Fortnightly Planner 10/05/2022

May 10, 2022 by C. Gillespie | 0 comments

Welcome to the fortnightly STEM planner. Keep reading to find out more about exciting STEM developments across Scotland. Please feel free to share this planner with colleagues and school partners.

Stem Grant Programme 2022 – closes tomorrow

Education Scotland Round 4 of the Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grant Programme closes tomorrow.

Closing date: 12 noon 11 May 2022.

£400,000 of funding is available in 2022/23 – £200,000 for STEM projects (including digital) and £200,000 for Numeracy and Mathematics projects. The aim of the programme is to address the barriers practitioners face in accessing appropriate high-quality professional learning that meets their needs.

STEM Professional Learning events

NEW – an interactive list of webinars and network meetings planned for May – June 2022. Sign up for these events using the Eventbrite links on the page.

Please post a comment at the end of this blog to discuss any aspect of these sessions and to share ideas about possible future sessions.

New interactive STEM resources directory spreadsheet available

Our latest resource to support you is an interactive STEM Resources directory . It includes details of organisations & providers who can support activities, awards, resources, talks, volunteers, professional learning & onsite visits to name a few. Filter by sector, theme, provider, opportunity, region, local authority & date required.

Practical science videos

Practical Science – an interactive list of all Science experiments films to support you and your learners.

Filter by subject, phase, level and unit. Information on who produced the film and a direct link to the filmed experiment is included.

Science collections on National e-Learning Offer

Chemistry NQ: National 4: National 4 Chemistry NeLO collection – Pupil.pdf – Google Drive
Chemistry NQ: National 5: National 5 Chemistry NeLO collection – Pupil.pdf – Google Drive
Chemistry NQ Higher: Higher Chemistry NeLO collection – Pupil.pdf – Google Drive
Chemistry NQ Advanced Higher: Advanced Higher Chemistry NeLO collection – Pupil.pdf – Google Drive
BGE Science Third Level Planet Earth – Biodiversity & Interdependence: Third Level Sciences – Planet Earth.pdf – Google Drive
BGE Science Third Level Forces, Electricity and Waves: Third Level Sciences – Forces, Electricity and Waves.pdf – Google Drive
BGE Science Third Level Materials: Third Level Sciences – Materials.pdf – Google Drive
Higher Human Collection: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1umuKLKDd2vY_D5JA7J0mzrPjpJBM9osa/view?usp=sharing

IGBE sessions coming up in May

Introduction to gender balance & equalities & STEM

Strategies for addressing gender stereotypes and unconscious bias including the impact on participation in STEM and learner pathways.

25 May 4 – 5:30 pm

For newly qualified teachers and ELC practitioners from across Tayside region, this webinar explores the impact of gender inequality, gender stereotypes and unconscious bias on children and young people. The session will also highlight strategies and practical approaches including examples of good practice.

There will also be an overview of STEM, including the new STEM Nation Awards, and an opportunity for reflection and discussion.

National awareness raising session ‘How does gender inequality affect attainment, wellbeing and participation?’

26 May, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Relevant to all settings, this introductory session will explore the impact of gender inequality, gender stereotypes and unconscious bias on children and young people, with particular focus on attainment, participation and wellbeing.

The session will include strategies and practical approaches including examples of good practice, opportunities for interaction and a chance to reflect on equality within your own practice/setting.

Diversity in STEM webinar

Wed 25 May 2022 at 16:00 | Eventbrite

Framed within the SAC refresh stretch aims, a webinar with opportunities for discussion to consider the question:

How does your current curriculum, options choice and pathways on offer enable sustained positive destinations in STEM?

This webinar is for all practitioners involved in curriculum design, options choice processes, DYW co-ordinators and CLD practitioners who support achievement of positive destinations (1 hour).

Dumfries & Galloway STEM Conference 2022

Dumfries & Galloway’s fifth annual STEM Conference focussing on all aspects of STEM.

Conference keynote address, workshops & marketplace sections will provide practitioners across Dumfries & Galloway with insight and continued learning in all aspects of STEM.
The Setting & Schools’ Showcase section highlights the interesting STEM learning taking place in settings and schools across Dumfries & Galloway.
All conference materials available from Monday 9th May, throughout Term 4 and into next session to support all practitioners to meet the aspirations of both the STEM Education & Training Strategy for Scotland, and Dumfries & Galloway Regional STEM Strategy.

The 2022 conference is being delivered through ThingLink.

TechFest 2022

TechFest is back in person and the Activity Weekend will be held at Robert Gordon University Campus on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May.

Admission is only 1p for children and £1 for adults. With over 20 hands-on workshops and demonstrations, the TechFest Activity Weekend provides fun, exciting and inspiring activities for all ages. No need to pre-book, just turn up.

TechFest STEM Next Essay

The STEM Next Essay competition bridges the gap between school education and higher education/working environments with industry-linked, project-based learning to facilitate learners’ transitions.

Categories include Energy Transition, Applications of Mathematics, Medicine & Life Sciences, Technology & Computer Sciences, Food, Drink and Agriculture.

Registration is now open for all UK students aged 16 – 18.

Essay competition 2022 categories: Energy Transition, Technology & Innovation, Medicine & Veterinary Science, Space Science, Biological Science and Food, Drink and Agriculture.

Students must interview at least one industry professional to gain insights into their chosen topic. A list of available professionals will be provided; students can also contact professionals who they know personally.

Final essays will be marked by volunteer assessor panel.

Prizes for each category winners:

First place – £200 worth of Amazon vouchers

Second place – £100 worth of Amazon vouchers

Third place – £50 worth of Amazon vouchers

Royal Institution schools grant scheme – now open

The Royal Institution’s 2022 grant scheme is now open; application guidance is now available online.

Applications now open for free full day school visits from one of the Royal Institution’s professional presenters. The day includes curriculum-linked science shows for students, a practical science CPD session for teachers and an after-school community show for parents, carers and siblings.

All UK state maintained primary, secondary and ASN schools and alternative education providers are eligible to apply for a fully funded Science in Schools package worth £800. Application guidance is now available here and applications can be submitted via a web form. Closing date 31 May.

SSERC Biology summer school 21st – 23rd June. Closing date 13 May.

The SSERC Biology Summer School 3-day residential course focuses on practical work to support NQ senior phase programmes in Biology & Human Biology. Lab sessions will follow an interactive approach.