Category Archives: Sciences

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>

Health and Wellbeing, Languages and Literacy, Sciences, Social Studies

Excellence Groups reports acknowledge “The link between creativity and achievement.”

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Education Secretary Michael Russell today welcomed the publication of the reports of 17 Excellence Groups which highlight best practice in key subjects and areas.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/03/11121127

The reports, which include 15 subject reports and reports on excellence in health and wellbeing and on developing young people’s skills, emphasise the importance of both subject knowledge and skills such as creative thinking and problem solving.

The key findings include: “The opportunities the arts present for promoting creativity across the whole curriculum, and the link between creativity and achievement.”

Developing the Young Workforce, Sciences, Technologies

Science, Engineering and Technology fair – 28th February – 15th March – Grangemouth

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Pupils ‘Shake, Rattle and Role Play’ At INEOS’ Science Fair http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/about_council/news/article.aspx?pid=1660


Falkirk Council reports that learning about the effects of earthquakes and floods on the urban environment and the construction of vibrating toys incorporating electrical circuits, will be just two of the interactive and hands-on workshops featuring at this year’s annual INEOS Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) fair.

Designed to promote science, engineering and technological subjects through investigation and team work, over 1700 Primary 7 (10/11 yr old) children from 53 local schools, including all in the Falkirk Council area, have been invited to take part in this exciting and unique event that will see the pupils take on the roles of scientists and engineers.



The 2011 SET fair is supported by INEOS, Global Science, Scottish Government and Falkirk Council and is part of the My Future’s in Falkirk economic development initiative. It runs from 28 February – 15 March.