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Personal Profile For Dr Kendra McMahon
Senior Lecturer: Primary Science. School of Education.
BSc(Hons) [University of Bristol], PGCE [University of Brighton ], MEd [UWE].
Personal Statement:
I currently teach on both the undergraduate education modules and the Primary PGCE, specialising in Primary Science Education.
My research interests are the teaching of science in primary schools, particularly at Key stage 2, with a focus on how whole class interactive teaching is used in science. I am currently undertaking a PhD in this area of research which involves considering the implications of sociocultural theory for primary science and views of 'dialogic teaching'.
My publications include both books for professionals and academic articles.
I am concerned with the Continued Professional Development of teachers in the area of science education and am the track leader for science education within the Professional Masters Programme.
Between 2000 and 2002 I coordinated of the Improving Science Together project, supported with funding of £150,000 by the AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust. This was a collaborative venture between BSUC, Bristol and South Gloucestershire LEAs and 24 local primary and secondary schools, aimed at developing formative assessment of Science 1. This included work on primary -secondary transition.
Previously I taught in primary schools in Bristol and South Gloucestershire for 9 years, including a deputyheadship.
Professional Qualifications:
BSc(Hons) Physiology
PGCE
MEd
currently registered for PhD with BSU
Membership of Professional Bodies/Subject Associations:
Association for Science Education (ASE) Member of West of England REgion Committee (West of England Region chair 2001-2003), Member of ASE National Primary committee 1998-2002)
I have organised 5 annual regional conferences for the ASE.
In 2008 the ASE presented me with Special Service Award.
BERA (Bristish Educational Research Association)
ESERA (European Science Education Research Association)
Teaching Specialism:
Primary Science Education
Education Studies
Key Publications/Exhibitions/Performances:
D. Davies, C.Collier, A.Howe and K.McMahon ~(2008) Modelling Dialogic Teaching in Primary Science Teacher Education ASE BERA Science SIG conference 2008 (To be published in conference proceedings)
McMahon, K. (2007) 100 Science Lessons Year 4 (New Edition). Scholastic Ltd.
McMahon, K. (2006) 'Creativity in Life Processes and Living Things' in Anne Oliver (Ed) Creative Teaching: Teaching Science in the Early Years and Primary classroom London David Fulton
Howe, A., Davies, D., McMahon, K., Towler L.. and Scott, T. (2005) Science 5-11: A Teacher's Guide. London: David Fulton.
McMahon, K (2004) Interactive whole class teaching in Science in Key Stage Two classes. Paper presented at BERA Annual Conference Manchester 2004
Davies, D. and McMahon, K. (2004) A Smooth Trajectory: Developing Continuity and Progression between Primary and Secondary Science Education through a Jointly-Planned Projectiles Project. International Journal of Science Education
McMahon, K. and Davies D. (2003) Assessment for Enquiry: Supporting Teaching and Learning in Primary Science Science Education International Vol 14. No 4
McMahon, K. and Davies, D. (2003) Building bridges between primary and secondary science - for children and for teachers. Primary Science Review
McMahon, K. and Davies, D. (2003) Improving assessment and focussed teaching of scientific enquiry in Primary schools Conference Proceedings ICASE World Conference on Science and Technology Education
Davies, D. and McMahon, K. (2003) The Use of link projects within an industrial context to improve continuity and progression between primary and secondary science education Conference Proceedings ICASE World Conference on Science and Technology Education
Howe, A. and McMahon, K. (2003) Assessing Young Children's Learning in Davies, D. Howe, A. Teaching Science and Design Technology in the Early years. London: David Fulton
McMahon, K. and Davies D. (2001) Using Words and Numbers in science, in Alsop, S. and Hicks, K (eds) Teaching Science. London: Kogan Page
McMahon, K. (2000) 100 Science Lessons Year 4. Scholastic Ltd.
McMahon, K. (1999) A 'big book' project linking Science and Literacy, Primary Science Review 59
McMahon, K. (1999) Perceptions of Science and Gender in a Key Stage Two class, in Raphael Reed, L. and James D (Eds) Gender and Sexuality in Education, The Redland Papers 7
McMahon, K.(1996) A study of the perceptions of science and gender in a key stage two class. MEd Dissertation
Bath College of Higher Education. (1995) Primary Science in Avon - a handbook for teachers by teachers. I contributed to this collaboratively produced handbook. Published by BCHE and Avon Education Authority.
Current Scholarship:
PhD title: Interactive Whole class teaching in Science in Key Stage Two Classrooms.
External Examiners:
University of Brighton Science Education (1.3.04-1.9.08)
Other External Roles:
Providing Primary Science Consultancy/INSET for schools
Recent Professional Updating:
ASE Annual Meeting Leeds 2008
Submitted bid for ESRC-funded seminar series on the subject of Dialogic Talk in Primary Science Education in collaboration with colleagues.
The II International Conference "Research in Didactics of Chemistry Poland 2007 Pedagogical University of Kraków
ASE Annual Meeting, Reading, 2006.
ESERA Conference 2006 Barcelona
Davies, D., Eden, C., Howe, A. and McMahon, K. (2005) Evaluating NESTA's Science Learning Programme, unpublished paper given at BERA 2005, University of Glamorgan, 14-17 September.
Davies, D., Howe, A. and McMahon, K. (2004) Challenging primary trainees' views of creativity in the curriculum through a school-based directed task. Science Teacher Education, 41: 2-3
2000-2002 Project leadership of the Improving Science Together Project, secured funding of £150,000 from the AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust to support his project
Last Updated: 02 November 2009.
This page is created by the above named individual. The views expressed are theirs and are not those of Bath Spa University. BSU is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced.