March 28, 2014
by I. Menzies
0 comments

Evolution Automotive show – seminar for teachers

Special Seminar for Teachers – 3.30pm Friday 25^th of April Royal Highland Centre

Need a greater understanding of the automotive industry to pass onto your learners? Transport Scotland, the Energy Saving Trust and their partners will provide an insight into the developments within the automotive sector and how Scotland is helping shape the future, with specific focus on low emission transport including low-carbon, hybrid, electric and hydrogen vehicles. The seminar will include case studies and examples of innovation to help shape courses and prepare learners to take advantage of this newly emerging and rapidly changing market. Please register your interest by emailing charlotte.cassar@psigroupltd.co.uk

Or you can just come along and enjoy the EVOLUTION show on 26^th April and test drive new generation cars. FREE entry. Register at: www.evolutionshow.co.uk

March 28, 2014
by User deactivated
0 comments

Free Online N4/5 Physics Study resources

Flash Learning is pleased to announce free online access to Virtual National 4 Physics and Virtual National 5 Physics until July 2014.

Our software to support National 4 and 5 Physics has been very well received and is now in use in approximately two thirds of Scottish schools. We have developed an enhanced version of the material and this is available online at www.eflashlearning.co.uk

All Scottish pupils (and teachers) are invited to register online. Click on the Join Now button and you will be asked to supply a username, password and email address.

This online, enhanced version of the software includes topic quizzes and progress checks. There is also a forum (one for each course) and this will be available for a trial period . Please note that the website uses advanced web design technology and is best viewed with a modern web browser.

Pupils need to provide an email address when they register and we undertake not to do anything with this, other than to send one mail in August, inviting them to subscribe to the next physics course they may be taking.

March 26, 2014
by User deactivated
0 comments

Clean Energy from the Sea

The Sustainable Learning Partnership, in association with The Crown Estate, has produced an interdisciplinary learning and teaching resource – the first in a planned series – founded upon the principles and practices of 21st Century Learning and designed to help young learners prepare for life and active participation in a global society that is safe, just and sustainable.

The Clean Energy from the Sea project is being piloted in Scottish secondary schools in Orkney, Thurso, Wick and Midlothian.

The project introduces pupils to the offshore renewables industry and the significant employment opportunities which are being created. Clean Energy from the Sea provides learning opportunities which allows them to make a connection between offshore renewables and their own studies in subjects such as geography, physics, and modern studies and also to explore three interlinked themes:

Why the future of human society depends upon secure energy supplies to meet our essential energy demands
Why the only safe and sustainable form of energy for the future is clean, renewable energy
Why the oceans and seas are potentially a vast source of clean, renewable energy, presenting great technical challenges but enormous economic, social and environmental benefits.

To view this online resource visit: http://learnforsustainability.wordpress.com/

March 25, 2014
by User deactivated
0 comments

NPL Educate and Explore Science Posters

Schools Posters

A selection of posters is available for the classroom to support science and maths teaching at primary and secondary schools.

These are match to Key Stages in the English Curriculum but provide and excellent free resources for Scottish Schools.

March 25, 2014
by User deactivated
0 comments

Magnificent Microbes at Dundee Science Centre

Friday 14th March saw around 150 P6/7 children from 4 schools visit Dundee Science Centre to participate in the Magnificent Microbes day, part of the Magnificent Microbes project, a joint venture between the College of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee and Dundee Science Centre Science Learning Institute.

The children had the opportunity to meet scientists and researchers from the University of Dundee, and with them explore the magnificent world of microbes, including getting hands-on with techniques used by microbiologists. There was a wide range of activities and games to take part in, including learning about biofilms, glow-in-the-dark bacteria, discovering what microbes look like, finding out which of our favourite foods owe all they are to microbes, and an exciting opportunity to grow common microbes from their hands in a petri dish.

Children and teachers alike were amazed by the range of activities on offer. From the feedback we received it seems that this session had a very positive effect on the learners’ attitudes towards microbes, and that the scientists successfully engaged with school pupils over the necessity of microbes to our lives and the important research taking place at the University of Dundee.

This project has been running since February 2014 and began with professional learning for teachers and classroom based activity to discover the degree of the children’s prior knowledge and understanding of microbes. This children’s time with us at Dundee Science Centre will be followed up with further learning in class, supporting literacy, numeracy and encouraging creativity, as well as opportunities to have scientists visit the schools to work with the children and discuss their learning. The project will culminate in a Celebration Day at the University of Dundee, where representatives from each class, their teachers and families will join the Magnificent Microbes researchers to share their learning from the project – a chance for the children to teach the scientists!

We are delighted to have been supporting this project, working in partnership with the College of Life Science at the University of Dundee. To find out more about the Magnificent Microbes project or if you are interested in getting involved in the future, why not come along to our Professional Learning session on 7^th May 2014 at Dundee Science Centre, where we will be showcasing some of the activities involved and discussing progressions of learning in sciences from early to second level, focusing on CfE organisers in sciences Body Systems and Cells, and Inheritance. You can find more information on our website, or contact us on learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk or 01382868609 for enquiries and booking.

