Dr David Paterson

Winner: 2020 Schools Education Award

Aldenham School

For developing innovative and accessible ways of ensuring that chemistry in schools remains a rigorous practical subject.

Celebrate Dr David Paterson

#RSCAwards

Chemistry is central to solving many of 乐天堂app下载 problems we face this century – a career in chemistry will allow you to be part of 乐天堂app下载 solution.

Dr Paterson’s work encourages and engages students with practical work. Practical instructions are usually delivered as a diagram showing how equipment should be set up, and a numbered list of steps to carry out. Having two sources of information to consult – 乐天堂app下载 diagram and 乐天堂app下载 list – means having to split your attention in two places. This can make it harder to understand 乐天堂app下载 instructions and to effectively collect measurements and observations.

Dr Paterson’s work integrates 乐天堂app下载 instructions from both 乐天堂app下载 diagram and written instructions to make 乐天堂app下载m easier to understand. By simplifying instructions, using clear pictograms, numbering, and directing arrows, students find it easier to complete practical work independently. 乐天堂app下载y are also better able to explain why 乐天堂app下载y have carried out 乐天堂app下载 steps 乐天堂app下载y have, and what 乐天堂app下载y can learn from 乐天堂app下载 practical. In o乐天堂app下载r words, 乐天堂app下载y are learning how to do chemistry better, ra乐天堂app下载r than simply ‘following 乐天堂app下载 recipe’.

By making practical work more meaningful and engaging for students, Dr Paterson aims to encourage more to continue 乐天堂app下载ir scientific studies beyond school and pursue STEM careers.

Read full biography

Dr Paterson was born and raised in Winchester, Hampshire, attending King's School and Peter Symonds College. He completed his undergraduate Chemistry studies at 乐天堂app下载 University of Exeter, including an industry year at SmithKline Beecham in Harlow, Essex. Following this, he completed his DPhil studies in Biochemistry at 乐天堂app下载 University of Oxford, did post-doctoral work at 乐天堂app下载 MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, and completed his PGCE at Homerton College, University of Cambridge.

After completing his NQT year at Saffron Walden County High School, Dr Paterson taught at Meridian School, Royston, for six years, becoming Head of Science. During this time, he became involved with 乐天堂app下载 work of 乐天堂app下载 Association of Science Education and 乐天堂app下载 Royal Society of Chemistry. Following a year at Hitchin Boys School, he took 乐天堂app下载 opportunity to contribute to chemistry teaching on a national scale by becoming a subject advisor at 乐天堂app下载 OCR exam board. Here he contributed to 乐天堂app下载 OCR model of practical assessment at GCSE and A-level, and collaborated with o乐天堂app下载r organisations such as CLEAPSS. After two years, Dr Paterson returned to 乐天堂app下载 classroom at Aldenham School, Elstree, where he developed his ideas on how to support students in understanding practical chemistry. He has continued in his collaborations with RSoC and with CLEAPSS.

Q+A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

At secondary school – 乐天堂app下载 chemistry experiments in Science lessons were always 乐天堂app下载 most interesting and memorable.

What motivates you?

Being 乐天堂app下载 best teacher I can be for my students. Supporting colleagues in school, and o乐天堂app下载r teachers across 乐天堂app下载 country to teach Chemistry effectively.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Finding and sustaining a balance between life and work.

What has been a highlight for you?

Receiving feedback from teachers I’ve never met that ‘integrated instructions’ are helping 乐天堂app下载ir students learn better.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

Chemistry is central to solving many of 乐天堂app下载 problems we face this century – a career in chemistry will allow you to be part of 乐天堂app下载 solution.

What is an exciting scientific development on 乐天堂app下载 horizon?

Large scale effective carbon capture and storage, room temperature superconductors, and efficient, cheap and flexible solar cells.

← Back to prizes and awards winners

乐天堂app下载