All posts by S. Bullock

Developing the Young Workforce, Languages and Literacy

Chance for pupils to win a day working as a journalist

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Plus one pupil will win the title of The Herald and Daily What News ‘Schools Journalist of the Year’

Four pupils from across Scotland will have the chance to spend a day at The Herald or The Daily What News offices in Glasgow, where there will be the opportunity to find out how a newspaper is run, what the job roles and opportunities are, how deadlines are met and what skills are needed to write and publish the news.

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/newsandevents/educationnews/2011/educational/march/news_tcm4651961.asp<http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/newsandevents/educationnews/2011/educational/march/news_tcm4651961.asp>


Pupils are invited to write a short news story. It can be about anything they think is topical – be it local, regional or even international news. See the ‘how to enter’ page <http://www.dailywhat.org.uk/2011/03/chance-for-pupils-to-win-a-day-working-as-a-journalist.aspx> for more details on the editorial brief and timings for entry.

Four winning news stories will be selected by the editor of The Herald newspaper, and these articles will be printed on The Daily What News for everyone in schools across Scotland to read.

There are also runner-up prizes – tickets to the Glasgow Science Centre or Historic Scotland family explorer passes.

Entries close Friday 25 March 2011.

Languages and Literacy

Spring read inspires budding writers

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East Ayrshire Council reports that popular teen fiction writer Gillian Philip delighted aspiring young authors at Loudoun Academy, Galston this week.

She spoke of her own experiences and about becoming a writer of topical best-selling books. Glasgow-born Gillian clearly fascinated the youngsters and encouraged them to think about their own ideas for stories. Gillian’s visit to Loudoun Academy was part of this year’s Spring Read Festival, now in its fifth year, which is organised by school librarians and Live Literature Scotland, to give S1-S4 pupils from seven secondary schools the opportunity to meet working authors.

http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/corpres/news/showNews.asp?p=3963

Sciences

Hebridean Science Festival, 17 – 19 March 2011

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The second Hebridean science festival will take place from 17 – 19 March.  After a very successful festival last year, this year’s event aims to be even bigger and better.  There will be workshops and talks run by groups and individuals from all over the country, aimed at both adults and children.

http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/press/110311.asp

The festival is organised by ESTEEM, a voluntary group with the aim of inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists and mathematicians from the Western Isles.  The main theme of the festival is renewable energy, but there will be activities covering a wide range of subjects.

Languages and Literacy

The First Official Scots Teachers

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On Tuesday 22nd February 2011, teachers for the first time ever were awarded Professional Recognition for Scots Language Teaching by the General Teaching Council for Scotland. The awards were presented by Tony Finn, CEO of the GTCS, at the Scottish Parliament to twelve teachers before an invited audience of MSPs and guests from all sectors of Scottish education.

The teachers awarded were:

Katrina Lucas, Primary, Falkirk

Caroline Stein, Primary, Falkirk

Rhona Craig, Primary, Fife

Gillian Bell, Primary, South Ayrshire

Laura Brandon, Primary, Edinburgh

Laura Smart, Primary, Dundee

Muriel Angus, Primary, West Lothian

Anne White, Primary, West Lothian

Lois Cassidy, Primary, Falkirk

Gillin Anderson, Secondary, Falkirk

Anne McKinnon, Secondary, West Dunbartonshire

Elaine Webster, Scottish Language Dictionaries

The GTCS is encouraging more teachers from across Scotland to apply for Professional Recognition for Scots Language Teaching. More information and application forms are available from the GTCS website at http://www.gtcs.org.uk/professional-development/apply-for-professional-recognition.aspx

As Education Officer for Itchy Coo, Matthew Fitt worked with the GTCS to establish this category for Scots Language Teaching. Without the support of the Scottish Arts Council/Creative Scotland and Learning & Teaching Scotland and various local authorities around the country, the awards simply would not have been possible.

