Category Archives: Sciences

All Posts, Featured, Sciences, Second, Third

Physics Fun in Space

Leave a comment

The following film is a recording of a science show for primary schools presented by Dr Alan Bruce of the University of Abertay to a mixed audience of primary 6 & 7 pupils. It has been developed as a spin out from the popular Tayside Space School and shows a series of fun science (particularly Physics) experiments. It is designed to promote science in a fun and entertaining manner using space and space travel as a means of introducing basic scientific principles such as gravity and electricity and highlighting their importance in our everyday lives.

The following presentation was one of a series of 12 shows enjoyed by more that 800 pupils from across Dundee and Angus during 2012 and the University would like to thank the Institute of Physics in Scotland for providing funding to support the development and delivery of the shows.

Pupils will be shocked, surprised and entertained by the show, but more importantly Alan and the team at Abertay, hope the show will excite and encourage them to take their first steps towards becoming Scotland’s scientists of the future.

Leave a comment if you use the film with pupils e.g. What are their reactions? Will you plan any follow up practical work?

You can contact Alan at A.bruce@abertay.ac.uk and see the video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRTDqf0IyE0&feature=youtu.be

Expressive Arts, Health and Wellbeing, Languages, Literacy, Mathematics, Numeracy, Other Big Stories, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social Studies, Technologies

Advice for new National Qualifications

Leave a comment

Education Scotland have today published advice and guidance, with exemplification in a range of subjects to support learning and teaching in the new NQs.  More material will be published over the coming months.

The updated NQ website can be found here: 

 http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/nationalqualifications/index.asp

Expressive Arts, First, Literacy, Sciences, Social Studies

Wild Earth African Safari – primary 3

Leave a comment

As a NQT I wanted to really engage the children during their first term and so I decided to try out games based learning.  Having studied this aspect of learning in University and taking the time to refresh my knowledge I decided to use the wii along with the game “Wild Earth African Safari”.

To introduce the context and set the scene the children learnt about the location of Tanzania and some simple facts about the country.  I then shared with them that we were going to fly to Tanzania and so they had to complete a boarding pass.  Having them close their eyes while I switched on the game really helped them get into role.  They were all excited and engaged when they saw the wii and game.

The game itself encouraged collaborative work as the whole class had to work together in order to complete each assignment.  The children really enjoyed putting on the safari and animal outfits and thought it was necessary to wear these when playing the game.  I found that using this approach motivated the children to succeed in a variety of areas of curriculum.

Curriculum Links

Literacy

  • journal entries
  • postcard home from safari
  • imaginative writing – what happened next etc
  • animal fact files

Science

  • animal survival and habitat
  • camouflage

Art

  • safari animal masks
  • 3D elephants
  • camouflage painting
  • animal colouring

Drama

  • safari area in classroom led to a lot of role play
  • role play of safari animals through a story approach

Social Studies

  • location of Africa and Tanzania
  • Tanzania Flag
  • Impact humans have on environment and animals

Technologies

  • create own animal through switcheroozoo.com
  • variety of safari games

I have really enjoyed using this approach and would definitely recommend this game.  Feel free to contact me for more information.

Curricular Level, Early, First, Fourth, Other Big Stories, Sciences, Second, Senior Phase, Third

Learning in the Sciences in Dundee

Leave a comment

ScienceProfessor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Scottish Government, has said that science, engineering and technology are not only essential for driving our economy – now and in the future – but are also significant parts of Scotland’s heritage and culture.

Here in Dundee, eminent local scientist Sir Philip Cohen has said of our city that it is no longer famed for “jute, jam and journalism” but “biochemistry, biomedicine and biotechnology.”

Young Dundonians with an interest in science may hold the key to Dundee’s future prosperity.  Such a responsibility rests with us as teachers then, to deliver science topics in an active, confident way to inspire these scientists of the future.

Our local DSC – Sensation has loads of interesting exhibits and activities all year round and there will be lots of opportunities to do extra science activities in November at Dundee’s Science Festival. Look out for more news on this!

CPD for science teaching is also in the pipeline. CPD Online will have sessions on the ASE “Be Safe!” material for primary and early years staff, and also a secondary review and exploration of free online resources. Secondary sciences and social subjects teachers will also have the chance to sign up for Carbon Capture, a one day session to be delivered by SESEF (Scottish Earth Science Education Forum) later in the session.

Scottish Government is investing in science education, and we are definitely getting something right – see this article about science subject uptake in Scotland. Make the most of the resources being provided – our pupils and our city will benefit. Check out STEM Central and Do Science sites.

Even more importantly, please share your science lesson success stories here and what you are doing for Curriculum for Excellence delivery in the sciences. See the instructions on posting at the side.  We can all learn so much from each other!

CfE Curriculum Area, Curricular Level, Dundee Active Learning, Dundee Projects, Dundee School Music Theatre, Early, Eco Schools, Expressive Arts, First, Fourth, Global Citizenship, Glow, Health and Wellbeing, Health Promoting, Languages, Literacy, Mathematics, Numeracy, Other, Other Big Stories, Parental Involvement, RME, Sciences, Second, Senior Phase, Social Studies, Technologies, Third, Transition

Sharing our learning

Leave a comment
This blog is managed by all education staff and pupils across Dundee. It allows teachers and pupils to share and celebrate learning. Tell everyone what is happening in your class, school or cluster. You can add a link to your Glow Group, blog or wiki to share all the exciting learning that is taking place within our nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools across Dundee.
Checklist test