February 10, 2015
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Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce

Developing the Young Workforce – Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy contains the Government’s plans to implement the recommendations of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce. On 5 February, the inaugural meeting of the National Advisory Group met to discuss how this group of senior stakeholders could provide leadership and guidance. Jointly chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training, Roseanna Cunningham, and Councillor Douglas Chapman, COSLA spokesperson for Education, Children and Young People, the group heard how amongst the recommendations was a focus on driving uptake of STEM.

Membership of the National Advisory Group is:

Sir Ian Wood
Brian Johnstone (Regional College Chair, Dumfries & Galloway)
John Fyffe (President, Association of Directors of Education in Scotland)
Iain Ellis (Chair, National Parents’ Forum Scotland)
Larry Flanagan (EIS General Secretary)
Grahame Smith (STUC General Secretary, Wood Commissioner)
Hamira Khan (Chief Executive, Scottish Youth Parliament)
Polly Purvis (Executive Director ScotlandIS: trade body for ICT industry in Scotland)
Morna Simpson (founder of Girl Geek Scotland, Managing Director of FlockEdu)
Annag Maclean (Headteacher, Castlebay High)
Elma Murray (SOLACE representative)

To receive the regular newsletter about Develeoping Young Workforce (DYW) progress, please contact youngworkforce@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

February 9, 2015
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Free S1-S3 Science investigation videos and resources

Have you seen our new 3rd and 4th Level Chemistry and Physics resources? Start exploring our new airport interactive to find examples of motion and forces in action!

We’ve also added some new investigation videos to help students brush up on their scientific skills.

Thanks to all those who entered the Ultimate STEM Challenge. We’re delighted to announce that more than 450 students from across the UK have submitted entries. Judging is underway, and we’ll be announcing the finalists next week.

Get free Secondary resources by age and topic

New! Science investigation videos for 11 to 12s
Free videos on Forces, Materials, Electricity and more!

How much sugar will dissolve in tea? How does exercise affect your body? Our new videos explore the science behind everyday life and offer practical investigation ideas for key curriculum topics.

Watch our free videos for investigation ideas

Balloon rockets experiment for 11 to 14s

Does an object’s shape affect its speed? This set of four videos filmed at the Science Museum features young presenters taking students through each stage of an experiment to find out.

Try the experiment with your students now

February 9, 2015
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I’m a Scientist – British Science Week Enrichment Event

I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here is an event that gets students talking to scientists online. It’s free for UK schools, and all you need is an internet connection for your students. It’s running this March (9th–20th) to get your classroom buzzing during British Science Week.

Apply now to take part

I’m a Scientist is an online X-Factor style competition for scientists, where students are the judges!

For two weeks this March, your students will be able to ask questions to, and take part in live text-based chats with real scientists. Students vote for their favourite scientist to win £500 to spend on further STEM engagement.

The event is simple to organise as all the materials needed are provided, including suggested lesson plans. Students see that scientists are normal people, learn how science lessons relate to real life, and become more enthused about science.

Students ASK questions on absolutely anything! Scientists aim to answer the same day.

Have live text-based chats for instant answers to the students’ questions.

Students are the judges! Voting to keep their favourite scientist in the competition.

Between the 9th and 20th March we’re running 14 different themed zones to get students interacting with scientists on everything from Genes to Particle Physics. There are also General Science Zones where students will be able to ask questions to scientists in a wide range of research areas, and zones specially for primary schools.

You can find the full list of zones here.

If you fancy giving it a go, simply fill in this survey telling us which zones and how many classes you would like to take part with.

February 9, 2015
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New Grant Scheme for Biology Events in Scotland

The Society of Biology is pleased to announce the first round of our Regional Grant Scheme in Scotland

Individual biologists or biology-related organisations can apply for funding to run a biology public engagement or schools event or activity in Scotland.
The grant scheme is funded by the Scottish Government and offers grants of up to £200 for small events and up to £500 for larger events.

Events can take place between May and December 2015 and priority will be given to events in under-served areas of Scotland.
Application forms are submitted by email and the deadline is Monday 16th March 2015.
Full details and application forms are available at www.societyofbiology.org/RGS-Scotland

For questions about the grant scheme, please contact

Dr Jane Magill
Regional Co-ordinator (Scotland and Northern England)
Society of Biology
janemagill@societyofbiology.org
Mobile: 07885 914212

February 6, 2015
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Sciences, Technology and Mathematics e-bulletin

Welcome to our e-bulletin for sciences, technologies, engineering and maths (STEM). Please forward to those who may be interested.

