August 1, 2012
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Water Works: STEM Central and The James Hutton Institute

Water is surely not far from anyone’s mind in this rather rainy summer season, so why not plan some learning and teaching to incorporate it? The STEM Central Water context is currently aimed at third and fourth level, but work is underway on early to second level learning journeys to enhance and extend this context. Water, and water security, will also feature in our forthcoming context for early to fourth level on Food Security.

The James Hutton Institute’s Water Works competition for schools offers an ideal tie-in. Perhaps the work of this month’s winner will provide inspiration? 15 year old Aaron Hawthorn of Motherwell captured the beautiful image “The Water Works for Them” below, of which he says “A lot of us don’t realise how important water is in the world today. It’s not just a refreshing drink, or a cleaning material. For some animals, water is their home. I’m sure everyone will agree that water certainly works for this swan and her cygnets.”

Julian Scott, aged 15, from Dundee followed up his June winner (Reflections, below) with a highly commended entry in the July category. Congratulations Julian.

July 5, 2012
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Games Context on STEM Central

STEM Central makes connections between sciences, technologies and mathematics through the context of engineering allows learners to broaden their understanding of the applications of concepts and skills developed in curriculum subjects. It allows learners to develop solutions to problems and demonstrate creativity through inquiry.

We are delighted to annouce that our Games Context for learning is live on STEM Central.

The games industry in Scotland is thriving. Providing jobs for skilled professionals of all nationalities, games companies are at the forefront of Scotland’s electronic technologies and software industry. Games have been used throughout the ages to teach, entertain and amuse. In some respects games have changed over time with changes in technologies, tools and materials, yet in other ways simple games that resemble those from past societies are still played.

In the Games Development Second Level Learning Journey learners are offered stimulating experiences and the opportunity to develop their understanding not only of the history of gaming in Scotland, but will also encourage them to explore technological developments in society, and ultimately how to design, create and market their own game.

The Electrifying Games Second Level Learning Journey offers a range of opportunities for learners enquiry based learning and to develop and apply knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to circuits and components, and to engineering of a 3D game which demonstrates energy transfer and movement.

Click here to visit the new Games Context on STEM Central

July 5, 2012
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Sound Context Goes Live on STEM Central

We are delighted to annouce that our Sound Context for learning is live on STEM Central.

Sound is an important part of our lives and we are constantly surrounded by it. From talking in the classroom, to animal sounds in the forest, from listening to music to hearing a fire engine siren, different sounds can make us feel different emotions; they can trigger memories and remind of us of key events in our lives. It can also affect how we remember different events. Animals and humans use sound to communicate with each other in a variety of forms including song, voice, ultrasound, and the telephone. Sound can be about survival and can warn us of danger but it can also be used for relaxation and entertainment through the medium of music.

The learning journeys with a Sciences and Technologies focus within early and first levels will give learners the opportunity to investigate a variety of sound making materials. They will recognise and produce different sounds through constructive play, design and construct their own instruments and create and record sounds. There will also be second and fourth level learning journeys coming soon.

Click here to visit the new Sound Context on STEM Central.

June 27, 2012
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EES in Renfrew High

In this video Mhairi Breingan from Renfrew High School explains how her classes took part in the Engineering Education Scheme.

http://youtu.be/D03JcnT2adA

June 26, 2012
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I.AM FIRST

Will.i.am has partnered with inventor Dean Kamen and his FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) after school program to encourage and celebrate the engineering and technology prowess of learners. Science and technology have great potential to improve lives around the world. In a recent study, 15-year-olds in the U.S. ranked 26th out of 35 countries in math and science scores. Our aim is to improve that statistic through our support of STEM programs – science, technology, engineering and math, to motivate the next generation of innovators. Click here to visit the website and find out more.

Click here to view his promotional video.

You can also vist the Wouldn’t It Be Cool If website to see the competition he has organised in the United States and to view some of the entries.

June 20, 2012
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STEM Central and Ready for Emergencies?

The Ready for Emergencies? Glow meet on Friday 15th June featuring Stewart Borthwick (Strathclyde Emergency Coordination Group), Sally Dempsey (Red Cross) and Paul Hendy (Director of the Scottish Flood Forum) was interesting and thought provoking. It provides an ideal starter for looking ahead to our forthcoming STEM Central context on Rescue Vehicles.

