The National STEM Centre has teamed up with the National Science Learning Network to provide tailored CPD activities from across the UK. Details of the activities on offer can be found here.
September 22, 2015
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September 15, 2015
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New videos for Science
The National STEM Centre have just added six great film clips to the eLibrary, covering areas of the curriculum such as electricity generation, electromagnetism and the physics of car crashes.
The film clips in this collection were produced by Pumpkin Interactive, whose aim is to provide case studies of real life applications to illustrate some of the more complex scientific concepts and theories. Themes covered include: forces and motion, waves and imaging and electricity generation, transmission and distribution
September 15, 2015
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Royal Society of Chemistry – Talk for Science
Talk helps children to use scientific language effectively and develop their understanding of scientific ideas. Right across the curriculum, talk engages children, motivates them to use their speaking and listening skills and helps them learn how to respect and respond to each other. It reinforces the idea that mistakes can be opportunities for learning, leading children to find their own answers to problems. In science especially, exploratory talk helps children develop their enquiry and reasoning skills.
The Royal Society of Chemistry, in collaboration with Millgate House Education, have created a series of 5 videos all about ‘Talk for Science’. These videos highlight some of the different methods of supporting talk in science lessons. They cover:
Using sensory stimulus
Using stories
Using puppets
Using concept cartoons
Summary of talk for science
Through these videos we hope to inspire and support primary teachers in doing talk in their science lessons.
images are copyright RSC
September 15, 2015
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Nine things that shape your identity before birth
The making of you
Your story didn’t begin when you were born.
Before you took your first breath, your appearance and much of your ‘instinctive’ behaviour had already been formed. Exactly how you spent the nine months developing from a microscopic cell to a human baby helped make you who you are today.
Find out more at BBC iWonder Nine things that shape your identity before birth timeline. Created to support the BBC 2 programme Countdown to life, featuring broadcaster Michael Moseley. The series also has accompanying OU support materials including the poster Nine months that made you.
September 14, 2015
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Science, Technology and Maths e-bulletin September 2015
Welcome to our e-bulletin for sciences, technologies, engineering and maths (STEM).
Received this from someone else? Sign up to receive it directly.
Science
- Add the new SSERC tile to your Launchpad in Glow
- Register for the sciences cross-authority writing group events 2015-16
- STEM at the Scottish Learning Festival – enjoy our STEM programme
- Food chain professional learning event – Thurs 17th Sept
- Professional learning videos for vibrations and waves now live
- Get learning section of Scotland’s Environment website now live – see data about climate change, water, rivers and more
- Want your primary school learners to talk about science? Try these videos from RSC
Technologies
- The National Technologies Network Glow community will keep you up to date
- CPD for Engineering Science – Advanced Higher writers day, 17th Sept 15
- CPD for Design and Manufacture – Advanced Higher day, 25th Sept 15
- Apps for good events in Edinburgh and Glasgow
- Trash Trek – The ultimate STEM challenge
Numeracy and mathematics
- Reminder to sign up for the National Numeracy and Mathematics hub sessions
- Article by Jo Boaler – What is mathematics?
- Enquiry in mathematics from STEM Central
- Key messages in numeracy and mathematics for primary practitioners
- Check out this idea for a mathematics – Exploratorium
- Combine mathematics and literacy with this useful mathematics dictionary
Did you know…….?
Scottish science festivals set to share £239k of funding
Professional learning
Creating a smarter Scotland – A draft National Improvement Framework for Scottish Education
Video Inspiration
Have you got Rugby World Cup fever yet? Watch the science behind the rugby tackle
We’ve got loads more news to share! See our STEM blog for the latest updates.
September 7, 2015
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Science festivals set to share in £239k funding pot
Festivals across Scotland share £239,000.
Experiments and scientific demonstrations will be hosted at 16 festivals thanks to Scottish Government funding, the Science Minister has announced.
Minister for Science Alasdair Allan announced £239,000 to fund a programme of activities for all ages at events across the country.
Popular themes explored in this year’s science festivals include events marking the achievements of renowned Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell’s and using our food and drink industry to look at issues around sustainability and climate change.
