October 28, 2013
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Rescue! with STEM: Planning for learning around forces and technologies @DundeeSciLearn

Planning for learning and teaching around forces and technologies in the context of Rescue Vehicles for second and third level

Wednesday 29th January 2014 1615 – 1830

Dundee Science Centre Science Learning Institute is working with partners to develop its learning programme for 2014, for children, young people and practitioners. The second of our offerings for teachers for 2014, delivered by colleagues from the School of Education, Social Work and Community Education at the University of Dundee, brings the STEM Central Rescue Vehicles learning journeys to life.

As flooding increases in Scotland, the UK and around the globe, how can STEM subjects save us? Join us in an inhospitable mystery location to design and build a Rescue Vehicle.

“Learners investigate the effects of friction on motion and explore ways of improving efficiency in moving objects and systems. Learners develop their understanding of the concept of buoyancy force.” (Education Scotland Curriculum for Excellence: sciences experiences and outcomes: Forces)

“…applying knowledge of sciences…to engineer 3D objects which demonstrate strengthening, energy transfers and movement” (adapted from Education Scotland Curriculum for Excellence: technologies experiences and outcomes: Craft, design, engineering and graphics contexts for developing technological skills and knowledge)

This session will provide opportunities to enhance your knowledge of design and technologies alongside sciences and help you to develop medium term context plans using the STEM Central Learning Journey planning resources.

Learning in the context of Rescue Vehicles offers opportunities to develop attributes and capabilities within the four capacities:

Attributes

Successful Learners: enthusiasm and motivation for learning

Responsible Citizens: respect for others

Effective Contributors: resilience and self-reliance

Capabilities

Successful Learners: use literacy and communication skills; think creatively and independently; make reasoned evaluations.

Confident Individuals: achieve success in different areas of activity.

Responsible Citizens: develop knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland’s place in it; evaluate environmental, scientific and technological issues.

Effective Contributors: work in partnership and in teams; create and develop; solve problems.

This session is recommended for practitioners planning for learning and teaching at second and third level in sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics. This event will be held at Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee, DD1 4HN. A number of charitable trust funded places are available. If you are interested, please contact us on learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk. The session runs from 1630 – 1830 with arrival for registration and refreshments from 1615.

October 24, 2013
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National Science and Engineering Week 2014

NSEW 2014 event registration is now open!

National Science & Engineering Week (NSEW) is a ten-day national programme of science, technology, engineering and maths events and activities across the UK aimed at people of all ages.

Anyone can organise an event or activity and the British Science Association supports organisers by providing:

Activity packs
Funding
NSEW Event Awards worth £600
National school poster competition
Mass participation in Flusurvey project
Case studies
How to guides

National Science & Engineering Week 2014 takes place from 14th – 23rd March.

This year organisers can celebrate anything related to science, technology, engineering and maths. The sky is the limit!

However, for schools, Explore the Future will be the common theme across competitions, new resources and online projects, to encourage teachers and other educators to look forward to the world their students will lead.

For further information and details regarding registration click on the link : http://bit.ly/17gU8cI

October 24, 2013
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Engineers Unchained 2

The Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland is a multi-disciplinary engineering body, founded in Scotland, that provides a forum in which individuals from all engineering and related disciplines can discuss and exchange information, generate ideas and encourage young engineers.

IESIS and other engineering institutions have organised a talk to aspiring engineers by Ed McCann at the University of Strathclyde, on Wednesday 6^th November at 4pm.

Using practical examples, demonstrations and in discussion with the audience Ed McCann will explain the role of the civil engineer in making civilized life possible.

This will be a great opportunity to hear about the career of a professional engineer and sample some of the variety that a career in engineering can bring.

Following the talk there will be an extended question and answer session that will be especially suitable for students who are working on the Leadership Award.

Please note that the event is free but registration is required.

For further information and registration details visit:

http://www.iesis.org/assets/Files/EdMcCannFlyer.doc

October 24, 2013
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Science for the Newly Qualified Primary Teacher

SSERC, a Local Authority shared-service providing support across all thirty-two Scottish Education Authorities, is offering a practical hands-on CPD course for newly qualified Primary practitioners.

‘Science for the Newly Qualified Primary Teacher’ is a 2 part residential course, with part 1 on 31st January – 1st February 2014 and part 2 on 12th May 2014.

The course will offer recently qualified primary practitioners, including probationers, the opportunity to share good practice, explore some of the “big ideas” in science and develop a variety of strategies to support delivery of the sciences within a Curriculum for Excellence.

