posted by Shabnam Wasim, Public Engagement Assistant, University of Dundee:

TITLE: Cafe Science Dundee: Tackling the Ebola Crisis – Experiences From the Frontline With Dr Steve McSwiggan, University of Dundee – Monday 14 September 2015 at 7pm
Venue:  Avery & Co, 34 South Tay Street, DD1 1PD

Event/Activity/Description:

In 2014 and 2015, three West African nations, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone experienced the largest and most complex outbreak of Ebola the World had ever seen.

During the outbreak Dr Steve McSwiggan from the University of Dundee was working as a volunteer in an Ebola treatment Unit in Liberia.

At this Café Science discussion he will discuss the challenges of helping to set up and conduct the first clinical trial into finding a potential treatment for Ebola, and his experiences of caring for patients in that environment.

Steve worked in the largest field hospital ever set up to provide treatment to sufferers. He will also give some background to the current epidemic and share his thoughts on the global management of Ebola to date.

Join us at Avery & Co, 34 South Tay Street, Dundee on Monday 14^th September 2015, at 7pm. This is a free event and everyone is welcome. Free tickets are available at http://tiny.cc/CafeScienceTicket

 Admission price:  Free, Non-bookable

Website (for publication):  www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk

posted by:  Shabnam Wasim, Public Engagement Assistant, University of Dundee

TITLE:  Dundee Arts Café: Behind the Exhibition with Prof Nikolai Zhelev and Curator Clare Brennan, Abertay University –  Tuesday 8 September 2015 at 6pm

Event/Activity/Description

Prof Nikolai Zhelev and Curator Clare Brennan will discuss the exhibition ‘Hearts’ which is part of pair of shows title ‘Hearts and Minds’ across two spaces; the Hannah Maclure Centre at Abertay University and LifeSpace at the University of Dundee.  

This talk will focus on the Hannah Maclure Centre exhibition which explores scientific and artistic research relating to our life-giving organ, examining incredible breakthroughs in life sciences research and sharing the work of internationally renowned artists whose practice is concerned with the heart.  

In Prof  Zhelev’s lab, miniature beating hearts are developed from human cells reprogrammed to grow as tiny hearts which are then used to investigate preventions and cures of heart disease. This inspired an exhibition of work from artists working across a variety of media, examining the heart in transplantation, the heart as a system and the heart as a poetic object. 

Opening times for the exhibitions are as follows:
Hearts Exhibition: Preview night – Friday 11 September, 6pm-8pm
Runs until Friday 23 October 2015 at Hannah Maclure Centre, Abertay University
Minds Exhibition: Preview night – Friday 18 September, 5pm-7pm
Runs until Saturday 18 October 2015 at LifeSpace, University of Dundee 

Join us in the relaxed atmosphere of the McManus Café for a short talk followed by your chance to ask questions and discuss the topic. 

Everyone is welcome. Free. Non-bookable. Places are limited so please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Doors open at 5pm. This event is likely to last one hour.

Admission Price:  Free, Non-bookable

Website (for publication):  www.dundeeartscafe.co.uk

posted by:  Alita Spink, Support Officer Schools & Learning

Education Scotland’s WW1 site for teachers and educators has gone live, with further material to come over the next months.

http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/worldwarone/

Our WW1 blog has news pieces about centenary activities, projects and resources

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/WorldWarOne/

Education Scotland will be hosting a WW1 ‘Sharing Practice’ event for primary and secondary teachers, on Monday 5^th October, in Glasgow. The day will include presentations, workshops, and sessions to discuss differing approaches to learning and teaching and the range of resources in use by practitioners. Key organisations will also be on hand to highlight the resources and opportunities they make available to teachers; these include Commonwealth War Graves Commission, National Museums, National Library, National Records, and Historic Scotland.

Contact Nick Morgan for details. Nicholas.morgan@educationscotland.gsi.gov.uk

Scottish Government’s WW1 Commemoration Panel now has its own website at http://www.ww100scotland.com/ .