The United Nations has named 2015 as the International Year of Light with the date being chosen as it is the 150th anniversary of Clerk Maxwell’s pioneering theory of classical electromagnetism
The festivals taking place this year include:
- Orkney International Science Festival
- Caithness International Science Festival
- Inverness Science Festival
- Moray Science Festival
- Oban Festival of the Sea
- TechFest (Aberdeen/NE Scotland)
- Dundee Science Festival
- Fife Science Festival
- Strathearn Science Festival
- Edinburgh International Science Festival
- Midlothian Science Festival
- Dunbar Science Festival
- Glasgow Science Festival
- Dumfries and Galloway Science Festival
- Ayrshire Engineering and Science Festival
- Middle of Scotland Science Festival
Dr Allan said:
“Our science festivals’ programme is really exciting, with something on offer for everyone. We are the only country in the UK to support science festivals nationally, and each year these events reach more than 200,000 people, demonstrating a real appetite for seeing science in action in our communities.
“Scotland is a leading science nation with research making a significant contribution to our economy. Our legacy of revolutionary discoveries and globally celebrated scientists are an inspiration to the next generation and festival events are a vital addition to the way we promote science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) studies in school.
“As we celebrate both the Year of Food and Drink and the UN’s Year of Light our £239,000 investment will support 16 festivals over the next 12 months. These activities are making science more accessible to a broader public audience all across the country and we want to see even more people have the chance to have the opportunity to enjoy events near them.”
September 7, 2015
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Add SSERC tile to your GLOW Launchpad for quick access
Education Scotland is delighted to announce a new and quick way to access SSERC’s resources for Science and Technology. The new SSERC tile is now available in the GLOW App library.
Add it to your launch pad for a fast and easy route to SSERC’s website every time you log onto Glow.
While you are at it – remember to add the tile for Twig, Tigtag and Reach Out CPD too.
Watch this video to see how easy it is to add a tile to your Glow Launchpad: https://glowhelp.wikis.glowscotland.org.uk/Adding+Tigtag+Tiles+To+Glow
September 7, 2015
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Slower Melting Ice Cream, & Storing Methane with Coffee Grounds
Here’s a weekly summary of both new chemistry research and studies that have been in the news. This week Compound Interest features research on a protein that could help keep ice creams from melting so quickly, a novel method of recycling coffee grounds to store methane, and more. As always, links to further articles and original research papers are provided below, as well as further studies of interest not included in the graphic.
Note: links to studies behind a journal paywall are indicated with (£). Studies without this symbol are open access, and can be accessed and read for free.
Featured Stories
Protein enables slower melting ice cream: [Article]
Blueberry extract could help prevent dental plaque: [Article] [Study (£)]
A membrane that separates oil from water: [Article] [Study (£)]
Waste coffee grounds recycled as methane storage medium: [Article] [Study]
Brazilian wasp venom selectively kills cancer cells: [Article] [Study]
Other Stories This Week
Ants superior to other pest control methods: [Article] [Study (£)]
Mosquito net binds insecticides with electrostatic forces: [Article] [Study (£)]
Pond algae contains wealth of chemical blueprints: [Article] [Study (£)]
Magnesium peroxide could be stable in some planet interiors: [Article] [Study]
Sea slug steals prey’s chemical weapons: [Article] [Study (£)]
Parasite-infected bees self-medicate: [Article] [Study (£)]
Brain protein causes rare, Parkinson’s related disease: [Article] [Study (£)]
Hydrogel-fabric composite makes for soft but strong material: [Article] [Study]
‘Brain-eating’ amoeba evades chlorine disinfection: [Article] [Study]
Electrical fields can switch dipole and handedness of helical structures: [Article] [Study (£)]
Riboflavin helps selectively form Z-isomer alkenes: [Article] [Study (£)]
Mutated weeds can grow in TNT-contaminated soil: [Article] [Study (£)]
Titanium & zirconium respond differently to mechanical stress: [Article] [Study (£)]
Faecal transplants overcome drug resistant bacteria: [Article] [Study]
New definition for hypervalency in molecules suggested: [Article] [Study]
Redesigning drugs for better biodegradability: [Article] [Study (£)]
Keep track of older ‘This Week in Chemistry’ posts on the category page, or via the #TWIChem hashtag on Twitter.
