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.”
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.
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]
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.
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
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.
The Scottish Learning Festival (SLF) is the key education event in Scotland welcoming thousands of educational professionals.
SLF 2015 takes place on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 September in the SECC, Glasgow.
Below are a list of seminars focusing on science and STEM that may be of interest.
The Education Scotland teams will be on hand at the main stand to discuss STEM and answer any of your questions on Wednesday at 3:00 – 3:30pm and Thursday at 1:30 – 2:00pm.
Wednesday 23 September – 09.30
Highland Primary Science Framework
Peter Finlayson, Highland Council
BOISDALE 1
SEMINAR CODE B1A
Wednesday 23 September – 12.30
Delivering the CfE Science Es & Os through Practical Investigations
Philip McGhee, North Lanarkshire Council
MORAR
SEMINAR CODE M1B
Wednesday 23 September – 13.45
Increasing achievement in science education: Learning lessons from Finland and Estonia
Neil McIntyre, Webster’s High School
MORAR
SEMINAR CODE M1C
Wednesday 23 September – 16.15
Learning for Sustainability: National Progress, Local Success
Ian Menzies, Education Scotland
BOISDALE 1
SEMINAR CODE B1E
Thursday 24 September – 10.45
STEM in the Early Years
Jennifer Allan, Pine Trees Nursery
LEVEN
SEMINAR CODE L2G
Thursday 24 September – 12.00
Developing the Young Workforce: preparation for employment in
STEM and engineering sectors
Ian Beach, Education Scotland
LEVEN
SEMINAR CODE L2H
Thursday 24 September – 13.15
Air Quality Learning and Teaching Package
Ben Jackson, Scottish Environment Protection Agency
“Apps for Good is an education technology movement that is transforming the way technology is taught in schools, turning young tech consumers into tech creators. Apps for Good aims to unlock the confidence and talent of the next generation of problem solvers and digital makers: young people who are ready to tackle the 21st century workplace and are inspired to create new tech ideas that can change their world for good.
In partnership with Samsung, Apps for Good are pleased to be running two Regional Roadshows in Scotland in September, with a theme around ‘Bringing the real world into the classroom’. Join Apps for Good at the roadshow to learn more about:
Utilising industry Experts in the classroom
Advice about integrating student led learning into the classroom
Hints and tips for student assessment
How you can deliver Apps for Good in your school/college
There will also be an opportunity to network with fellow Apps for Good Educators and share best practice and the chance to hear from our External Partners, Code Club and CoderDojo Scotland.
Welcome to our e-bulletin for sciences, technologies, engineering and maths (STEM). Please forward to those who may be interested.
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Sciences
• Award-winning online resources available until June 2016 – add Twig, Tigtag and Reach Out CPD tiles to your Launchpad in Glow
• Higher Physics professional learning videos now online
• Statistics for school biology experiments and Advanced Higher projects – SSERC guide
• 13 – 19 year olds can win a trip to New York City through the Junior Academy STEM competition
• Enter the 2016 Our Environment competition run by SEPA
• Get Learning section of Scotland’s Environment website launches soon – data about climate change, water, rivers and more Technologies
• Register your school to receive BBC Microbit pocket-sized computers for coding
• The National Technologies Network Glow community will keep you up to date
• New engineering science materials on the Glow NQ site
• CPD for Engineering Science – Advanced Higher writers day on the 17 September 2015
• Dunoon Primary beats 300 UK schools to win Kodu Kup
• Open University research project on use of mobile technologies – get involved!
Numeracy and mathematics
• BBC News report on supermarket pricing
• Mathematical Association conference for teachers of secondary mathematics
• The National Numeracy Progression Framework has progression pathways for all numeracy organisers
• Register for Progression Module to be delivered via the National Numeracy and Mathematics Hub from 25 August
• STEM precision farming event for secondary STEM teachers – Perthshire, 7 November
Did you know…….?
The Developing Young Workforce programme will be transforming the way that STEM is delivered in Scottish schools.
Professional learning
Reviewing the requirement for high level STEM skills – UKCES report
Video Inspiration
Make a 3D Hologram projector using a mobile phone app and CD case.
We’ve got loads more news to share! See our STEM blog for the latest updates.
Education Scotland Updates
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You can sign up to as many email updates as you like, they are free and delivered straight to your inbox. Visit the Education Scotland website for the full list of publications available and sign up today.
Scottish Learning Festival 2015
SLF is the biggest education event in Scotland, bringing together thousands of educational professionals from across Scotland and beyond. Taking place on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 September, the theme of this year’s event focuses on raising achievement and attainment for all.
SLF is free for everyone to attend and gives you access to inspirational keynotes, over 100 professional development seminars, lively debate at the professional discussion sessions, Scotland’s largest education exhibition and opportunities for professional networking with peers and colleagues from across Scotland.
Book now to guarantee your place at SLF. Visit the SLF website to browse the full conference programme and book your place today.
Network and hear from organisations including Scottish Food & Drink Federation, College Development Network, Queen Margaret University, Scottish Qualifications Authority, Education Scotland and industry partners regarding careers in food and drink in Scotland. There will also be an opportunity at the end to visit the Lifting the Lid exhibition currently on at the venue.
Welcome to our e-bulletin for sciences, technologies, engineering and maths (STEM).