Stirling University is running a Secondary school pupils writing competition, focused on the Gallipoli experience. The University is also offering creative writing workshops for young people to help get them engaged with the competition.

http://www.stir.ac.uk/arts-humanities/about/literature-languages/english-studies/gallipoli/

posted by:  Rachel Grieve, Principal Teacher for Autism 3-18

Highlighting two upcoming event at Angus House and Carnoustie High School on the 8th September for anyone who is interested in exploring transitions for people with autism and/or additional support needs. Both events are being organised by Autism Network Scotland and ARC and facilitated by myself and Audrey Osborne.

All of us working and living in Angus know how important it is to ensure that all our young people with additional support needs are able to express their views and be part of deciding their own future and the support and care they need.

These two events are open to all local stakeholders including people with autism and/or additional support needs, families, carers and practitioners. Participants will be given an overview of the Principles of Good Transitions 2 document followed by workshops.

More information can be found by following this link:

http://www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk/

posted by:  Louise Kirby, YMI Coordinator and Creative Learning Facilitator

Angus Creative Learning Team offers a range of CPDs for primary teachers and EYPs. 

Please book through CPD online. 

Wee Wellie Wander
Target Audience – EYP’s, P1 & P2 Teachers

Site specific CPD sessions designed to develop teachers’ skills and confidence to creatively engage young learners in learning outdoors using art, design, and the natural environment.  Sessions designed around the facilities at Crombie and Monikie Parks but skills are transferable to any outdoor location, including school grounds.  Wee Wellie Wander is a colourful downloadable pack which includes images and descriptors for a variety of learning activities using natural materials.  Session includes pack and all materials.
LTG34-15/16  Wee Wellie Wander (Crombie) 24 September 2015
LTG35-15/16 Wee Wellie Wander (Monikie) 28 September 2015

Liven Up Your Learning with DRAMA
Target Audience – P4 – P7 Teachers

A series of three CPD sessions designed to develop teachers’ skills and confidence to plan and deliver drama at second level.  Ideally teachers will attend all three sessions as there is a progression in learning across the sessions, but sessions can be accessed individually if preferred.

LTG30-15/16 Liven Up Your Learning with DRAMA – Session 1, 22 September 2015
LTG31-15/16 Liven Up Your Learning with DRAMA Session 2,  10 November 2015
LTG32-15/16 Liven Up Your Learning with DRAMA – Session 3, 14 January 2016

Storybox
Target Audience – P1-3 Teachers

A series of three CPD sessions designed to develop teachers’ skills and confidence to plan and deliver drama at first level using stories as the key stimulus.  Storybox engages learners actively in listening and responding to story expressively using a range of drama approaches and techniques, developing literacy across learning while linking to the significant aspects of learning for drama.  Links to bookbug.  (Highlighted by Scottish Book trust as a model of good practice).  Ideally teachers will attend all three sessions as there is a progression in learning across the sessions, but sessions can be accessed individually if preferred.

LTG27-15/16 Storybox – Session 1, 22 October 2015
LTG28-15/16 Storybox – Session 2,  17 November 2015
LTG29-15/16 Storybox – Session 3, 21 January 2016

Introduction to Kodaly
Target Audience – P1-3 Teachers

A simple range of Kodaly techniques to introduce P1-3 teachers to the programme that will be delivered to support experiences and outcomes in music

LTG33-15/16 Introduction to Kodaly, 21 September 2015
LTG26-15/16 Introduction to Kodaly, 30 September 2015

posted by:  Simon Corrie, Andover Primary School

Andover Primary School hosted a STEM Day to allow children to explore science, technology, engineering and maths in a different way, aiming to promote STEM subjects. Dundee Science Centre and staff from the Education Department of the University of Dundee came along and hosted some of the activities in collaboration with Andover staff. The infant area explored space, the middle area investigated hydraulics and pneumatics and the upper area considered chemical reactions. The day was a huge success; children enjoyed the opportunity to work together on new challenges and this exemplified their learning from the day. It was also a valuable opportunity for all staff to experience a hands-on CPD and take the children’s learning on further in their own classrooms.

Brechiner Report: http://www.brechinadvertiser.co.uk/news/school-notes/pupils-learn-about-science-at-stem-day-1-3770575?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Mike (DSC), Richard and Neil (UoD) led an assembly at the start of the day to explore some concepts of space and chemical reactions.