This blog is no longer in use. We now have a STEM Section on Education Scotland’s Learning Blog. Click on the link below to access it.
Engineering Videos
The BBC Learning Zone Broadband Class Clips provide a rich source of audio-visual sequences selected to work with the curriculum.
To view the Primary videos click here.
To view the Secondary videos click here.
‘InSET Series: Science, Engineering and Technologies within Curriculum for excellence
The InSET courses are delivered by two enthusiasts, who aim through CPD sessions to help primary school teachers to develop and deliver activities focussed on science, technologies and engineering in education, enabling teachers to work with their cluster and to allow learners opportunities to apply science, technology and maths knowledge and skills.
The one day courses provide opportunities through this form of CPD to bring together teachers from local primaries, teachers of STEM subjects in the associated secondary school and local industry partners with a proven local track record in Education-Industry link activities. These one day courses offer ideas for creating opportunities for challenge, creativity, problem solving and team building.
If you would like to find out more about how your cluster (associated school group) could be involved in this exciting opportunity contact details are below.
Dugald Cantlay
Interface Scotland
d.cantlay@btopenworld.com
Sandy Moggach MBE
AGM Services
sandymoggach@hotmail.com
Port Ellen Primary at the Celebration of Science and Engineering
On 9th June six of us from Port Ellen Primary School; Scott, Ewan, Jason, Emily, Ellen and Eilidh, went to Glasgow Science Centre for the Celebration of Science and Engineering. On the journey there we got to travel on the new MV Finlaggen ferry and had a tour round the bridge to see all the shiny gadgets and gizmos. The next day we got up early and set up our presentation at the Glasgow Science Centre along with 53 other primary and high schools from around Scotland. We went to see a science show, where they made things turn invisible, and got to play with the amazing science exhibits, finding out loads of information in a very fun way.
Next we had to present our science project to 4 judges from science industries around Scotland. Our teacher was told “Bye, Bye!” by the judges as she wasn’t allowed to see what we were doing. Our presentation was Mission SOS! Save our seas, and talked about biodiversity, the marine tank we set up in class, oil spills, beach cleans and tidal turbines. We had made a tidal turbine and wired our own electronic quiz on rock pool biodiversity. I think the judges really liked the puppet we made to help present, called Jim the Scientist. We also had videos of the lobster and crab we had in our tank.
Afterwards we had to compete in 5 STEM challenges put on by companies around Scotland. This included a Shell oil change task, a Lloyds Register ship’s ballast test, working with lasers and operating a mini ROV. The challenges were fun and we did quite well.
Finally we went to the IMAX for the presentation of awards to schools. Heather (the Weather) Reid was presenting the awards, along with Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy. There were nine awards altogether, and we hadn’t entered most of them. Then she announced “And the award for the best presentation of a showcase, sponsored by BT, goes to Port Ellen Primary School.” We were extremely amazed, and our faces showed it! We had to go down and get a cheque for £250 and had our picture taken. At last we got home, having enjoyed the best trip ever!
Golfhill Primary School – Airdrie Academy Rocket Competition
Golfhill Primary School in North Lanarkshire have been taking part in the annual Airdrie Academy Rocket Competition since 2007. The event is arranged between AAA (Airdrie Astronomical Association) and Airdrie Academy. The local Round Table donate trophies and prizes.
The five best entries from each school go to a final at Airdrie Academy where the rockets are launched.
Stuart Hamilton from Golfhill won the prize for distance travelled. His rocket travelled 115 metres beating off competition from the other primary schools and 5 local High schools. You can find out more about their experiences by clicking on the link below
Click here to view the Golfhill Primary Presentation.
London 2012 and the STEM/ BT App Challenge
STEMNET and BT – the Official Communications Services partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – are challenging 11-14 year olds to design an app for London 2012. Details of the competition can be found here: http://www.stemchallenges.net/challenges/challenge-7/
Get your skates on! The closing date for registering for the competition is 13th July 2011 – you don’t have to complete the challenge by then – just enter a team…
This is one of many opportunities to use the inspiration of the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games to build a powerful legacy for learning across schools and communities in Scotland. Find out more about these Games Legacy opportunities at the new LTS Games Legacy online area or visit the Games Legacy for Scotland blog.
A wide range of resources, ideas and oppportunities (including FREE tickets for London 2012) are available through the London 2012 educational programme, Get Set, and the reward and recognition scheme, the Get Set Network. All schools that join the network will be entitled to an allocation of free tickets! What are you waiting for!!
For further information and support, contact m.farrell@ltscotland.org.uk
Interdisciplinary Learning – Ian Menzies
What is interdisciplinary learning? Why is it important? How can we inspire our young learners with challenging and relevant teaching and learning?
Ian Menzies of the Developing Global Citizens team at Learning and Teaching Scotland gave a talk to the Institute of Physics in June 2011. Click the link below to find out more.
Lts iop pres 8 june 2011
View more presentations from frenchwendy.
Farr High School Young engineers and Science Clubs Scotland project – Purification Station
Farr High School’s Young Engineer and Science Club did a project about moving and cleaning water. Purification Station was a project where the club thought about solutions to the problems of getting a clean, safe water supply in developing countries.
Find out more by clicking the link below.
Purification station
View more presentations from frenchwendy.
Wind farm project Oban High
In November 2010, Oban High gave a workshop at a Climate Change seminar run by Learning and Teaching Scotland. Their workshop gave an insight into an interdisciplinary project that the Geography and Physics worked in partnership on. Fiona Wilson (PT Geography) and Iain Morrison (Physics teacher) gave an overview of the plan, the format and reflected on what they and the pupils had gained from the experience.
Find out more about their experiences by clicking through the presentation below.
Wind farm project obanhigh
View more presentations from frenchwendy
Creative thinking in an interconnected context
Click the link below to see a workshop that was presented by Susan McLaren, Senior lecturer/Programme director at the Institute for Education, Teaching and Leadership at Moray House School of Education, University of Edinburgh at the Climate Change seminars held by Learning and Teaching Scotland in November 2011.