This course is supported by the National Science Learning Centre. Delegates from Local Authority schools will be granted an ENTHUSE Award, which covers the cost of the course on completion of all tasks and requirements.

For further information download the flyer: PrimProb_flyer_v3

A complete listing of CPD opportunities can be accessed through the SSERC website: http://bit.ly/1aHrkVV

October 22, 2013
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Professional learning for secondary teachers of sciences, technologies, and engineering

Dundee Science Centre Science Learning Institute working in partnership with the Scottish Food and Drink Federation:

STEM (sciences, technologies, engineering & mathematics) in Food & Drink

Wednesday 20^th November 2013 16:00 for refreshments and networking, 16:30 – 18:30

The Food and Drink industry in Scotland is a great success story, demonstrating significant growth year on year. The driving force behind its success is the people behind it. However, the industry continuously faces the challenge of attracting and retaining a secure pipeline of skilled workers to support the industry’s continued growth.

Many young people are unaware of the job opportunities available. In particular those studying sciences, technologies and engineering may never consider the food and drink industry as a career of choice.

There are an exciting range of job roles and career paths available, for example food scientists, food technologists, microbiologists, chemists, engineers and numerous others in distribution, logistics, HR and IT are continuously sought after.

So what can we do? To help young people, teachers and parents better understand the opportunities available, the industry would like to work in partnership with teachers and schools to inform learners about the significant choices available and demonstrate how sciences are the foundation for many of these careers through engaging in science activities. The Scottish Food & Drink Federation (SFDF) is hosting a session at Dundee Science Centre for secondary teachers of sciences, technologies and engineering to explore:

how can food and drink be used as a context for learning in secondary schools; what do you need to make this happen?
Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors – how can they support you in inspiring young people to think about the exciting, innovative and diverse opportunities in food and drink?
how can the industry work with you to support your learners? What would make a difference in your classroom or school?

Building on the success of our over-subscribed TeachMeet Food and Science in September 2013, we are delighted to be hosting this event and bringing together industry, teachers, and partners in the Science Learning Institute, SSERC (Scottish Schools Education Research Centre), University of Abertay and the University of Dundee.

Inspiring ideas, networking with representatives from the Food and Drink Industry, and opportunities to shape how the future looks for learning.

Charitable funding is available to support your attendance at this professional learning opportunity. Interested? Call the Science Learning Team on 01382868609 or learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk

October 21, 2013
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Scotland’s Environment Web Competition

Your environment, your views – get involved!

Scotland’s Environment Web is running exciting competition for young people with fantastic prizes!

What is the competition about?

What needs to change in your local community that will make a difference to your environment and what role can you play in making it happen?

We want you to answer the question above. Tell us how you could make your environment better. Planet Earth faces tough environmental challenges which will directly impact your future. Everyone can be a part of the solution to these challenges and Scotland’s young people have a key role to play.

Who can enter?

This competition is open to all young people throughout Scotland between the ages of 5-18, whether through your school, as part of a group or as an individual.You can also enter the Young Reporters for the Environment competition if you are eligible.

Join our Glow meet too at 11am on 6^th November to share your story and ideas and to have the chance to win a further exciting prize of £200 to purchase Citizen Science equipment for your establishment: http://bit.ly/1daPP4b

For more information, visit www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/yd

October 21, 2013
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Sciences Conversation Day 2

Delegates attending our second conversation day at Bishopbriggs Academy identified four priority theme for sciences:

Equity in education – science for all
The importance of planning across school clusters
Career long professional learning and support for practitioners
Partnerships

Education Scotland is keen to hear your views regarding the fourth priority which addressed partnerships.

Delegates viewed that:

Need to ensure STEM is added to local authority plans as a priority, with weight added by national government:
Competing demands of secondary schools is a particular issue – work on new national qualifications is a priority
Schools have been getting to grips with some of the key aspects of CfE, including the ‘responsibility of all’ areas
East Dunbartonshire had offered a presentation on the 3-18 Sciences report to its schools, which had then prompted primary schools to integrate sciences into their planning.
- Need to consolidate all of our efforts and join up our business (especially in the context of dwindling resources).
- Partnerships tend to depend on postcode lottery – need coherent approach and consistency across the country.
- Partners should move towards provision of long-term support – in some areas they are already queuing up to be involved. They also need to move from promoting their own interests to promoting a common purpose.
- Activity with partners still tends to be an add-on – we need to embed it within learning.
- The business case is compelling but is not being communicated in terms of the impact on children.
- We need to celebrate success stories from the STEM Ambassador network for instance.
- Teachers are a vital source of career information but their knowledge about jobs in science in inconsistent – we need to address this.
- It is important that everyone has a sense of the existing landscape – the new SSAC Coordinator can help with this task. This will bring coherence and a sense of common purpose to our activities.
- Education Scotland has a role to help make connections between schools, partners and different organisations and needs to consider the validation or endorsement of providers.
- We need to consider the role of specialists to support STEM activity within clusters:
  - Connection with STEM Ambassadors
  - Work with the science centres and HE
  - Ensuring partnerships are meaningful and not ‘one-off’ – they should dovetail with on-going learning.
The example of the Department of Geosciences at Edinburgh University was cited as a model for partnership working – final year undergraduate students have been working with a school cluster. The schools have gained but also the university students have gained too in terms of employability skills, communication skills etc. This work provides them with 20 credits towards their degree qualification.

