Monthly Archives: January 2017

Smarter Choices 2017/18 and Badge Design Competition

posted by Lesley Eaton, School Travel Administrator, Schools and Learning

smarterchoices

We’ve been promoting walking for a long time; 86 years in fact.  We bring this experience and expertise to your Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme with innovative, cost effective initiatives such as our Walk Once a Week scheme for schools.

To read more and to view flyers please click on the links below:

la-scsp-info                         wow-badge-template-2017-web

Partnership Grants – now open for applications

posted by Carol Lyon, Support Officer, Schools and Learning

https://royalsociety.org/partnership

The Partnership Grants scheme offers up to £3000 to UK schools or colleges to buy equipment to run a STEM research project in partnership with a STEM professional (research or industry).

Since it started in November 2000, the Partnership Grants scheme has awarded over £1.6 million to over 900 schools and colleges, igniting enthusiasm for STEM in thousands of young people across the UK. Since 2010, 88% of awarded Partnership Grants partners reported that they would apply again.

The 2017 winter round of Partnership Grants is now open for applications until 30 January 2017. Further information, including case studies and advice on applying, can be found on the Partnership Grants webpages and in a series of five short YouTube videos:

  • How to do research in schools with Partnership Grants
  • Partnership Grants case study  – what causes epigenetics?
  • Partnership Grants case study – how to predict the weather?
  • Partnership Grants case study – what are meteors made of?
  • How to apply for a Partnership Grant?

All of the videos can be seen on the relevant parts of the Partnership Grants webpages and on the playlist, What are Partnership Grants?, on the Royal Society YouTube channel.

For anyone who would like to know more about the Partnership Grants scheme, please contact Steven via education@royalsociety.org or on 020 7451 2531.

Steven A Simpson
Outreach Officer

T +44 20 7451 2531

The Royal Society
6-9 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1Y 5AG
royalsociety.org


New £10k Challenge for Young Tech Pioneers

posted by Rhonda McFarlane, Funding Officer, Chief Executive’s Department

nesta

We’ve teamed up with IBM to launch Longitude Explorer, a £10k competition for secondary school pupils aged 11-16, which aims to develop science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills. We’re calling on young people to come up with practical solutions to healthcare challenges using the Internet of Things. Find out more.

nesta1

Latest blogs

Truth and the media: a modest proposaltruthmedia
How the power of the internet could be harnessed to promote truth across the medial

Geoff Mulgan, 6 January 2017

buildingtrust
Who’s responsible for building trust with personal data?

Why individuals, businesses and government must all play their part in building trust.
Eric Copeland, 6 January 2017

Project Updates

rocketfund

Rocket Fund: the first 10 projects

Three weeks ago we launched a pilot crowdfunding platform just for schools, on a mission to reduce educational inequality and empower teachers to innovate in the classroom. Check out our first 10 pioneering schools and a few lessons we’ve learned so far. Read more.

diylearn         designpublicsector

Model of the Month: Fast Idea                        Design in the public sector, an
Generator                                                              interactive map

Explore the third of ten modules in DIY            Our new interactive map shows organisations
Learn, our online learning programme             using design-led innovation in the public sector
in innovation, created with the Open                created with La 27e Region Find out more.
University.  Find out more.

Jobs at Nest
We’re looking for an Executive Director of Research, Analysis and Policy; a Programme Manager for Y Lab, a collaboration between Nesta and Cardiff University; an Operations Co-ordinator (part-time) for our Impact Investments team; a Digital Transformation Project Manager; and a Social Media Officer. Browse all jobs.

The Long + Short
longshort

Participatory budgeting, explained

2017 looks set to be a big year for partcipatory budgeting, as governments attempt to get more savvy in meeting the needs and desires of citizens.  So, what is it?  Find out more in our digital magazine, The Long + Short.

Work with us

We’re inviting proposals from candidates for a one-year research project for the Give More Get More Fund, and expressions of interest for delivery partners for the Open Up Challenge Prize. Browse all current opportunities.

Latest blogs

sharingdata
Sharing personal data for public service reform – ethically, legally responsibly

Public service reform requires timely decisions about privacy and infromation sharing.  Here are some tips to build confidence.
Hilary Simpson, 15 December 2015

workertech
WorkerTech; fighting for better work through technology

How is technology supporting workers? We’ve grouped innovative solutions from around the world into four categories.
Toby Baker, 22 December 2016

Events

publicinnovation
How can public and social innovation build a more inclusive economy?
27 January 2017 – Join us for an event exploring how social innovation policy can better address inequality and marginalisation, in partnership with University of Oxford.  Register your interest.

europeaninnovation
European Social Innovation Competition 2017 launch

28 February 2017 – Join us in Athens for the launch of the 2017 European Social Innovation Competition, where we’ll be introducing our brand new theme. Sign up here.

