Science (CELS)

The Centre aims to create a more relevant, accessible and achievable image for science within both the higher education and school communities. Based on an excellent record in science teaching and nationally recognised widening participation activities, CELS enables academic teams to develop and trial new approaches to teaching and presenting science to both communities.

Teams of academic staff are working with CELS staff, the academic community, local schools and colleges, NTU’s Progression Partnerships and the Royal Statistical Society’s Centre for Statistical Education (RSSCSE).

Why CELS?
CELS seeks to address national issues facing science such as the increasingly diverse range of academic backgrounds of students studying HE science; the attractiveness of the interdisciplinary sciences (e.g. forensic science); and the accompanying decline in the number of undergraduates choosing ‘pure’ science courses. These issues are compounded by the poor image of science prevalent amongst school children who see pure science as hard, irrelevant and lacking career opportunities.

Higher education research and learning developments
‘Difficult concepts’ and knowledge gaps in science: CELS is conducting research to find out which concepts in the undergraduate science courses are seen as difficult or troublesome.  Focus groups are being run with all levels across all the science degree courses. 

As well as identifying difficult concepts, CELS is looking at gaps in knowledge and conceptual understanding that result from different entry routes to university.

Learning preferences and the effectiveness of eLearning: CELS is investigating how students’ learning preferences are reflected in their approach to study. This research also involves assessing the effectiveness of a locally developed eLearning system known as the Loreus Trainer, which works by using a semantic neural network.

Outreach initiatives
With the promotion of science at the heart of CELS, collaboration has played an important role in delivering relevant and exciting activities to support teachers and schools.

By working with the region’s specialists in science and education, CELS has helped over 5,000 students with their scientific studies.

Through the delivery of inspiring lectures, amazing demonstrations, hands on activities and lab based practical sessions, CELS intends to dispel the myths about science and show young people the opportunities science offers them.

Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme (UAS): Final year science undergraduates have the opportunity of taking a 20 credit point module, ‘Communicating Science’.  After training they will regularly visit a local school to support existing classroom teachers with the aim of raising pupil attainment and aspirations and an interest in science.  The undergraduate students will gain first hand experience of communicating science in an educational setting.

This has been developed under the nationally recognised Undergraduate Ambassador Scheme.

For further details and examples of work, please visit the CELS website.