Practical work
The ‘Innovations in Practical Work’ series of publications was published by SEP (Science Enhancement Programme) between 2005 and 2011. The themes included Materials, Energy, Electricity and Magnetism, and Waves and Radiation. A range of innovative practical resources was developed to accompany the publications.
Although a variety of topics were covered, my aim as series editor was that there should be a single unifying principle: providing practical activities that support conceptual understanding and that link to applications in the real word. The selection of images for each booklet cover illustrates this idea – for example, in Wind Power, including images of real turbines, theoretical diagrams and a specially developed model wind turbine.
Gaining hands-on experience of enjoyable practical work is essential, but in itself is insufficient: the challenge is to provide practical activities that are intellectually motivating and accessible to a range of students.
