November 27, 2015
by User deactivated
0 comments

Opening Doors: Improving gender balance in the school environment

Opening Doors is co-funded by the IOP and Government Equalities Office, running from 2014 to 2015. The project is not specific to physics, or even science, but focuses on developing a whole-school approach to addressing gender imbalance.

The project has involved two regional networks, each made up of five schools. Network schools offered each other mutual support as they work to improve gender balance.

The evidence from the site visits was used to compile a guide to good practice for schools on addressing gender imbalance.

For more information on the Opening Doors project, please email education@iop.org.

The full guide was launched at a conference on 20 October 2015 and is available here.

November 26, 2015
by User deactivated
0 comments

Topical Science – Oxygen discovered on a comet.

Last month, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced that the Rosetta mission had discovered molecular oxygen on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. Tigtag and Twig can support the teaching of this event and help bring topical science into your classroom.

Further information on this discovery and suggested resources are accessible via Tigtag and Twig, both of which are available to all educators and learners in Scotland via the Glow Launch Pad.. The resources can be accessed here (Tigtag) and here (Twig). Note you will need to be logged into Glow to access these resources.

You can also register to receive e-bulletins from Tigtag and Twig.

You can also keep up to date and follow the Rosetta Mission on Twitter @ESA_Rosetta.

November 26, 2015
by User deactivated
0 comments

Science for Scotland’s Future

This is a free event for all those interested in education, learning and teaching. Registration to the event is accessible from here.

Teachers at any stage of their career or training, education advisors, support staff, local authority staff, and all those working in Scottish Education are welcome at the event, the more the merrier!

Date: Wednesday 2nd December 2015

Venue: McCance Building (Room 301) University of Strathclyde

Address: 16 Richmond Street, Glasgow

Time: 5.00pm for 5.30pm start with the event concluding at 8.00pm

Follow the on screen instructions to create an account, which will then enable you to enter your details to the register.

November 25, 2015
by User deactivated
0 comments

Einstein 100: Happy Birthday General Relativity

Award-winning animator Eoin Duffy has teamed up with filmmaker Jamie Lochhead and science communicator / astrophysicist Anais Rassat to create a striking 3 minute animation narrated by David Tennant that celebrates 100 years of Einstein’s greatest work – general relativity.

Einstein first presented the theory on the 25^th of November 1915, 100 years ago today. The theory – which describes gravity, space and time – is regarded as the greatest feat of thinking about nature to come from a single mind. It explains everything from how planets in the solar system orbit our sun, to black holes and how the Universe evolved after the Big Bang.

Astrophysicist Anais Rassat explains: “Einstein’s theory of general relativity is not just about understanding gravity, it is central to our understanding of the entire Universe”. Jamie Lochhead adds “Einstein’s big idea was the concept of warped space and time. It’s mind-bending stuff!”

With modern telescopes, scientists have determined that Einstein’s theory requires nearly 70% of the universe to be made of a mysterious energy called dark energy, and 25% of dark matter, an exotic matter that has never been observed on earth. Together, this mysterious 95% is called the “dark universe” by scientists, meaning that normal matter we have on earth is only 5% of the Universe. “Understanding the nature of the dark universe is one of the major challenges of modern astrophysics ,” says Rassat.

The animation is funded by the STFC. It is hoped that on the centennial of the great theory, the film will reach a wide online audience and inspire viewers with the wonder of Einstein’s masterpiece.

Youtube: : https://youtu.be/6HQW3Wyv16I

Website: www.einstein100.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EinsteinOneHundred/

Social media hashtag: #Einstein100

November 20, 2015
by User deactivated
0 comments

Enthuse Awards

The ENTHUSE Awards help teachers and technicians to attend world class continuing professional development courses offered by the National Science Learning Centre.

All teachers, tutors, lecturers, teaching assistants and technicians involved in science education at state funded schools and colleges in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can apply for an ENTHUSE Award to help them cover the cost of attending certain courses offered by the National Science Learning Centre.

November 20, 2015
by User deactivated
0 comments

Earth Observation Detective

Aimed at primary learners, these resources link to aspects of mathematics, geography, science and computing.

The activities use early astronaut photographs to encourage children to think about what features on the Earth look like from space, and satellite images to enable students to measure the growth of a city and the shrinking of a glacier.

They have been produced by the National Centre for Earth Observation.

