Resources need to be easily locatable and accessible across the school and even outside school grounds. Schools have below 49% of materials needed to provide authentic science lessons for students (Drury, 2013). Teachers participating in authentic activities is an integral and paramount part of the learning of science, but teachers feel that students are lacking in full experiences due to limited equipment and lack of access to quality resources (Buckingham, 2013). Experiments and practical work in science lessons are being limited in schools by a lack of scientific materials and paraphernalia research suggests teachers complain that the budgets are too small for funding practical activities adequately for science educators (Hurst, 2013). Buckingham (2013) expresses that “Practical work demonstrates the wonder of science so much more effectively than words on a page or pictures in a textbook. To inspire the next generation of scientists, we need to ensure that all pupils are exposed to the excitement and increased understanding of science that carrying out experiments can bring.” These tough financial restrictions in schools and the variety of state wide allocation of funding across socio-economic and affluent schools contributes to the problems that …show more content…
Preservice teachers need quality training, not just at university but experiencing on the job training during professional placement as most preservice and qualified teachers have poor scientific knowledge (Kenny, 2009). Resources of training needs to be considered and is therefore paramount when identifying strengths amongst staff at the same time as up skilling an effective model of training and development. Subsequently this will improve the pedagogical content and the importance of comprehending scientific literacy to enable all students to learn that content (The Department of Education and Training, 2005).
Teachers are generally concerned that the less fortunate schools have limited resources to teach STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Therefore the need for ongoing training and effective professional training is paramount to ensure confidence and build stronger connections between clear instruction and the pedagogy delivery in the classroom. But we need to make sure the teachers who teach that content, are comfortable with what they need to teach (Vaille,