March 24, 2014
by User deactivated
0 comments

Sharing innovative practice: planning for sciences early to second level

30th April 2014, Dundee Science Centre, 1630 – 1800 including refreshments

Are you planning learning and teaching in sciences for early to second level? Or thinking about revamping your early, first and second level sciences? Are you an experienced teacher, PT, depute or headteacher looking for a model of staff mentoring and cluster working? Or a student or newly-qualified teacher looking to learn from the practice of others? This is a professional learning session you won’t want to miss!

On 30th April, teachers from primary schools in Perth and Kinross, and from Perth High School, will be joining us to describe how they went from a desire to plan for progression in sciences in the primary schools throughout the cluster, to a successful implementation of a series of rich tasks for all lines of development in sciences, incorporating skills.

Join us to hear how they got started, how they went about it, how they tied it into national resources and guidance, the view of staff on the experience, the pitfalls, and the successes. Teachers will also share some of their rich tasks, implemented in 2013/14, sharing their reflections from the perspective of learners’ experiences.

Charitable funding is available to support your attendance at this session. For more information, see our website. To book your place, or talk to us about this learning opportunity, contact learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk or telephone us on 01382868609.

We look forward to seeing you there!

March 23, 2014
by User deactivated
0 comments

Route maps for Sciences

Route maps through assessment

The Minister for Learning, Dr Alasdair Allan, recently put in place a package of support to help secondary schools to deliver the new National Qualifications. This support included new route maps through assessment and these have now been published on the Education Scotland website. Developed by Education Scotland, in partnership with the SQA, these provide a sequenced list of main messages and links for National 4 and National 5 Sciences.

March 21, 2014
by User deactivated
0 comments

Tigtag- free primary science resource for Glow users

Education Scotland is delighted to announce that schools can access Tigtag – the award-winning online science resource for primary schools – free of charge through Glow.

We have agreed a 12 month national education licence with Twig World which allows Scottish schools to have unlimited access to this great resource.

There is no need to ask for a free trial or subscribe to the site if you are already a glow user.

Simply, click on www.tigtagonglow.com

You will see a box labelled Glow User. Put in your glow user name and password and start using this fabulous resource.

Alternatively, if you have entered a search for Tigtag and gone through http://www.twig-world.co.uk/tigtag/ click on the tigtag image in the top right hand corner and you will be taken to the Tigtag home page.

You will then see this image

Click on Log in with Glow and input your user name and password to start using the resource.

Remember there is no need to click free school trial if you are an existing Glow user.

You can use Tigtag straight away to enhance and support your science learning and teaching.

Tigtag provides access to:

• background information, relating to the key concepts identified in the science organisers, and quality films to support and enhance teaching and learning in the sciences.

• planning resources, investigation sheets, practical challenges and succinct clear lesson plans, providing a range of contexts for learning which draw on important aspects of everyday life and work.

• interactive lesson packages to help stimulate the interest and motivation of all learners and support staff in planning challenging, engaging and enjoyable learning and teaching activities.

• a “What Happens Next?” and “Scientific Enquiry” section to encourage learners to engage in dialogue, developing their investigative and inquiry skills.

March 20, 2014
by User deactivated
0 comments

Sharing innovative practice: body systems, cells and inheritance for early to second level

7th May 2014, Dundee Science Centre, 1615 – 1830 including refreshments

Are you planning learning and teaching in sciences for early to second level? Or thinking about revamping your early, first and second level sciences? Are you an experienced teacher, PT, depute or head teacher looking for a model of staff mentoring and cluster working? Or a student or newly-qualified teacher looking to learn from the practice of others? Are you looking for inspiration for learning and teaching on body systems, cells and inheritance? This is a professional learning session you won’t want to miss!

On 7th May, teachers from primary schools in the Perth High School cluster, Perth and will be joining us to describe how they went from a desire to plan for progression in sciences in the primary schools throughout the cluster, to a successful implementation of a series of rich tasks for all lines of development in sciences, incorporating skills.

At this session you’ll be able to choose from two workshops, including hands-on sciences, led by teachers from the Perth High School cluster, and the Dundee Science Centre Science Learning Institute team.

Workshop A: choice of

What makes me me? A Commonwealth champion challenge for early years or early level
I am unique! for second level
Learning progressions with a focus on early, first and second level ‘Run, Run as fast as you can’, ‘Them Bones, Them Bones and Organs too’, ‘Aren’t we amazing?’

Workshop B: choice of

Healthy body bits with loan box and Perfect Poo! for first level (Learning Space)
Magnificent Microbes for second level
Learning progressions with a focus on first and second level ‘Germ Attack’ and ‘Fergus the Bogeyman’s Party’

We look forward to seeing you there!

March 20, 2014
by User deactivated
0 comments

Greenpower- Inspiring Engineers

Welcome to the Greenpower Education Trust

Promoting sustainable engineering to young people http://www.greenpower.co.uk/

If you’re a teacher or lead a group of young people such as Scouts, Youth Groups or a private team, then we’d love to get you involved.

We’re all about inspiring engineers so we need enthusiastic people like you to run a team in any one of our four categories. There’s a way to get involved whatever the ages of your group:

IET Formula Goblin (9-11 years old)
IET Formula 24 (11-16 years old)
IET Formula 24+ (16-25 years old)
Corporate Challenge (16+)

We want to encourage as many young people as possible to consider engineering as a possible career path. To help you run the best team you can we offer support in the form of our online forum and Q&A section, our test days and we are always happy to talk to you by phone or by email.

Click here to see what other team leaders think.