New Opportunities
Speak up Scotland!
Calling all Science Teachers
An exciting new science debating programme from the ESU.
For S1 - S3 pupils. Complements Curriculum for Excellence. Starts Autumn 2011.
Get pupils talking and arguing about science, and explore the impact of science on their everyday lives with an innovative new project to help pupils explore the ethical and moral implications of the latest scientific advances.
As well as equipping young people with debating and research skills, we want to help them understand how to question and weigh up evidence, build coherent arguments, and make informed choices.
The whole class participates in the activity - encouraging both independent and collaborative learning.
We will provide free debating workshops for science teachers - enhancing your own professional development; pupil and teacher resources - including suggested debates motions and science fact sheets, as well as questions to ask and where to get more information.
All resources will be available on our website.
Pupils will have an opportunity to talk to scientists from university and industry on topics ranging from climate change, stem cell research, to video games and nanotechnology.
You will be able to choose a motion and hold your own debates in school: take part in regional debates competitions and, ultimately, the national final, in Spring 2012.
To get involved please email us at science@esuscotland.org.uk
STEM Challenge 7 - The BT App Challenge is now launched
This challenge is to design an app for London 2012 and is aimed at the 11-14 age group. The deadline for team entries via the website is Wednesday 13th July; all local judging will take place in late September; and the Challenge final will be in late October. For more information and to sign-up, see the web-site for details: http://www.stemchallenges.net/
The Global Water Experiment
The Local Sections of the Royal Society of Chemistry have combined to deliver a Scotland-wide project for International Year of Chemistry:
The Global Water Experiment: http://water.chemistry2011.org/web/iyc
They are encouraging schools, youth groups etc to try out one or several of the 4 Global Experiments and to log their results on the Global Water website. They can provide pH indicators and optional filtration and solar-still kits.
There are great 'Curriculum for Excellence' links in the experiments.
The Scottish Earth Science and Education Forum
bring to Aberdeen and Shire CPD training for Science teachers. Subsidised places are available on their one-day course on 'Carbon Capture and Storage CPD training for Teachers' at Hazlehead Academy. Detailed information is here: SESEF CCS Aberdeen and Shire Information.pdf
The Bug Hunt Competition
Martin Rapley of Experience Science Live and schoolscience.co.uk bring you an exciting new competition for primary schools. See advert: bug hunt advert new.pdf
University of Aberdeen Natural History Centre presents their annual CfE S1/S2 science-art poster competition
'Extreme Marine'
The oceans connect the world from the tropics to the polar regions. They support an amazing variety of life, determine the weather and provide us with food, energy and leisure resources.
The issues surrounding the importance of marine biodiversity are to be discussed at a conference
'Our Oceans, Our Future' to be held in Aberdeen during September 2011.
We would like your pupils to tell us about a marine issue that they think is important and produce an A4 poster depicting this issue.
Issues could include marine habitat and biodiversity loss or global warming / climate change / impact of changing weather patterns or human impact through tourism, fishing and other industry or pollution and its causes.
Flyer Extreme Marine poster competition.pdf
Extreme Marine Sci-Art Poster teacher guide .doc
Junior Saltire Prize and Green Energy Awards 2011
Skills Development Scotland has been asked to organise and run a set of competitions for school pupils designed to promote interest and awareness in renewable energy. These competitions will culminate in the Celebration of Engineering and Science showcase which is hosted by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) which will be held on Friday 10 June 2011 at the Glasgow Science Centre.
The First Minister is scheduled to present the awards.
There are three competitions for schools to take part in:
Junior Saltire Prize Award
This competition is open to all primary P5-P7 and secondary S1-S3 school pupils in Scotland and will run from 1 March to 30 April 2011.
Entry participation can be by a team or a whole class. Schools can submit multiple entries provided each is registered separately.
Junior Green Energy CREST Project Award
This award is held in cooperation with the British Science Association and is open to any Scottish school group that has submitted a Crest Award during the 2010/11 school year for an energy-related project.
For primary schools the Crest award category will be at the bronze level only;
For secondary schools submissions at bronze, silver and gold levels will be eligible
Junior Green Energy Eco-Schools Award
This award is held in cooperation with Eco-Schools Scotland and is open to any school in Scotland that has successfully been awarded an Eco-Schools Green Flag during the 2010/11 school year (i.e. from August 2010 to end April 2011). The award will be given to schools in recognition of outstanding whole school project work specifically relating to the Eco-Schools Energy topic, one of nine topics that schools are asked to investigate as part of their Eco-Schools work.
A range of prizes from £250 to £750 will be awarded to successful schools at a prestigious awards event.
Full information, including registrations forms, can be found in the Skills Development Scotland website:-
http://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/news/junior-saltire-prize-2011.aspx
Google International Competition for 11-18 year olds
Google is an official partner of the National Science & Engineering Competition and they have alerted us to a new international competition for students aged 13 to 18. As a teacher, you can pre-register to receive details once the competition launches on 11th January 2011.