How do we rescue people in the event of major emergencies such as floods? This time last week up to 150 people were rescued from flooding in Wales, some of them by RNLI lifeboats and by rescue helicopter. In our STEM Central Rescue Vehicles context, aimed at second level, we will explore the science of lifeboats and rescue vehicles. The full Ready for Emergencies? resource is available on the Education Scotland website.

Exercise 'Flipper', Carbisdale Castle, Sutherland, Scotland. British Red Cross Emergency Response Training Exercise. Credit Derek Gordon, British Red Cross

June 19, 2012
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STEM Central: Have you heard about our new Sound context?

By the time the new school year starts in August, you’ll find our newest STEM Central context “Sound” available!

Helping practitioners to understanding learning around the science of sound as it progresses through early to fourth level, these learning journeys incorporate sciences and technologies, with everything from listening walks to the X-factor! So if you’re looking for materials to inspire you, or help you to understand the levels and progression within the broad general education (BGE) check back here, or on the STEM Central website for publication info.

Don’t forget that the Glow Science videos and fantastic mind map tool can provide inspiration and CPD.

Children in music class

June 18, 2012
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STEM Central and Bioengineering

Exploring our most recent STEM Central context on Bioengineering which includes a learning journey on Brain Computer Interfacing? In this 2011 TED talk, Todd Kuiken talks about advances in a prosthetic arm that “feels”.

Does brain computer interfacing raise the possibility of a prosthetic which allows communication for those with motor neurone disease, or stroke sufferers?

Mind-reading program translates brain activity into words

Science decodes ‘internal voices’

Can you build a human body?

BBC Bionics

This short Glow Science video The Nervous System might be useful in exploring this context.

Bioengineering: you don’t have to be a jedi to move things with your mind!

June 18, 2012
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SLF 2012: Forensic Rookies, Transition and the AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust: Scottish Islands and Mainland ICT and Science project

We’ve been keeping you up to date with this inquiry based science project since last December and we are delighted to confirm that you can find out more by joining us at session N1A at SLF 2012, presented by Professor Susan Rodrigues and Neil Taylor.

This workshop (30 max) is an opportunity for hands-on exploration of the investigative work associated with the Forensic Rookies project, and to explore the use of GLOW and/or web 2.0 technologies to support meaningful partnership between primary and secondary learners. Based around the theme of forensic science, this project incorporates cutting edge research from the University of Dundee’s Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification and the University of Northumbria.
The workshop will share the findings of a recent project involving 3 pairs of primary & secondary schools from several different local authorities, and the sustained impact in those local authorities where this project is being rolled out further. Learners and practitioners views and feedback will be shared. This project was supported by funding from AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust and led by Professor Susan Rodrigues and Neil Taylor as part of the suite of ‘Partnerships in Primary Science’ (PIPS) CPD projects.

The workshop will include an opportunity for delegates to have hands on experience of the six investigative tasks, using the kit provided to schools, funded by AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust. There have been a series of videos made using learners and practitioners which will be used within the session, and these will also be available via YouTube after the session for delegates to follow up.

Visitor registration for SLF 2012 is now open!

June 16, 2012
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Forensic Rookies, Transition and the AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust: Scottish Islands and Mainland ICT and Science project

At the end of May, and last December, we blogged about an exciting project “Forensic Rookies” involving primary and secondary schools in West Lothian, Shetland and Perth & Kinross. Collaboration via Glow Wikis and culminating in a Glow meeting in February was the key to success for the learners, in this ASZTT funded project.

Each of the authorities is taking the “Forensic Rookies” project forward with a variety of approaches being used to meet the needs of the learners within each setting.

A series vodcasts with feedback and reflections from learners and practitioners is available on YouTube’s ScienceEdResearch channel. These vodcasts are rich in reflection on why schools got involved and benefits to learners. I had the opportunity yesterday to review some of the learners discussions via Glow and was hugely impressed with learners collaboration and thinking.

Janette Kean and primary 4-7 learners from Westfield Primary, West Lothian

Margaret Cameron, Helen McCulloch, and learners from Couper Angus Primary, Perth & Kinross

Wilma Missenden and learners from P1-P7 at Urafirth Primary School, Shetlands

W Pieroni and L J Grant and learners from Blairgowrie High School, Perth & Kinross

An issue discussed when we were working with practitioners recently was around how to meet the needs of a range of learners within an S1 science class, with a range experiences. These vodcasts, discussing an inquiry based approach to learning used with learners in multi-composite classes could provide useful CPD around this.