Techniquest

Techniquest provides a hands-on approach to science, engineering, maths and technology, suitable for all ages. The centre promotes experiment and enquiry through self-exploration of each exhibit. Shows and demonstrations are held for school children and older pupils can take part in workshops. Techniquest follows the welsh curriculum, providing specific activities for the foundation phase, key stage 2 and secondary school pupils. (Techniquest.org)

Whisper Dishes 

The Whisper dish involves two people, one speaking into the ring in front of the dish and the other listening at the other dish. It demonstrates how sound waves are transmitted in the everyday technology we use, such as mobile phones and television. 
   The exhibit is suitable for all age ranges, but I feel key stage 2 pupils and onwards would find this interesting as they may be able to understand it better. The bright colours and design used is attractive to young children, and the size of it also makes it more appealing. 
    Children will need to be able to work together to use the exhibit, so team work is an essential skill needed. Also, the ability to follow instructions on the sign is needed, so they know how to use it properly. 
   The exhibit demonstrates scientific concepts, of how sound waves can beam through each dish to transfer the noise clearly to the other person listening at the dish. 

       Children's scientific knowledge becomes deepened by using this experiment as they are experiencing for themselves how sound waves can travel. For some, science topics such as sound can be quite difficult to grasp without demonstration. By using this exhibit, topics feel more real as they see it unfolding for themselves. 
        Before seeing this exhibit, I did not know how sound waves could travel in this way, so it has increased my subject knowledge. Going on school trips to Techniquest as a child was always exciting and fun as you could actually get involved yourself! Children and adults can benefit immensely from Techniquest. 
      Each exhibit is easy to use once the directions are read, and many are straight-forward. Use of water, wind, and sound add to the dynamic experience. Children are running free, able to explore whatever they want. This is the ultimate creative way to learn typically scientific subjects. The mix of the two aspects demonstrate how easy they work together to give children a stimulating learning experience. 
      Techniquest is different because it is completely interactive. Museums policy of no touching creates a barrier between the child and exhibit, but here children can become completely immersed in exploring and experimenting. 

References
Techniquest (2012). [Online]. [Accessed 21 April 2014]. Available from http://www.techniquest.org/

Creative Approaches in the Curriculum- The Leonardo Effect

Leonardo Effect teaching methodology is a hybrid of science and art formulation. Produced to engage both pupils and teachers, it aims to create children who have an awareness of their creative senses and are engaged in their own learning process. Teachers who find the curriculum too rigid and suffocating can produce a more flexible, creative and rejuvenated teaching structure. This type of pedagogy has been proven to be particularly beneficial in primary school settings. Children are said to be more self motivated, confident and curious.   Many aspects of the Leonardo Effect echo concepts of philosopher John Dewey's ideas that children learn best through experience, and actually doing things for themselves. 

 The Leonardo Effect is split into various stages:

Stage 1: Capturing Imaginations
It is important to draw upon children's experiences, within a context most relevant and interesting to pupils. This is particularity significant, as if a child is learning about something which is completely out of reach to themselves, and the experience they have of it, are they likely to be interested in it?
          This stage also encourages the use of pupils creating questions themselves, therefore, demonstrating their engagement in the topic.It also embodies the theme of curiosity and creative ideology. By promoting acquisitiveness, learning is therefore based on discovery and exploration. 

Stage 2: Development
This stage looks at the children's abilities to explore in-depth, promoting their enquiry skills and engaging in conducting experiments. By doing this, children can actually test their hypothesis, develop confidence in their own ideas and make vital connections. Allowing children to experiment is essential, as it enables them to become fully participating in their own learning, facilitating skills, knowledge and understanding . I never had much of an opportunity to test my own ideas in school, only a few times were we allowed to conduct experiments in science, on topics the teacher told us to do. 

Stage 3: Creation
This stage is where The Leonardo Effect completely exceeds the mainstream curriculum. Teachers encourage pupils to do something with the skills and knowledge they have. Pupils are taught to fulfil their ideas in a creative, inspiring environment. Thus, not only are learners providing their ideas and experimenting with them, they are also applying them in a stimulating way. This is the true way how creativity should be embedded in the curriculum, empowering students and infusing confidence. 

Stage 4: Reflection and Communication 
The final part of this creative jigsaw, is self-critique and wider interaction. Pupils evaluate their product, see what worked well and what didn't. This in my opinion, is vital in schools. Pupils need self-motivation which stems from looking at their own work, seeing where they perform best, looking at where they went wrong and most importantly, seeing how they can improve. 
        Through broad-casting their idea, students can feel proud of what they have created. A completely creative innovation comes to life when it is shared with others. 

(theleonardoeffect.com) 

My own Leonardo Effect experiment...

We were given a scenario and told where and why the bridge should be built, and we were left to create it! Choosing which type of bridge would be suitable for the location, a company name, a pitch to the council for permission, materials and a company names were difficult decisions to make when you have little knowledge on bridges! However, a bit of team work and imagination went a long way! We then had to share our product with the group, after building a creative masterpiece! 

References 
The Leonardo Effect.(2011).  [Online]. [Accessed 3 April 2014]. Available from http://www.leonardoeffect.com/