Using Out-Of-School Partnership to Help Secondary School Students Build Connections between Science Theory and Real-Life Applications

Abstract

The use of out-of-school partnerships can enhance student learning and motivation in science secondary school education, whilst also helping students to relate concepts taught in class to their applications in real-life. Partnerships are most successful when there are beneficial outcomes for all parties involved. Benefits resulting from secondary school outreach programmes with organisations, scientists, and universities, were investigated. There are many positive outcomes from participating in outreach, an overarching one being an increased interest in science by the student participants, with an impact not only the students themselves, but also on the teachers, universities, and science professions, as student interest can be linked to participation. Science literacy, content knowledge, and skills can also be developed through outreach, as can insight into industry applications of science.