Abingdon Impact Report

11 Abingdon Science Partnership Abingdon Science Partnership (ASP) is a driving force behind ASiP and it continues to grow. ASP has existed in its current form since January 2016, although it had already run activities, such as CREST Star awards in primary schools and GCSE extension classes, for a year or so before that. Total ASP experiences for 2017–2019 were 11,429 , of which: 7,614 – primary school pupils 514 – secondary school pupils 2,911 – the public/families 390 – adults e.g. CPD events 50 primary school partners 26 secondary school partners Over 30 partner organisations The growth in scope and opportunities offered by ASP has benefitted Abingdon School’s pupils enormously, as well as increasing collaboration with other partners. Our Science Ambassadors (pupils from Abingdon School) have formed a weekly Primary Science Club, planned and run by them, offering an excellent opportunity for leadership development and Duke of Edinburgh volunteering. They also assist at monthly Science Oxford Saturday Science Clubs, learning to interact with 5-9 year old children and their parents in an informal but educational setting. All of these opportunities are invaluable in developing additional skills, such as planning, teamwork and leadership, that will serve them well in later life. In addition, staff who have been involved in ASP activities, now numbering up to 15 in the science department, have widened their own range of teaching skills. We are beginning to see the development of true partnership in some of these activities, with older pupils from other schools joining us as mentors and Science Ambassadors, a key target for further development in the next academic year and beyond. From top to bottom: Royal Society wildlife monitoring project; Science Buskers at the ATOM Festival; Pond dipping at Primary Science Club; Primary Science Fair project