February 5, 2016
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Scottish Attainment Challenge Innovation Fund: Applications Open

Applications have opened for the £1.5 million Innovation Fund to help schools close the attainment gap.

Schools can choose whether to apply quickly for funds to run projects that are ready to start in March 2016, or to consider bids for the 2016/17 financial year. The Fund is open to all publicly funded primary, secondary and special schools in Scotland which are not already benefitting from the Attainment Scotland Fund.

Funds of £3,000-£10,000 (per school) are available for projects that will help children and young people experiencing socio economic disadvantage. Applications are encouraged from partnerships of schools working collaboratively or individual schools.

Under the twin track application scheme, schools can apply:

Fast track: by 21 February 2016 for projects that will start in March. Notification will be given between 1 and 4 March.

Standard track: by 31 March 2016 for projects that will start in the year from April 2016. Notification will be given by the end of April.

Proposals should have a particular focus on literacy, numeracy or health and wellbeing. They can be new ideas, or a project with a specific focus, building on what has had the greatest impact within a school, cluster or group of schools. This may include projects involving parental / family engagement and career long professional development or those that help develop and realise aspirations for children and young people.

The guidance and application form are available:

On our website
By email

Information is also on the #SAC Scottish Attainment Challenge Glow site (login required), where practitioners can seek advice and collaborate on applications.

Get help with accessing #SAC Glow site

February 1, 2016
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BUILD IT! Adventures with LEGO® Bricks at National Museum of Scotland

LEGO® is more than a toy. It makes architects, sculptors and storytellers of us all.

This spring, renowned brick artist, Warren Elsmore and his team display some of their most beautiful and intricate mini-buildings and models in our Grand Gallery. To add to the set, they will also be on-site, building a special three metre model of our very own museum.

But don’t let them have all the fun. Join us for some hands-on LEGO® brick activities from February till April. Get creative in the Builders’ Yard, help us make a special sculpture of one of our most-loved museum objects, or build your own masterpiece.

Follow our #BUILDIT updates on social media.

Join us for our free LEGO® brick activities from January to April.
Look out for more BUILD IT! activities at the museum during Edinburgh International Science Festival (26 Mar to 10 Apr 2016).

For information about events at the National Museum of Scotland click here.

For information about events at the National Museum of Flight click here.

For information about events at the National Museum of Rural Life click here.

For information about events at the National War Museum click here.

February 1, 2016
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Climate Challenge Fund – apply for a share of £10 million

Does your school work with a community group? Community groups across Scotland are being invited to apply for a share of over £10 million Scottish Government funding for action against climate change.

The hugely successful Climate Challenge Fund has supported 756 community-led schemes since 2008, including energy efficiency, sustainable travel and local food growing projects.

Climate Change Minister Aileen McLeod has confirmed the fund will continue for another year, after it was allocated £10.3 million in the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget 2016-17. The CCF has supported projects involving energy efficiency improvements to community owned buildings, energy efficiency advice, lower carbon travel options, community growing initiatives and schemes to tackle waste. Applications for grants of up to £150,000 per project are invited now: Community-led organisations currently in receipt of a CCF grant must have submitted a completed application by 19th February 2016.

All other community-led organisations must have submitted an Expression of Interest by 5th February 2016 and a completed application by 19th February 2016.

More on the application process, deadlines and ideas for projects at www.climatechallengefund.org

Alternatively, you may wish to look open the following hyperlinks for further information:

How to submit an application or expression of interest

View currently funded projects using an online map

Need inspiration? Read up some case studies

View CCF resources, training and events to support community projects.

February 1, 2016
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New literacy across learning resources from Education Scotland

Education Scotland has refreshed and updated support for literacy across learning in secondary schools.

The new resource offers practical advice and suggested learning and teaching approaches which can be used by practitioners from all subject areas.

The resource can be accessed here http://tinyurl.com/jjdv37p

January 28, 2016
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Queen’s Medical Research Institute Public Lecture Series

The QMRI Public Lecture series 2015/16 is sponsored by the Medical Research Council. The lectures in the series will be of interest to pupils studying Higher and Advanced Higher Biology and Higher Human Biology. Doors open at 4.30pm with tea and coffee available, and a selection of drinks after each talk. There are opportunities for lab tours by school pupils between 4.30 and 5.30pm before the talks.

The start time for the talks is 5.30pm-6.45pm to include two 20-minute presentations followed by a 20-minute question time.

