Case Studies

Case Study: Science through the Arts

TVA has developed and run a number of highly successful programmes using the arts to deliver the science curriculum in schools. Through teachers, scientists and artists working together, the result is effective, creative teaching and learning. If your school is interested in discussing potential projects, please get in touch.

For further information and examples of previous projects see below and at the Evolve website.

EASI

Aim	To engage students in science. To raise the aspirations of Tees valley students. To promote science as a potential career path.
Summary	A range of projects that explore science through art-based activities such as animation, creative writing, dance and sculpture.
Duration	2002 to present
Outcomes/ Outputs	A range of teaching resources which provide new and innovative ways to engage and motivate pupils, strategies for the retention of learning and arts based approaches to positive engagement. These small scale projects laid the foundations for the Evolve Project.
Funding	NEPIC Tees Valley Partnership
Partners	NEPIC North East Process Industry Cluster

Evolve

Aim	To engage students in science. To raise the aspirations of Tees valley students. To promote science as a potential career path. To provide CPD opportunities which utilise creative approaches in the delivery of the national science curriculum from KS1 to KS4.
Summary	The Evolve Programme delivered a comprehensive package of exciting and inspiring activities for young people, teachers, PGCE students, artists and arts graduates in the Tees Valley. The programme provided teachers with new and creative ways of teaching science through artist residencies. Evolve also supplied teachers, PGCE students and artists with training and support. Please see the Evolve website for further information.
Duration	August 2005 to 2007
Outcomes/Outputs	The Evolve programme worked with over 200 teachers and over 2,000 pupils. A further 120 schools took part in INSET training days. Teaching resources were disseminated in schools throughout the Tees Valley and there was a great deal of positive feedback from staff involved; “Evolve helped all pupils and addressed all learning styles and that is why it was so successful” (teacher)
Funding	Tees Valley Partnership
Partners	NEPIC (North East Process Industry Cluster) Durham University, York UniversityTees Valley Partnership

Energise

Aim	For Gifted and Talented pupils and delegate teachers to work with artists and industry partners. To explore the Fuels of the Future agenda through the arts. To discover their own inspiration and creativity. To explore creativity in cross-curricular ways of working that will inform their peers.
Summary	Gifted and Talented pupils from three Stockton Secondary schools worked alongside a sculptor and creative writer exploring the Fuels of the Future agenda through the arts. This process encouraged pupils and teachers to gain a deeper understanding of the environmental issues inherent in the Tees Valley and the wider world. The project featured site visits with industry partners looking at biofuels and the hydrogen fuel cell, giving students an insight into renewable energy solutions that are being developed by the science industry.
Duration	March to July 2007
Outcomes/Outputs	An exhibition of the sculptures and poetry, including spoken word performances was held at Preston Hall Museum, audience members included parents and industry partners. A peer teaching resource - a booklet containing poetry and photographs of artwork which explore the fuels of the future agenda. Teachers stated that "Pupils gained knowledge of the Biofuels Industry and awareness of occupations in this area." This demonstrated how Energise supported the aim of "Raising Pupils Aspirations"
Funding	NEPIC
Partners	NEPIC (North East Process Industry Cluster, Stockton on Tees Borough Council

Case Study: Art:works

Art:works can be delivered in any art-form (visual, drama, music, creative writing, film, dance etc), with any age group (toddler to post 16) and can last any amount of time (half-day to a year in residence); it all depends on what you and your children or young people want to get from it.

We can work with you to design a project and budget to effectively meet your needs; whether it’s purely artistic, to help build confidence & self-esteem, or address issues such as bullying.

Art:works projects can be delivered within curriculum time or as part of extended schools and to support Artsmark, Arts Award, and agendas such as Every Child Matters.

Example project:

St Benedict's Primary, Redcar

For six weeks, textile artist Serena Partridge worked with gifted and talented pupils to design and make their own 3D fantasy birds and trees using felt-making. Katie Haycock, the teacher responsible for gifted and talented pupils, contacted Tees Valley Arts because she wanted to give pupils who excelled in art the opportunity to work with a professional artist, producing a permanent piece for exhibition within the school.

“I am really pleased with this project, it by far excelled my expectations. Serena has produced beautiful felt birds and branches which will brighten up our school hall – a true celebration of their work!”

Sacred Heart Dragon

Twelve pupils from Sacred Heart Primary School aged from seven to eleven worked with their art teacher, Sue Tatterton, and artist in residence, Steve Iredale, to produce a piece of artwork for their playground. The children were asked to come up with ideas for a unique and stimulating structure for their playground and decided on the climbing and play structure in the form of a dragon that would represent a guardian of nature.

Sue Tatterton said "This was a challenging project for our children but they loved every minute of it and are immensely proud of the end result! They worked closely with Steve to develop their ideas and learned a range of new practical skills, but also learned how to approach and solve problems. The children now see something they have ownership of and is valued by other people - a major boost for their self-esteem and confidence."

Previous Art:work projects with Gillbrook Technology College, Eston:-

Case Study: Environmental Learning Through The Arts

Aim	A programme of activities for key stage 1 to 4 school learners, delivering messages of environmental awareness and environmental ‘hot topics’ through participatory innovative art activities.
Summary	Through a combination of a variety of visual art techniques (both 2D and 3D) and interactive creative learning, learners will be introduced to and increase awareness and understanding on the following topics; Key Stage 1 & 2; - Trees and Deforestation - Footprints of Transport - Habitats and minibeasts - Recycling Key Stage 3 & 4; - Biodiversity - Energy & Climate Change - Low-carbon Food - Renewable Energy & Climate Change To request a leaflet with more information about the sessions or to discuss possibilities to devise other environmental learning projects, just email or call or download a leaflet from our resources section.
Duration	Ongoing
Outcomes/ Outputs	All sessions support a variety of National Curriculum subjects promoting cross curricular learning. All sessions will produce materials for display and/ or use as a future teaching resource, and will provide information and an engaging means for learners to explore issues related to Sustainable Schools/ Eco-schools.
Funding	Schools. All sessions are for one class, last half a day and include all materials. Sessions are £200 + VAT. Price for multiple sessions can be negotiated.
Partners	Schools, local environmental partners

Environmental Learning through the arts

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