Category Archives: Sciences

CfE, Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Mathematics, Responsibility of All, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social studies, Young people, children & families

Creativity in the Classroom – a call out to share what works

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Consider yourself creative?

The Creativity Portal is looking for examples of simple, short creative exercises that teachers and youth workers like yourself have used in the classroom and youth group settings.

It could be:

  • A creative chemistry experiment
  • The school’s fastest paper aeroplane contest
  • The imaginative alphabet
  • A 30 second dramatic warm-up

We would love to hear what’s worked for you. Get a mention on the national Creativity Portal and an invitation to future creative CPD. A wee bit of text is all it takes.

Add to the Creativity Archive here within Glow.

Or email Stephen.bullock@educationscotland.gov.uk

Adult Learning, Assessment, CfE, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Mathematics, National Qualifications, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social studies, Supporting Learners, Technologies

New Qualifications – November Update

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http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47993.html

 More detail about how each new National 5 Course will be assessed is now available. Draft Course Assessment Specifications for National 5 have been published on the SQA website and define the mandatory assessment requirements for Courses at National 5.

The purpose of the Course Assessment Specification is to ensure consistent and transparent assessment year on year. It describes the structure of the Course assessment and the mandatory skills, knowledge and understanding that will be assessed.

 Find out more about the qualifications development stages.

 Draft Unit Specifications have also been published for new Higher Courses. 

Feedback on these documents can be given via Have Your Say until 31 January 2012. The final versions of all SQA draft documents will be published in April 2012.

Sciences

STEM Central…in Motion

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As they have the opportunity to explore STEM Central, we find practitioners using the ideas and adapting to suit the learners’ interests. At Madras College in St Andrews, it began as an electric car context, but PT Physics Sean Duffy and his colleagues have adapted to use in the context of electrical systems for satellites. More to follow in the STEM Central in Motion Glow Group.

Assessment, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Literacy, Literacy and English, Mathematics, Modern Languages, National Qualifications, Religious and Moral Education, RME, Sciences, Social studies, Technologies

Curriculum Area Events on Glow TV

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SQA, in partnership with Education Scotland, are holding a series of curriculum area events to discuss the new national qualifications and give practical support on their implementation. The events are also an opportunity for practitioners to give their views on the new qualifications. Places have been allocated to local authorities and their schools, independent schools and colleges. The events are part of a range of support to help local authorities and individual centres prepare for implementing the new qualifications.

The events will take place on 29 November, and 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 December. Each event will be streamed live on Glow via the SQA Glow Group.  Most events and workshops will be shown live and recorded for watching again later.

A number of resources will be available following each event, including opportunities to hear some of the discussions from the day.

Expressive Arts, Literacy and English, Mathematics, Responsibility of All, RME, Sciences, Technologies

Curriculum Update at Glow Key Contacts

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Today I went along to the Glow Key Contacts Meeting to give an update about new resources from the Curriculm Team  at Education Scotland. 

You will find the presentation I used here. (Glow log in required)

The resources I highlighted included:

Education Scotland’s Learning Blog

Chalkface Blog

STEM Central

Marks on the Landscape

Sciences, Technologies

National Science and Engineering Week

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Organised by the British Science Association, National Science and Engineering Week aims to inspire the next generation of scientists with a programme of fun activities. It will run from 9-18 March 2012 and will explore the theme ‘Our World in Motion’.

The event highlights how the sciences and engineering relate to our everyday lives. With over 4500 events and activities attended by 1.7 million people in 2011, it is one of the UK’s biggest celebrations of science, engineering and technology.

To take part in 2012, you can either plan your own event or ask a local organisation to take part.

Resources

STEM Central
High-quality resources, teaching ideas, videos and interactives to develop learning experiences relating to Scottish engineering.

 

British Science Association
Find out more about National Science and Engineering Week.

 

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central at SSERC

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Sciences Development Officer, Lauren Boath, is looking forward to sharing STEM Central developments at the SSERC Conference at the Carnegie Conference Centre on 2nd December 2011. A busy and interesting programme, Education Scotland is pleased to be included to discuss STEM Central and participate in the day.

Early Years, Sciences, Technologies

Enterprising Science & Technologies

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The aim of these materials is to support teachers who wish to undertake interdisciplinary learning for children and young people from pre-school to age 15, by providing high quality guidelines for planning.

Making connections across learning 3-15

The principal focus is on science and technology, while making appropriate, relevant and purposeful links to other areas of the curriculum. The project has been developed as a partnership between the Association for Science Education and the Technology Teachers’ Association, led by HMIE and with professional support from Learning and Teaching Scotland.