Received this from someone else? Sign up to receive it directly.

* Nominations are now open for the STEM and Learning Through Technology categories of the Scottish Education Awards

Sciences
• Register for Assessment in the Sciences twilight events
• Assessment in the Sciences Glow Meet – see the presentation slides
• Explore our new Giant Panda website
• Updated Higher resource guides for Human Biology, Biology, Physics and Chemistry• Latest cross authority writing group materials available on #glowsciences
• Take part in the Our Environment competition

Technologies
• Look out for the Technologies Impact Review – publish date 4 February
• Learning Together Hub – Raspberry Pi network on Glow
• BGE and Senior Phase computing science materials

Numeracy and Mathematics
• Annotated assessment exemplars for numeracy and mathematics
• Professional learning resources on numeracy now available

Did you know…….?
There are 25,000 modern apprenticeships available in Scotland this year including those for life sciences.

Professional learning
• How do young people perceive STEM careers – Book of Insights
• STEM: Barriers to Learning – Institute of Engineering and Technology

We’ve got loads more news to share! See our STEM blog for the latest updates.

Sign Up For Free Email Updates
Education Scotland offer a number of free email updates and news alerts to keep you informed of the latest developments and events in Scottish education.

We’re delighted to offer you a range of publications with a focus on specific areas, sectors and topics. These all include the latest news and key information along with links to new resources and support materials all in one place and relevant to your area of work.

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.

February 5, 2015
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STEM and Food for Thought: Education Fund Phase 3

Participating in the Food for Thought project provides opportunity to raise awareness of STEM careers in the food and drink industry, one of our key economic growth sectors.

Recent figures estimate that 170,000 employees with STEM skills are required by 2020.

Apply now and take STEM forward in your establishment.

Applications can now be made to the Food for Thought: Education Fund Phase 3. The fund aims to support practitioners to build their confidence and capacity and to improve learning and teaching within food education in Curriculum for Excellence. Awards of up to £3000 per project are available. Apply now.

This year we are looking for schools to plan food education projects that:

aim to improve outcomes for learners in ways which seek to eliminate the inequity that currently exists amongst learners from different backgrounds and from particular vulnerable groups
plan to focus on Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce by improving work experience, career advice and careers education. This is why we are asking you to work with local businesses as by working more closely with employers we can all aim to ensure our work is taking account of their views and needs to developing the workforce of tomorrow.
provide the opportunity for staff to develop their knowledge and skills around food education
involve progressive learning and teaching in delivering and embedding food education
build respect around food education into the ethos of the school (i.e. not one off events)

Proposals must be submitted by Sunday 29 March 2015. You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been submitted.

Read also our news release: Food for Thought Education Fund serves up another course of funding.

February 3, 2015
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King’s College University : Aspires Project 2014

Many governments and organisations are concerned that not enough young people are choosing to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) after the age of 16.

There is also widespread concern that the profile of those who do go on to study STEM subjects and pursue STEM careers is too narrow, with women, working-class and some minority ethnic groups remaining under-represented, especially in the physical sciences and engineering.

Particular STEM fields are predicting or already experiencing significant STEM skills gaps that may impact negatively on the economy. There is also a pressing need to improve the spread of scientific literacy across all societal groups.

The ASPIRES study sought to shed new light on our understanding of how young people’s aspirations develop over this 10-14 age period, exploring in particular what influences the likelihood of a young person aspiring to a science-related career.

The project is a five-year study funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as part of its Targeted Initiative on Science and Mathematics Education (TISME).

In addition to researching influences on students’ aspirations, the project also worked with a small group of teachers to develop approaches for integrating STEM careers information into science lessons.

Access the report through http://bit.ly/1fkDdDy

February 2, 2015
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A nucleus of talent

First Minister meets Higgs Prize for Physics winners.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced the newest winners of the Higgs Prize for Physics, congratulating them on their success.

The prize is named after Scottish-based Nobel Physics Prize winner Professor Peter Higgs, whose work in the field has had a significant impact on modern day particle physics, and rewards pupils who show a particular aptitude for the subject.

