Author Archives: J. McLean

Free Micro:bits, but you need to move quickly!

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img_2725Another chance to get your hands on micro:bits!

Over the summer we gave away free BBC micro:bits to active Code Clubs across the UK. We’re really pleased that we are now able to run another micro:bit giveaway to clubs that may have missed out the first time!

The micro:bit, measuring just 4cm by 5cm, is a micro controller which children can use to code and create anything they set their minds to. It’s intended as a starter device to give children a basic introduction to physical computing and tinkering.

In order to qualify for micro:bits, you’ll need to make sure your club is registered and active on our website by Wednesday 14 December. If you applied for micro:bits over the summer, unfortunately you won’t be able to apply again.

In the new year, each eligible Code Club will be able to apply for micro:bits. Applications will open at midday on 11th January, and close on 1st February at midday, so stay tuned for more information then.

As before, clubs will need to pay £5 for postage, and shipping will be fulfilled by our lovely friends at Pimoroni after the applications close.

In the mean time, why not check out Code Club’s micro:bit projects at jumpto.cc/microbit. You can also find out more general information about using the micro:bit here.

24 Hour of Code resources

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Looking to get your learners going with resources for this weeks global Hour of Code? Looking to integrate computer science into the school day all year long? Here are a handful of resources for computer science and coding. Teachers who are ready to jump into the Hour of Code or looking for inspiration as they design a new curriculum will find lots to choose from on this list.

Click here to access the resources

 

Bloodhound Scotland : STEM Opportunity

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As part of the College/Secondary School STEM hubs ESP(Energy Skills Partnerhship) have been working with Education Scotland, SSERC, Bloodhound, the Army and Microsoft to launch Bloodhound Scotland’s Model Rocket car competition 2016-17 ‘Race for the Line’.

The Model Rocket Car Competition is open to secondary school students (11–16yr olds) and you can find your nearest college Bloodhound Scotland hub here https://www.dendrite.me/content/view/contentid/57349a24851dc6c9410ba839

92 Secondary schools got involved last year and we would like to see even more schools, teachers and young people engage with their local college this year.

Tim Peake Primary Project

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The Royal Observatory Edinburgh is currently recruiting Scottish primary schools to take part in the second year of the Tim Peake Primary Project. The project is free to schools and provides £500 worth of resources and support to help schools use space as an inspiring context for teaching and learning across the curriculum. Participating schools receive:

* a space resource box containing a range of highly-rated cross-curricular classroom resources
* on-line CPD sessions delivered by Space Ambassadors
* a classroom visit by your Space Ambassador, or a visit for your class to the Royal Observatory Edinburgh

The project was a great success in its first year, with over 50 schools taking part across Scotland and teachers reporting great outcomes for both their students and themselves. Any schools interested in taking part this year or learning more about the project should contact Olivia Johnson at the Royal Observatory on  olivia.johnson@stfc.ac.uk  by 18 November.

My World of Work – exciting information

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My World of Work Live! from Skills Development Scotland, is a set of interactive exhibits and activities designed to inspire young people’s interest in careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Every free, fun My World of Work Live! experience is about hands-on learning – building, making, designing – and makes the best use of the latest technology to engage and inspire.

My World of Work Live! brings STEM out of the classroom and into real life and helps young people, parents, carers and teachers understand the breadth of opportunity STEM careers offer and the variety of pathways into STEM industries.

My World of Work Live! is designed for young people aged between 10 and 15 and for teachers and parents who are key influencers for this age group; they allow young people access to My World of Work Live! and influence the decisions they make on subjects and careers.

Bringing a real-life connection to Curriculum for Excellence, My World of Work Live! has accompanying learning resources to help teachers get the most out of a visit and to continue learning back in the classroom.  All activities are aligned to the Career Management Skills framework and support the realisation of Self, Strength, Horizons and Networks and support delivery of the Skills Investment Plans.

All of those working on My World of Work Live! have real life experience of industry, with a passion for education and learning.

My World of Work Live! is in locations where young people experience the world of science, technology engineering and maths, e.g. museums, science centres and other venues.

Locations for 16/17 are:

  • Glasgow Science Centre
  • National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
  • Digital Studio and Careers Lab, Inverness
  • Mareel Arts Centre, Lerwick
  • Schools can book onto our 90 minute Inspiring Activities – all developed in partnership with industry to provide fun job-related challenges designed to inspire young people’s interest in STEM careers. Activities on offer vary across venue and are designed for 10-15 year olds.   Please contact individual venues for availability and booking.
  • Hour of Code Video game development
  • DIY Gamer Games programming
  • Cracking Cryptography Cyber Security
  • Robot Sidekicks  Robotics engineering
  • Sonic Electronics Electronic engineering
  • Little Bits  Electronic engineering
  • Space Junk Space engineering
  • Mindstorms Renewables Engineering in the renewable energy industry
  • Mindstorms Driving Test Computing and programming
  • Land Yacht Challenge Design and automotive
  • Laser Cutting – CAD and industrial design
  • CreativITy Programming and film-making
  • My World of Work Time Machine Music technology
  • Digital Doctor  Careers in the health sector
  • DNA Extraction – Bioscience
  • Roboplast – Environmental science and recycling
  • Who Needs Science? All STEMInteractive Exhibits are designed to be self-serve with little to no instruction needed in how to use them.  They are accessible to all age groups (apart from Virtual Reality, restricted to over 13’s). Exhibits vary across venue.
  • Virtual Reality Careers in Construction Narrated career learning scenarios are linked to the ‘My World of Work’ website content with three mini games highlighting different roles within the industry. Coming soon – a downloadable version of the game on the google play store.
  • Minecraft Careers World Minecraft is a computer game that gives players a unique and completely interactive, digital world in which to play and learn. Designed to facilitate careers learning, the Minecraft Careers World is complete with a city of industry, commerce and residential areas, agriculture, energy, food production and more.  There are a multitude of learning opportunities and ways to interact and users can spend minutes, hours or even days exploring, completing challenges and building their knowledge of STEM careers.
  • Magic Mirror Visualise yourself as a scientist or engineer by ‘trying on’ uniforms in our virtual dressing room.
  • Infowall A 70 inch touch screen that uses a fluid, gesture based application to give users the opportunity to explore careers information. The user can explore each sector through job descriptions including salary information, key facts and videos of industry professionals talking about their careers.
  • Self-Led Careers Trails Visitors are guided around the new galleries at the National Museum of Scotland to find out about careers in local STEM industries.
  • What makes me tick A game designed to challenge and entertain users as they explore their personality in relation to careers. The game is accessed via iPads and is similar in content to aptitude tests and ‘brain training’ games. For more information on how to book FREE activities for your school or to find our more, please contact:Glasgow Science Centre – susan.meikleham@glasgowsciencecentre.orgMareel and Shetland emma.chittick@sds.co.uk
  • Inverness kirsty.wright@sds.co.uk
  • National Museums – eilidh.christie@sds.co.uk or chris.trotter@sds.co.uk

Computing Science resources

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Computing Science is an incredibly exciting and inspiring area of the curriculum and it is essential that teachers and learners across Scotland benefit from the wealth of opportunities offered by the subject. The Glow Technologies Professional Learning Community provides teachers and learners with anytime, anywhere access to a wealth of contemporary, creative and engaging computing science online materials, resources and presentations. All materials are tailored to levels within broad general education and senior phase enabling easy and quick access to the most relevant resources. Watch videos and hear how teachers are enriching their learning experiences through the creative and interdisciplinary use of computing science. Join this well-established Glow community today.

Access the resources here, you will need your Glow username and password