\Bachelor of Education, Primary Education (EPR) EPC3903

Table 4: An interview with a Primary School science coordinator

Sample interview questions for the Principal Responses from the Principal and/or
and/or science coordinator/teacher re: science coordinator/teacher re:
science provision in the setting. science provision in the setting.
Is there a science coordinator and/or
1 how many specified science teachers are Yes, there is there are
there in the school? 2 specified science teachers in lower primary
1-2.
What are the duties/responsibilities of the Executing the flow of science
science teacher/coordinator?
program, lesson planning, weekly
Does she teach any, all students or just specific plans and yearly plans.
year groups? Specified year group.
Yes, they do
Obtain a teaching schedule and any schemes of
work, lesson plans, software used etc. from the
science coordinator/teacher.

2 Who is responsible for science policy and The science coordinator HOD
provision within the setting?
(Can we obtain a copy of the policy?)

3 Online/Blended Learning: Yes, it does

Think central.com
Does the setting have its own website? If so,
Coordinator of curriculum responsible for
what is the URL, who created it and who is
responsible for managing and updating it? manage and updating.
Yes, there is
Is there any online/blended learning taking The program delivered through on
place related to science? If so, how is this line resources and implemented into
delivered?
the integration classes.
What ICT resources are used specifically for In focus, laptop and internet.
teaching science?
4 What science Ready-made resources, own teacher creation,
equipment/manipulatives/resources can materials from the science lab, library
be found the setting? (Is there a list? Differentiate material etc.
between the classroom; the science lab and other areas in the
setting e.g. library) Yes, there is
The coordinator / HOD
Is there a budget for materials? All the science teacher + schools
Who trains teachers and staff in the use the
managerial body.
equipment?

Who manages the equipment and materials?

5 Is/Are there dedicated science labs in Yes, its used in selected time a
this setting? proceeded. Time table will be
If yes, how is it used and by whom? How is it provided by the lab assistant.
organised? What equipment can be found
here? -
Yes, it does.
If no, why not? e.g. lack of funds? No need?
 \Bachelor of Education, Primary Education (EPR) EPC3903

Enough science equipment and expertise in

each classroom?

Does the setting feel it has enough specialist

science teachers, technicians and dedicated
science rooms?
6 Which science resources does the setting We need more of model to display in our
feel it needs or would like to have to science center.
achieve its vision or better science
teaching and learning?

e.g. Science Kits, books, wifi,

manipulatives/models, digital
cameras/camcorders, lab equipment OR soft
materials (consumables- colored paper, glue,
popsicle sticks etc.).
7 What are the safety rules? Science safety rules posted in the science
lab.
Are the safety rules posted in the science
setting?
School management team and the teacher
developed and training at all time to the
Who developed these and are they students.
mandatory/enforced?
8 What safety equipment is available and Fire extinguisher, cream for burning /
when is it used commonly? first aid shelf
Is safety equipment available for all students in
No, its available in the section.
the classrooms? Yes, there are, the side managers do.

Is equipment cleaned, if so by whom? Who

manages this duty?
9 Planning for learning- how are the No
science lessons planned for in the Yes, there are: discussing all the plans for
setting?
the coming week and types of activities to
Does the MOE/Zone/KHDA provide unit be done.
plans/lesson plans? (can we obtain a copy of
this?) The subject teachers and HOD
Yes, it does.
Are there weekly planning meetings? What is
usually done in the planning meetings?

Who attends the planning meetings?

Does the school have specific goals related to

science (TIMMS scores etc.)?
1 How is learning assessed in the science
0 classroom?
Is there an assessment plan for the semester?
What does it include?
Do teachers collect student data? What data,
when, and what is it used for?
How do students get feedback so that they can
There are assessments called checklist
that are given every end of the lesson /
unit. Include all materials taught during
that lesson / unit.
Yes, they do. date of the accumulative
marks, student performances graph etc. it
in used for measuring the progress of
each student.
Parents meeting, midterm report, end of
 \Bachelor of Education, Primary Education (EPR) EPC3903

make improvements? term report etc.

1 What science professional development / At least once in a term

1 training do teachers currently receive or Yes, they do
have recently had?
How frequently and from whom did they /are How to teach more in (child-center)
they receiving this?

Do they have a document that outlines this PD?

What PD do they think teachers in the setting

still need?
\Bachelor of Education, Primary Education (EPR) EPC3903