A go-ahead Barrhead science teacher has become one of just three in the whole of Scotland to be honoured with a special award for teaching modern science.

St Mark's Primary acting principal teacher Nicola Roberts has been given the prestigious Primary Science Teaching Trust accolade for her imaginative take on subjects as varied as melting ice and solar eclipse – and received the distinction at a special assembly of the whole school.

Her achievement is reckoned all the more remarkable because she is an English Literature graduate and marketing expert, and didn't study science at university.

Presenting the award, PSTT trustee Dr Geraldine Brown said: “There is much evidence that children’s interest in science is shaped before they leave primary school.

“It’s therefore very important that they encounter enthusiastic, knowledgeable teachers and our awards are designed to recognise the best of the best.”

Nicola caught the award judges' attention with activities including a day based on the concept of solar eclipses, with an event involving the creation of special solar eclipse viewers to watch an eclipse.

She also impressed with the creation of Peter the Polar Bear, a Haribo Bear trapped in an ice cube who must be freed by melting the ice, and by getting P4 children to show off their knowledge of electricity at a parents' evening using electrical buzz-wire games to show how circuits work.

Nicola said: “It is a great honour to be recognised for my efforts in teaching science to primary school pupils.

“As a school and as a cluster, we are delighted to receive this award and will use the grant to further enhance our development of STEM subjects, which will be so vital to the development of our nation in the coming years.”

As a designated Science Champion, Nicola is responsible for teaching science to pupils at all levels within the school, but is also said to be inspirational to colleagues.

St Mark’s acting Head Teacher Natalie Fitzsimmons said, “Nicola leaves no stone unturned in terms of accessing resources, with a willingness to acquire teaching materials from a wide variety of partners including the Institute of Physics and the PSTT.

“Her lessons are eagerly anticipated and her enthusiasm knows no bounds.”

Nicola has also been credited with making a “vital” contribution to Curriculum for Excellence science studies.