This summer we welcomed a new member to the SAW team, Education Consultant, Danielle Ware. Having been lucky enough to work with Danielle in her previous role as a primary school teacher, we are excited to bring her onboard with her valuable first-hand experience as she helps to deliver our new Curiosity Project.
Over to Danielle to tell us why she’s signed up for this crazy, creative and colourful ride!
I am really excited to be working with the SAW Trust on their new project to boost curiosity in primary schools. Together, we hope to create more opportunities for children to ask questions, explore and test their ideas.
Having been a science lead in a primary school for ten years, I am looking forward to working with the subject leads at the three lucky partner schools, to embed SAW into their curriculum. My hope is that we build a culture of curiosity-led science learning, where children are encouraged to use their imaginations, share their ideas and surprise us with what they discover!
Through the project, we will create opportunities for science, art and writing to be playful, creative and exploratory, while connecting local schools with real-world scientific research taking place across the Norwich Research Park. Educators will be supported to explore the SAW approach, using striking visual images as starting points for experiments, discussion and creative responses.
Danielle’s top three questions!
Can you tell us your favourite scientific fact?
Many of the elements in the human body were forged in stars a long time ago. So, follow your dreams and continue asking big questions!
What is your favourite piece of art?
My great-grandfather looked after Louis Wain at Napsbury Hospital in his later years. He drew so much that many of his sketches were burnt as kindling on the fire, but I have been passed down one of his anthropomorphised floral cat paintings.
Speaking of cats, a quick shout out to my cats Diamond, Ginger and Tabs!
What is your favourite piece of poetry?
I like the poet Nikita Gill, but my favourite poem to learn with children is the Boneyard Rap by Wes Magee. It has such great actions and rhythm when read aloud. All the classes I have taught love learning the poem at Halloween.
You can read the poem here.