Professional development

Mastery Science is planning a series of induction and professional development sessions to support the Practising Science course. Schools participating in the pilot project will have free access to these sessions. 

Practising Science induction

Format: online webinar (60-90 minutes)

This session covers:

  • Understand how the course builds interest, positive science identity, and careers awareness and encourage more Combined Science students to take up science post-16
  • How to sell the benefits and present the course to recruit year 9 students for the course, and how to convince parents it meets’ students needs more than other GCSE options
  • Walkthrough of the Year 10 scheme of work, highlighting the teaching and project elements, project forms, marking and moderation
  • The 3 skill frameworks taught in the course: science enquiry through the ‘investigation cycle’, engineering through the design cycle, and exploring a personal, local or global science issue through the ‘research cycle’.
  • How the Assessment Objectives of the HPQ and EPQ Project Qualifications are integrated into the course structure
  • Differentiating the course: the option of an EPQ in year 11, or an FPQ for some students

Practising Science teaching element

Format: online webinars (2-3 x 60 minute sessions)

This session covers:

  • A progression model for students enquiry skills, towards HPQ level competence and EPQ level exemplary performance
  • The ‘cognitive apprenticeship model - from a largely direct-instruction approach towards enquiry-orientated and independent learning
  • How the case studies build interest in science and enthusiasm for topics to research, and careers awareness
  • Overview of the investigation case studies - Biodiversity, Fuels, Space, the design case study - Sports, and the Decisions case study - Climate
  • Walkthrough of one of the case studies, showing the pedagogy of case-based instruction, and how mini-tasks build students competence

Practising Science projects element

Format: face-to-face (1 day), with live stream option

This session covers:

  • The progression from guided projects in year 10 towards more independent projects for year 11
  • Introducing the set of guided projects, with ready-to-go curriculum resources
  • How basic project management skills are integrated into the project process
  • How to complete the project proposal, activity log and review forms, to ensure the requirements are HPQ Assessment Objectives AO1-AO4
  • Walkthrough with hands-on experience of all the guided projects, to fully understand the practical work and equipment requirements, and likely student challenges
  • Project implementation, technician support, managing multiple projects and groups, and differentiation strategies
  • Using technology and an ‘AI advisor’ and working within the guidelines from the Awarding Body
  • Finding and using scientist/engineer mentors, and support that we and partners can provide

    2024-25 schedule

    Date Session
    Jan 2025 Practising Science induction
    April-June 2025 Practising Science teaching element
    June-July 2025 Practising Science projects element

    Learn more

    Project-Based Science GCSE Course design and benefits

    HPQ  Qualification requirements and assessment

    Teaching Element Scheme of work, pedagogy and resources

    Projects Element Ready-to-go projects in science and engineering

    Launch your course  Support for pilot schools and how to apply