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  

Paddle Canoeposted by Gavin Brebner, Senior Worker – Outdoor Education

Earlier this year a Forfar Community Youth Group undertook a project to build a canoe from lemonade bottles!

We believe that this is the first time that any group in Angus has attempted this. The group used a problem solving, experiential approach to the design and construction techniques by looking for answers to challenges as they were encountered and trying out different solutions.

Bottles were sourced by the group and also through support given by Barrs, Strathmore Water, in Forfar who also supplied some of the 216 bottles used to build the canoe.

The canoe was cheap to build, costing no more than £50 in total for glue and other materials.

It was completed in July and launched at Monikie Country Park later that month.

The group were confident that the canoe would float and support the two paddlers. However, there was still some surprise, and a lot of satisfaction, at how well it performed! It was stable and easily paddled! All in the group had a turn at paddling the canoe. It was paddled across the pond and back again without any problems.

Along with the significant achievement of paddling a canoe that they built themselves, the team also gained by developing problem solving and teambuilding skills.

The building of the canoe included a number of educational outcomes; literacies, health and wellbeing, and technologies. However, the project could be used in connection with many areas of Curriculum for Excellence.

Glamis Primary School has expressed interest in building and paddling one of these canoes in connection with their Junior Award Scheme. It is hoped that others may also be keen to take up this challenge.

If any schools are interested, the Outdoor Education Team would be happy to let them see the canoe and give advice on how to build one.

Please contact:
Gavin Brebner, Outdoor Education Team, Monikie Country Park. Tel: 01382 370613 BrebnerG@angus.gov.uk

posted by Isabelle Gall, Principal Teacher of Modern Languages, Carnoustie High School

For the fourth year running, the Modern Languages Curriculum Group in Carnoustie High School celebrated the European Day of Languages with a ‘Languages Week’ (September 28th- October 2^nd) Pupils had the opportunity to join learning lunches where they could experience a taster of a language along with a taster of food.

On Tuesday, Mrs Fraser and her colleagues, assisted by senior prefects, ran a British Sign Language café, where pupils, in complete silence,  ordered their food and drink by signing. On Wednesday, Mrs Joss introduced the learners to the basics of German and they tried out some German specialties. On Thursday, Ms Jiang had prepared senior Mandarin pupils to deliver a performance for the Moon Festival, which celebrates the September full moon. The event was led by School Captain, Rebecca Cook. Kevin Shand in S5, very bravely sang a traditional Chinese song and Fiona and Susan Muirhead, both in S6, recited a poem about the Moon Goddess. The young audience then had a chance to try Chinese food and practice their chopstick skills.

During Modern Languages lesson, learners were given the opportunity to experience other languages and cultures in games and activities. The aim of the week was to allow the pupils to enjoy the diversity of human communication and cultures and to encourage them to gain awareness and confidence as active global citizens.