Thinking Science: Co-Producing Philosophy of Science Resources for Schools

The Thinking Science project, led by Professor James Ladyman at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Science and Philosophy, exemplifies co-production in curriculum development. The project aimed to bring philosophy of science into UK secondary school classrooms by developing teaching materials that help students reflect on the nature of scientific knowledge.

Central to the project was collaboration with science teachers. Researchers and educators worked together through workshops and school visits to co-create a suite of resources aligned with key curriculum topics. Teachers provided feedback on draft materials, tested them in classrooms, and contributed to revisions, ensuring the final resources were both pedagogically effective and philosophically rich.

The impact of the project has been wide-reaching. Over 2,000 resource packs have been distributed, and more than 400 teachers have received training. One major teaching federation (Cabot Learning Federation) adopted the resources across its 20 schools, embedding philosophy of science in their curriculum. The resources are now also part of the University of Bristol’s Science PGCE programme, training future teachers in how to deliver them. Teachers report that students are more confident discussing the role and nature of science, and better equipped to handle complex ideas.

This project demonstrates the benefits of working in partnership with practitioners to co-create resources that are meaningful, practical, and transformative in the classroom.

The project page is available on the University of Bristol’s Public Engagement page: Case study: Thinking Science.