Ideas maps

‘Ideas maps’ are used as the basis for developing related activities and experiences for the sciences and technologies. The approach offers choice, flexibility and stimulus for teachers to develop their own ideas. The ideas maps provide a good start for interdisciplinary teaching and can contribute to connected, meaningful learning for children and young people.

The project provides many opportunities for cross-subject working in secondary schools, and for collaboration between primary and secondary establishments. The potential for involving parents, employers, entrepreneurs and community organisations as partners is significant – each topic highlights these opportunities and suggests where this would be of benefit.

To find out more about the resource click here.

To visit the Glow Group and access the resources click here. (Glow log in required)

National Qualifications, Sciences

Physics Revised Advanced Higher support

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Work on the support for the revised Advanced Higher Physics continues, with teacher and learner support being developed and due for publication in spring 2012. Areas for support include new Space and Time, and development is being carried out by practitioners from schools across Scotland, in conjunction with partners from higher education and SSERC. A real team effort!

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central and engineering careers

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Wondering how engineering connects with your teaching in sciences, technologies, maths, or other curriculum areas? We will shortly be publishing a series of videos on STEM Central useful for practitioners and learners. Titles such as “Why Engineering?”, “Getting Started in Engineering” and “Inspiring Space Engineering”, all with a Scottish flavour, exploring routes in engineering, skills required for success in engineering and the future of engineering in Scotland and beyond.

Sciences, Technologies

Science competition on YouTube

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The YouTube Space Lab http://www.youtube.com/spacelab?feature=etp-gs-space is an open competition inviting young people aged 14-18 to come up with an idea for a science experiment in space. Participants don’t actually have to do the experiment, they make a short video to describe and explain the idea, and then upload their video entry to the YouTube online service. Here their work will be evaluated by the judges and viewed by an international audience of millions.

The deadline for entries is 7th December, so we can still get Scottish students involved. What an opportunity to demonstrate their scientific knowledge, ICT and communication skills.

http://ltsblogs.org.uk/globalcitizenship/2011/11/17/international-science-competition-with-youtube/

Literacy, Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central raising issues for debate and discussion

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Perhaps your use of STEM Central contexts has raised debate around ethical issues – access to clean water, housing sustainability, energy through renewables? If so, the Speak Up Scotland! initiative might be of interest to you. Free workshops for teachers introduce different forms of debating, so you can encourage learners to explore the ethical and moral considerations around scientific developments. The programme also offers to arrange visits from or online discussions with university and industry STEM Ambassadors.

More details available on the SSERC website or by e-mailing science@esus.scotland.org.uk

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

Technologies at Glasgow Uni

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Yesterday (14/11/11), I visited Glasgow University to present to BEd years 3 and 4. We began by discussing the misconceptions surrounding Technologies within Curriculum for Excellence, and spent the rest of the time looking at draft level 2 learning journeys for STEM Central. The students commented on how easy it was to use the website and learning journeys in order to make lessons.

You can find the presentation here. (Glow log in required)

We ended by looking at some of the other resources available from Education Scotland to help with teaching Technologies:

Technologies Staffroom (Glow log in required)

Glow Science (Glow log in required)

Technologies area of the website

Exploring Climate Change

Weather and Climate Change

Working in the Energy Sector

Health and wellbeing, Religious and Moral Education, Sciences

Talking STEM Cells

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Scottish Stem Cell Network (SSCN) have been running a series of interactive workshops on the topic of Stem Cell aimed at S5 Higher Human Biology/ Higher Biology classes since the summer and two new ones have now been scheduled.

The workshops are delivered live by scientists enhancing the class room experience and providing a unique opportunity to explore science as a career.

Resources address key objectives by setting up scenarios to encourage interdisciplinary learning specifically addressing areas of Science, RMPS together with issues from Health and Wellbeing. The resources are designed to develop skills in group work within and across schools and critical analysis skills where the students will be assessing the moral and ethical issues associated with scientific advancements based on factual information validated and delivered by experts in the field.

The workshops are lead by a stem cell scientist, making use of a mix of presentations, interactive quizzes, video and web based activities and cover:

• A basic introduction into stem cells, the science.
• How can we use Stem Cells
• What does the future hold
• The Ethical questions
• Careers in the Stem Cell Industry

The two new sessions are identical in content but are on different days and times to hopefully suit the S5 timetable in your school.