NB: Photos available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtcs

Sciences

Science Festival 2011 – Two Weeks of Sensational Science

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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.

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 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.

Uncategorized

Delivering accredited awards in your school

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Dynamic Youth Awards and Youth Achievement Awards offer an open framework for accrediting the achievements of young people inside and outside of school. These customisable Awards can be used with young people from P6 onwards – in the classroom, community, and within social settings.

They offer a framework of accreditation that supports existing learning programmes. The Awards offer significant opportunities for young people to develop the four Curriculum for Excellence capacities: successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.

http://www.youthscotland.org.uk/schools.htm

Uncategorized

Championing the Arts and Culture – Creative Connections

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25 March, Edinburgh, Free event



This event is the culmination of the Creative Learning Networks project, managed by Children in Scotland in partnership with Creative Scotland. The day is an opportunity to network, exchange and discuss creative practice in relation to children, young people and Curriculum for Excellence.

http://www.childreninscotland.org.uk/html/tra_tshow.php?ref=1510

Contributors will include Joan Parr, Portfolio Manager for Education, Learning and Young People, Creative Scotland and Victoria Pagan, Principal Consultant, ERS Research & Consultancy, who will be reporting on the findings of the national evaluation of Creative Learning Networks. There will also be presentations from local authorities on the development of their Creative Learning Networks, plus an Arts Marketplace with information from arts and cultural organisations.

Sciences

Perth prepares to welcome Scotland’s top young science brains

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The search is on for Scotland’s best young scientists and engineers, as school pupils gear up to showcase their scientific innovations and creations at The Big Bang Scotland.  The one-day Fair, heading to the Fair City for the first time, will highlight an impressive array of innovations, inventions and investigations underpinned by Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), all vying for a range of prestigious awards.

http://www.techfestsetpoint.org.uk/

Following the success of Scotland’s first ever Big Bang last year in Dundee, the event will be held at Perth Concert Hall and the neighbouring Perth Museum and Art Gallery on Monday 13 June 2011.

The national contest is open to pupils aged 11 to 18 throughout Scotland, including those in youth groups such as Scouts, Girl Guides and so on. Pupils can choose to work individually or in teams.  Last year, the event attracted nearly 250 entrants from over 30 schools, some of whom required to spend up to 80 hours on their projects.  The event will also be open to visiting schools and other interested parties. A host of exciting workshops and shows will be on offer to illustrate the fun, excitement and relevance of science, with details being released in the weeks ahead.

The Big Bang Scotland is one of 11 Big Bang Fairs taking place across the UK this year.  The Big Bang Scotland is being organised by TechFest-SetPoint and funded by the Scottish Government, British Science Association, Young Engineers, Tomorrow’s Engineers and The Big Bang Education CIC. TechFest-SetPoint is an educational charity which promotes interest in STEM subjects to young people in the hope of inspiring them to become the scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians and skilled employees of the future.

The Big Bang Scotland event incorporates the CREST Awards and Young Engineer for Britain regional competitions.
The online registration process is now underway. Schools with an interest in taking part or visiting on the day should visit www.techfestsetpoint.org.uk <http://www.techfestsetpoint.org.uk/> or www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/scotland <http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/scotland> as soon as possible and, in any case, by 31 March 2011.

Alternatively, schools can contact Jennifer Young directly – telephone 1382 308571 or email j.young@abertay.ac.uk <mailto:j.young@abertay.ac.uk>

Music

North Ayrshire Schools Flagship Concert

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North Ayrshire Council announces that a special musical project featuring hundreds of local primary school pupils will form the centrepiece of this year’s spectacular North Ayrshire Schools Flagship Concert.

http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/NewsArticles/FlagshipConcert11.aspx


The event, which features North Ayrshire Schools Pipe Band, Junior and Senior Orchestras, Youth Choir, Fiddle Group and Traditional Music Group, will be held at the Magnum on Sunday, March 27, with performances at 3pm and 7pm.