About CSci

Submitted by dario on Tue, 03/15/2011 - 12:44
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Image: 
Name: 
Ian Galloway
Featured Profile: 
No
At A Glance
Licensed Body: 
ASE
Scientist Type: 
Teacher
Region: 
South East
Location: 
Southampton
First Degree: 
Maths & Physics
Job: 
Deputy Director Science Learning Centre South East
Age: 
58
Works For: 
University of Southampton
Qualifications: 
BSc., AKC, PGCE, MA(Ed)
Pet Hates: 
bad drivers!!!, use of the word “absolutely” when people mean ""yes"", losing my keys then finding them in my pocket.
Burning Ambition: 
visit antarctica and write a book about basic school physics
Superpower: 
Flying; I have always envied the freedom birds have, although I would not like to be caught by a cat.
Links: 
www.bloodhoundssc.com www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk/centres/south-east www.education.soton.ac.uk/staff/IanGalloway
Big Picture
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 
An engine driver, this was scuppered when it was discovered later that I was colour blind!
Who or what inspired you to become a scientist? 
The Wonder Book of Wonders....a book that belonged to my father when he was a child, I couldn't put it down. Then a teacher I feared at school gave me an old astronomy book quite out of the blue, ""here"" he said "" this might interest you"". At the age of 15 I attended a lecture by Jocelyn Bell (as she was then) about the mysterious signals she had picked up from outer space. They turned out to be pulsars, but I was hooked!
What do you love about your job and being a “scientist”? 
I started life as a research scientist and then became a science teacher. What I love about my job is the challenge of translating science into an accessible experience for young people. I work at the cutting of science pedagogy
What would you change? 
I now think I would love to have been an engineer!
Education
What qualifications did you take at school? 
Maths,more maths and physics! Pretty boring by many people's standards, but I love mathematics and the way it helps us predict and model the real world
Why did you choose your first degree subject? 
Maths and Physics, you can see that I am fascinated by both subjects and how they support each other. I have never grown tired of learning about new ideas and improving my understanding of the world around us
Do you have a Masters or PhD? If not, was it difficult to demonstrate Masters-level equivalence in order to achieve CSci? 
I have a Masters degree in Education but did carry out research in rocket photography before I went into teaching. I am also a chartered physicist and a chartered science teacher
Job
How do you describe your job when you meet people at a party? 
physics teacher...it always creates interest, and I love talking about physics
What is ‘cutting-edge’ about your work? 
I work with scientists who are creating new knowledge and then devise ways of bringing this knowledge into the classroom. For example I have created a lot of material which supports BLOODHOUND, the supersonic car being built by Richard Noble. I also use the latest technologies such as graphing calculators for data-logging
What are the biggest implications your work will/could have in the future? 
My work on the analysis of rocket photographs is still being used to-day. My work as a teacher has had some impact on some people's lives, for the better I hope!
Describe some of the highlights of your average day. 
The best times are those when I know that people have enjoyed my talk or workshop. I take pleasure in creating a resource which others find interesting and useful. Then there is the pleasure of getting home at the end of a long day or hearing the dawn chorus when I have to get up particularly early!
Describe briefly how your career has progressed to date. 
I have been Head of Science in 3 different schools in 3 different countries, and was elected to the chair of the biggest subject teaching association in the UK, the Association for Science Education. After running the science teacher training programme at Southampton I am now deputy head of the Science Learning Centre South East.
How is your job cross-disciplinary? 
Well it's maths and physics, pretty well all the time! Science is by definition cross-disciplinary.....physics chemistry and biology!
How well is your job compensated? What is the starting salary for your field, and how much can this be expected to rise? 
Well enough. Teachers start at about 25k and can expect to be earning 50k after some years in post. Head teachers can earn as much as 100k.
How do you see your field developing over the next 5-10 years? 
As more and more technology comes on stream the time will surley come when school education will change completely
What’s the most unexpected thing about your job? 
It's never the same two days in a row
What’s the biggest achievement of your career so far? 
Working with the Blue Peter team on their 50th anniversary programme, the Ruben's Tube flames dancing to Nathan Flute Box Lee's flute were mine! I got a Blue Peter badge for this
Life
Would you say you have a good standard of living/ work-life balance? 
I am very happy with life, but I wish there was another day in the week!
What do your friends and family think about your job? 
I think they are generally interested in what I do
What kind of hobbies or extracurricular activities do you do to relax? 
I keep an old car on the road, this is very time consuming but very therapeutic. I have also taken up motorbiking. I would cook but my family do not let me near the stove!
CSci
Why did you choose to apply for CSci and what do you value most about being a Chartered Scientist? 
Recognition of my professional competence.
What is the value of professional bodies? 
The professional body is where you look for guidance for the professional development you might need.
How important is CPD? What do you think of the revalidation process in ensuring that CSci is a mark of current competence? 
As important as the CPD undertaken by a medical practitioner. It may not always be a matter of life and death for many people in science but if we all strive to keep up to date with new practices and new ideas then we will have a beneficial effect on the wider community. CSci is a confirmation that you are maintaining your professional competence so revalidation is an important part of the process.
Advice & Reflection
What words of wisdom would you give someone interested in getting into your field? 
Remember that the only people who don't make mistakes are those who do nothing. But if you keep your practice sharp with continuous professional development, you will reduce the impact of any mistakes you might make.
How important is the mentoring process in your field and to you personally? 
Essential
How would you define “professionalism”? 
A professional does not need guidance. They adhere to codes of conduct and would be considered experts in their chosen profession. Professionalism would then be the action of being professional!
What would you do differently if you were starting out in your career now? 
Nothing.
What would you like people to remember about your life as a scientist? 
Nothing, but I hope they remember my lessons!
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