Sign up and join us on either Wednesday 16th November live from 1.15 – 3.30pm or on Friday 25th November from 9.55-11.55am. Talking STEM Cells – 16/11 OR Talking STEM Cells 25/11

Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Literacy, Literacy and English, Mathematics, Responsibility of All, Sciences, Social studies, Technologies

Wise Up Wednesday!

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Early Years Glow: Did you know?

There is a whole wealth of Early Years whiteboard activities in the Aardvarks storecupboard!

  1. Visit the National Early Years Glow site
  2. Click ‘places to go’
  3. Click on the Aardvarks storecupboard
  4. Click on a subject area and have fun!
Assessment, Expressive Arts, Languages, Mathematics, National Qualifications, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social studies, Technologies

SQA Update for New National Qualifications

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http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47667.html

The Scottish Qualifications Authority has a number of resources to support teachers and practitioners to help them understand the changes to Scotland’s national qualifications. Read more in this update.

Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Mathematics, Responsibility of All, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social studies, Technologies

Global citizenship and sustainability – visit award-winning schools

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Following the tremendous success of earlier open day events, the Developing Global Citizens Team at Education Scotland are providing opportunities for school leaders and practitioners to visit three more schools to see first-hand how they have developed inspiring whole school approaches to global citizenship and sustainable development education. These include:

 Hamilton Grammar School, South Lanarkshire

Theme:  An integrated approach to global citizenship

  • Four Eco-Schools green flag awards; pupil voice; making the most of international links; promoting active and outdoor learning.

 Garrowhill Primary School, Glasgow

Theme: Sustainable development education

  • Winner, Scottish Education Awards (2011) – Sustainable School Category; pupil voice; outdoor learning and school grounds; embedding sustainability within the curriculum; Eco-Schools green flag.

 Whitelees Primary School, North Lanarkshire

Theme: Sustainable development education

  • Recently achieved five ‘excellent’ grades in their school inspection; Finalist, Scottish Education Awards (2011) – Sustainable School Category; Winner, Best Green School (2009); Four Eco-Schools green flag awards.

 How to book

To book, please email: globalcitizens@educationscotland.gov.uk or Tel. 0141 282 5172. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. These are free CPD events.

 View the full programme of school open day events at http://ltsblogs.org.uk/globalcitizenship/2011/09/28/new-open-day-programme-201112/

 What others have said about the study visits:

‘The best CPD I have ever had.’

‘This was an inspirational CPD event and I found it all very useful and enjoyable – fantastic.’

‘My mind is going into overdrive – I plan to take everything you have given and use it!’

Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Modern Languages, Sciences, Social studies

New open day programme 2011/12

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New global citizenship open day study visits!

We are pleased to announce a new series of the popular, inspiring and practical school open days from Education Scotland’s Developing Global Citizens team.

Sign up by contacting globalcitizens@educationscotland.gov.uk or call 0141 252 5000

There is increasing recognition that the rich contexts and learning approaches associated with global citizenship are a powerful means of engaging with Curriculum for Excellence.  In this initiative, selected schools are offering an open door to senior leaders and classroom practitioners to share how they have led a whole school approach to global citizenship. 

The schools selected for the open school programme have developed approaches that have successfully woven elements such as sustainable development education, education for citizenship, international education and games legacy into a wider coordinated whole-school approach to developing global citizens. The programme includes a number of award winning schools and schools whose achievements have been widely recognised.

What others have said about the study visits:

‘The best CPD I have ever had’

‘This was an inspirational CPD event and I found it all very useful and enjoyable, particularly the input from the HT/PT and children – fantastic’

‘My mind is going into overdrive – I plan to take everything you have given and use it!’

Date Time School Theme
Thursday 13th October 9.30am – 3pm Mearns Primary School, East Renfrewshire Global Citizenship – learner voice at the heart of the curriculum
Tuesday 25th October 9.30am – 3pm Calderglen High School, South Lanarkshire Leadership of Global Citizenship/ Games Legacy for Scotland
Friday 18th November 9.30am – 3pm Woodacre Nursery, Glasgow >>details International education and citizenship in the early years
Tuesday 22nd November 9.30am – 3pm Hamilton Grammar School, South Lanarkshire >>details Leadership of global citizenship
Tuesday 29th November 9.30am-3pm Garrowhill Primary School, Glasgow >>details Sustainable Development Education
Thursday 8th December 9:30am – 3pm Whitelees Primary School, North Lanarkshire >>details Sustainable Development Education
Tbc 9.30am – 3pm Gracemount Cluster (High School, Primary School, Nursery and Special School), Edinburgh A cluster approach to global citizenship

Further events will be added to the programme in the coming weeks so watch this blog entry for updates.