September 4, 2015
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Sciences cross-authority writing group programme 2015-16
Education Scotland is pleased to publish details of the cross-authority writing groups taking place this year. These will seek to build on the success of the previous programme which has resulted in over 3000 classroom sciences resources being co-developed and shared through our sciences Glow community at: http://bit.ly/scienceshome (please note change to previous bit.ly link). Those secondary practitioners interested in attending should contact their QIO/authority sciences coordinator in the first instance. Details of how to register have been sent to QIOs/coordinators separately.
The programme is as follows:
Sciences Higher review event
Date: 5pm ‒ 8pm, Wed 30th Sept 2015 and 9:30am ‒ 4pm on Thurs 1st Oct 2015
Venue: Mercure Hotel, Glasgow
Focus: This event will provide delegates with the opportunity to review the key messages from the CfE Higher assessment for each of the sciences. Following an evening of input, delegates will then have a full day to co-develop resources for Higher Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Human Biology, and Physics in light of the needs identified.
Sciences Advanced Higher event
Date: 9:30am ‒ 4pm on Thurs 12th Nov 2015
Venue: Mercure Hotel, Glasgow
Focus: Supported by a number of partner agencies, this event will reflect on the implementation of Advanced Higher and look to generate further resources to support learning and teaching. This event will have places for biology, chemistry, environmental science, human biology, and physics practitioners. Environmental science delegates will concentrate on other levels of NQ.
Sciences BGE (secondary) event
Date: 9am ‒ 4pm on Tues 19th Jan 2016
Venue: SSERC, Dunfermline
Focus: Supported by a number of partner agencies, this event will reflect on learning and teaching in the broad general education (BGE) and look to generate further resources and strategies to support learning and teaching.
Sciences National 3 and 4 event
Date: 9am to 4pm on Tuesday 1st March 2016
Venue: SSERC, Dunfermline
Focus: Supported by a number of partner agencies, this event will provide practitioners with opportunities to co-develop classroom resources and approaches to support learning and teaching in National 3 and 4 sciences qualifications.
Nominations
Each local authority is invited to nominate two practitioners to attend each of these days ‒ these should be experienced faculty heads, principal teachers or classroom practitioners who are able to contribute effectively to the development of high-quality materials for biology, human biology, chemistry or physics. A waiting list is available should an authority wish to nominate more than two practitioners.
In addition to this, we have set extra spaces aside for practitioners wishing to develop resources for environmental science, science or science in the environment.
Following the event, those attending will be expected to share resources and update colleagues within their authority to ensure all practitioners benefit from the events and the support that has been provided.
Expenses and cover
Please note that Education Scotland is not able to pay for cover or travel expenses for any delegates attending these events.
September 4, 2015
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Get Energised
National Museums Scotland
FREE Secondary Schools Renewable Energy Programme
Get Energised Challenge Days
Level: National Qualifications 4-5 Physics
Pupil numbers: Pupils work in teams of four, competing against teams from other schools. Maximum 20 pupils (five teams) from each school at each Challenge Day.
Dates available: 
National Museum of Rural Life (East Kilbride)
Wed 28, Thu 29 & Fri 30 Oct 2015
National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh)
Mon 9 & Tue 10 Nov 2015
Inspire your pupils to discover more about the renewable energy industry. Pupils will conduct experiments, meet industry experts and work cooperatively to solve problems. The day includes solar, wind, hydro and marine power challenges and each Challenge Day concludes with a keynote speaker from the industry. One team at each Challenge Day will win a prize for themselves and their school.
Science Investigation Days
Level: S1–2 pupils Pupil numbers: National Museum of Scotland 50 pupils; National Museum of Rural Life 40 pupils
Dates available:
National Museum of Rural Life (East Kilbride)
Fri 23 & Mon 26 Oct 2015, Mon 21 & Tue 22 Mar 2016, Thu 14 & Fri 15 Apr 2016
National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh)
Wed 11 Nov 2015, Mon 1 & Tue 2 Feb 2016, Mon 9 & Tue 10 May 2016
Pupils will discover more about renewable energy in Scotland through a series of hands-on, group-work activities. The day will provide an introduction to the range of renewable energies in Scotland, followed by the chance for pupils to build their own hydro turbine, and engineer a wave technology model.
To book, complete our online booking enquiry form: www.nms.ac.uk/schoolbooking
You can also contact us on schools@nms.ac.uk
Get Energised is made possible by the generous support of the ScottishPower Foundation. Find out more online: www.nms.ac.uk/getenergised
