Category: Explore

December 9, 2021

RED Book Award History

Previous winners and shortlists:

RED 19 (2024-2025): This Book Kills by Ravena Guron

Nominated:

This Tale is Forbidden, Polly Crosby
How Far We’ve Come, Joyce Efia Harmer
100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Café, Julian Sedgwick and Chie Kutsuwada

RED 18 (2023-2024): War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson

Nominated:

Skin of the Sea, Natasha Bowen
Dogs of the Deadlands, Anthony McGowan
Stateless, Elizabeth Wein

RED 17 (2022-2023): Last One to Die by Cynthia Murphy

Nominated:

Cardboard Cowboys, Brian Conaghan
The Younglings: Shadows and Magic, Helen Craggs
Needle, Patrice Lawrence

RED 16 (2021-2022): A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll

Nominated:

Evernight, Ross MacKenzie
Run, Rebel, Manjeet Mann
Hold Back the Tide, Melinda Salisbury

RED 15 (2020-2021 award): Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin

Nominated:

Summer Bird Blue, Akemi Dawn Bowman
A Pocketful of Stars, Aisha Bushby
My Name’s Not Friday, Jon Walter

RED 14 (2019-2020 award): The Quiet at the End of the World by Lauren James

Nominated:

Orphan Monster Spy, Matt Killeen
The Closest Thing to Flying, Gill Lewis
Outwalkers, Fiona Shaw

RED 13 (2018-2019 award): Sunflowers in February by Phyllida Shrimpton

Nominated:

Kick, Mitch Johnson
I am Traitor, Sif Sigmarsdottir
Sky Thieves, Dan Walker

RED 12 (2017-2018 award): Welcome to Nowhere by Elizabeth Laird

Nominated:

Boy X, Dan Smith
Hell and High Water, Tanya Landman
Rebel of the Sands, Alwyn Hamilton

RED 11 (2016-2017 award): 13 Hours by Narinder Dhami

Nominated:

The Apple Tart of Hope, Sarah M Fitzgerald
The Year of the Rat, Clare Furniss
Devil You Know, Cathy MacPhail

RED 10 (2015-2016 award): Mind Blind by Lari Don

Nominated:

Beneath, Gill Arbuthnot
Salvage, Keren David
Inflicted, Ria Frances

RED 9 (2014-2015 award): Raining Fire by Alan Gibbons

Nominated:

Rat Runners, Oisin McGann
Mosi’s War, Cathy MacPhail
Soul Shadows, Alex Woolf

RED 8 (2013-2014 award): Slated by Teri Terry

Nominated:

Mortal Chaos, Matt Dickinson
Torn, David Massey
Mr Creecher, Chris Priestly

RED 7 (2012-2013 award): An Act of Love by Alan Gibbons

Nominated:

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, Annabel Pitcher
Gladiator, Simon Scarrow
Blood Red Road, Moira Young

RED 6 (2011-12 award): Wasted by Nicola Morgan

Nominated:

Ausländer, Paul Dowswell
Koh Tabu, Ann Kelley
Black Out, Sam Mills
Timeriders, Alex Scarrow

RED 5 (2010-11 award): Grass by Cathy MacPhail

Nominated:

Wolfcry, Julia Golding
Colony, J A Henderson
Chalkline, Jane Mitchell
Deathwatch, Nicola Morgan

RED 4 (2009-10 award): Divided City by Theresa Breslin

Nominated:

Don’t Tell, Sandra Glover
Beast, Ally Kennan
Forged in the Fire, Ann Turnbull

RED 3 (2008-09 award): Worse Than Boys by Cathy MacPhail

Nominated:

Message from Mia, Sandra Glover
Bunker 10, J A Henderson
Fearless, Tim Lott
Alone on a Wide, Wide Sea, Michael Morpurgo

RED 2 (2007-08 award): Blood Ties by Sophie McKenzie

Nominated:

The Ice Cream Con, Jimmy Docherty
Ostrich Boys, Keith Gray
Strangled Silence, Oisin McGann
Spider, Linda Strachan

RED 1 (2006-07 award): Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy

Nominated:

The Star of Kazan, Eva Ibbotson
Airborn, Kenneth Oppel
Tamar, Mal Peet
Montmorency, Eleanor Updale

November 24, 2021

Kapla – Available to Borrow

We have two amazing 1000 piece Kapla sets available to borrow. They come with four

idea books but are perfect for letting your pupils’ imagination and creativity shine.

The feedback received so far has been fantastic and some teachers are trying them out to see if they are worth buying as a school (they are!).

How big a tower can you build? Let’s measure it!

Remember we have loads of ‘hands-on’ STEM resources as well as books.

November 24, 2021

School Library Development: Sacred Heart Primary School Case Study

One of our main roles in supporting our primary schools is to help them develop and refurbish their school libraries. We tailor our support according to the needs of each school and the remit they provide. It can range from advice, purchasing new books, reorganisation, library cataloguing systems and full library refurbishments.

At the moment we are working with nine schools across the authority to improve their school library, all with different needs and budgets.

