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November 22, 2024

Teach the Teacher training – Scratch coding by JP Morgan

What is Teach the Teacher?

Teach the Teacher is part of the pro bono STEM program offered by JP Morgan. This runs alongside other initiatives to train primary school children to do basic coding in a ‘language’ called Scratch.

What is the learning intention of Teach the Teacher?

To upscale primary school teachers and to give them the skills (and more importantly the confidence) to be able to run Scratch code club sessions for pupils.

Are there any prerequisites?
No prior coding knowledge required.

Access to:

A device that has internet connectivity to run Scratch and access the web resources
A reliable internet connection for video presentation or content sharing (virtual only)

What is the structure of the program?
There are currently 2 standard offerings available:

Virtual online (6 week block) – 6 x 1 hour sessions
In-person (3 week block) – 3 x 2 hour sessions

Benefits

Equips teacher with basic skills required to run code clubs and complete basic Scratch lessons independently
Virtual or on-site
Allows the teacher to share knowledge and train colleagues in the primary school
No experience necessary

If you would like to register your primary school and either of the offered programs then please contact:
jpmc.stem.primary.support@jpmorgan.com

About JP Morgan

As well as being a global leader in financial services, JP Morgan is one of the world’s biggest technology-driven companies. JP Morgan offer a number of volunteer-led programs to help increase pupils’ interest and knowledge in STEM subjects through basic introduction to coding.

These sessions are offered virtually and in-person with an ultimate objective to help primary schools to continue their learning journey on these topics after the program is complete.

November 4, 2024

The BIG BIG Computing Quiz – Download

We a had a great turn out for the BIG BIG COMPUTING QUIZ on Monday 4th November to kick off Computing Science Week 2024! Over 1300 learners from schools across Scotland took part. Like any good quiz, learners had to rely on their skills, knowledge and experience as well as a good dose of luck to get through 8 rounds of questions

Sample Questions

Get It Now!

You can download the quiz yourself if you would like to run this in your class. Just make sure to File / Save a copy! Learners can answer online via this form, or they can answer on paper.

Links to the answer form are on the slideshow along with a QR code. Answers start on slide 58. It is best viewed in presentation mode as there are animations for certain questions and the answers are highlighted on click when it comes to the answer section.

When going over the answers, you can use the presentation or you can share this short video with the class if you prefer.

Enjoy and good luck!

Get the Quiz – (save a copy)

Online Answer Sheet

October 31, 2024

Scotlands Digital Science Festival 1st to 8th November – Powered by Techfest

As part of Scotland’s Digital Science Festival, powered by TechFest, a number of online sessions are taking place that your Secondary School students won’t want to miss!

These dynamic events are packed with fascinating content and practical insights that are sure to inspire and engage your pupils!

Friday 1st November, 18:30 via zoom:

An Eye Below Zero, a Long Term Look at the Poles

45 years of polar experience have given Doug Allan a unique perspective on both the Arctic and Antarctic. He’ll be telling exciting and inspiring stories about the winter he spent with Emperor penguins, and his face to face encounters with polar bears. But Doug has also witnessed how the warming of the poles is affecting the animals. He’ll explore the innovative and imaginative steps and solutions that we can adopt to take on the challenge. We can still turn the tide.

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Saturday, 2 November, 19:00 via zoom:

Campaigning for Change: Banning Disposable Vapes

Can grassroots activism really create meaningful change? Absolutely! Join Laura Young who proved this theory true. Laura is the founder of the campaign to ban disposable vapes, which has prompted legislative change across the UK. She will share her campaign journey, top tips & key takeaways at this online talk!

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Sunday, 3 November, 19:00 via zoom:

How to Robot-Proof Your Kids

AI makes many promises about making life easier. Companies are selling AI to read your emails and then write your responses. But at a time when all of the world’s knowledge is free in your pocket, your value is your unique voice. From augmented intelligence to neuroprosthetics, Dr. Ming will explore how we can use AI not to make life easier but to make ourselves better.

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Wednesday, 6 November, 19:00 via zoom:

The Straight A’s Brain

What if your child could remember superhuman amounts of information and never forget what they studied for exams? Can they boost focus and concentration while taking care of their brain? Join Dr. T, Aberdeen’s TV psychiatrist, for an exciting online workshop where they’ll unlock powerful memory techniques, brain health tips, and study hacks for kids and teens (ages 8-16). Parents can join too, learning top tips to help their kids ace school and study smarter than ever before!

