posted by Lesley Watson, Business Liaison Officer

If you were an engineer in Scotland – what would you do?”

Registration for the Scottish Engineering Special Leaders Award 2015-2016 is now open to all Scottish Primary and Secondary schools.

Please click on the link below to Register
http://www.leadersaward.com/index.php/email-us/201208-20-21-51-38/teachers

SLA-Scotland Step-by-Step Guide                 Scottish Engineering Special Leaders Award FLYER A4

The SCOTTISH ENGINEERING Special Leaders Award asks primary and secondary school pupils precisely that. To answer the question pupils are asked to research engineering and interview a practicing engineers about what it means to be an engineer.  Pupils then identify an issue and invent a solution to that perceived problem.

And this year there’s an added incentive…

…Pupils to Pitch their inventions

Final-year engineering students from the University of Strathclyde have been tasked to build prototypes of one or more of this year’s winning inventions from the SCOTTISH ENGINEERING Special Leaders Award, so we are asking pupils to write a letter to persuade those engineers why they should build their invention.

Primary pupils of 9 or over are asked to illustrate their solution, accompanied by a 100 word letter ‘pitching’ their invention, whilst pupils of 8 years old or younger just write what they can manage. Secondary pupils are also asked to illustrate their solution, accompanied by a 350 word letter ‘pitching’ their innovation.

Further details including a promotional flyer/explanatory document about the ‘Pitch’ letter and a Step-by-Step guide for the award are attached,

The Scottish Engineering Special Leaders Award is a STEM programme designed to encourage children, from as young as 5 years old and up to 19 years of age, to engage with engineers who convey the importance and the ubiquity of engineering in everybody’s lives – from the houses they live in to the technology and tools they use, from the multiple transport system they travel in and the very food they eat.

Schools will be able to develop relationships with industry, both local and worldwide, giving pupils a unique perspective of professions and their significance in the wider world.

All successful participants will receive an electronic certificate and selected entries, along with the winning inventions, will be on display to the general public at the Barony Hall, University of Strathclyde in June 2016.

The deadline for entries to the Scottish Engineering Special Leaders Award is 21 April, 2016.

For further details visit www.leadersaward.com
Or contact chris.noone@leadersaward.com

posted by Lesley Watson, Business Liaison Officer

Get Set to Make Waves by Entering the 2016 Junior Saltire Competition
Young Engineers and Science Clubs Scotland  are delighted to launch the Junior Saltire Awards 2016 which challenges schools to design and create a wave energy converter, with shortlisted teams testing their devices at FloWave: the world’s most sophisticated ocean simulator.

Registration has just opened and teams have until 18 December to sign up for the challenge! For 2016, teams of up to four pupils from P5-S6 (multiple school teams welcome) are challenged to research, design and make a Wave Energy Converter using the free copper coil and magnets provided.
Click here for the challenge brief and details of fabulous prizes
Click here to Register (register all teams on one form)
Click here for Curriculum Links

For all enquiries about the Junior Saltire please contact Melanie Riddell melanie.riddell@scdi.org.uk Full details available on www.yecscotland.co.uk

posted by Carol Lyon, Schools & Learning Support Officer (STEM)

Following a successful STEM Event at Montrose Academy on 30 September, which several Angus primary staff attended, please find below an opportunity to attend a similar event on Thursday 29 October, at Dundee Science Centre from 4.30 – 6.30pm.   This event may be of particular interest to teachers interested in digital technologies.

We would like to invite you all to attend an upcoming free digital technology networking event taking place on Thursday 29^th October, at Dundee Science Centre from 4.30 – 6.30pm

We are inviting teachers, STEM Ambassadors and representatives from relevant fields to come along and hear about some opportunities you can get involved in, while meeting others and finding out what’s going on locally.

The night will include a presentation from Yen Yau at Into Film, along with Melissa Knox from Blazing Griffin.  If you’d also like to give a quick 5 minute overview of any digital project or activity that you’re supporting – let us know and we can include this in the programme.  We’re looking forward to sharing ideas and encouraging networks to build in the region.

Sign up to the Eventbrite page here and we look forward to seeing you there!  There will be teas, coffees and muffins provided.

Lucy Wakefield
STEM Programmes Manager
Dundee Science Centre Greenmarket, Dundee DD1 4QB
Direct line: 01382 868610 Fax: 01382 868602 Switchboard: 01382 228800

Remember to keep your STEMNET profile up to date – login here!
Teacher Feedback Form and Ambassador Feedback Form
For updates and information:
Follow us on twitter @DundeeSTEMLearn
Follow us on LinkedIn 
www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk

posted by Lesley Watson, Business Liaison Officer

The Woodland Trust has 3,250 free tree packs to give away to schools, community and youth groups this autumn. The free tree packs are available for planting on one publicly accessible site. Each pack is worth £30, £105 or £420. All applicants need to do is find a suitable site and supply the volunteer planters and tree protection.

The packs come in different mixes of tree species so applicant’s can choose the best one for their project. All those eligible will receive their tree packs between 7th and the 11th March 2016. The closing date for applications can be made up to the 6th January 2016. For more information visit:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/in-your-community/

posted by Audrey Osborne, Service Manager ASN / Principal Eduational Psychologist

Many of you will have worked with, and remember fondly, our dear friend and colleague, Rodger Flavahan.  It is now five years since Rodger’s family last organised a sponsored walk across the Tay Bridge for Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund (PCRF).  Sadly, in spite of some exciting research, the five year survival from this horrific disease remains at 3%.  Therefore, Roger’s family are organising another fund-raising walk across the Tay Bridge in memory of Rodger on Sunday 25th October 2015 at 2.30pm.  If you would like to offer your support, please follow the link below for details provided by Rodger’s daughter, Gillian. 

Many thanks
Audrey Osborne
Service Manager ASN /Principal Educational Psychologist

posted by Lynn Richards, Criminal Justice Assistant

Yes it’s that time of year again. The Angus Toy Appeal are now taking donations of new toys, books, games and all things Christmassy for children from birth to 18 living in poverty throughout Angus. 

If you would like a donation box for your work place, or make a donation please email angustoyappeal@gmail.com or call 07783426770.

Alternatively if you know of a family living in poverty please email or call us for a referral form or more information.

Lynn Richards
Secretary