Sacred Heart Primary School are undertaking a complete refurbishment of their library. Pupil librarians have been heavily involved with the decision making and priority is given to pupil voice so that the pupils all have input into the new library. What they wanted is what most pupils want when they are asked about their school library – more and better books and somewhere comfortable to read them!

As you can see from the pictures we have a lot of work to do. As with all our library development work, we have a very close partnership with the SLT, staff, pupils and often parents, as it takes a community to build a library.

The room has been painted and given a new carpet, so we have a blank canvass to work with and imprint the school’s vision. Some of the old shelving is being reused, as it is still in good condition, which means we can focus on adding new areas: a digital area/makerspace, a comfy story corner with rug, browsing boxes for picture books and beanbags, a more grownup reading area for the older pupils with sofas and an ASC zone with a range of different non-book resources to support children with specific needs.

The old books have been ruthlessly weeded by the pupils and only the best quality retained for the new library. We have purchased a range of new, diverse and inclusive books in consultation with the pupils – popular authors like Jeff Kinney, Liz Pichon, Julia Donaldson, David Walliams etc., books in school community languages, comics and graphic novels, picture books for older pupils, wordless books, fact books, hobbies/interests and dyslexia friendly books. We also use our expertise to ensure there is a range of books to suit every level of reader, that the selection is diverse and inclusive and includes quality, modern books that the pupils have yet to discover.

We are currently waiting on delivery of the new furniture and more books, but we gave the pupils a sneak peak at the new books during Book Week Scotland and the excitement to get reading was palpable! The pupils were asked what reading means to them and the feedback will be used to create special artwork on the library walls.

A lot of work still to do but watch this space to see the finished library.

November 24, 2021

#Falkirk Reading Teachers’ Early Years Book Group: STEM Focus

Our Early Years Book Group has been looking at new picture books that can be used for STEM. Picture books are fantastic for stimulating learning and many are wonderful for a STEM Through Stories focus. The Falkirk STEM Officers support us by providing story planners for each book to give teachers and practitioners a starting point but our members always find creative ways to use the books and bring the learning to life.

King of the Swamp by Catherine Emmett and Ben Mantle

King of the Swamp Plan

McDarkly lives all on his own, growing orchids in his dank swamp, until one day his peace is disturbed by an arrogant king who wants to turn the swamp into a roller-skate park. This story is brilliant for looking at nature, minibeasts and environmental issues.

Practitioners took the book with them on a visit to the local woods and it stimulated lots of role-play and den building. One child commented that they didn’t want them to ‘take away our green stuff’ when they saw building work happening nearby.

Tad: a big story about a brave minibeast by Benji Davies

Tad Plan

Tad is the smallest tadpole in the pond and she is scared of ‘Big Blub’. When the other tadpoles start to disappear she worries ‘Big Blub’ has got them. This story is brilliant for looking at life cycles and feelings.

The children loved this story and found it very engaging. They walked to a local pond to see some real tadpoles and practitioners felt it would be best to use this at spring time.

Tiny Little Rocket by David Fickling and Richard Collingridge

Tiny Little Rocket Plan

A little rocket takes you on an adventure to space. This book is great for looking at space, rockets and technology.

This was a strong favourite of the children who loved to pour over the pages together with friends. The black background makes the pictures bold and attention-grabbing and encourages the children to learn about space. The children took their interest outside to see the moon and this lead to lots of discussion about what’s in the sky.

Izzy Gismo by Pip Jones and Sarah Ogilvie

Izzy loves to invent but her inventions don’t always go to plan. This story is good for looking at inventions, technology, block play and developing a growth mindset. Izzy is also a strong, diverse role-model for getting girls into STEM.

A planner wasn’t created for Izzy as the STEM Officers felt it was the perfect book to inspire free and creative play in children. Practitioners felt it is a good book to leave in the building area to inspire children. They loved the rhyming text and the pictures have a lot of detail for children to pour over.

November 24, 2021

Learning for Sustainability Resource Boxes

We have been working with the Falkirk STEM Officers, Laura McCafferty and Barbara Hanning, to extend our range of STEM resources and develop new resources to support STEM Through Stories. This year’s COP26 in Glasgow has meant many schools are covering Learning for Sustainability and we have produced new resource boxes to support this at early, 1st and 2nd levels.

Each box has a story book with a planner developed by the STEM Officers:

Early Level

Somebody Swallowed Stanley by Sarah Roberts

Somebody Swallowed Stanley Plan

1st Level

Eco-wolf and the three pigs by Laurence Anholt

Eco Wolf and the Three Pigs

2nd Level

Song of the dolphin boy by Elizabeth Laird

The Song of the Dolphin Boy

Class sets of the books and the resource boxes are available to borrow from us.

