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National STEM Director and director of NSLC
John Holman
Biography
After studying Natural Sciences at Cambridge, John Holman became a teacher of chemistry. He taught in a number of secondary schools, and between 1984 and 1994 he also worked as a writer and science education specialist, directing Science and Technology in Society (SATIS), Salters Advanced Chemistry Science across the World and other national and international projects.
In 1994 he became Head of Watford Grammar School for Boys, one of England’s most successful secondary schools, where he continued to teach chemistry. In September 2000 he left Watford to become Salters Professor of Chemical Education and Director of the Science Curriculum Centre at the University of York, where he taught chemistry at undergraduate level.
Professor Holman is interested in the teaching of science at all levels, from primary to undergraduate. He is author, or editor, of nearly 20 science text books at school and undergraduate level, including Salters Advanced Chemistry and Nuffield Advanced Chemistry. His recent work includes 21st Century Science, an innovative course for 14 to 16 year old students which emphasises scientific literacy. His specific interests include curriculum development, context-led science curricula, scientific literacy, ICT in science teaching, public awareness of science and the professional development of science teachers.
In August 2004 he became Centre Director of the National Science Learning Centre, which opened in York in November 2005. In October 2006 he was appointed as the Government’s first National STEM Director with responsibility overseeing the implementation of the STEM Programme Report.
