Going bananas for GCSE science

Effective teaching of the new GCSE science courses needs to address a number of considerations including developing students’ understanding of scientific concepts, preparing them for examination and providing opportunities for developing practical skills. If this can be done by using engaging and contemporary contexts it is more likely to inspire students and persuade them that science is worth studying at a higher level, as well as leading to better grades. This article is a summary of a collaborative project between the Eden Project, the University of Exeter and the Science Learning Partnership in Cornwall. It describes the preliminary investigations carried out to establish a finalised protocol for use in schools set within the context of a global issue, in this case, food security