Places for these events are limited so it is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment.

Sign up by contacting globalcitizens@educationscotland.gov.uk or call 0141 252 5000

Find out more about using global citizenship to develop a whole school approach to Curriculum for Excellence

Download the new global citizenship calendar for 2011-12

Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Sciences, Technologies

Travelling Green

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Travelling Green is a 6 week walking project which aims to encourage as many children as possible to change their method of travel to and from school, by increasing active commuting (walking) to school.

Travelling Green is an interdisciplinary project focusing on Health and Wellbeing with links to Science, Social Studies, Expressive Arts, Technologies and Languages.

Children learn about walking time and distance, they chart their progress to a more active journey to school and learn about healthy eating, why walking is good for them and how to stay safe on the walk to school.

Who is it aimed at?

Travelling Green is aimed at P5s (9 year olds) in primary schools in Scotland, but it can also be used in composite classes.

What can it achieve?

Increases in overall physical activity. Setting realistic, individual, achievable physical activity targets.

What’s new with Travelling Green?

Sustrans has developed new, free, eye-catching interactive whiteboard flipcharts that can be used with any interactive whiteboard. The flipcharts complement the paper resource pack and provide more opportunities for engagement in the classroom. You can download the interactive resources for free from the Promethean Planet partnership pages.

More info is available on the Sustrans website.

Sciences, Technologies

Careers in Renewables

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Scotland’s renewables sector has received another jobs boost as major companies continue to invest.

The Korean firm ‘Doosan’ intends to locate its research and development centre for renewables at its current site in Renfrew, creating up to 200 jobs.

They are also in talks with Scottish Enterprise to set up manufacturing and assembly facilities in Scotland – its favoured location for wind turbine development and production. Doosan expects its offshore wind plans in Scotland to create up to 1,700 new jobs.

Steel Engineering, also based in Renfrew, aims to create 120 jobs by expanding its business servicing a range of clean energy sectors, including offshore wind, wave and tidal power.

They are also in talks with Skills Development Scotland about developing a training school with Anniesland College in Glasgow.

Click here to read the article.

To find out more about STEM Careers visit the STEM Central website.

To investigate the Renewables context on STEM Central click here.

Sciences, Technologies

Renewables

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The Scottish government has approved plans for ‘the world’s largest tidal scheme’, which could help to create new engineering jobs for Scotland.

Scottish Power Renewables can now commence construction work on the £40 million project in the Sound of Islay. The scheme will have a ten-megawatt capacity – enough to power over 5,000 homes.

Scottish Power Renewables will also work closely with the Islay Energy Trust to provide social and economic benefits in the area, including using local marine contractors during installation and providing local jobs in construction during the onshore development phase.

To find out more read the article here.

Visit the STEM Central Renewables Area to investigate how you can use this context with your pupils.

These Glow Science Videos on Renewables may also help. (Glow login required)

Literacy, Literacy and English, Sciences, Technologies

Daily What News – Science & Technologies

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The Daily What News for Schools in Scotland is an online news service provided byEducation Scotland for Scottish schools. Its main purpose is to help the development of literacy and language (English and Gaelic) in young people aged nine to 16 as well as support their needs for news and information. At the same time, its functions facilitate interdisciplinary learning and critical thinking skills. The service empowers teachers and learners to develop trusted learning resources and classroom activities using community-created content and group interactivity.

To visit the Science and Technology articles click here. (To access the interactive materials you will require your Glow log in)

To visit the Science and Tecnhnology Staff Area click here.

To view Science and Technology Daily What Resources that teachers have created click here. (Glow log in required)

You can also add a Daily What News Feed webpart to your Glow Group by:

– clicking on Modify Shared Page

– Add Webpart

– Search, type Daily What

– Click Virtual Server Gallery

– Drag and drop the webpart or select the relevant area on Add to

Sciences

Using Glow to support the revision of Standard Grade Biology

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Dual post from Glow Scotland Blog.

Karen Maitland is a teacher of Biology at Queensferry High School in Edinburgh. Karen is an advocate of the use of technology aimed at enhancing the learning and teaching process. In this cookbook Karen will talk us through how she uses Glow to support the learning and teaching of Standard Grade Biology.

