Edinburgh International Festival is an educational charity. Each year it delivers one of Europe’s largest science festivals, a primary school education programme and a variety of international projects.
Generation Science shows tour all over Scotland bringing educational and entertaining performances and hands on activities to the classroom.
Shows are constantly developed to meet the needs of teachers in line with the Curriculum for Excellence, with the aim of helping to improve the teaching of Science in Scottish primary schools and support teachers in delivering the curriculum.
Support for school can be provided through science weeks, transition projects or individual science days.
This year Generation Science are presenting two revised versions of the Fizz, Boom, Bang workshop so it can be enjoyed by younger pupils and older pupils alike, as well as introducing the Space Base show as a brand new edition to the programme.
You can find further information on these activities alongside some Generation Science favourites like Little Giants and Body Builders in the schools programme brochure.
Click on the link below to view and download the Generation Science Schools Programme 2014 brochure: http://bit.ly/17rfYYj
Over the last two years, practitioners from the 16 schools in the Perth High School Local Management Group have been working together to develop a framework for progression in the sciences from early to second level. You can find out more about it in this post.
We are delighted to announce that Dundee Science Centre Science Learning Institute and partner organisations will be working with the cluster staff in our programme for 2014. At the first of three sessions on 30th April 2014, staff will share their model for planning as a cluster, including the strengths of the model in building capacity and sharing expertise across sectors. What worked well? What would they do differently? And what is the impact in the classroom in the first year of full implementation?
In the second session on 7th May 2014, developed rich tasks on the themes of Body Systems & Cells, and Inheritance will be shared. Delegates will have the opportunity to get hands-on with practical science to support these rich tasks, from Dundee Science Centre’s in-reach, outreach and loan boxes including “Healthy Body Bits”, “All about Me” and “Amazing Bodies” for early level, “Microbiology” for first level, and genetics for second level.
The third session will be held in September 2014. Developed rich tasks on the themes of Earth’s Materials and Properties & Uses of Substances will be brought to life through Dundee Science Centre practicals and resources, and partner inputs including Geobus and the Earth Science Education Unit.
Sessions can be attended individually, or as a group of three. Interested? Contact the Science Learning Team at Dundee Science Centre on learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk for more information and booking.
We have been really excited by the very positive reaction to our two new loan boxes at Dundee Science Centre Science Learning Institute. Funded as part of World Space Week by the Association for Science and Discovery Centres, these loan boxes were launched (no pun intended!) at our recent learning session for practitioners working with learners at first and second level. In partnership with Mills Observatory, Dundee, teachers and student teachers were taken on a journey into space, travelling on spaceship Earth.
Loan boxes can be booked free of charge by any practitioner who has attended a learning session with us, or visited Dundee Science Centre with learners. We are delighted that one week after their launch, the loan boxes are already in use in classrooms in Tayside.
If you’re inspired to begin your journey of exploration, through cutting-edge space discoveries and hands-on science for the classroom, contact us about borrowing a box on learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk. Contains everything you might need for your mission!
Travellers on Spaceship Earth for first level
This loan box, with a focus on learning at first level, is full of ideas and resources to allow your learners to take a trip into space – a favourite topic with children of all ages! Explore the seasons, consider why it feels colder in the winter and find out who works in space. Is there a new home for us out there in the solar system? Why does the moon “disappear”? What makes the surface of Mars the way it is? The box contains equipment you’ll need for hands-on inquiry-based sciences, along with images, news articles, fiction and factual books. The box is accompanied by a learning journey for practitioners to aid planning for conceptual development, responsibilities of all, skills in science inquiry and higher-order thinking skills.
The first level loan box can be borrowed at the same time as the second level box if required.
Travellers on Spaceship Earth for second level
This loan box, with a focus on learning at second level, is full of ideas and resources to allow your learners to explore the solar system. From twinkling stars to the myths surrounding constellations, and the planets beyond our solar system, the box contains equipment you’ll need for hands-on inquiry- based sciences, along with images, news articles, fiction and factual books to take your learner on a journey into space. The box is accompanied by a learning journey for practitioners to aid planning for conceptual development, responsibilities of all, skills in science inquiry and higher-order thinking skills.
