Commonwealth Class

Commonwealth Class is a dynamic and exciting programme of activities, learning resources, and events for schools.

It has been brought together by the British Council and the Commonwealth Secretariat to celebrate the values of the Commonwealth, and connect schools and young people across the globe on joint learning programmes.

The aim of Commonwealth Class is to encourage students to collaborate and learn together, and consider how they can be more active and responsible global citizens as part of the Commonwealth family. Teaching and learning together between schools in the UK and the Commonwealth has proven positive educational benefits for young people.

An exciting opportunity is open for schools to apply to join a Commonwealth Science Class Team of schools from around the Commonwealth and compete for a chance to go to the Commonwealth Science Conference in Singapore, 13-16 June 2017.

Requirements

• 16 Teams of 5 schools each will be formed from across the Commonwealth, including Australia/Pacific, Bangladesh, Caribbean, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Singapore and the UK.
• Schools will apply individually and selected schools will be placed into a multi-national Teams.
• Teams will comprise of primary, secondary and special schools; the key age range for this Project is 7-14 years.
• Each Team of 5 schools will be expected to carry out an investigative science Project together, based on one of four themes (Renewable Energy, Global Food Security, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Climate Change & Rising Sea Levels), lasting approximately six months. Schools will be expected to work together and compare or pool their results.
• Each Team will share a collaboration space on British Council Schools Online and will be provided with support throughout the Project to boost their collaborative activity. Schools will be expected to actively participate in the online debates and teacher forums.
• A scientist will be assigned as a mentor to each Team by the Royal Society.
• Schools can spend varying amounts of time on the Project, anything from 10 minutes a week to an hour, and it may be done in class, in breaks or in a science clubs.
• There will be four activities, designed by the Royal Society and an education consultant, which each school will be expected to complete as part of the Competition:

1. Introductory challenge to compare cultures (June 2016)
2. Project proposal (September 2016)
3. Online forum (On-going / November 2016)
4. Project outcome (February 2017)

• Team submissions will be judged on how the Project was conducted, the methodology used, and level of participation of all schools.
• Team submission will need to demonstrate how the Commonwealth core values fit into their Project.
• The teachers from the winning Team will travel to Singapore to meet each other in person and to attend the Commonwealth Science Conference, 13-16 June 2017.
• The winning Team and two runners up will receive a set of six books shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2017.
• The second place Team will additionally receive science equipment for their school.

How to apply

Complete the short application form and 100-word statement and email it with a scanned signature to [email protected] by Friday 29 April 2016.

In order to participate in this Project, schools must have:

– experience of school partnerships;

– access to ICT;

– support of the Head Teacher / school Leadership Team;

– a named member of staff to coordinate the Project

Please note – places will be allocated to the schools that through their 100-word statement best demonstrate a commitment to the Commonwealth Science Class programme and international learning!  Only a limited number of places are available in the Teams for Nigerian schools but any school will be able to use the resources.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth Science Class Competition 2016