Ms Sturgeon and Education Secretary Angela Constance met Professor Higgs himself and the four winners in the First Minister’s office on Thursday 29th January.

The winners are:

• Eilidh Birse – a former pupil at Boclair Academy in Bearsden who is now studying medicine at the University of St Andrews
• Julie Lynch – a former pupil at St Ninian’s High School in Giffnock who is now studying Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Glasgow and is continuing to take Physics as a third subject
• Stuart McGibbon – a fellow former pupil at St Ninian’s High School in Giffnock, now currently studying Physics at the University of Glasgow
• Raheem Beg – a former pupil at Perth High School who is currently studying mathematics at the University of Dundee

As part of the Scottish Government funded prize, they will travel to the internationally renowned CERN research facility in Switzerland in July to attend lectures and seminars on physics as part of the summer school programme, as well as talking to Scottish researchers about their work at the facility and their careers in physics.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Scotland has a wonderful history of scientific discovery and it’s encouraging to see that tradition continue through today’s pupils and students who continue to be passionate and excited to take on the scientific challenges that remain unexplained.

“Science is hugely important to Scotland in the modern era and the achievements of Professor Higgs – a man whose work is internationally renowned – are of course inspiring for any budding scientist. This year, the International Year of Light, also celebrates the incredible legacy of another Scottish physicist, James Clerk Maxwell, whose theories underpin the technology at the heart of almost all communications equipment we take for granted today.

“We are absolutely determined to support pupils to excel and remove any barriers that might prevent them from realising their full potential. This prize is the perfect example of hard work opening up life-changing opportunities. Today’s four winners Eilidh, Julie, Stuart and Raheem now have the opportunity to go to the fantastic CERN research facility in Switzerland to listen and learn from some of the brightest minds of our generation. We are offering them the chance to be the very best they can be – the vast knowledge and experience they will have access to is an opportunity that many across the world will envy.

“I’m therefore delighted to award a prize in Professor Higg’s name to these exceptionally hard working and talented youngsters.”

Professor Higgs said:

“Everyone in life has people that they admire and strive to be like – my own inspiration was Paul Dirac, a man who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1933 – and I’m honoured that an award in my name is used as inspiration to the younger generation of physicists.

“I congratulate Eilidh, Julie, Stuart and Raheem on winning this prize and I am sure they will have an amazing time at CERN where they will learn from the very best. I hope these four promising young talents go on to became esteemed in their own right.”

Background

Pictures of the First Minister meeting Professor Higgs and the prize winners will be available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/firstministerofscotland

The prize is awarded on merit, to the highest performing male and female Advanced Higher Physics candidates from a publicly-funded school.

February 1, 2015
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New STEM Scottish Education Award 2015

The Scottish Education Awards celebrate the hard work and success which takes place in Scottish education. They recognise the achievements of people who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcase the valuable work and innovation in Scottish classrooms

This year a new award category for STEM, Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics, has been introduced.

This category recognises establishments who are helping children and young people develop STEM skills and apply these across the four contexts for learning – curriculum, inter-disciplinary learning, ethos and life of the school and opportunities for personal achievement.

Nominations should be able to evidence the following questions and describe the impact on learners, the school and wider community:

In what ways do learners in your establishment demonstrate successful application of STEM skills?
In what ways are learners using STEM to develop skills for learning, life and work?
In what ways do you work with partners/parents/wider community to support STEM?

Nominations for this year’s awards are now open.

Nominations close 12pm on Monday 16 February 2015.

#primaryscience

January 27, 2015
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Introduction to Ecosystems -Professional Learning

If we don’t grasp why ecosystems function, it becomes harder to determine possible reasons for when they don’t, and makes it difficult to identify possible environmental threats to humans. In this course you will discover how organisms are linked together by complex interrelationships, how such links are studied and how the physical properties of a particular habitat interact with the organisms that inhabit it. Using case studies, you will come to learn how knowledge of ecosystems leads to understanding of their individual importance, and how they can be preserved.
Future Learn’s Introduction to Ecosystems online course starts on February 16th and aims to allow students to gain an understanding of the natural world, how the web of life works, with illustrations from around the world.

This course is intended for those with an interest in natural history, conservation or the environment and does not require any previous experience of studying these subjects.