New Service Provision for Teachers

The Second Level Support Service (SLSS) extend its gratitude to all of you that supported the work of the service throughout the years since its establishment in 2001. A new cross - sectoral service, the Professional Development Service for Teachers  (PDST) was established in September 2010. The PDST subsumed much of the work of the SLSS.

The PDST is happy to inform you that the resources, materials and functionalities of this website will continue to be available to you in the future. 

The aim of the support service is to provide teachers with continuous professional development.  If you believe there is a need for support in a particular area please place a notice on the “forum” on our website http://chemistry.slss.ie . Further support is offered through the online magazine 'Physical Sciences'.  A consultation service is also available by fax. phone or email.

 Discontinued Use of Chemicals – Substances of Very High Concern click here to view Circular

Science Subjects Review May 2011

Syllabuses for Biology, Chemistry and Physics have been reviewed and are available for consultation on the NCCA website at 

www.ncca.ie/en/Consultations/Senior_cycle_science/Senior_cycle_science_consultation.html

Chemistry Support Autumn 2011
Thank you who participated in the PDST Chemistry Support Teacher Feedback Survey in April 2011. To access a summary report click here

The Spring 2012 support programme will be updated before January 31, 2012.

Induction Course for Chemistry Teachers

This course is for teachers of chemistry who are new to the profession or new to the revised chemistry syllabus. It is a two day course. Day 1 looks at the structure and content of the syllabus and teacher guidelines. It also focuses on good classroom teaching and learning practices as well as giving participants a hands-on experience to master the skills required in carrying a number of experiments. Day 2 will mainly focus on Organic Practicals with the emphasis on safety and following the correct procedures as outlined in the Mandatory Experiment CD. Teachers will get an opportunity to set up and prepare organic compounds under the watchful eyes of their demonstrators. Safety tips, techniques tips and exam questions related to the experiments will also be covered on the day. A network will be set up where the participants can communicate with each other electronically to support issues that may arise between Day 1 and Day 2. The Mandatory CD will be available on Day 1.

It is organised for two venues nationally.

Target Group

• Teachers of Chemistry new to the profession.
• Teachers of Chemistry new to the revised Leaving Certificate syllabus.
• Teachers of Chemistry who feel they need practical hands-on experience of the Mandatory Experiments.

Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Apply the structure and content of the Chemistry syllabus, Teacher Guidelines and a support starter pack

• Identify and investigate best practice in laboratory management

• Choose effective teaching methods, such as Assessment for Learning, for communicating Chemistry

• Demonstrate practical hands-on experience with experiments listed in the syllabus

• Discuss and reflect on their own teaching and share experiences and useful resources with colleagues

• Undertake some action research in teachers' own work situations, reflect on practice and document the outcomes.

The two hour refresher course will look at all types of Vernier dataloggers – calculator, labquest and computer with Go-Link. The use of temperature, motion, heartrate, pH, light and other sensors will be examined. Time of all workshops 7.00 – 9.00 pm.

To Register email your name, mobile number and school details to Brid Finn at sciences@pdst.ie  or fax a completed application form to 061 585065

Evening Courses will be organized as the needs emerge and the programme for courses will be available on http://chemistry.pdst.ie

  We will be on hand to listen to your ideas and needs and will try to respond accordingly. Local Facilitators will be teachers who respond to an open invitation to contribute to CPD in their subject or programme areas or other areas where they have expertise and willingness to contribute. If you wish to become a Local Facilitator in Chemistry please email timregan@slss.ie  or brendanduane@slss.ie.

If you do not personally receive information regarding courses and upcoming Network Meetings then send me your details by email to brendanduane@slss.ie and I will place you on our database. There is much to gain by attending inservice courses especially as they are subject specific so please do try to attend a course in your local area.

                                                             Brendan Duane,      SLSS Chemistry

Physical Sciences Magazine Latest Issue 14 published in September 2010  click on the magazine image to download 

A teacher's reference handbook Chemistry

This handbook, produced as part of the Department of Education and Science’s Equality of Opportunity Programme, is available under the Resources link on the left hand side of this page.  It is hoped that the material contained in this resource will assist teachers in presenting chemistry in a manner which will give due cognisance to gender differences in relation to interests and attitudes. It is also hoped that the material will help teachers in their continuing quest to develop new approaches to their teaching which will make chemistry more interesting and exciting for all their students.

Online Safety Courses

Safety and Health in the Science Laboratory for Teachers

This free course will help teachers of the Science subjects improve their knowledge and understanding of safety, health and welfare, particularly within the science laboratory.

Get Safe - Work Safe: Workplace Safety and Health for Senior Cycle Students

This short free course will develop your knowledge of workplace safety, health and welfare. We are all responsible for safety and health at some level and the more we understand it the better prepared we are to prevent accidents and ill-health at work.It is aimed at senior cycle secondary school students who are engaged in work experience or holiday work, and as future members of the workforce. It is provided by the Health and Safety Authority in Ireland.

Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) of Substances and Mixtures to download click here

under EU CLP Regulation. For further information, visit The Health and Safety Authority’s website www.hsa.ie or contact the CLP Helpdesk at e-mail clp@hsa.ie or telephone 1890 289 389

Laboratory Health and Safety 

Safety in the school laboratory is everyone’s concern and the aim is to ensure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill. The Health and Safety Authority control measures outline ways of preventing accidents. Download HSA file here

Network Evening Meetings        

The local evening support courses,  will be facilitated by local facilitators, to support local identified needs and be organised in partnership with Education Centres. 
Local Facilitators will be teachers who respond to an open invitation to contribute to CPD in their subject or programme areas or other areas where they have expertise and willingness to contribute. If you wish to become a Local Facilitator inChemistry please email timregan@pdst.ie