Through the appropriate use of technology in class, Karen has aimed to enhance the experience of her pupils during their time in the Biology Department. Through various websites and podcasts, Karen looks to provide her pupils with the opportunity to access advice, information and resources out with the barriers of the traditional school day.

With the introduction of Glow to Queensferry HS, Karen was keen to investigate how best to use the tools and functionality to further enrich the learning experiences of her pupils. In this cookbook, we will hear Karen outline how she has created a Glow Group to act as a one-stop-shop revision source for her Standard Grade Biology class.

Click here to read the cookbook.

Sciences, Technologies

STEM Careers

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New technology is being developed in Scotland as part of a multi-million pound international collaboration to enable safer and more efficient oil recovery from deeper water and harsher environments than ever before.

Global oil and gas solutions provider FMC Technologies is collaborating with Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) to deliver a pioneering five-year research and development partnership within the subsea oil and gas industry.

The collaboration will combine expertise in electronics, optoelectronics, electrical power and instrumentation at GCU with that of subsea engineering and optoelectronics within FMC to deliver research and development projects for safe and efficient oil recovery and to enhance reliability and integrity in the monitoring of subsea installations.

It will also produce innovative new products and technologies for subsea hydrocarbon production applications along with student placement and research studentship opportunities.

Click here to find out more about the project.

Perhaps you could investigate STEM Careers with your pupils to find out which ones would be related to this new development.

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central Blog has moved

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We have moved the STEM Central Blog to this blog. Instead of using two ways of communicating the Science and Technology Development Officers thought it would be easier if we used this blog to share all things STEM. To view the posts about STEM click on STEM in the tag cloud (Themes across learning) on the right handside.  

Remember to also visit the STEM Central website.

Health and wellbeing, Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

You don’t have to be a Jedi to make things move with your mind…

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Coming soon to STEM Central, our new Bioengineering context exploring use of sciences and technologies to improve human health, and the interface between computing and the human brain. So if you are interested in exploring this BBC news article “Real-life Jedi” in the classroom, keep an eye on STEM Central.

Mathematics, Sciences, Social studies, Technologies, Young people, children & families

Schools Global Footprint – refreshed resource now live

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Education Scotland’s new-look Schools Global Footprint Calculator is now live and can be viewed at: http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/schoolsglobalfootprint

This key online resource has had a significant make-over and now features:

  • a user-friendly interactive calculator
  • streamlined navigation
  • a comprehensive teacher handbook
  • tutorial videos for practitioners
  • inspiring examples of how schools have used the resource to reduce their footprint.

The school estate is responsible for an estimated 50% of greenhouse gas emissions from local authorities. The online calculator allows learners to measure the ecological footprint of their school in relation to six topic areas: food, water, energy, buildings, transport and waste. Learners are also encouraged to develop innovative approaches to reducing their impact on the environment and promoting sustainable lifestyles in the wider community – from tackling the school run to growing and eating their own produce to reduce food miles.

In addition to providing an exciting real life context for delivering the experiences and outcomes, the resource greatly supports Eco-Schools activities and provides learners with skills for learning, life and work as Scotland move towards a low-carbon future.

View the Schools Global Footprint resource or find out more about Education Scotland’s sustainable development education resources.

Additional Support for Learning, Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Literacy, Mathematics, MCMC/16+LC, Responsibility of All, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social studies, Supporting Learners, Technologies, Universal Support

Glow Meet – Global citizenship DROP IN

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Every month the DGC team will be available on our new Glow TV channel to answer your questions about global citizenship and to signpost you to resources and ideas to help you embed global citizenship in the curriculum.  This is an informal session open to any school leader or practitioner in Scotland – just drop into the Glow meet to pick our brains, find out what’s coming up or tell us what you’re up to.

The inaugural session will take place from 3.30-5.00pm on Wednesday 26th October.  The theme for the first 45 minutes of this session will be A Games Legacy for Scotland and will showcase how the London Olympics 2012 and Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 can be used to create exciting learning opportunities for global citizenship activities and interdisciplinary learning.  Find out how to get free tickets to the Olympics, hear about the Forest Pitch football strip design competition and how the organisers plan to Get Scotland Dancing. 

A general Q & A/open floor session will follow from 4.15pm to 5pm. Put the day in your diary and join us for all, or part of, this event to discuss and share or get help with a particular issue. Visit Glow TV to register and take part on the day: http://bit.ly/DGCdropin

If you can’t make this one then the following drop in session will be on Tuesday 6th December 2011 from 3:30pm – 5pm. The theme will be: Developing a whole school approach to global citizenship.

