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The Polymer Study Tours were initiated in 1987 from an idea of
Ivor Thompson and Professor Tony Challis of the Horners'
Company. They received enthusiastic support from Ron Lewis, who
was then Director General of the British Plastics Federation
(BPF). The BPF co-ordinated and managed the Tours from their
inception until 2000.
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Aims |
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The aims are to reverse the poor image of plastics and the
Plastics Industry by educating teachers about plastics. On
returning to their schools, they are assisted in creating a new
generation of informed customers and enthusiastic potential
recruits. From the first Tour in 1987 the formula has been to
take teachers away from their classroom for a residential
course, at which they attend a mixture of lectures, laboratory
workshops and industrial visits.
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Academic Participants |
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The academic institutions currently hosting the Tours are :
University of Bradford, London Metropolitan University and
Napier University in Edinburgh. 25 teachers are invited to one
of these universities for three and a half days, and most of
their costs are covered through generous sponsorship from the
Plastics Industry, Learned Societies and City Livery Companies.
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Recent Developments |
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Over 1700 teachers have taken part in the Tours since their
inception, and whilst there has been
universal acclaim, in 1999 attendance fell and this led to a
major review. This identified a number of changes in both the
educational and industrial worlds and when the BPF decided that
it no longer had a direct role in education, the chairmanship of
the Polymer Study Tours Steering Committee passed to the
Worshipful Company of Horners. This Committee consists of
representatives from the three Tour Centres, from the University
of York educational centre, the Association for Science
Education, the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and
the British Plastics Federation.
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New Administration |
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The administration of the Tours since 2003 has been organized by
the Association for Science Education (ASE) and a centralised
booking system is used. The structure of the Tours and their
contents are analysed in the light of the demands of different
curricula and the needs of the teachers. The University of York
Department of Educational Studies assists in putting the changes
into operation in the Tour centres.
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Objectives |
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In September 2000 the Steering Committee redefined the
objectives of the study tours as follows:
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To promote knowledge of polymers and plastics and their
importance to the quality of everyday life and thereby enhance
the image of plastics and the plastics industry in the eyes of
future consumers.
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To provide teachers with case studies that they can use in
their teaching of both science and design & technology .
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To give teachers the opportunity to meet fellow teachers in an
informal environment to exchange views on the teaching of
science and technology.
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To educate teachers on the science, technology and
applications of polymers, and on the plastics industry, so
that they can enliven their teaching with realistic examples.
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To provide information and create interest, which will promote
the recruitment of high-quality scientists and technologists
for the plastics and associated industries.
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Format |
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In 2001 the Tours were reduced in length to three and a half
days instead of five, and whilst the same basic format of
lectures, workshops and factory visits was retained, the course
content across the three academic centres was standardised. In
order to cover the workings of the Plastics Industry and its
environmental responsibilities, more external speakers from
industry were involved, many of them from the Horners' Company.
The programme is residential and run for three and a half days
at University of Bradford, London Metropolitan University and
Napier University in Edinburgh.
The course gives teachers a unique opportunity to visit major
plastics companies, to attend lectures and discussions with
leading figures from industry and academia and to try their hand
at plastics applications work in the laboratory.
To accommodate teachers' schedules as conveniently as possible,
the Polymer Study Tours take place at the end of the summer
term.
To date, 1500 teachers have benefited from the scheme and more
importantly, so have the countless young people they have
taught.
Development case studies were
introduced and the teachers are provided with an impressive pack
of literature, references and course material to take back to
their classrooms.
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Sponsorship |
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Efforts to maintain the levels of sponsorship have continued,
and whilst the costs were covered it is necessary to work hard
to maintain the financial cover for the Tours and to encourage
development. The Horners' Company remains as a major sponsor and
welcomes sponsors willing to support one or more teachers.
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Study Tours Today |
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In 2007 the Horners' Company continues to lead the Steering
Committee under the chairmanship of Colin Hindle. Tours of three
and a half days are planned for June and July at the three
academic centres:
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Napier University in Edinburgh, 17th to 20th
June 2007
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London Metropolitan University, 24th to 27th
June 2007
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University of Bradford, 8th to 11th
July 2007
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Download
2007 Leaflet |
download
2007
Application Form
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Applications to reserve a place on a
Polymer Study Tour should be sent to:
Belinda Blakeney
Director of Marketing
The Association for Science Education
College Lane
Hatfield
Herts
AL10 9 AA
e-mail : belindablakeney@ase.org.uk |