The second level loan box can be borrowed at the same time as the first level box if required.
Our Year of Natural Scotland celebrations at Dundee Science Centre kicked off on Saturday, when we were delighted to welcome experts from Historic Scotland and British Geological Survey for Green Science in the City.
Celebrations at Scotland’s national science centres are happening throughout September, October and November with full details of activities available on our website.
On Thursdays 21st and 28th November, and 5th December, we are continuing our green science and sustainability theme at Dundee Science Centre Science Learning Institute. Why not join us for a series of learning sessions for teachers on the theme of “Energy: Keeping Warm, Keeping Cool” to explore how we can progress learners’ understanding of energy and energy transfers through conduction, convection and radiation.
“Learners develop their understanding of the nature of energy and how energy is transferred and conserved. They consider the relevance of these concepts to everyday life.” (Planet Earth, sciences experiences and outcomes).
This series of sessions, with a focus on third level, will explore ways in which we can progress learners’ understanding, identifying common misconceptions and exploring strategies for challenging these in the classroom.
Participants will have opportunities to discuss planning for effective learning and teaching in a real-life context, incorporating hands-on investigative work, use of modelling and simulations, and developing Responsibilities of All with a focus on numeracy experiences and outcomes. There will be opportunities to share innovative practice and reflect critically on the use of the strategies and ideas in the classroom.
These sessions which can be attended individually or as a series of three, are recommended for practitioners planning learning and teaching in sciences at third level, for National 3 and National 4 Environmental Science, National 3 and National 4 Science, or National 3 Physics. A number of charitable trust funded places are available. If you are interested, please contact us on learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk. Sessions run from 1630 – 1830 with arrival for registration and refreshments from 1615.
Science, technology, engineering and maths are key priorities within Curriculum for Excellence.
The Scottish Learning Festival 2013 provides numerous opportunities for practitioners to engage in meaningful discussions and attend seminars and workshops relating to STEM.
A showcase of innovative practice from staff and pupils across Scotland’s local authorities will demonstrate how STEM skills are being developed in creative, exciting and thought provoking ways.
Come along and watch learners from Hamilton College demonstrate how Lego Mindstorm robots helped develop their problem solving skills, take the I-pad journey with Bellshill Academy pupils and find out how to bring science into your school community by becoming a Citizen Science.
Download the STEM programme of workshops and seminars detailing dates and times:
Teachers from throughout Dundee, Perth and Angus sampled the role of food in bringing science to life in Scottish classrooms
Dundee Science Centre’s Science Learning Institute (SLI) hosted a free Food and Science ‘Teach Meet’, focusing on food and drink and their role in teaching and learning. The event was aimed at practitioners in pre-school, primary and secondary settings and was attended by a range of practitioners, pre-service teachers and science communication providers.
The CPD session was the first in the SLI’s brand new programme of courses for the academic year 2013-2014.
Delegates discovered the resources available from a range of organisations to support learning and teaching in the context of food and drink, heard a selection of short presentations and explored a number of exhibitor stands.
Teachers also boarded the Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus which, throughout the week and in partnership with Education Scotland, is giving 80 local primary and early years teachers specialist hands-on training in teaching children how to cook. The massive articulated lorry transforms into a spectacular purpose-built kitchen classroom where teachers can cook a range of healthy age-adaptable recipes that showcase how to teach various cooking skills and techniques.
The event was delivered by Education Scotland, Scottish Food and Drink Federation, Dundee Science Centre and other partners.
Moira Stalker, Scottish Food and Drink Federation Schools Programme Coordinator said, “The food industry is an exciting place to work. It offers great career opportunities and there are so many exciting job opportunities in food, such as food science, product development, engineering, nutrition and design. Working with Dundee Science Centre, Education Scotland and others is a great way to get practitioners involved collaboratively and to help teachers better understand the links between science and careers in food and to encourage them to work with industry to use food as the context for delivering the curriculum.”
