INNOVATIVE classroom spaces designed by Glasgow Science Centre are to be rolled out across Scotland under a pioneering scheme.

The bespoke science hubs include three separate areas called the cave, the tree and the lab which radically rethink what a classroom looks like.

Glasgow Science Centre is also helping to change the way the subject is taught in primary schools by helping to let pupils take greater control over their own learning.

The first science hub in Scotland has now been opened in St Patrick's Primary School in West Dunbartonshire and discussions with other councils are now ongoing.

Dr Sharon Macnab, Glasgow Science Centre’s Science Partnerships Manager, said: "It is absolutely something we would like every child in Scotland to experience and that is our ultimate aim and aspiration.

"It is about rolling out the science centre's methodology that we have developed in the building for more than 15 years beyond just our own walls to embed it in wider education.

"We are in talks with a number of different local education authorities about embedding these hubs into the design or new or refurbished schools, but we are also looking at teacher professional learning."

Dr Macnab said the new learning approach focussed on pupils as scientists rather than just concentrating on science knowledge.

She added: "Primary teachers can say they don't have a lot of science knowledge and can see it as something that is complicated and complex.

"If you concentrate on teachers and pupils as scientists what you are doing is pushing the boundaries of their knowledge so what they do or don't know is no longer a barrier.

"The ability to explore the unknown is exactly the sort of skill we want to develop in young people so they are able to investigate and build their scientific awareness so they become better scientists."

Laura Mason, chief education officer at West Dunbartonshire Council, said the "fabulous resource" had transformed the teaching of science in St Patrick's.

She said: "We were already looking at regenerating learning spaces to improve teaching and learning experiences for pupils and this was a great opportunity for us.

"It has really helped us to develop teachers' approaches to teaching science subjects and that has really progressed the way children think about learning science.

"Pupils have seen a change in how science feels and are much more aware of taking control over their own learning so they are asking each other questions rather than always looking to the teacher for help and that is amazing because they are learning from each other and they are becoming more independent."

The hub, which was previously an open space between classrooms at St Patrick’s, includes interactive areas with a science lab, a gathering space in the shape of a tree, a so-called cave area for smaller group working and a section with a digital screen linked to tablets for pupils to work on.

The hub is used by all classes and, as part of the project, staff benefit from professional learning sessions which include model lessons and experiments and ideas on how to best use technology in the space.