This document discusses how communication skills are taught and assessed as part of the science curriculum at Stevenson College in Edinburgh, Scotland. Core skills, including communication, are key to learning and working. Communication skills are taught through activities aligned with the science subjects, such as summarizing news articles, writing reports, and presenting. Students analyze science-based readings, integrate writing with their coursework, and participate in discussions. Lecturers work collaboratively with students and other staff to deliver these communication skills. Examples of materials used and student work are provided.

1. Core Skills (Communication) and the Science curriculum Mark Hetherington Senior Lecturer, Communication and English Stevenson College, Edinburgh, Scotland

2. Structure SUSSOL as a vehicle to deliver communications skills What are Core Skills? Communication for Science students A collegiate approach Examples Q and A

3. SUSSOL as a vehicle to deliver communications skills Researching written information from a variety of sources Putting a proposal / summary together Report writing Presentation skills Discussions skills All applied to issue of Sustainable Solutions

4. What are core skills? ‘Core Skills’ are a group of five skills that are key to learning and working in today's world. The five Core Skills are: Communication, Numeracy, Information and Communication Technology(ICT),Problem Solving and Working with Others

5. Communication for Science students We teach and assess students on the following areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening Communication skills underpin almost all personal, social, learning, and working activity. They are essential in clarifying student’s thoughts, in interacting with others, in expressing thoughts, in conveying information, feeling and opinions

6. Reading Reading – relevant magazine or newspaper articles where the students are taught how to summarise, analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of a text Subject matter – science based New Scientist magazine articles

7. Writing, Speaking and Listening Integrated pieces of work in line with the Science curriculum. Our role is to assist with structure, formality, tone, referencing, suitable for purpose.

8. A collegiate approach Working with the students Working with the Science lecturers Working with the Head Librarian Working as a team

9. Examples In your pack you have the following: Examples of some of the reading pieces the students analyse and discuss Some exemplar work from students A copy of the research slides put together working with the Head Librarian at SCE

10. Any questions?