May 27, 2020
by Janey Irving
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NEW – Weekly Wednesday STEM Highlights

Every Wednesday we will publish a few highlights from across Scotland of interesting STEM practice or resources on the STEM Blog.

These will showcase cross sector, ELC, primary and secondary ideas we have seen on Twitter over the previous week.

If you would like to share something with us on Twitter use the #STEMNation or tag us using @STEMedscot

These are located in the STEM Resources tab as a PPT of highlights and a searchable archive on Excel.

Look out for weekly additions to our STEM Wakelets too: https://wakelet.com/@STEMES

May 25, 2020
by Janey Irving
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New – Inspire 20 with the OGTC

Starting on Wednesday 27th May; Inspire20 is a series of 20-minute online webinars presented by the OGTC (Oil & Gas Technology Centre) team.

They have been created for young people aged 16 – 24 who might be missing out on work experience and intern opportunities due to the coronavirus measures.

The aim is to help young people understand the energy transition and the range of career opportunities.

There are also masterclasses on metaskills, applying for jobs and interview skills.

People can find out more and register for the events they are interested in here:

https://www.theogtc.com/culture-of-innovation/stem/inspire20/

May 21, 2020
by I. Menzies
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Today is Outdoor Classroom Day 2020!

Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to inspire and celebrate outdoor play and learning, at home and at school. On Outdoor Classroom Day, practitioners usually organise a special day outdoors for their class. In response to the coronavirus crisis, the movement will look a bit different in 2020.

As the coronavirus crisis continues, children in Scotland, and around the world, have been spending more time indoors and in front of screens. There is concern about the impact this is having on children’s wellbeing. Connecting to nature can restore our sense of wellbeing.

Over the coming weeks, The Outdoor Classroom Community will be sharing ideas for connecting to nature through play that can be done from anywhere – like your garden, balcony or even your living room! This year there will be an emphasis on bringing Playful Nature to everyone.

Visit the Outdoor Classroom Day website for more information, ideas and resources: https://outdoorclassroomday.org.uk/

You may also be interested in Education Scotland’s brand new Outdoor Learning and Learning for Sustainability Wakelet which contains links to key resources and activities: https://wakelet.com/wake/dx8-511rFvLFU03clV9eh

And, if you’re looking for great ideas and activities that can be used to support science, STEM and digital literacy in the outdoors then check out our Citizen Science resource and PowerPoint: https://education.gov.scot/improvement/learning-resources/citizen-science-and-curriculum-for-excellence/

Citizen science is great for learners to use with their families in their gardens or during their daily exercise and a perfect way to engage with nature and build STEM skills at the same time.

Lastly, outdoor learning has a key role to play in Curriculum for Excellence and is likely to be used to support education recovery as learning resumes with appropriate social distancing measures in place. An Outdoor Learning across the Four Contexts PowerPoint file is now live and exemplifies approaches in East Ayrshire Council. The PowerPoint is available on this page: https://education.gov.scot/improvement/learning-resources/resources-to-support-the-refreshed-curriculum-for-excellence-narrative/

May 20, 2020
by Janey Irving
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Moving from the GLOW Sciences community to our new GLOW Sciences PLC

https://glowscotland.sharepoint.com/sites/sciencesplc

The former Sciences GLOW Community has moved to become part of Education Scotland’s National Professional Learning Communities: https://glowscotland.sharepoint.com/sites/nationalplcs

During this transition we have taken the opportunity to restructure and tidy the BGE – Early to Fourth Level and NQ Resources Folders which are now held within the Learning & Teaching Resources section.
Together these hold approximately 7000 individual resources uploaded by practitioners over a number of years and those developed by Education Scotland as we moved to the CfE National Qualifications.
We would like to thank all of you for your patience with this process (which is still ongoing) and also thank all those who have contributed and who continue to share resources on this platform.

Learning and Teaching resources:
As well as the aforementioned resources from the Sciences GLOW Community there is a link to the newly published Primary Science Planning Resource (created through the RAiSE programme) and a new collection of resources focussing on the Life Sciences Sector.

These were created by practitioners who attended the Education Scotland/SDS & DYW Life Sciences Sector Days in Dec 2019 and Feb 2020. They include professional learning resources, as well materials for use with pupils linking to careers and pathways and the science curriculum.

If you would like to work with us to support this process or contribute Learning and Teaching resources to the Sciences PLC please get in touch either directly with me janey.irving@educationscotland.gov.scot or with the STEM Team STEM@educationscotland.gov.scot using the e-mail header GLOW Sciences PLC.