November 24, 2021

The Lost Words: literacy, STEM skills and nature

Fantastic resources to support using the beautiful book ‘The Lost Words’ by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris

From The John Muir Trust:

Literacy Nature 2020

The Lost Words

November 24, 2021

#Falkirk Reading Teachers’ Book Group

Our teacher book group is continuing to read, discuss and review a range of new books for children and we want to share this as widely as possible. Here we review ‘When the sky falls’ by Phil Earle and ‘The small things’ by Lisa Thompson

#FalkirkReadingTeachers′ Book Group

October 21, 2021

Flood Risk in Falkirk: STEM Box

Welcome to the Flood Risk in Falkirk STEM Activity Box

Inside the Teacher’s Guide below you will find all the information you need to deliver a jam-packed STEM lesson with a hands-on activity, local heritage links and future career inspiration for your pupils! The learning materials included are best suited to pupils aged 8-14 years.

You can use the resources any way you please! In addition to the core lesson and activity there are plenty of optional extras, extension ideas and links to external resources to use at your disposal

1) Teacher’s Guide_ Flood Risk in Falkirk

2) Whiteboard friendly version Flood Risk in Falkirk

3) Worksheets Planning & Predictions

4) Worksheets Results

Click on the following video from the Institute of Civil Engineers: Kevin – Roads Engineer (ICE)

Click on the following video from the Institute of Civil Engineers: Scott – Floods Engineer (ICE)

Click on the following video from the Institute of Civil Engineers: Gillian – Geotechnical Engineer (ICE)

Additional information on STEM box contents:

Flood Risk STEM Box Contents

Click on this link to download in Word format Flood STEM Box Risk Assessment Dec 2021

SDS Focus Repotting Mixes

Newplast Clay DATA SHEET

FULL Image credits_Flood Risk

October 21, 2021

Wind Power in Falkirk: STEM Box

Welcome to the Wind Power in Falkirk STEM Activity Box

You can use the resources any way you please! In addition to the core lesson and activity there are plenty of optional extras, extension ideas and links to external resources to use at your disposal

01 Teachers Guide_Wind Power in Falkirk

02 Whiteboard Friendly Version_Wind Power in Falkirk

03 Background Info – COAL

04 Full Image credits Wind Power In Falkirk

Click here for a video of Charlotte Strang-Moran – Electrical Engineer – Charlotte Strang-Moran answers questions in relation to her career pathway to becoming an Electrical Engineer at ORE Catapult.
This video interview was created by ORE Catapult in partnership with Great Place and Falkirk Science Festival, and presented as part of a digital learning STEM Activity Box resource: ‘Wind Power in Falkirk’.

Click here for video of Tony Fong – Engineering Manager – Tony Fong answers questions in relation to his career pathway to becoming an Engineering Manager at ORE Catapult. This video interview was created by ORE Catapult in partnership with Great Place and Falkirk Science Festival, and presented as part of a digital learning STEM Activity Box resource: ‘Wind Power in Falkirk’.

Explore Further

Below you will find additional helpful links and resources from our partners at ORE Catapult

Click here to download the PowerPoint presentation: Pres1_ORE_ STEM – FunFactsWind Power_2021

Click here to download the PowerPoint presentation: Pres2_ORE_wind Turbine Blades_presentation (note that this file is 40MB)

ORE Wind Turbine Lesson Plans

YouTube videos by ORE Catapult

Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine in Fife

Robotics in offshore wind

Sustainable decommissioning of offshore wind (circular economy) Great opportunities for future careers and environmental discussions.

Our test facilities in the north east of England

Explaining the forces and loads on a turbine

Additional information on Wind Power in Falkirk STEM box contents:

Wind Power STEM Box Contents

Click on this link to download in Word format the Wind Power Risk Assessment Dec 2021

October 21, 2021

Blue Carbon in Falkirk: STEM Box

Welcome to the Blue Carbon in Falkirk STEM Activity Box

You can use the resources any way you please! In addition to the core lesson and activity there are plenty of optional extras, extension ideas and links to external resources to use at your disposal.

1) Teacher’s Guide – Blue Carbon STEM box

2) Digital Board Friendly Version to use alongside your Teacher’s Guide

Click here to watch an overview and introduction to ‘Blue Carbon’, video made and narrated by Marcelina Lekawska, detailing the ‘Blue Carbon’ and how to protect it. Originally produced for a Falkirk Science Festival workshop in 2021:

https://vimeo.com/636076877

Click here to watch a guided video of a local Blue Carbon heritage site, conducted and presented by Professor William Austin, when exploring the Saltmarshes and the work of researchers RSPB Skinflats. Film Originally Produced by Schedule D Productions:

https://vimeo.com/635377136

Click here to watch a detailed introduction to the importance of Saltmarshes by the RESIST Project. Produced by Cambridge Filmworks and Voice over by Julia Lee

Click here to watch an instructional video made and narrated by Marcelina Lekawska, detailing the ‘Teabag Experiment’ used by scientists and the wider community to compare decomposition between a saltmarsh and regular soil environment. Originally produced for a Falkirk Science Festival workshop in 2021:

https://vimeo.com/636071628

Click here to watch an interview of Professor William Austin, conducted by Marcelina Lekawska, detailing the career path and work of a scientist, researcher and academic within the world of Blue Carbon. Originally produced for a Falkirk Science Festival workshop in 2021:

https://vimeo.com/636077203