 

PDGE Part Time Programme

posted by Lesley Duguid, Support Officer, Schools and Learning

Applications are attached and should be submitted by 31st January to  esw-apply@dundee.ac.uk.

esw-pdp-application-form-pgde

We are delighted to announce that we have received funding from the Scottish Government to continue to run our part-time programme for PGDE. This programme is open to LA employees who wish to pursue a career in teaching. The programme will begin in March 2017 and the students will complete in June 2018, ready for induction in August 2018.

We have already run the programme with Perth and Kinross and Angus Council and although the students have not yet completed it is proving to be very successful. We are now in a position to offer the programme to all four of our partner LAs, Dundee, Angus, P&K and Fife. We are looking to recruit a minimum of 40 candidates across the four LAs.

The programme consists of part time blended learning, with the majority of sessions being face to face one evening per week and approximately one Saturday a month, although there will be some addition Saturdays. In additional the students will attend a summer school at the beginning of July 2017. There are also additional sessions through online units. Students will also complete three professional practice placements in a school within your own LA, and we will negotiate this with each LA. This means that there needs to be the opportunity for the students to be given time out of their normal working time during the programme. This would have to be negotiated within the LA to enable students this time.

We are looking for suitable applicants who have a Degree, Higher English (or equivalent) and Standard Grade Maths at credit level (or equivalent).

The closing dates for applications is 30th January, and we do appreciate that this time is quite tight. However, we have only recently received confirmation that we can begin the programme in March 2017. Applicants will go through an interview process in the same way as all full time applicants.

As P&K and Angus Council have already worked in partnership with the university in the first programme they have experience of the procedures from an LA perspective and may be able to answer any questions regarding this.

This have proven to be an excellent opportunity for staff who are unable to give up a post to study full time and from an LA perspective this gives the opportunity for you to recruit potential teaching staff ready to start induction in 2018, as they will complete their induction within their own LA.

Please do not hesitate to contact Lesley Duguid at duguidl@angus.gov.uk   if you require any further details.

 

 

Angus Potato Project Returns with……..Superspud!

posted by Carol Littlewood, Project Co-ordinator RHET ACI

potatoproject

 

 

 

 

The Angus Potato Project is OPEN TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS in ANGUS and DUNDEE and although aimed mainly at Primary 4 other year groups can also take part if they wish.  RHET ACI will supply free of charge all you need to take part, including planting containers, compost and seed potatoes.  We also have lots of learning materials available to download free to supplement your pupils learning experience. RHET ACI are very grateful to have secured continued support us take the project forward from McCain Potatoes and RGS Forfar Ltd.

So, sign up and follow the life of the potato, with help from one of our RHET ACI volunteer farmers who will come to your school and help you plant your SUPERSPUDS. They will also talk to your pupils about the life of the potato and how potatoes are grown on farms around Angus and Dundee.

There are also two trophies to compete for, one for the school that grows the heaviest crop of potatoes from the seed potatoes provided, harvesting them just before the summer holidays and also a prize for the best project submitted to us, showing what you have done to use your potato growing in different aspects of Curriculum for Excellence.

The potatoes classes will be growing are an early variety called Shepody, which McCain growers send off to be made into fries for McDonalds.

Also back by popular demand, we will be having a short teacher briefing after school on Tuesday 28th February 2017 in the training rooms at Angus House in Forfar.  This briefing event gives you the chance to meet some of the volunteer farmers involved in the project and is also when teachers pick up all the materials for the project.  This is when you will also be briefed on how to get the most out of this fantastic learning experience, have the potato chitting process explained and be given helpful hints on how to care for the potatoes.

Many of our volunteer farmers will be happy to come back to the school to help the pupils harvest their potatoes in June and some will be involved in the judging of the projects that are submitted.

If you are interested in taking part in the project just drop an e-mail with your school name, class numbers and your contact details to your local Project Co-ordinator, Carol Littlewood 0791 999 2064 or angus@rhet.org Project places are allocated on a first come first served basis and fill up quite quickly.