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Thursday, 7 November, 11:00 via teams:

Pokémaths: The Maths of Pokémon

Delivered by fantastic Dr Tom Crawford aka Tom Rocks Maths, the Pokémaths: The Maths of Pokémon session will investigate how many Pikachu’s it takes to power a lightbulb. How much a Charizard eats? And why the world of Pokémon seems to ignore the basic laws of physics! Dr Tom Crawford looks at the maths one of the world’s favourite video games.

October 25, 2024

#CSW24 – Computing Science Week Scotland 2024

Computing Science Week 2024 will run from November 4th to 15th 2024. Both weeks will comprise of Live Lessons, Success Sharing Sessions, Educator Webinars, and a face to face event in between to bring educators together and share good practice.

Week 1 has a mainly low code theme, with a few exceptions. It showcases the ways in which Computing can be explored without always having to focus exclusively on code based activities.

Week 2 will be hands-on coding activities for pupils and educators alike.

Click the links to see which sessions you would like to attend.

October 16, 2024

Computing Science in Scotland – Update

Over the next few months, we will be hosting a number of events to support Computing Science education in Scotland. These events include

Computing Science Week(s)
In Person Computing Science Conferences
Pilot Review of Computing Science education as part of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle
Chat CST – A virtual sharing practice event for Computing Science Teachers
Live Lesson Programme

Read on to find out more about each event and how to take part…

Computing Science Week(s)

Now in it’s third year, Computing Science Week is bigger than ever before. Now spanning over two weeks between 4th and 15th November 2024, we will be hosting a number of live lessons for teachers and learners to take part in during the day followed by professional learning sessions for educators after school.

These two weeks have been broadly arranged into a ‘No Code / Low Code’ week (4-9 Nov) and a Coding week (11-15 Nov)

During the first week, we will be running sessions around computational thinking, data science and tech for connectivity, with a bit of Scratch Jr and Microbit in there!

The second week will more focussed on code based activities for different ability groups and will feature sessions using Scratch, Web Development, Swift Playgrounds and AI.

Look out for the full programme of events coming soon!

In Person Computing Science Conference

The 2nd annual computing conference, organised by Education Scotland, is open to all early years practitioners, primary school teachers, and secondary school teachers who teach computing.

During this unmissable event, you will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts who will share insights into future career prospects and to attend practical breakout sessions designed to empower you with innovative teaching methods for the classroom,

The conference will be held on Saturday 9th November at 10am simultaneously at the following venues, all with live in person workshops;

West College Scotland – Abercorn Building – Renfrew Road, Paisley PA3 4DR
West Lothian College – Almondvale Crescent, Livingston, EH54 7EP
University of Abertay – Bell Street, Dundee DD1 1HG

When registering, you can choose the nearest venue to you.

The proposed agenda for the day is as follows

9:30am Arrival. Registration and refreshments
9:45am Welcome
10:00am Keynote: Ollie Bray Strategic Director Education Scotland (streamed to all venues)
11:00am-11:45pm Workshop Session 1
11:55pm – 12:40pm Workshop Session 2
12:45pm Lunch (provided)
1:45pm – 2:30pm Workshop Session 3
2:30pm Networking Event

When you complete registration, you will be forwarded to a Microsoft Form to allow you to select the three workshops that best suit your needs from a list and to allow you to select your dietary requirements.

Computing Science – Pilot Curriculum Review

The 2021 OECD report on Scotland’s curriculum recognised the strengths of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), and made a range of recommendations to ensure that this strength would persist into the future including: “Develop a systematic approach to curriculum review. Scotland could consider establishing a curriculum review cycle with a planned timeframe and specific review agenda, led by the specialist stand-alone agency”.

In line with this recommendation Education Scotland, along with STACS, are undertaking a pilot curriculum review of Computing Science. Education Scotland invites teachers across all sectors (including PTs/FHs, DHTs and HTs), ELC practitioners, local authorities, colleges, universities and other key stakeholders to apply to be part of this workshop. The workshop will take place on the 26th November 2024 from 10am until 3:30pm in Glasgow.

We anticipate high demand for this event and want to ensure that as many sectors, experience and geographic locations are represented.

It would be useful to seek permission to attend this event prior to completing this form.

Please register your interest here before midnight on Sunday 3rd November 2024. You will be contacted if you have been allocated a place at this workshop by Friday 8th November 2024.

More information about the curriculum improvement cycle can be found here

Chat CST – A virtual sharing practice event for Computing Science Teachers

Spending time with peers discussing your subject is invaluable. Recently, we were delighted to support and take part in Tech Talks – a virtual event for design and technology teachers in Scotland.

The event contained 12 15 minute presentations. All the presentations were done by Design and Technology teachers (apart from Daydream Believers and a lecturer from Edinburgh University) Essentially, each gave a 10 minute presentation and 5 mins for questions.

