A PIONEERING new approach to teaching secondary school science has been developed by a York academic.

Professor Robin Millar, from the University of York's department of educational studies, has devised 21st Century Science, the new Key Stage 4 science programme, which is set to become a cornerstone of the new National Curriculum due to be introduced in classrooms in September 2006.

The programme has been developed by the university's Science Education Group (UYSEG) and the Nuffield Curriculum Centre and is currently being piloted in 76 schools.

Harrogate Grammar School is one of the pilot schools, where 100 pupils in Year 10 and Year 11 are studying 21st Century Science - the equivalent of two GCSEs.

Harrogate Grammar's head of science, Mike Bailey, gave it a ringing endorsement. He said: "21st Century Science is a lot better, much more interesting for the youngsters than what came before because it's about the things that are definitely of interest to them. It's what we science teachers want to teach."

Prof Millar, who is directing the project with Andrew Hunt, of the Nuffield Curriculum Centre, said: "Scientific ideas and technical information are coming at us from all directions and we need to be able to cope with the science that shapes our lives."

The aim is to tailor the curriculum to the needs of 14 to 16-year-old students of widely differing abilities, interests and aspirations.

The project tackles the problem that everyone needs a level of understanding to be "scientifically literate", while some require more specialised knowledge to prepare them for more advanced courses leading to careers in science.

Prof Millar said: "Our view is that no single course can do both of these jobs well - and that the current National Curriculum science falls between the two stools and does neither adequately."

In 21st Century Science, all students take a single science GCSE in core science as part of the compulsory curriculum.

It focuses on the kind of science covered in the news media and aims to develop students' knowledge and skills in dealing intelligently with the information about scientific matters and issues that they may meet outside school.

The science is taught through popular themes, such as genetics, radiation and life, health and food matters.

Prof Millar said: "Alongside this, we offer a second GCSE in additional science which students can choose to take alongside core science.

"This is available in two versions, one with a 'pure science' flavour, exploring scientific concepts in more depth, and the other with an applied science emphasis to develop practical competence and problem solving."

Updated: 09:23 Saturday, May 07, 2005