West Lothian Schuh Design Challenge

Third year pupil from Whitburn Academy, Marc Wright scooped the coveted top slot in Schuh Design Challenge 2011 with his Scottish themed boot.

Third year pupil from Whitburn Academy, Marc Wright wins Schuh Design Challenge 2011 with his Scottish themed boot. The competition – now in its 15th year – was organised by West Lothian Council’s Enterprise in Education team and sponsored by the Livingston-based footwear company.

Marc has won a pair of shoes of his choice, as well as a chance to work with one of Schuh’s top designer.

Depute Chief Executive Gordon Ford commented: “We would like to thank Schuh for their continued sponsorship of this excellent challenge and congratulate Marc on his success.

“The high standard and creativity of the designs impresses me each year.  West Lothian has a wealth of talented and creative young people and this competition is a fantastic showcase for them.  The designs are really miniature works of art and it was also very appropriate that they were on displayed at Howden Park Centre, West Lothian?s premier arts venue.”

Neil Blackburn, marketing manager, Schuh commented: “The fifteenth schuh design challenge was a fantastic event and as always we saw some incredible ideas from some very talented young people. The quality of work is a real testament to the high standards of West Lothian’s schools and students.”

Media Literacy and CfE Conference – 14 May, Dundee

The 2011 AMES Conference Breaking Barriers: Multimodal and Media Literacy in the Curriculum for Excellence will take place at Abertay University in Dundee on Saturday 14 May 2011, 1000-1700.

Association for Media Education in Scotland (AMES)

It will address the issues raised in the AMES position paper
<http://www.mediaedscotland.org.uk/AMESPositionPaperFeb2011.pdf> published in Feb 2011. The keynote speaker is Professor David Buckingham of the University of London’s Institute of Education. David is the leading researcher in media education pedagogy and has published widely on the topic. There will also be a range of Curriculum for Excellence related workshops for primary, secondary or adult/further education educators. There are five strands: film, television, video games, digital production and media/multimodal literacy. Delegates can choose 3 from 15 workshops. 9 are suited to primary, 15 to secondary and 14 to further education/adult education.  For further details see the conference flyer <http://www.mediaedscotland.org.uk/AMES2011ConferencePdf.pdf> .

EdinburghScience Festival 2011

This Easter the Science Festival is back in Edinburgh with events, activities and workshops for all ages, giving you the chance to get hands-on with science. From 9-22 April, you can discover the world’s natural wonder, stake out a computer-generated monster and delve into the workings of the human body at inspiring venues across Edinburgh.

http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/



All seven floors of the festival’s flagship family venue, City Art Centre, will be packed with interactive activities and drop-in events. From magical storytelling for your youngest explorers to robot-building workshops for the computer programmers of the future, you’ll find something for everyone.

This year is the International Year of Chemistry, and to celebrate the Science Festival have designed a brand new event – Atomise. Taking place in the John Hope Gateway at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Atomise is alive with experiments, demonstrating the amazing results of chemistry in action. Featuring hands-on, make and take workshops, shows, exhibitions and demonstrations, Atomise is a day out full of fizz and fascination.

There are spectacular workshops at Edinburgh Zoo; interactive events at the National Museums and Adam House and a brand new partnership with the Scottish Storytelling Centre, all part of a programme offering diverse interpretations of science for families and adults.

Browse and book events online now at www.sciencefestival.co.uk <http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/>  or call the box office on 0131 553 0322. You can download a programme from the website or request a copy by emailing your details to marketing@scifest.co.uk.

Historic Scotland Education Unit Glow Group Open!

The Historic Scotland Education Unit Glow Group is now open!

Historic Scotland encourages imaginative and sustainable use of the historic environment as a resource for cross-curricular, participative learning opportunities.  Their castles, abbeys, industrial buildings, parks and prehistoric sites provide unique and memorable learning environments for learners of all ages.

• Find out about free visits to hundreds of sites
• Discover exciting activities
• Access free resources for teachers and pupils
• Browse their free CPD events

Click here to access the Glow Group

2 day computer games design workshop for 12-16 year olds

Edinburgh International Science Festival – Video Game Studio

Could you develop the next Mario? If you dream of a career in games development, the Science Festival’s Video Game Studio, at Edinburgh’s Stevenson College is for you. Run by Abertay University’s renowned games design competition Dare to be Digital this two day workshop gives you the opportunity to get hands on with the gaming industry.

You will learn about how computer games companies work and find out all the steps involved in designing and producing the video games we buy. You’ll also get the chance to try out some of the most up to date gaming technology and find out more about the different jobs that help create a video game from start to finish.

Best of all – you’ll work in a team to create a small piece of animated video game to take home with you. And students from the University of Abertay will be on hand to help you every step of the way, from designing your characters to programming your game. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore an amazing and creative career.

11-12 and 13-14 April

£70 per person

Suitable for ages 12-16.

Each workshop runs over two consecutive days, from 9am-4pm each day. All you need to bring is a packed lunch and some water – all other materials, including notepaper and pens, will be provided.

This event can be booked online at www.sciencefestival.co.uk or by phone on 0131 553 0322.

Further information on the format of the workshop will be provided following booking.

Evaluating the Performing Arts – Interactive Resource now live on Glow


Imaginate’s step by step guide to evaluating the performing arts is now live and available via Glow. This interactive online resource has been designed through consultation with teachers and pupils as part of Imaginate’s Co-Create <https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/CoCreate/about/>  project.


http://ltsblogs.org.uk/glowscotland/2011/03/31/introducing-stevie-dante-imaginates-virtual-theatre-critic/


The resource has now been launched nationally and a Glow Group <https://portal.glowscotland.org.uk/establishments/nationalsite/Glow%20Arts/Imaginate/default.aspx>  is also available.

The new resource aims to support teachers in meeting Curriculum for Excellence Expressive Arts Experiences and Outcomes across all levels, and encourages pupils to develop critical thinking skills and become more able to express their own thoughts, feelings and opinions with confidence whilst valuing those of others.

Peer learning, Visual impairment, Symbols, Environment, Museums

New Sharing Practice materials have been added to the Supporting Learners website.

The Touching Lives initiative demonstrates how visually impaired young people and their sighted peers work together creatively to gain a greater appreciation of artefacts at the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University.


http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/t/touchinglives/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=sharingpractice&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-645094-64
<http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/t/touchinglives/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=sharingpractice&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-645094-64>

Communication is key for all children and young people and their teachers. The Symbolising the Environment project in Fife demonstrates how the use of symbols has a positive impact on all children and young people, not only those with additional support needs.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/s/symbolsproject/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=search&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-615801-64
<http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/s/symbolsproject/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=search&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-615801-64>