Category Archives: Science

Competition, Outdoor learning, Primary schools, Science, Secondary schools, Social Studies

Would you like to win £1000 for your school or group?

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Enter Scotland’s Environment Website Youth Discussion competition by 31 March for a chance to win.

We have £1000 to award to the best school/group entry and £100 for the best individual entry. We have lots of other exciting prizes including HP tablets, educational experience days with a “green” theme, a backstage tour of The Hydro and tickets to the Irn Bru Carnival 2014.

To enter, just answer the following question: “What needs to change in your local community that will make a positive difference to your environment and what role can you play in making it happen?”then submit your answer in an imaginative way.

Follow the link for further information about this competition and to get an entry form:www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/yd

The competition is easy to enter and is relevant to many areas of the curriculum including drama, art, science, English and even modern languages.  This means entering the competition can easily be dovetailed into current project work or class topics.   The competition entry rules are very flexible which enables teachers to choose the level of input they feel is appropriate and suitable for their pupils. A number of useful teaching aids and resources have been developed that provide a good starting point.

You can choose to present your answer in a number of formats from a simple drawing, painting or report to something more complex such as a video, website or photographic essay; be as creative as you want!

The competition is open to all young Scots aged between 5 and 18 years old and you can enter as an individual or as a group e.g. Eco Group, class, youth group. The closing date is 31 March 2014 so there is still time to enter – what are you waiting for?

Your entry may also be eligible for the Young Reporters for the Environment competition. It is being run in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful and is open to young people aged 11 to 21 years.

Art, Art and Design, Creative practitioners, Events, Learning, Opportunities, Science, Secondary schools

‘Weather to Whether’

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Fife Contemporary Art & Craft (FCA&C) are delighted to announce the ‘Weather to Whether’ event in partnership with Bright Green Hydrogen, who operates the Hydrogen Office project in Methil.

The event is aimed at S2/S3 pupils and will showcase FCA&C’s‘Weather Project’, which took place in the Levenmouth area, as well as visual displays/working models of power from the weather and hydrogen and energy storage by Bright Green Hydrogen (see programme below).

We are delighted to be able to offer a travel subsidy for this event, supported by Fife Cultural Trust’s Seedcorn Transport Scheme (details and form below).

***Spaces are limited and early booking is advised***

Weather to Whether Flyer

SeedcornApplication2013

FCT SEEDCORN TRANSPORT SCHEME

The maximum amount you can apply for is £250 per school towards transport costs to attend this event.  Once you have confirmed your booking at the event through FCA&C, please complete the attached Seedcorn Transport Scheme Application Form and return it to the address at the bottom of the form.  This fund is administered by FCT Cultural Partnerships and they will confirm your award and advise how to claim the monies for your school.

Events, Primary schools, resources, Science, Secondary schools

Scotdec – new resource

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Our Forest Our Future a  new educational resource produced in association with the Forestry Commission Scotland and with support from Oxfam Scotland will be launched at Royal Botanic Garden, 20A Inverleith Row, Fletcher Building, Edinburgh EH3 5LR at 10.15am on Friday 21st March 2014 to coincide with the first International Day of the Forest and the Tree.

Our Forest Our Future is an online resource which takes teachers and pupils on a learning journey to discover the vital role forests play in sustaining our environment and encourages them to take positive action for maintaining sustainable forests for the future.

More information from isabel@scotdec.org.uk or www.scotdec.org.uk

Creative Learning, Education Scotland, Numeracy and Maths, Primary schools, resources, Science, Secondary schools, Technologies

STEM e-bulletin March 2014

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Welcome to the e-bulletin for sciences, technologies, engineering and maths (STEM). Sign up to receive it directly.

Sciences
• New food security learning journeys on STEM Central for second level
• Calling all citizens scientists! Join the Big Bumblebee Discovery
• NQ sciences update including Higher Cross-Authority Writing Workshops
• Award winning primary science resource, Tigtag, is free to Glow users – no need to ask for a trial.