All talks to be held at The Queen’s Medical Research Institute or The Chancellor’s Building, next to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh. Little France is located in the south east of the city, with good connections to the city’s main transport hubs.

For more information on event booking and transport, please go to www.ed.ac.uk/news/2015/healthtalks

Details of the next two lectures in the series are below:

Multiple Sclerosis lecture 17^th February 2016 webpage: http://www.ed.ac.uk/medicine-vet-medicine/news-events/events-2016/let-s-talk-about-health-multiple-sclerosis-success

Delirium and Dementia 16^th March 2016 webpage: http://www.ed.ac.uk/medicine-vet-medicine/news-events/events-2016/let-s-talk-about-health-delirium-and-dementia-in-o

A poster containing details of the lecture series can be found here.

January 28, 2016
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Institute of Physics “Teacher of Physics 2016” Award

The Institute of Physics is seeking nominations for it’s prestigious “Teacher of Physics 2016” award. The Scottish winner of this award will be invited to attend the big IOP Awards dinner in London later this year, when all of the IOP Awards and Prizes are presented.

The IoP are looking for a teacher who can inspire her/his students and colleagues, who is prepared to go the extra mile to make Physics exciting and interesting, or has made a wider impact on Physics Teaching in Scotland.

All that is required at this stage is a supporting statement of not more than 400 words.

Nomination forms can be accessed online at http://www.iop.org/about/awards/additional/teachers/page_38686.html

The form can be completed online and emailed to Gordon.doig@iop.org, or printed out and posted.

Please note there is NO requirement for either the nominee or the nominator to be an IOP member.

Closing date for nominations is 26^th Feb 2016.

January 28, 2016
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Inspiring Teachers

Teaching is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, careers you can choose.

In September, the Scottish Government launched a campaign to encourage more teachers to enter the profession. The recruitment campaign will focus on attracting teachers to STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths – in particular to teach Physics, Maths and Computing. The ‘Inspiring Teachers’ campaign will feature figureheads from Scottish business, industry, media and science, sharing their memories of the teachers who inspired them and helped them get where they are today.

The #inspiringteachers campaign seeks to attract more high-quality, passionate teachers into the profession, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths where there is a demand.

Watch some films about #inspiringteachers at

· Katie https://youtu.be/2ituLmzA9tY

· Tiam https://youtu.be/r2AwVuI02oY

· Leith Panel https://youtu.be/ENIX0ewyQTA

· Gillespie Panel https://youtu.be/XybLNDPlzus

More information on the #inspiringteachers campaign and teaching in Scotland can be found here.

January 28, 2016
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Young Scot Awards 2016 – Nominations open

Since its inception ten years ago the Young Scot Awards have flourished, and are now Scotland’s biggest celebration of the inspirational contributions of thousands of young Scots who have made a real difference to their communities.

Are there young people in your local community who through their positive contributions are truly inspiring? Contributions such as volunteering, fundraising, going the extra mile to help others, overcoming huge obstacles or stepping up to tackle injustice. If you do know such young people you may wish to nominate them for a Young Scot Award.

This 2016 awards will be held at the EICC on the 27^th April. Nominations are open and there has been an overwhelming response so far, again highlighting the amazing contribution that young people are making in their communities. So if there is someone you believe should be nominated, don’t delay as the closing date for nominations is 24th February 2016.

Further information, including a full list of categories and nomination forms are accessible via these links.

In addition, join in the conversation on social media by using #YSAwards16.

Twitter @YoungScot

Facebook Young Scot

Instagram Young Scot

January 26, 2016
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Glow Video

Glow Video was launched before Christmas, and will allow access to films to enhance learning & teaching and also professional development. Have a look at the Sciences channel (bit.ly/SciencesVideos) and the STEM channel (bit.ly/STEMVideos). Feel free to add any videos of your own to these channels (make sure you have permission to share!). When uploading, use hashtags in the Description section to allow for easy searching, e.g. #STEM #technologies.

January 25, 2016
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RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch: 30th & 31st January

More than half a million people from across the UK are set to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch by counting the birds in their gardens over the weekend of 30th-31st January. They’ll also make a record of the other wildlife they see throughout the year, providing a vital snapshot of UK nature.

Request a FREE pack or simply register your details to save time on the weekend and get £5 off your next purchase in our shop.

Your class can also take part in the Big School’s Birdwatch at any time until the 12th February. All you have to do is count birds for 1 hour with your class and record what you observe. Register here to take part and don’t worry if you’re not a bird expert. The RSPB will send you a free bird identification resource.