We have also created sections for Professional Learning and Key Documents – these are just in the formative stages; if you have suggestions of materials to add to these sections please get in touch.

May 20, 2020
by Janey Irving
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BIOLOGY: STEM CLPL Online Training for teachers

University of Aberdeen has launched a new free CLPL online programme for Higher and Advanced Higher Biology.

https://on.abdn.ac.uk/courses/biology-online-stem-training-for-teachers/

This work has been supported through the Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grants Programme and the Scottish Government STEM Education and Training Strategy and is free to teachers in Scotland.

The course has been designed in consultation with practitioners and aims to enhance subject knowledge and skills; supporting pupils to apply new biology knowledge in real-world situations, and sparking their interest in project work and experiments.

A key aspect in the design of this course was to make it 100% online and therefore available to teachers across the country. This approach, in particular, has been designed to support those in more remote and rural areas of Scotland where practitioners may struggle to access professional learning opportunities.

The course is flexible as it can be started at any time and is self-paced.

The five topic areas that have been chosen and developed by current teachers and University of Aberdeen academics include:

• Proteins and Enzymes
• Molecular Biology
• Designing Experiments
• Higher and Advanced Higher Projects
• Statistics

May 19, 2020
by C. Gillespie
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New – STEM Ambassador “Offers” and Online support

The STEM Ambassadors programme has been around a long time and is a way for teachers to access enthusiastic scientists, engineers, tech gurus and STEM professionals. A new “Offers” feature is now available where STEM Ambassadors can advertise an offer to discuss a curriculum topic, a chat about careers or give a demo of a particular topic for example. Teachers can browse these on the STEM Ambassador database and contact Ambassadors that are of interest to them to take up their offer. There are over 50 offers currently available from across the UK, with many of them being online offers that can be delivered remotely to teachers (and young people in a safe setting). Removing the mileage figure in the “distance from” field lets you see all UK offers.

Teachers and groups can also place a request for online support from a STEM Ambassador on the STEM Learning database. To do this, select ‘add an activity’ as usual but tick the ‘online activity’ box and your request will be visible to 35,000 STEM Ambassadors across the UK instead of those local to you.

To access Offers and also request Ambassadors for online activities, register as a teacher at www.stem.org.uk and you can select these options from your dashboard. If you have any questions then contact your local STEM Ambassador Hub:

West of Scotland – Science Connects at stem-ambassadors@glasgow.ac.uk

North of Scotland – Aberdeen Science Centre at stemambassadors@asc.scot

East of Scotland – SSERC is now running this Hub, contact sae@sserc.scot

May 19, 2020
by C. Gillespie
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Online Science Planning Resource launched

An online resource, prepared by the Raising Aspirations in Science Education (RAiSE) programme, has been launched to support planning for meaningful and engaging primary science experiences.

The resource addresses each of the science curriculum organisers in the topics of planet Earth; forces, electricity & waves; biological systems; materials; and topical science. Individual planners for each experience and outcome have been produced and include a list of suggested activities and links, as well as further lesson ideas and inspiration.

RAiSE is a programme of The Wood Foundation, Education Scotland, Scottish Government and participating local authorities which enhances the delivery of STEM education in primary schools. The programme’s Primary Science Development Officers (PSDOs) worked collaboratively to develop the resource which was then quality assured by teachers.

Gayle Duffus, National Education Officer leading the RAiSE programme at Education Scotland, said:

“This resource is the result of a great deal of collaboration, innovation and development within the RAiSE network, as well as with a range of stakeholders.

“The publication of this informative, supportive online resource feels particularly timely given the current educational landscape. Its impact will continue to resonate once classes return.

“Engaging, exciting and motivating young children in the STEM subjects is vital as prepare a generation for their ongoing education and beyond. Empowering teachers with the inspiration, skills and networks to do so confidently will help us achieve that goal.”

This is a free resource which is publicly available and focusses on addressing a range of Experiences and Outcomes (E&Os). Each planner contains links to other curricular areas and contexts to support interdisciplinary learning. There are also instruction videos. This resource will continue to be developed.

Alan Armstrong, Strategic Director at Education Scotland, said:

“From Education Scotland, to local authorities and teachers, we all have responsibilities for helping Scotland’s children and young people to continue learning at home during school closures and as they open again. We are delighted to publish the online Science Planning Resource which provides support for teachers as they prepare for remote learning now and when schools return. The planners are designed for teachers to engage and inspire young people in STEM subjects, including through instructional videos and links to encourage interdisciplinary learning.”