Mathematics, National Qualifications, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central and Education Scotland newsletter

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If you haven’t seen the first edition of the new Education Scotland newletter you can find it using this link http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/Images/ESNewsletter_tcm4-674651.pdf. The front page highlights the new STEM Central resource, and the importance of sciences, technologies, engineering and maths for the future of Scotland’s economy. The newsletter also announces the role of Education Scotland in supporting practitioners with the delivery of the new qualifications, with learning resources to be published in spring 2012.

Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All, Sciences

SLF Highlights

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Other highlights from SLF included taking a brand new look at Physics and being introduced to Fermi’s ‘How many piano tuners are there in Chicago?’ problem. 

The sessions in the Education Showcase area where pupils presented was always busy, stimulating and fun.  North Queensferry Primary showed how they had created a garden to incorporate food and the environment, it was really engaging and innovative…….and the chocolate and courgette cake went down a treat!

In honour of Strictly Come Dancing starting at the weekend here are some clips that we hope will give you happy feet!

A Scottish dancing flashmob!    This led to discovering this gem from last year it’s the Brain POP robot Moby in a dance off with the Consolarium team – dancing development officers

Finally Sir John Jones at the Scottish Learning Festival reminded us of this uplifting and inspirational bit of dancing.  See Matt Dance!

Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All, Sciences, Technologies

Nourish Scotland Annual Conference 2011

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On Friday 30th September the Nourish Scotland conference was hosted at  the Pearce Institute in Govan.   The theme of the event was  the new food economy: towards a secure and sustainable future for food in Scotland. 

The event was brought to life by the arrival of  Alastair McIntosh, a Scottish writer, academic and activist who made a dramatic entrance carrying a scythe, which considering we were in Govan called to mind the 1986 film Crocodile and the famous line  “You call that a knife?  Alistair eloquently talked about the culture of Govan, now his home and the need for a better food economy for areas of deprivation. 

The event brought together over 150 delegates from all over Scotland and beyond who are highly passionate about the sustainable future of Scotland’s food industry.  There were several keynotes looking at the food economy globally, in Europe and Scotland.   Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment announced a substantial investment has been awarded to the Food and Drink Division of the Scottish Government.

Sciences

Developing Resources to support AH Physics

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I mentioned before that we are progressing development of resources to support AH Physics. Whilst discussing ideas with a teacher from the West Coast, he mentioned a valuable resource available on the National STEM Centre website  : a series of films demonstrating various practical work in Physics including a demonstration of wave motion using masking tape, jelly babies and wooden skewers. I am reliably informed by the adventurous Scottish science community that it works well for AH and also to amuse your own children on a wet weekend. Don’t forget that for Higher Sciences, revised or traditional, you can find lots of resources on the Education Scotland NQ Higher Sciences site.

Sciences

Glow Science video resources

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Glow Science is a great free resource offering rich engaging learning material for pupils aged 8-14. Inspire your pupils to engage with Science across the curriculum.

As we progress into the second year of CfE implementation, the search for engaging, curriculum driven resources is high on the agenda of most practitioners.

Glow Science is a stunning video-based learning resource designed for pupils aged 8 to 14 to engage their imaginations and enhance their understanding of Science in the modern world. Over 500 three-minute films and their associated learning materials (including quizzes, lesson ideas, extension questions, diagrams, images), cover Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science. The videos are searchable by a unique mind map tool, or by E&O code.

Topics in Chemistry and Physics include the Periodic Table and Newton’s laws of motion; Biology includes films about the brain, heart, pregnancy, senses, muscles, lungs, hormones; Earth Science covers a wide range of topics from volcanoes to renewable energy.

Glow Science can be used in many different ways to support the Sciences experiences and outcomes, as well as other areas of Curriculum for Excellence. It has been available free to all teachers in Scotland since April 2011 and is accessed using your Glow username and password.

Katy Sowden, principal teacher at Williamston Primary school in Livingston, has seen a marked improvement in levels of pupil engagement since she started using Glow Science as well as helping to deepen her own understanding of science concepts. You can read a cookbook of Katy and her pupils using the resource in class.

Williamstown Primary School, Livingston

New content is regularly added to Glow Science. The latest Biology module is called Healthy Living and covers Health and Disease, Substance Misuse, Fitness and Nutrition.

You can download a list of over 500 films from the Glow Science website.
Glow would love to hear your ideas for using this rich resource with learners.

