STEM Contexts » STEM Central in Motion

Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM – Grants Programme 2018/19

Early, First, Fourth, Mathematics, Sciences, Second, Senior Phase, STEM Contexts, STEMCentralinMotion, Technologies, Third No Responses »

Feb 262019

Education Scotland is pleased to share details of the twenty-four successful applicants who have been awarded a total of £187,000 grant funding through the Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grants Programme.

Launched in October 2018, the grants programme aims to to build the capacity and confidence of practitioners and to support the implementation of the STEM Education and Training Strategy for Scotland. These exciting opportunities have been developed by a wide range of national partners to support practitioners working in early learning and childcare, primary, secondary and community learning and development settings. School-based technical support staff will also benefit from new professional learning. The programmes of professional learning that are being supported are aligned to the needs of practitioners as outlined in the 2017 annual STEM practitioner survey findings.

To find out more information about the exciting and varied professional learning opportunities being supported by the grants programme, please download to the STEM Grants Overview document available below.

STEM Professional Grants Overview

At a glance STEM Grants

Oct 112018

Tomorrow’s Engineers Week provides a unique opportunity for engineers, employers, universities and schools to help inspire the next generation of engineers.

Download toolkits of ideas on how to take part.

This year’s plans include the first Tomorrow’s Engineers Week Big Assembly; offering schools across the UK the chance to take part in the same assembly at the same time.

Oct 112018

The PSTT Children’s Conference at PSEC is an exciting and unique opportunity for schools to participate in a dedicated primary science conference. The event will take place on Friday 7^th June 2019 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre as part of the international Primary Science Education Conference (PSEC).

The theme of the conference is Climate Change, Sustainable Living and Environmental Science. Schools will be encouraged to develop their own projects focused on finding a local issue and developing solutions for it and then share their work: either by attending the Conference or submitting a poster/film of their activity.

Schools can register their Interest at https://www.primaryscienceconference.org/childrens-conference and download the free Climate Change Teachers’ Project Pack. The pack has ideas for projects in ten different areas; as well as advice on developing partnerships, planning projects and a Climate Change Special Topical Science Update.

Look out for more information in late 2018 when schools will be able to apply to present their projects at the PSTT Children’s Conference at PSEC in June 2019.

Keep up to date with what’s going on:

Follow @pstt_whyhow on Twitter

#PSECchildrensconf

Join our ‘PSTT Children’s Conference at PSEC’ Facebook group

Marine renewable energy resources

Renewables, Sciences, Senior Phase, Technologies No Responses »

Jan 082018

In the wake of the growing interest in Marine Renewable Energy (MRE), an EU funded project looked to make education about these energy sources and technologies more accessible.

The Aquatic Renewable Energy Technologies (Aqua-RET) E-learning Tool Project created resources for multiple demographics who need to know how aquatic renewable energy technologies work, and in some cases in order to make informed decisions. These demographics include: teachers of primary and secondary school; those who provide additional educational material; a range of stakeholders in the energy sector, including the public, planners, energy advisors, developers, and people working in ancillary sectors.

The AquaRET Project created a series of posters related to marine energy, along with other educational resources. These are focused on Offshore Wind, Wave, Tidal Stream, Tidal Range and Run-of River energy. These resources can be accessed and downloaded at: http://www.aquaret.com/,

Resources

Competence Mapping Tool (CMT):

The CMT is a tool in which interested parties can view the available jobs with MRE industries, and within these positions see what skills sets are necessary. This can help guide those wishing to enter the industry to understand the steps they should take to do so effectively.

http://www.aquaret.com/cmt/

Technology Posters:

Technology specific posters are available for download and free to use for educational purposes. These posters provide an introductory level understanding to the different methods of deriving power from the marine environment.

http://www.aquaret.com/indexeb79.html?option=com_content&view=article&id=200&Itemid=341&lang=en

Technology Selection:

The Technology Selection goes into more detail in regards to each technology type. This includes a look at the history of its development, locations of the energy source, environmental and economic considerations, future potential for the technologies an case studies where this has already begin development. This would complement those wishing for a more in-depth understanding of the MRE sectors.

http://www.aquaret.com/index265c.html?option=com_content&view=article&id=224&Itemid=394&lang=en

Manuals/Text Books:

The link below will provide access to downloaded in-depth chapters on each of the sectors found within the overarching MRE sector.

http://www.aquaret.com/index4ad9.html?option=com_content&view=article&id=199&Itemid=340&lang=en