On 11 January 2011, they are launching the inaugural Google Science Fair. They have partnered with NASA, CERN, National Geographic, Scientific American and the LEGO Group to create a new STEM competition that is more open, accessible and global than ever before. They are extending an invitation to schools and teachers to get involved early in their global competition.
To sign up for fun and free resource kits for your classroom or school (with bookmarks, stickers, posters and more!) and a reminder notification when GSF registration opens, please visit the Google Science Fair at: http://www.google.com/sciencefair
The Google Science Fair is a global competition that any student aged 13 - 18 from around the world is eligible to enter. Students can enter as individuals or as teams of up to three. There is no entry fee and registration and submission will happen online. The deadline for submissions will be the 4 April 2011. The Science Fair will culminate in a "once in a lifetime" celebratory event at Google headquarters in California in July 2011 where finalists will compete for internships, scholarships and prizes in front of a panel of celebrity scientist judges including Nobel Laureates, tech visionaries and household names.
EU-SOL Tomato Seeds: Free Genetics Resource for EU Secondary Schools
Teachers and students can grow tomato seeds over a few days and observe characteristics that help demonstrate how dominant and recessive traits are passed from one generation to the next. This is a practical alternative that will enhance understanding of theoretical learning of genetic inheritance.
Teachers can order the seeds from our website www.eu-soltomatoseeds.com and they will be despatched over the coming months. The resource includes a free seeds pack, online worksheets and an online database where teachers and students can share their results with other schools across the EU. For more information click here.
ESEU Interactive 'hands-on' workshops that don't cost the earth!
ESEU supporting Curriculum for Excellence by offering interactive 'hands-on' workshops using stimulating cross-curricular approaches.
Workshops on offer include:
· Scotland Rocks! Pre-School to P4 (Early Level to First Level, Age 3- 8/9)
· Scotland's Rocky Journey P5- S1 (Upper Primary Second Level to Lower Secondary Third Level, Age 8- 12/13)
· Scotland on a Plate S2 - S4 (Secondary Third Level to Fourth Level, Age 12 - 15/16)
ESEU has a team of specialists in Scotland to enthuse and motive teachers and trainees, in Earth science teaching.
These NO FEE workshops*:
· provide 'ready to use' inspiring teaching ideas, guaranteed to generate debate about the magnitude of Earth processes and problems;
· promote enthusiasm for exploring, discovering and sharing;
· are practical, interactive, enjoyable and highly rated.
For information on all ESEU workshops please see
www.earthscienceeducation.com
Email: eseu@keele.ac.uk
Telephone: 01224 787858
* Apart from minimal travel expenses paid by the host institution
RAF Workshops for Schools
The Royal Air Force Motivational Outreach Teams are able to offer a wide range of activities or presentations to help build on inter-personal and team building skills. The activities include a wide range of practical, constructive and desktop activities which help pupils understand and build on the principles of communication, team working, leadership and problem solving. There is also an opportunity for pupils to partake in Interview techniques and Mock Job Interviews. This can be beneficial to pupils seeking employment or further education.
All these services are free of charge and are available nationwide throughout Scotland. The activities are aimed at S3-S6 age group and can vary from a single session to a whole day event.
For more information on any of the activities or services that the Motivational Outreach Teams can offer to your school contact the Coordinator, Motivational Outreach Activities, on 0141 224 2193 or email sncomotscotland@careers.raf.mod.uk or your local Armed Forces Careers Office (Royal Air Force).
The Bloodhound Effect
The British team which set the World Land Speed Record in 1997 are building a new car that is capable of reaching 1,000mph (1,610km/h). Known as Bloodhound, the vehicle will be powered by a rocket bolted to a Eurofighter-Typhoon jet engine.
The project hopes to be an inspiration to the next generation of scientists and engineers, through its Bloodhound Education Programme. The primary purpose of the Bloodhound Engineering Adventure is to help stimulate interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) through an iconic British project which can capture the imagination of all ages, and be a "vehicle" to support teaching and learning. While a team of top engineers is working on highly complex design challenges, the Bloodhound Education Team is enabling schools to use the work as a context in a wide variety of ways. Through experienced partners, such as Engineering Explained, "Greenpower", "F1 in Schools" and "Young Engineers", there is something for everyone. Curriculum materials are linked to delivery in the classroom, and all ages can get involved, eg Bloodhound@Uni to the high quality "Primary Engineer" materials offering a complete unit of work with a Bloodhound theme. Bringing chemistry to life In a sector awash with initiatives and resources, one of the main aims of the Bloodhound Education Team is to appeal to the teachers as well as the students - with something to make their lives easier! A data handling project based around real results from hybrid rocket tests you've just seen on video can enthuse those who are less than excited about analysing data from a text book. Demonstrations include high test peroxide, used in Bloodhound to provide oxygen for the hybrid rocket, which brings the chemical symbols to life. The engineering team cannot visit every school, but the new Bloodhound ambassadors could. All appropriately registered, these STEM enthusiasts from all round the country are being linked with local schools to offer support, and help with Bloodhound activities. See the full article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8378878.stm