Technologies
• Williamwood High – Using QR Codes in Practical Craft Skills
• John Paul II Primary – technologies in the nursery
• STEM Ambassador roadshow at 5:30pm Wed 12th March at the Falkirk Wheel
• Ellen McArthur Foundation event at University of Bradford 25th – 27th March

Numeracy and mathematics
• Support resources now available for Mathematics National 4 and National 4 Life Skills Mathematics
• Articles for 11-14 year olds, including ‘Do iPods really shuffle?’
• Aspiring teachers – numeracy video exemplifications

Did you know?
March 14th-23rd is National Science and Engineering Week. Theme this year: Explore the Future.

Video Inspiration
Renfrewshire school boy’s Lego animation promotes British Red Cross resilience campaign.

We’ve got loads more news to share! See our STEM blog for the latest updates.

Health and Wellbeing, Primary schools, resources, Science, Secondary schools

Innovative new Environmental Education Centre opens

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Tullis Russel’s TREE Centre is a ground breaking educational resource that uses imaginative displays and interactives to teach visitors about climate change, the environment and sustainability. The Ecology Centre will be providing educators to lead visitors through the displays, providing engaging games to educate and inspire. Sessions cost £160 plus VAT for a whole day. Please see http://www.thetreecentre.org/ for more info or contact admin@theecologycentre.org to book a visit.

Art, Art and Design, Creative practitioners, Dance, Drama, Health and Wellbeing, Literacy and English, Music, Numeracy and Maths, Primary schools, resources, Science, Secondary schools, Social Studies, Technologies

Into Film in Fife

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Into Film is a new film education charity, bringing together FILMCLUB and First Light, gives 5-19 year olds a chance to experience film and the moving image creatively and critically, as well as learning about the film industry and careers within it. In or out of school Into Film cultivates their interest, and provide teachers and youth leaders with the tools and training to support engagement at all levels.

The film education programme includes learning resources, CPD and training, film clubs, filmmaking film festivals, industry interactions, youth engagement and more. For information or to register for updates visit www.intofilm.org or if you’re interested in starting a film club to watch, make and understand films register at www.filmclub.org
Literacy and English, resources, Science, Social Studies, Technologies

Libraries Spring Book Sale – 27th FEB ASDARC

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Below is a poster giving details of the Spring Book Sale for Schools taking place in ASDARC on Thursday 27th February.  All welcome!

The books (all ex children’s public library stock) are priced at only 50p each and many are in almost new condition.  We also have some sets available suitable as class readers.  This sale covers all primary stages from nursery to P7 and offers both stories and information books.

If no one from your school is visiting ASDARC that day then call Maggie Gray (contact info below) with your requirements and we can select a box for you.

Hope your school can benefit from these amazing bargains.

Spring school Booksale Poster

Maggie Gray
Young People’s Services Co-ordinator
ON with Fife Cultural Trust
FCT Headquarters
16 East Fergus place
KIRKCALDY
KY1 1XT

Direct tel: 03451 555 555 ext 442022
Glow TV, Primary schools, Science, Secondary schools, Social Studies, Technologies

Glow TV Events

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Your Science Futures

20 February, 11.00

http://bit.ly/1lU0xAX

Find out what a career in the Health Sector has to offer. Take this opportunity to ask experts from one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies GlaxoSmithKline about their career and everyday work in Scotland. This genuine insight into the world of work will support your pupils in career management and subject choice. Supported by Skills Development Scotland.

GOS – Sciences Learning Zone

25 February, 11.00

http://bit.ly/1geXbmC

On 4 February, our panel set a real life problem solving STEM challenge for you and your learners. Join schools who took part to explore how they went about solving the problems. Take part in the discussion and share your strategies and solutions with the country. Do you use the same strategies or different ones? Are some more efficient than others?

Ice Age Animals

12 March, 13.30

http://bit.ly/1fcxdwI

This is the second running of a Glow Meet which lets you explore real and replica evidence about animal life during the Ice age. Discuss the differences between a sabre tooth cat skull and a pygmy woolly mammoth skull? And try your hand at identifying a real mammoth tooth?

Ask the Expert – The Romans

24 March, 13.30

http://bit.ly/1bIeqIC

A fantastic series of live broadcasts from the National Museum of Scotland which let pupils explore the collections and meet experts face to face. You can ask questions, come up with answers and explore object handling collections on screen.

For full details of these and other events, please log in to Glow and view the current schedule.

(Glow log-in and password required).