Sciences

Sciences on Glow – Developments on the National Glow Group

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Sciences DOs worked with RM today to plan and begin implementation of updates to the Sciences National Glow Group. Why are the changes needed? A word which often appears in practitioner feedback is “overwhelmed”. The success of Glow means there are a vast array of resources available, and busy practitioners can find there is too much to navigate easily. So we are hoping that you will find the changes beneficial and make Glow an even more useful tool. We will keep you up to date with a date for the new site to go live, and look forward to your feedback to help us improve it further. Many thanks also to the practitioners who joined us “live” to feedback on use of the new Glow Science videos resource.

Additional Support for Learning, Assessment, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Literacy, Mathematics, National Qualifications, Responsibility of All, Sciences, Senior Phase, Supporting Learners, Technologies

Curriculum for Excellence Action Plan – details announced at #SLF11

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This Scottish Government Action Plan details the priorities for the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence for 2011-2012. Details of the plan were announced in the keynote speech by Michael Russell, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, at the Scottish Learning Festival on 21 September, 2011.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/resources/c/cfeactionplan2011.asp

Assessment, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Literacy, Responsibility of All, Sciences

#SLF11 Planning for…CfE in Sciences!

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George Eliot is quoted as saying “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together”. The great things showcased in an #SLF11 seminar “Learning, Teaching & Assessment – Making the Connections” by inspiring practitioners and learners from the Bearsden Academy cluster started with small things.  The cluster comprises Bearsden Primary, Baljaffray Primary, Castlehill Primary , Mosshead Primary and Beasden Academy. The small steps? Practitioners within the cluster talking together about transitions, about improving literacy in science. The end result? The wordle shows all that this piece of cluster work encompassed. And the impact? The learners shared with delegates the impact on their wellbeing resulting from understanding more about secondary science, more about expectations of learning in secondary and having already been welcomed into the school community. Evidence of how assessment within sciences truly can enhance learning and teaching.

Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All, Sciences

#SLF11 Marks on the Landscape – Creativity and Sciences

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The Marks on the Landscape web resource which focuses on inspiring creativity across the curriculum was launched at the #SLF11. Charles Jencks, Landscape Architect & Designer of the Fife Earth Project, is interested in human life and frequently uses ideas from biology, such as DNA and cells, as an inspiration for his landforms, gardens and sculptures.

You’ll find on the resource: opportunities to use Marks on the Landscape to inspire creativity in science; and a design challenge which extends the scientific theme encouraging learners at fourth level to study different types of enzymes and consider their qualities, shapes and functions to design a brainteaser puzzle.

Assessment, Literacy, National Qualifications, Sciences

#SLF11 Learning, Teaching & Assessment in Sciences – Making the Connections

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Joanna McGillivray, Head of Science and Computing at Forth Valley College shared with delegates at #SLF11 on Thursday a number of exciting and innovative programmes of work which the college offers, in partnership with schools in a number of local authorities, employers and industry. Learners studying for the Science Baccalaureate have celebrated tremendous success; delegates were able to view work produced by learners as part of the interdisciplinay project element of the Bacc. The value of connecting learning, teaching and assessment to real world applications to support learners in making the transition to sustainable post school destinations, whether FE, HE, further training or employment cannot be underestimated. Read about learners’ opportunities to find out about effective science communication within the Bacc programme and see the Journey to Excellence website to hear from staff and students, the benefits of “hands on” education.

Sciences

#SLF11 – Sciences showcased in the Education Village

We were delighted to be working with learners and practitioners from Fox Covert RC Primary School and partners from SSERC to bring Forces and Motion to the Education Showcase Focus on Sciences at the #SLF11 on Thursday. Learners were a credit to themselves, their school and their families and carers as they discussed and demonstrated their understanding; delegates got hands on to understand how simple equipment can be effective in enhancing learning in science in the primary classroom. Not sure about how to approach Forces in the classroom? Look out for forthcoming STEM Central context on Rescue Vehicles for first and second level…

Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central – erally car

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An update on the progress of an electric rally car Modified Green Rally Car ‘banned for being too fast’ which fits nicely if you are using the STEM Central electric rally car materials. Are there obvious reasons why a modified electric car might outperform a petrol car?

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

NEW Resource – Working in the energy sector

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The energy sector is set to become a key driver in the Scottish economy, offering exciting job opportunities for people at every career stage.

It is estimated that between 52,000 to 95,000 energy-related jobs will be created in the coming decade as Scotland realises its ambitions to become a world leader in wind, wave and tidal renewable technologies. In total, the transformation to a low carbon economy could generate an estimated 130,000 jobs.