Download Images and Illustrations:

All of the content on the website is available for download for any interested organisation to use.

http://www.aquaret.com/indexea3d.html?option=com_content&view=article&id=203&Itemid=344&lang=en#Animations

A STEM Strategy for Scotland

Curriculum Area, Curriculum Levels, Early, First, Fourth, Mathematics, Sciences, Second, Senior Phase, STEM Contexts, Technologies, Third No Responses »

Nov 022017

Making Scotland a STEM Nation

STEM Education and Training Strategy for Scotland has now been published

A STEM (Sciences Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics) Education and Training Strategy was launched in the Scottish Parliament last week by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science. The strategy, together with a STEM Evidence Base Report, is now available to download from: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/10/1386/downloads

The strategy sets out the vision for STEM Education and Training for the next five years around the themes of Excellence, Equity, Inspiration and Connection. The ambitious actions for early learning and childcare, schools, colleges, universities and community learning and development (CLD) sectors have been developed through an extensive process of engagement and consultation.

Key commitments within the strategy include:

Improving the supply of high-quality STEM graduates into teaching
Recruiting a new network of STEM specialist advisors to support practitioners and raise STEM attainment
Enhancing opportunities for children in early learning and childcare (ELC) to learn about STEM and their natural environment through outdoor play
Delivering an enhanced programme of career-long professional learning for practitioners and technicians to improve STEM learning and teaching
Launching a new on-line STEM resource and directory for practitioners
Embedding best practice from the successful Improving Gender Balance project to improve participation by under-represented groups in STEM learning, courses and training, particularly for women and girls
Establishing a new Young STEM leaders programme to grow and spread inspiration and enthusiasm for STEM, starting in the early and primary years of education
Launching STEM Awards for ELC settings, schools and CLD settings
Growing successful STEM partnerships between schools and employers through the Developing the Young Workforce Programme
Helping science centres and festivals to attract under-served people of all ages and backgrounds
Creating a STEM hub network to strengthen regional-level collaboration between partners, including universities, science centres and employers.

A central focus on the strategy is to enable everyone to develop STEM skills for learning, for life and for work. Also included are commitments to expand Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeship Programmes to enable many to pursue jobs and careers in STEM through these pathways. This strong focus on skills and careers will further enhance national efforts to Develop the Young Workforce (DYW) and embed employment and career management skills in the curriculum through the Career Education Standard.

Education Scotland would like to take this opportunity to thank the many practitioners, authority staff and partners who helped to shape this strategy by participating in on-line surveys or by taking part in consultation and engagement events. We are very much looking forward to working with key partners to realise the bold ambitions within the strategy and to improving outcomes for learners, of all ages, across Scotland through STEM.

We would be grateful for any help you can give in disseminating the strategy to your colleagues and networks. Please remember too to share your ideas, practice and approaches in relation to STEM through Twitter @EdscotSciences #ScotSTEM and through our national STEM Yammer Group: http://glo.li/2A7gCgr.

You can also receive key monthly updates and news by subscribing to Education Scotland’s STEM ebulletin.

SCOTTISH FLIGHT – From Theory to Space

Mathematics, Sciences, Senior Phase, Space, Technologies No Responses »

Aug 252017

Lord Smith of Kelvin Lecture 2017

Lord Smith of Kelvin Lecture is an annual lecture with a Scottish perspective on aviation and innovation topics delivered at the University of Strathclyde by noted Scots who have previously been the recipient of a Baird of Bute Society Scottish Award. It was established by the Society and the University to honour Lord Smith of Kelvin who is both Patron of the Society and Chancellor of the University.

Date: Thursday 7 September 2017

Venue: University of Strathclyde, McCance Building

Lecture 1: Scotland’s William Leitch: Space Rocket Scientist

Dr Eleanor Campbell FRSC FinstP FRSE FRS

Chair of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh

Lecture 2: Scotland’s Contribution to Aviation and Aerospace

Dr Iain Gray CBE FRSE FREng

Director Aerospace, Cranfield University

Vice President, Royal Society of Edinburgh

Programme

5.30pm Registration and Refreshments

6.00pm Presentations

7.15pm Networking Reception

8.00pm Event Close

Baird of Bute Society Trust recognises the achievements of Bute blacksmith, Andrew Blain Baird who, in 1910 recorded the “first attempted all Scottish heavier-than-air powered flight” in an aircraft of his own manufacture. The Society employs his example to inspire the youth of Scotland to aspire to achievement in their lives through awards and recognitions, school programmes, scholarships and the support of educational activities