Events, Opportunities, Primary schools, Science, Secondary schools, Social Studies, Technologies

FIFE SCIENCE FESTIVAL 14th – 23rd March 2014

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Medieval Construction Science Show

Monday 17th – Thursday 20th March

Discover how Medieval castles were built with Historic Scotland in our cross curricular free show for P4 – S1 pupils. Pupils will take part in demonstrations as they follow the journey of a block of stone from a quarry to the top of an arch, exploring energy, forces and technology along the way!

Sessions available at the following times each day: 9.50am, 11.10am, 12.40pm & 2pm

Free workshops

Funding available for travel subsidy – conditions apply.

Booking essential – contact Historic Scotland Learning Services on 0131 652 8155 or hslearning@scotland.gsi.gov.uk to book.

Audience: P4 – S1 pupils

Venues:  Monday 17th – Tuesday 18th March

Aberdour Castle, Aberdour KY3 0SL

Wednesday 19th – Thursday 20th March

St Andrews Cathedral, The Scores, St Andrews KY16 9AR

From Flags to Flanders Fields

Monday 17th – Friday 21st March

WW1 had a profound effect on the British population and communications played a vital role in both civilian and military life.  With no radio, television or internet and few telephones in private homes, the public relied on newspapers for general information and telegrams for urgent, special messages.  The military required rapid, secure communications in battle conditions which resulted in some major developments in technology.  Imagine living at the time of WW1 and have a go at signalling with flags, lamps and Morse – and much more!

Free outreach workshops

Booking essential. Contact Dorothy Brankin on 01506 823424 or at dc_brankin@tiscali.co.uk to book.

Audience: Primary Pupils

Venue: Primary schools throughout Fife

Video Game Design

Friday 14th & Monday 17th – Friday 21st March

Did you know that the UKs’ video game industry is one of the largest in the world? Would you like to be a part of it? Well now you can by creating characters that dance, sing and interact with one another. Add sound effects, backgrounds and music clips and then post online.

£350 for full day of workshops

Booking essential. Contact Lynne Kerr on 0131 6530580 or info@sescotland.computerxplorers.co.uk to book

Audience: Primary Pupils

Venue: South Fife Primary Schools

Lego Robotics

Friday 14th & Monday 17th – Friday 21st March

Using the latest Lego robotics technology to build and program amazing creatures that can move using motors, gears and wheels. You will learn how to program sensors to make the robot react to its surroundings. Program robot birds to chirp, crocodiles to snap and place engines to rev!

£350 for full day of workshops

Booking essential. Contact Lynne Kerr on 0131 6530580 or info@sescotland.computerxplorers.co.uk to book

Audience: Primary Pupils

Venue: South Fife Primary Schools

I am Unique!

Monday 17th – Friday 21st March

What is happening in the amazing and rapidly changing world of DNA and genetics? What better way to learn about this fascinating and exciting area of science than to get hands-on with DNA extraction.   In this workshop, learners create a unique necklace, containing their very own extracted DNA, to take home with them.  Complementing our “I am unique” workshop, a mini-loan box is available to continue with the learning in your classroom. Introduce your inspired scientists to Dundee’s most inspiring scientists, learn about inheritance and explore more about DNA, its structure and why it matters!

Special education rates available.

Funding available for travel – limited availability, conditions apply.

Booking essential. Contact the Science Learning Team on 01382 868609 to book.

Audience: Primary Pupils (Second level)

Venue: Dundee Science Centre

Our extraordinary universe: amazing invisible light

Monday 17th – Friday 21st March

In this workshop, learners can participate in one or more investigative activities around visible and invisible electromagnetic radiation, making use of the hand-held infrared camera, laser optics kits, spectroscopes and ultraviolet sources.  Through this, learners will develop their understanding of the properties of electromagnetic radiations, including visible light.  How can we make use of visible and invisible light, and what difference does it make to us? How does gathering information across the EM spectrum from space impact on our lives?

For learners in third and fourth level or studying for qualifications in Physics in National 4 or 5.

Special education rates available.

Funding available for travel – limited availability, conditions apply.

Booking essential. Contact the Science Learning Team on 01382 868609 to book.

Audience: Secondary Pupils

Venue: Dundee Science Centre