Suzanne Hargreaves, Senior Education Officer, Health and Wellbeing, Education Scotland said, “The TeachMeet has brought together a range of early to senior phase practitioners to share innovative approaches to learning and teaching linking food and science. These two curricular areas open many pathways for employability skills that will help learners to develop their understanding of skills making connections across Curriculum for Excellence and into the world of work. “
The Science Learning Institute at Dundee Science Centre supports the Curriculum for Excellence through professional learning for practitioners, promotes public engagement with science through science communication training, and supports core skills training in further education.
Linda Leuchars, Head of Science Learning and Public Engagement commented, “Following the success of last year’s Science Learning Institute programme, which facilitated professional development opportunities for over 1000 professionals, we are delighted to launch the programme for the 2013/2014 academic year. Tonight’s event provided an excellent example of the opportunities which the collaborative nature that underpins the Science Learning Institute can bring. We have been pleased to work with Education Scotland and the Scottish Food and Drinks Federation towards running this highly successful Food and Science TeachMeet. Clearly this is demand for such opportunities for teachers, as the event was fully booked within a matter of days.”
SCOTTISH ENGINEERING SPECIAL LEADERS AWARD CHALLENGE – “If you could be an engineer in Scotland – what would you do?”
Scottish Engineering and the Leaders Award are challenging Primary and Secondary school pupils in Scotland to consider what they would do if they were an engineer.
The challenge addresses many of the Experiences and outcomes within Curriculum for Excellence and, at secondary level, the project will meet the requirements of level 4/5 National Qualification in Engineering Science.
To participate, research engineering in Scotland, download resources from www.leadersaward.com, talk to practicing engineers and complete an annotated illustration answer to the challenge question. Discover the numerous career paths an engineer can follow.
Already there are over 60 primary and secondary schools registered to be a part of the challenge, many of which have already put in their requests for help from engineers.
Closing date for all entries is 20th November 2013, with the best entries going on display on 20th December 2013 in Glasgow City Councils Banqueting Hall.
Our world is always changing. Look out your window long enough, and you might see the weather change. Look even longer, and you’ll see the seasons change. The Earth’s climate is changing, too, but in ways that you can’t easily see.
People are causing these changes and we are producing much more waste than ever before. At home or in our workplace we use items which need power to work and this power comes from burning fossil fuels and other natural sources. The more fuels we burn, the more CO2 gas we produce into the atmosphere, resulting in climate change.
The Junior Climate Challenge Fund (JCCF), which is part of the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful, gives young people the funds and support they need to take action on climate change in their own community.
Development grants are available to encourage pupils to investigate their own carbon footprint and that of their community through a variety of relevant and interesting themes such as Food or Transport.
Download further information and by clicking on the links below:
Tuesday 10th September 4.30 – 6.30pm @ Mills Observatory Dundee
“Learners develop their understanding of the Earth’s position within the universe while developing a sense of time and scale.
They develop their understanding of how our knowledge of the universe has changed over time and explore ideas of future space exploration and the likelihood of life beyond planet Earth.” (Planet Earth, Curriculum for Excellence sciences experiences and outcomes)
How can space be used as a context for learning and teaching at first and second level? World Space Week in October provides an ideal opportunity to explore space – join us for ideas and inspiration.
Recommended for: Practitioners planning for learning and teaching in sciences at first and second level.
Delivered by Dundee Science Centre Science Learning Team and Mills Observatory. Contact us on 01382 868609 to find out more or book your place.
Image Copyright NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration.
Scotland’s Environment Web has a unique set of on-line guidance and digital tools to help people set up their own public environmental monitoring projects.
Public monitoring or ‘citizen science’ can be described as “scientific activities in which non-professional scientists volunteer to participate in data collection, analysis and dissemination of a scientific project…”. It can be a great, fun way to gather information and get involved – scientists need your help!
Whether you are a teacher keen to get your students outdoors, a member of the public wanting to get more involved in your local environment, or an organisation wanting to set up a project, there is something in the Scotland’s Environment Web toolkit for you. The tools make it easier to start and run a project, using some of the new digital technology to help.
The site provides a Guide to Citizen Science and a Teacher’s Guide.
Edinburgh International Festival is an educational charity. Each year it delivers one of Europe’s largest science festivals, a primary school education programme and a variety of international projects.