The oil and gas sector continues to grow too with companies in this industry looking to recruit 10,000 employees over the next 5 years.

Education Scotland has produced this guidance leaflet for teachers and those who advise on careers.

Download the document below to learn more about:

  • the job opportunities that exist and the skills that will be required to access careers in the energy sector
  • online support and resources that are available to support learning and teaching
  • places to visit including renewable energy demonstration projects
  • what you can do to promote awareness and engagement in energy-related careers

Download the leaflet >> Working in the energy sector

Order printed copies of this leaflet – email: globalcitizens@educationscotland.gov.uk or ring Customer services on 0141 282 5000

Early Years, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central – developments sound good

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DOs in Sciences and Technologies were working with practitioners yesterday to progress development of new resources for STEM Central which will be shared during this school year. One of the contexts will incorporate E&Os around sound. The Sound context will demonstrate how a concept can be developed from early years through to fourth level, incorporating work with SSERC, making it an ideal way of working within clusters to enhance transition. If you can’t wait and want to find some existing resources to enhance your teaching of sound – try this set of animations from LTS Science of Sound Animations.

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central and PROFILES

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Education Scotland is delighted to be working in partnership on the PROFILES project, one of three selected for funding by the European Commission within the “Support Program 7 (FP7)”. How can this benefit learners and practitioners in sciences?

PROFILES is the acronym for “Professional Reflection-Oriented Focus on Inquiry-based Learning and Education through Science”.

Four central themes are the cornerstones of the PROFILES project: inquiring learning; reflective teaching; further professional training; collegial cooperation.

Education Scotland’s recently launched resource STEM Central provides an opportunity for secondary teachers to become involved in the PROFILES project with all the associated benefits of bringing research into the classroom, gaining valuable CPD and contributing to current educational researched. For further information about the project, contact Professor Susan Rodrigues, the UK partner at Northumbria University.

Assessment, National Qualifications, Sciences, Senior Phase

Supporting AH Physics

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Development Officers for Sciences, Nicola Nielsen and Lauren Boath, and Development Officers for Support for National Qualifications, Therea McIntosh and Andrew Dingwall, worked with partners, practitioners and researchers yesterday to start the ball rolling on what Education Scotland’s support resources for the refreshed AH Physics will look like. We were hosted by SSERC, whose contribution to the organisation and smooth running of the day was very much appreciated; and the practical work with Gregor Steele left all excited, inspired, and fired up. John Sharkey, SQA, set the scene of where we are in terms of development towards the AH which can be taken up by early adopters for academic year 2012/13. Practitioners were joined by researchers, and the IOP, for sharing ideas about supporting practitioners in AH Physics.

Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Mathematics, National Qualifications, RME, Sciences, Social studies, Technologies

Information on the New Qualifications

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Up to date information on the development of the new National Qualifications, including timelines, draft specifications and opportunities to be involved  and give feedback can be found on the SQA CfE website at:  http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/34648.2942.html.

Sciences, Technologies

Science & Technologies DOs visit SSERC

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DOs were at SSERC yesterday, working on STEM Central, and were lucky enough to be allowed a sneaky peak at some of what’s in store for the delegates on the Physics to support CfE two part residential course. Looking forward to the return event on 9th – 10th December 2011 when ES DOs will be sharing STEM Central and working in partnership with SSERC to explore practical work to underpin the STEM Central contexts.

Assessment, Literacy, Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central – new contexts on the way

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Development Officers for Sciences and Technologies, along with the team at ES, are working on a new context which will soon be added to the STEM Central resource. The Bioengineering context will feature learning journeys for sciences and technologies, based on third and fourth level E&Os, including learning, teaching and assessment ideas. Stop by STEM Central for quality assured resources, bringing relevant, engaging and exciting Scottish contexts into the classroom.

Modern Languages, Sciences

Ideas for celebrating world animal day Oct 4th 2011

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New French resources have been posted in the Modern Languages Glow group  in the resources and sharing area that will help you and your pupils celebrate World Animal Day and discover information about endangered species, their habits and habitats.  Click here to access resources

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central and STEM Ambassadors

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Nicola Nielsen, Development Officer for Sciences attended a session last week with new STEM ambassador contract holders for Scotland. A chance to showcase the new web based resource STEM Central and to explore the underpinnings of CfE. The STEM ambassador scheme is a tremendously valuable scheme for Scottish schools, and we are delighted to support their work in helping them connect with learners even more effectively.