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ABST RAC T W e are currently in a period of development in society when governments are concerned with raising the standards of education. In order to achieve this they are not only looking at levels of pupil attainm ent and the quality of teaching, they are also evaluating the ef® ciency of the management of the schools themselves. For newly appointed, novice headteachers this is a daunting time within which to take up their new appointm ents. This case study follows the entry of one headteacher during her ® rst year of acceptance by her staff in the school. The views of the headteacher, middle management teachers, class teachers and parents are all considered during this 12 month longitu dinal exploration. The evidence indicated a whirlwind of staff tensions as the old traditions of a failing school were being challenged by the determ ination of the new leader. The complexity of the emerging issues showed that nearly everybody connected with the school was personally or professionally involved. The requirement to raise standards within the classroom had a ripple effect on the families of the teachers as well as those of the pupils. The resulting stress meant that strong personalities were in con¯ict as different self-beliefs were throw n into serious qu estion. Raising standards in education is not just a statistical improvement, it is a fundamental challenge to the professional practices and personal survival of everyone it touches.

Students of all ages across West Virginia are being recruited to help with solar energy research. Fairmont State University is the headquarters of the West Virginia Brigade of the Solar Army, which is searching for cheap, abundant metal-oxide combinations that can help sunlight make clean-burning hydrogen fuel from water. Our lab has been adapting and refining sample preparation methods for informal settings. Community outreach involving family units, local schools, our campus community, and other organizations has reinforced the citizen-science mission of the Solar Army. Expanding community engagement introduces students and other individuals to renewable energy and provides a unique opportunity to conduct scientific research and contribute to the betterment of society. Student-friendly instruments known as SHArK (Solar Hydrogen Activity research Kit, University of Wyoming) and SEAL (Solar Energy Activity Lab, California Institute of Technology) are used to test samples. Our techniques, explanations, and website are improving by seeking viewpoints from groups beyond our headquarters. Through advertisements, workshops, demonstrations, and focus on communication and easy-access materials, we are bridging the gaps between our campus, our collaborators, and the general public.

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