November 20, 2015
by User deactivated
0 comments

The Science of Life 2016

The Physiological Society are challenging students to design and carry out their own research project to find a way of improving performance in a sport of their own choice by optimising the body’s physiology. They will be expected to present their findings to The Physiological Society and illustrate how their findings could be applied in real athletic events. Projects in other areas of physiology are also welcome.

Am I eligible to enter?

Students must be 16-19 years old and studying towards A-levels, Advanced Highers, Irish Higher Leaving Certificate (or equivalent)
Students must have the support of a teacher
Projects must investigate an area of physiology e.g. cardiovascular, respiration, hydration, musculoskeletal, diet and nutrition, health or neuroscience. Projects in performance enhancement are particularly welcome this year.

Can I work with someone else?

Students can work alone or in groups of up to 4. Group work is encouraged, but contributions from any parties outside the group (e.g. significant input from teachers or mentors) must be clearly acknowledged. It is recommended that students work with individuals that have expertise complementary to their own.

What do I have to do?

There are 3 stages of this competition:

Registering the project

Every student intending to take part in this competition must first register their project by 14 December 2015.

Submitting a progress report

Once students have registered their projects, they can begin their investigations. Mid-way through the project, after approx. 15 hours’ research, students must submit a summary of their progress by 28 February 2016.

Students will be encouraged to present their progress reports in an innovative and informative way e.g. as a video, podcast, website or presentation.

All progress reports received will then be assessed by an independent panel and a number will be shortlisted to take part in the final stage of the competition.

Presenting the completed project at a scientific conference

Shortlisted students will be asked to complete a further 15 hours of research (bringing the total hours spent to 30) and present their completed project as a poster for final judging in London during July 2016.

At final judging, scientists will visit the poster displays and speak to the students about their projects. An independent panel of judges will also be present to review the posters (using the mark scheme below) and award Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes to the best projects on the day.

Key submission deadlines

14 December 2015: Registering the project
28 February 2016: Submitting a progress report
July 2016: Presenting the completed project

More details (and the marking scheme for projects) can be found here.

November 20, 2015
by User deactivated
0 comments

Primary STEM Learning magazine

The Science Learning Network are busy working away on the second edition of the Primary STEM Learning magazine – but if you haven’t browsed through the autumn edition yet, there is still time!

It’s packed with lesson ideas, expert opinion pieces on a range of STEM subjects and ways to give your students the best possible career advice.

Plus the full list of our CPD activities for this term and next.

You can download a copy of the autumn magazine here.

November 20, 2015
by User deactivated
0 comments

Calling all teachers and pupils: e-bug needs you!

e-Bug (www.e-Bug.eu) is a European wide antibiotic and hygiene teaching resource for school pupils and it’s looking for your help!

e-Bug are keen to get the thoughts and opinions of Scottish pupils and would like your pupils to play and evaluate the following games:

Super Sneezes
Happy Holidays
Bogey Bus
Chicken Surprise

All games are available on both the junior and senior student websites.

Teachers should direct pupils to the website and ask them to play each of the games listed above.

Pupils should then complete the relevant worksheets linked below which correspond to each of the games they have played.

e-Bug Bogey Bus Evaluation

e-Bug Chicken Surprise Evaluation

e-Bug Happy Holidays Evaluation

e-Bug Super Sneezes Evaluation

Completed evaluations should then be forwarded to amanda.trolland@nhs.net

Happy playing!

November 17, 2015
by User deactivated
0 comments

The Royal Institution’s Christmas lectures have been announced

The Royal Institution have announced the 2015 Christmas lecturer as being Dr Kevin Fong, an expert in space medicine.

This year’s Christmas lectures will be based around ‘How to survive in space’ and is due to be broadcast on BBC Four during the festive season.

In celebration of Tim Peake’s impending launch to the International Space Station (ISS), the lectures will focus around the discoveries and achievements in space science and engineering.

Tim’s expedition to the ISS will begin with an intense eight and a half minute journey to Low Earth Orbit. The first lecture will examine this critical stage of Tim’s long six hour space flight and will reveal the science and engineering work behind these tense moments.

Lectures two and three will look at the day-to-day life in space, as well as learning how science can help astronauts survive those lengthy space explorations.

For more information about Tim Peake’s mission to the International Space Station, visit the dedicated Tim Peake page.

The photograph of Kevin Fong is taken from The Royal Institution.