STEM Central Sounds Amazing!

We are progressing the development of our new contexxt on STEM Central “Sound”. Early years and first level learning journeys will be published within the next few weeks. Something to think about in preparation: what distinguishes music from noise? Why not view the Glow Science video “How do Musical Instruments work?” and explore this further? 

The Sound context will continue to be developed to incorporate second and fourth level journeys. We’ll be bringing you vodcasts on bats, robots and echolocation and sharing the experiences of learners at Balfron Primary School, when they worked with the Engineering the Future project.  The fourth level journey could be used to support your planning for learning and teaching for National 4 Physics.

And, it might sound like something from Dr Who but researchers at the University of Dundee have recently announced the invention of a “sonic screwdriver”, an ultrasonic device which has potential for developing new, more precise surgical techniques. Sounds amazing? More on this from the BBC. Unsure about ultrasound? Why not use the Glow Sciences videos Beyond the Range of Human Hearing, or Medical Marvels: Ultrasound for a bit of background?

S1/S2 Assessment Tasks

I recently visited the Modern Langauges Department in St Mungo’s High School, Falkirk.  It was lovely to have the opportunity to meet the teachers there and have a cup of tea and chat with them in their French café!  It’s always interesting to exchange ideas and take part in professional dialogue with other practitioners and they even allowed me to visit some classes to see their young people “in action”.  The St Mungo’s team were more than willing to share their CfE materials with all of us and I’ve posted them on our National Glow group.  To access their materials please click here. (You will need your Glow password)

Many thanks to the teachers in St Mungo’s and to their principal teacher, Jim McWillliams for being willing to share their work.  If we all share our materials, it can only make life a little easier!

If anyone else would like to share something they have developed that would help to support either the BGE or Senior Phase, then please feel free to post directly onto the Modern Langauges National Glow Group, or send it to me and I’ll post it for you.  My email address is

fhiona.fisher@educationscotland.gov.uk