Build a Discovery Log
Divide Log Book into different steps
You need to demonstrate clearly in the log that you have met all the criteria by undertaking all the tasks required to be eligible for an Award. It would be useful to break the log book into the steps required to attain the award as laid out on the application form.
- STEP ONE: Prescribed Activities
This year schools applying for an award must provide evidence that more than one class in the school have been involved in
Greenwave (logging the signs of Spring) AND completed 2 other hands-on activities relating to the Energy and Forces strand of the
Science curriculum.
Visit the activities section on the website for more information on activities in the Energy and Forces strand.
- STEP TWO: Invite a speaker or visit a Discover Centre
Either visit a DPSM Discover Science Centre or invite a science speaker or engineer to visit your school.
- STEP THREE: Attend or host a science event
Attend or hold a science event (a science day or evening in your school, a group from the school attending a science week or Engineers week event or the BT Young Scientist and Technology exhibition.)
If your event is planned for after the Awards deadline you can include a plan by students of what will happen or a booking form as evidence.
For example you could include:
- Evidence that your school ran or attended a Science Week event during November 2011. You must provide photographic evidence or children’s written account of this.
- Evidence that your school took part in the STEPS to engineering "Xperience Engineering" project.
- A joint science event with another registered school where students display their work. You must provide photographic evidence or children’s written account of joint science event.
- Evidence that your school took part in Engineers Week 2012.
- Evidence that students took part in or attended the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2012.
- STEP FOUR: Give evidence of maths integration
Give three examples of how you integrated maths into your science work. This should include at least one of the new maths extensions for DPSM activities launched last year. You can opt to do three of these or to combine one or two with your own examples of how you integrated maths into your science work.
Describe three examples of integration of maths into science work, showing the link to any of the strands from the maths curriculum (Number, Algebra, Shape and space, Measures, Data)
Explain how pupils used maths skills (applying and problem solving, communicating and expressing, integrating and connecting, reasoning, implementing, understanding and recalling).
- STEP FIVE: One activity relating to the Science Week 2011 theme –
The Chemistry of Life.
Provide evidence that one or more class in the school have been involved in completing ONE activity relating to the Science Week 2011 theme – The Chemistry of Life – visit the activities section for some ideas.
General Log Book tips
Clear Layout
Clear and simple layout is best. You can use a journal, a scrap book, CDs, folders, posters or any combination of these. Just remember, you will need to submit your logbook with your Award application by post, so bear that in mind when choosing a format.
Use Children's own Accounts
Children's accounts of their own work are the basis of a good log. Use lots of photos with short explanations if you can as this displays the work most effectively. Visual recording also gives you the option of spending less time writing and more time doing hands-on science.
Take Photographs
Remember to bring the camera on any field trips or visits to Discover Centres, and to take photos at any science events in the school such as talks by invited speakers or open days.
Individual Logs
If children are keeping individual logs examples can be submitted with the award application. However they should be supplemented with a school Log Book that covers all of the work required for the award.
Record what went wrong!
Don't be afraid to include things that didn't work in your log book as understanding what went wrong is a very important aspect of science!!
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