RAiSE has been active in 14 local authority areas and is now being offered, on a rolling basis, to all local authorities in Scotland.

Access the resource here: https://wakelet.com/wake/xrDjTWEcxMR4iTopHNi36

May 14, 2020
by C. Gillespie
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Higher Biology Podcast – available now

The Higher Biology Podcast, created and hosted by Paul Downie (FH Science, Hyndland Secondary School) aims to bring to life the Higher Biology curriculum with guest contributors from across Scotland and beyond. Set up to improve remote learning, the podcast tries to put learning into context during a time when crucial classroom discussion is not possible. Through the use of digital technology, the podcast connects young people with some of the country’s leading experts; in an attempt to continue to raise attainment, increase ambition and raise awareness of opportunities and career pathways within the subject. Available across all major audio platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube; it is widely and freely available to young people, their families and teachers across the country and is accessible via all online devices.

Following an introductory ‘pilot lesson’, there was very positive feedback from colleagues across the country as well as young people. The plan is to now produce a podcast style lesson for each key area of the course. Education Scotland have shown immediate, initial support by kindly redirecting funding from Phase 2 of our STEM CLPL grant to allow some additional time to produce further episodes. Approaches have also been made by other interested partners to discuss ways in which they can support this effort which will enhance home learning during this unprecedented time and beyond.

To listen on Spotify click HERE

To listen on YouTube click HERE

May 7, 2020
by I. Menzies
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Support for Physics Teachers

Given the rapid shift to learning online, it is more important than ever for practitioners to network, share and support one another. Scottish physics teachers are able to sign up for TalkPhysics and join the Teaching Physics in Scotland group. Here any Scottish physics teacher can share information and resources about the response to COVID and other aspects relating to learning and teaching of physics. To facilitate the sharing of resources matched to the key areas of Scottish physics courses a Google Sheets spreadsheet has been constructed and is being managed by Institute of Physics Scotland (IOPS) coaches. Others are welcome to contribute to this also. Details of forthcoming professional learning events will also be advertised on the TalkPhysics group: https://www.talkphysics.org/groups/teaching-physics-in-scotland/

The main means of communication with Scottish physics teachers is the Sputnik email list. Those wishing to join should contact Drew Burrett, IOPS Physics Coach based in Stewarton. He is @PhysicsDrew on Twitter https://twitter.com/PhysicsDrew

IOP/SSERC Virtual Summer School

Four Virtual Summer School webinars will take place on Tuesday afternoons during the end of May and start of June. These are jointly organised by IOP Scotland and SSERC and can be booked via SSERC’s CLPL page: https://www.sserc.org.uk/professional-learning/secondary-clpl/physics-clpl/.

Online meetings organised by the IOP Scotland Physics Coach Team

Mon 11 May 2020, 2 pm – IOPS Virtual Physics Staffroom

Tue 12 May 2020, 2 pm – IOPS Teacher Network: Teaching physics remotely using MS tools.

Wed 13 May 2020, 2 pm – IOPS Teacher Network: Teaching physics remotely using Google tools

May 6, 2020
by Janey Irving
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Practitioner support for online remote learning – Sciences and STEM Wakelets

As part of Education Scotland support during COVID-19 we have gathered useful materials to support practitioners in planning and delivering online learning into Wakelets.

Sciences Wakelets

STEM Wakelet

Wakelets are collections of links to materials stored online that make it easier to access materials from one place. As well support for online remote learning there are a number of links to online professional learning opportunities from partner organisations.

ELC Science Wakelet has lots of ideas for simple hands-on science activities for indoors and outdoors to engage younger children.
Primary Science Wakelet has a link to the BGE Science Planning Resource created by the RAiSE authorities to support your planning for Early to Second Level as well as materials linking to the five curricular organisers: Planet Earth, Forces, Electricity & Waves, Biological Systems, Materials and Topical Science.
BGE Secondary Sciences Wakelet has a number of general resources and materials linking to BGE Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Senior Phase Sciences Wakelet has resources divided into Biology, Chemistry and Physics to support learners preparing for National Qualifications.
STEM Wakelet has lots of ideas for hands on STEM activities to suit all ages; a link to our Parentzone Scotland Supporting STEM at Home page which has lots of STEM ideas for parents and a link to Dumfries & Galloways recent online STEM Conference.

If you choose to sign up to Wakelets; you can follow @STEMES to receive notifications of any new links added to these lists.

We hope that you find these Wakelets useful to support your planning and professional learning at this time. If you have found another useful resource that you would like to share with colleagues nationally please get in touch with the STEM Team using the e-mail header Wakelets.