Education Scotland is keen to hear your views. Click on the title of this blog post to leave a comment.

October 18, 2013
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The Queen’s Commonwealth Baton

As Glasgow eagerly awaits the start of the 2014 Commonwealth Games one very important element has already been completed – the Queen’s Commonwealth baton.

The baton carries the Queen’s message to all competing nations and territories of the Commonwealth. The concept was introduced in 1958 at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games.

On 9th October 2013, the Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay began its 190,000 kilometre journey, unifying the two billion people of the Commonwealth in a celebration of sport, diversity and peace.

The hand-crafted baton made of titanium, wood and granite embodies Scotland and Glasgow’s culture, combining cutting edge technology with artisan skills.

Click on the link below to learn more about how the design team, 4cDesign, effectively utilised science, technology, engineering, maths, art and design skills to create the Queen’s baton.

http://bbc.in/19FDUIe

For further information regarding the Queen’s Commonwealth baton and the Queen’s baton relay, explore the official education programme, Game on Scotland:

http://bit.ly/1gDOQcy

October 17, 2013
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Millennium Youth Camp 2014

Applications for the fifth international Millennium Youth Camp have begun.

The 2014 Millennium Youth Camp will be held during 3rd–11th June 2014 in the Greater Helsinki area in Finland

The one week camp takes place in Finland every summer and is organised by the Technology Academy Finland, the Finnish Science Education Centre LUMA (University of Helsinki) and Aalto University.

The camp offers young people from across Europe, aged between 16-19, who are interested in mathematics, the natural sciences and technology, an opportunity to learn more about Finnish expertise and top level research in these areas. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other young people who share similar interests.

In addition to lectures, workshops and visits to Millennium Youth camp partners, the project includes project work supervised by experts and carried out in small multi-national organisations.

There is a two phase application process and applicants choose their preferred topic area from the 10 listed on the application form: applied mathematics, climate, ICT and digitalization, water, renewable natural resources, energy, bio-sciences and -technology, food sciences and technology, material sciences and technology, and urban planning.

Application for the first phase begins on 15th October and ends on 15th December.

On 3rd February 2014, 200 young people will be chosen from these applicants for the second phase.

On 17th March 2014 the names of 60 participants chosen for the camp will be published.

For further information please contact:

Professor Maija Aksela, chairman of Millennium Youth Camp steering group
Finland’s Science Education Centre LUMA, University of Helsinki
maija.aksela(at)helsinki.fi, tel. +358 50 514 1450

Caroline Korhonen, Project Coordinator, Technology Academy Finland
caroline.korhonen(at)technologyacademy.fi, tel. +358 40 5569 999

A link to the application form and additional information about the application process can be found on the Millennium Youth Camp website.

October 16, 2013
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Ready for Winter

As promised, the activities to promote the Scottish Government’s ‘Ready for Winter’ 2013/2014 launch next week are NOW AVAILABLE to access.

Key messages for this year include: ‘Thinking Ahead’ and ‘Taking an Hour’ to prepare for severe winter weather in the community, at home, on the move and in the workplace. With the clocks moving back one hour on the 27^th of October, let’s use this extra time pro-actively! Education Scotland are therefore working in partnership with the Scottish Government to ensure that Scottish schools are as ready as possible for winter.

Throughout next week (Monday 21st – Friday 25th October 2013), Education Scotland and the Scottish Government are asking teachers to run health and wellbeing sessions ranging from simple class lessons to larger projects. Everything you need to complete the free downloadable activities can now be found on the ‘Ready for Emergencies’ site: http://bit.ly/H3H6CJ

Show how ready you are!! Don’t forget to leave feedback on the activities you try throughout the week in the ‘contact us’ section of the ‘Ready for Emergencies’ website: http://bit.ly/18RetCB