We are keen to host a similar event for Computing Science teachers towards the end of November / beginning of December that focusses on Planning, Learning, Teaching and Assessment.

We are currently gauging interest in this event via poll in Computing Science Glow Team. All secondary teacher in Scotland who teach Computing can request to join this team. If you are member of this team, please indicate your interest here

Go to Glow Team Poll

Live Lessons supporting Computing Science

Our live lesson programme kicked off again in August this year. We have been delighted to have a huge numbers of schools and learners join us and our very special presenters for live lessons already!

Our programme continues to evolve and grow so do look out for future sessions you and your learners can take part in!

This Month

Meet the Learner: Graduate Apprenticeships on November 26, 2024 9:00 am

Next Month

Learner Live Lesson – Adobe Express for Education on December 3, 2024 11:00 am

Later This Year

Read Along – The Bongles and The Crafty Crows on February 25, 2025 10:00 am

Subscribe to live lessons (Google Cal) .. or other Calendar

October 2, 2024

TechTok 2024: Video Recap

Below is a playlist of the sessions that were delivered by practitioners during TechTok24. Each video is linked below. Thanks to Russell White from Moray House for organising and hosting this successful virtual conference.

TechTok 24 Session 1: Digital Pedagogies in BGE

TECHTOK 24 Session 2: DayDream Believers

TechTok 24 Session 3: Growing Creative Minds

TechTok 24 Session 5: Assessment Practices in Design & Technology

TechTok 24: Session 6: Crafting in a Different Landscape

TechTok 24 Session 7: Effective Questioning and No Opt Out

TechTok 24 Session 8: Global Goals in BGE

TechTok 24 Session 9: Developing a Shared Vision for a D&T Department

October 1, 2024

The BBC micro:bit playground survey results are here!

The BBC micro:bit playground survey results are here!

Primary school teachers and pupils across the UK have been taking part in the BBC micro:bit playground survey. An exciting investigation to help children aged 7-11 get to grips with data science and digital skills in a way that relates to their everyday lives.

Students have measured their playground areas, explored temperature differences between natural and synthetic surfaces, tracked how active their break times were, and counted many different types of plants and animals; discovering lots of new things about their playgrounds along the way!

To find out more, visit the BBC micro:bit – the next gen website.

For the full results report click here

September 30, 2024

Ada Scotland Festival 1-11 October 2024

We are pleased to give you and your colleagues, an early heads-up on events and resources for high school teachers and students from the 5^th Ada Scotland Festival 1-11 October 2024.

The Ada Scotland Festival mission remains to champion gender balance in tech and computing, providing inspiration for our young people and to build a stronger, fairer, more diverse work force now and for the future. However, school resources are not just for computing and IT students – these are designed to support teachers and students across the curriculum to explore journeys in computing and also harness it as a useful tool in the classroom (whatever the subject). Please read on:

For the Teachers:
Both of these events are relevant across the full curriculum and open to all teachers. The Code Division session has been scheduled to overlap with an In-Service Day (Glasgow schools) to support teacher CPD.

ONLINE – 16:00 to 17:00 Tuesday 8 October 2024: Apps for Good Classroom Resources covering “Social Action”, “Climate” and “AI” themes – more info

ONLINE WORKSHOP – 09:00 to 12:30 Friday 11 October 2024: Data Dive with CodeDivision “harness the power of data in their classrooms” – more info

RECOGNITION – Ada Scotland Inspiring Teacher of the Year 2024: launching soon. View past winners here.

For the Students:
IN-PERSON – 10:00 to 14:00 Tuesday 1 October 2024: Ada Scotland Launch Event. A day of interactive workshops and tours at Barclays Campus Glasgow – more info join wait list

ONLINE – 09:00 to 10:00 Wednesday 2 October 2024: Tech for Gen AI Lesson with Tech She Can – more info

IN-PERSON – 10:00 to 14:00 Thursday 3 October 2024: A day of interactive workshops at the WASPs Creative Studios in Inverness – more info places available!

ONLINE – 09:30 to 10:30 Wednesday 9 October 2024: Cracking Cryptography with My World of Work Live – more info

IN-PERSON – 10:00 to 17:00 Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 October 2024: Games Design Jam and Play Party at Cake & Dice Dundee – more info drop in

For Senior Years and Teachers:
ONLINE – 15:30 to 16:30 Thursday 3 October: Design Sprint with Firefly and Dundee University “Building Habits of Self Compassion” Workshop – more info

You can view all events (updated daily) here

More schools events across Scotland are in the planning. To register interest please email hello@ada.scot