Category Archives: Social Studies

Community Learning and Development, Creative Partners, Creative practitioners, Events, Social Studies

The Rise and Fall of Dunfermline Linen

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a Talk by Hugh Walker
at the NQ Community Centre
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

This illustrated talk about the history of Dunfermline’s Linen Industry by Hugh Walker is divided into two parts.  In the first half, he describes the process of damask linen weaving and how the beautiful damask tablecloths of 100 years ago were created and manufactured.  In the second half of the talk, Hugh takes the audience on a historical trip round well-known buildings in Dunfermline, tracing the history of the industry from its early beginnings through hand looms to the growth of factories in the second half of the nineteenth century.  The talk concludes with how the industry faired in the 20th century and came to an end in the 1980s.

Click here for more details.

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
Glow TV, Health and Wellbeing, Primary schools, Secondary schools, Social Studies

First World War: Trench Warfare – Glow TV

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12 March 13.30

Join the National Museum of Scotland for a unique opportunity to explore the experience of Scottish Soldiers serving on the Western Front between 1914 and 1918 through objects – including uniform and weapons – and first-hand accounts of life in the trenches, including letters and photographs. The sessions will be led by one of the expert enablers, who will work with participants to build up a picture of life on the front line.

Click here for more information.

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
Events, Health and Wellbeing, Literacy and English, Primary schools, resources, Secondary schools, Social Studies

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas – Book & Film Events‏

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Boy in the Striped Pyjamas book and film events, will run on 19th March (Carnegie Hall), 20th March (Regent Cinema) and 25th March (Adam Smith Theatre).

As always there are class sets of the books available for loan, on a first come first served basis, and there will be a short sharing session after the film to encourage children to think about and discuss the impact the film/book has had on them.

Ticket prices are still £2.50 per seat, or £5.00 including coach travel.

There are a limited number of seedcorn grants available to fund transport (schools who successfully claim seedcorn funding or organise their own transport pay £2.50 per seat; schools who are unsuccessful in claiming seedcorn funding and still wish me to arrange their transport pay £5.00 per seat).

All relevant forms are below,  and should be returned directly to:

Jennifer Yardley
Administration Assistant
ON with Fife Cultural Trust Head Office
16 East Fergus Place
Kirkcaldy
KY1 1XT
Direct tel: 03451 555 555 ext 472791

Please note that invoices for these events will be sent in the new financial year.

Any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

BOY Event Flyer

BOY Film Booking Form 2014

SEEDCORN APPLICATION

SEEDCORN EVALUATION

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).

Community Learning and Development, CPD, Early Years, Health and Wellbeing, Primary schools, Social Studies

A Celebration of Food Culture across the Commonwealth

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Click on the image for more info

What we eat and how we eat it is central to our sense of identity. Education Scotland would like to invite Early Years, Primary and Community Learning Development practitioners to experience the diversity of Scottish cuisine in today’s multicultural society.

When:     Saturday 22nd March 2014
Where:   Tollcross International Swimming Centre
Time:      9.30 – 3.30pm
Cost:       FREE

During the day, there will be opportunities to experience practical demonstrations in preparing and tasting foods, looking at how food traditions and food intolerances shape our society.

There will be an opportunity to network with food related agencies and explore resources to enhance classroom practice.

Delegates can also explore locality, availability and sustainability of foods to support interdisciplinary projects, such as the Commonwealth Legacy.

Aims of the event:

  • Develop the network of support organisations to enhance learning linked to food cultures and how we are feeding the visitors and athletes of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
  • Explore the cultural diversities of food in our current society
  • Link the ‘Food for Thought’ resources into classroom practice and interdisciplinary learning
  • Support staff applying for Phase Two of the Food Fund with ideas and possible business partners


Please register online by Friday 7th March. Early registration is advised as this event is likely to be very popular.

Please use the link to find out information and apply for the Phase 2 of the Food Fund.

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

Primary schools, resources, Secondary schools, Social Studies

Investigating Medieval Abbey Life object handling box

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Schools in Fife can access a new resource that helps bring the past to life!  Medieval Abbey Life object boxes are available at Dunfermline Abbey, St Andrews Cathedral and Inchcolm Abbey and are free for any educational group to use on site as part of a visit and sessions can be facilitated depending on staff availability.  Guidance notes are available in the boxes and on the Historic Scotland website to enable group leaders to familiarise themselves with what’s in the boxes.  Boxes should be booked directly with the relevant site.  For further information search the schools activity programme – http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/learning/educational-groups/earlyyearsprimary.htm

Art, Art and Design, Assessment, Building the Curriculum 4, Curriculum for Excellence, Dance, Drama, Education Scotland, Expressive Arts, Health and Wellbeing, Literacy and English, Music, Numeracy and Maths, Primary schools, Science, Social Studies, Technologies

Primary curriculum conversation day – Friday 7 March

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Click on the image for more info

Education Scotland is holding a conversation day focused on the primary curriculum on Friday 7 March in Duloch Primary School, Dunfermline. This event is aimed at school leaders.  We are keen to take stock of how the curriculum is developing in primary schools and hear school leaders’ views and experiences.

The purpose of the day is to:
•    consider how the curriculum is developing in the primary sector, particularly in relation to the raised expectations; and
•    identify areas that require further support and what that support needs to look like.

There will be opportunities to hear from a variety of colleagues as to how they are taking forward curriculum development at a strategic level in their schools as well as time for discussion.

If you would be interested in attending please contact margaret.mcguinness@educationscotland.gov.uk. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please note travel expenses are not paid for conversation days.