Please register by Friday 1 September 2017: http://ewds.strath.ac.uk/expo/LordSmithofKelvinLecture.aspx

Enquiries to corporate-events@strath.ac.uk or 0141 548 2245

Download Lord Smith Lecture Invitation

BBC Terrific Scientific

First, Sciences, Second, Water No Responses »

Mar 092017

Free support and resources for primary 5, 6 and 7 science teachers from BBC Terrific Scientific

If you haven’t already, there’s still time to sign up for the BBC’s Terrific Scientific. Aimed at 9 – 11 year olds, there are free resources, lesson plans, classroom investigations and an online map to share your results with other schools around the UK. Terrific Scientific will continue until summer 2018 and you can sign up and take part at any time before then. Around 5,000 primary schools have registered already. They’ve enjoyed it so far.

“WOW”

“lovely resources”

“We were really inspired and think that science is fun”

“It makes science really exciting for everyone”

“fantastic time taking part”

“Can’t wait for the next one”

“our class absolutely LOVED this experiment”

Investigation 2: Water, is still running. It’s the biggest ever investigation into the state of the nation’s water hardness – and the UK’s primary school children are the frontline scientists testing it. So make sure you’re part of it.

You have until 19^th March to do the investigation and upload your class data to our interactive map so your pupils can see how what they found compares to the rest of the UK. We need the results (whatever the findings were) for each class.

Coming up next, Investigation 3: Time. Investigation runs 22nd March – 13^th April. Start planning now.

Want to get involved? Register here if your school hasn’t already. it’s easy and only takes a few minutes.

Feb 032017

Project_ENTHUSE_CMYK_hi-res

STEM Insight

The STEM Insight programme offers staff in schools and colleges a unique chance to experience STEM-related work in industrial settings.

You will be able to participate in a placement with an employer, be supported by face-to-face and online CPD from STEM Learning and SSERC, and learn more about diverse career paths and opportunities for your students.

If you are from a local authority school or college you will receive generous financial support to cover the cost of participating in the programme from Project ENTHUSE. The fee for participating in the STEM Insight programme is £283+VAT, with a £1450 bursary for a ten day placement and a £800 bursary for a five day placement.

For more information visit http://bit.ly/STEMINSIGHT or contact sts@sserc.org.uk

Professional development for secondary science probationers

Curriculum Area, Curriculum Levels, Fourth, Sciences, Senior Phase, STEM Contexts, STEMCentralinMotion, Third No Responses »

Nov 212016

Professional development for secondary science probationers

The closing date for applications to attend SSERC’s 2-part residential course for Probationer teachers is Friday November 25^th. Through this programme, with practical work at its core, we focus on enhancing the range of activities which participants will be able to use to support Curriculum for Excellence in their classrooms. More than half of the practical elements of the course will be devoted to subjects outside participants’ own area of expertise. More details available from the SSERC website.

Concept Cartoons – 6th February 2017

Curriculum Area, Curriculum Levels, Fourth, Literacy, Responsibility of All, Sciences, Second, Senior Phase, STEM Contexts, STEMCentralinMotion, Third No Responses »

Nov 112016

Concept Cartoons – 6th February 2017

(17:00-18:30)

SSERC, Dunfermline

Stuart Naylor, one of the principal authors of Science Concept Cartoons Set 2, is due to deliver this ‘twilight’ professional development session. Aimed at learners in the age range 10-16, this new resource for Chemistry, Biology and Physics covers topics including earth and space, living things and their environments, physical and chemical changes.

Concept Cartoons are designed to introduce science concepts in everyday settings. Each character has a different opinion about science being discussed. All of the possible answers are plausible and highlight common learner misconceptions. Learners are invited to join in with the discussion happening in the science Concept Cartoon.

The book and CD of Science Concept Cartoons Set 2 both contain 156 Concept Cartoons covering the main areas of science. Background text, written in pupil-friendly language, is available for each Concept Cartoon. A blank speech bubble on each Science Concept Cartoon encourages learners to add additional ideas.

Fee: The fee for the course is £135 to include a copy of the book and CD of Science Concept Cartoons Set 2 as well as a site license meaning that all teachers can use the resource in their teaching. Light refreshments will be provided on arrival.

Applications: The closing date for applications is 25th January 2017.

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