I’m a Scientist will return this November (10th–21st) with both themed and general zones. We’ll send out an email to teachers in early September asking if they would like to take part.
Teachers sign up to take part before 22nd September at: imascientist.org.uk/teachers
Our next three events…
• Autumn: 10th–21st November 2014
• Spring: 9th–20th March 2015
• Summer: 15th–26th June 2015
I’m an Engineer returns in March next year.
Nearly 200 Scottish schools and FE colleges are now involved with the Royal Society of Chemistry’s free programme for schools, the Learn Chemistry Partnership, which was launched earlier this year. With your help, we’d like to ensure all Scottish schools are part of this network.
Educators who register their school – whether they are Head of Science, department technician or NQT – will become their school’s main contact for chemistry and will be the first to know of new Royal Society of Chemistry education products and discounts.
Registered schools receive free copies of Education in Chemistry and The Mole magazines (written for students); in addition, a monthly e-newsletter keeps Learn Chemistry Partnership contacts up-to-date with the Royal Society of Chemistry’s latest education news. You also receive discounts on products such as our giant periodic table as well as other free display materials such as careers posters.
In recognition of their subject expertise, Learn Chemistry Partnership contacts receive free Royal Society of Chemistry membership. Member benefits include careers support and a personal copy of Education in Chemistry, as well as the opportunity to join education interest groups.
For more information go to http://rsc.li/lcp-ts or contact Bill Beveridge, Regional Programme Manager for Scotland at beveridgew@rsc.org
Welcome back to the new session from Education Scotland,
A reminder of where you can find resources and some new additions.
The NQ Higher Sciences Site was created for the introduction of the revised Highers and has a number of teacher and learner resources including animations commissioned for the new content.
The NQ course materials Glow portal contains materials created by Education Scotland including Introductions and Learning Journeys for the CfE Highers as well as resources shared by local authorities for N3 level through to Advanced Higher.
The Sciences Glow 365 site, created in January this year provides a single national site for teachers to share resources. Its where to find materials produced by the Cross Authority writing groups, as well as the latest resources produced by Education Scotland.
Recent additions include N5 resources guides for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These guides, similar to those created for Higher, maps useful resources to key areas within the SQA’s course and unit support notes. Guides can be found in the appropriate subject folder.
Also created are evidence recording spread sheets for Higher Biology, Higher Chemistry, Higher Environmental Studies, Higher Human Biology and Higher Physics. Similar to the spreadsheets shared to record the evidence for nationals, these are bespoke to each Higher. They can accessed from the Higher folder for each subject. To download, click on the three dots on the right of the title, then click on the second set of three dots and click on download a copy. Many thanks to John Watson of Campbeltown Grammar and to the SQA for their help and support in producing these.
Use the hashtags for more updates into your Glow newsfeed or set alerts for these updates to appear in your Glow inbox.
Posted on the Sciences Glow 365 site, Higher evidence recording spread sheets for Higher Biology, Higher Chemistry, Higher Environmental Studies, Higher Human Biology and Higher Physics. Similar to the spreadsheets shared to record the evidence for nationals, these are bespoke to each Higher. They can accessed from the Higher folder for each subject. To download, click on the three dots on the right of the title, then click on the second set of three dots and click on download a copy. Many thanks to John Watson of Campbeltown Grammar and to the SQA for their help and support in producing these. For more updates, delivered to your Glow newsfeed, for the subjects and levels you’re interested in click on the hashtags in the newsfeed and click on follow.
Education Scotland’s Sciences have posted resources guides for Biology, Chemistry and Physics on the Sciences Glow 365 site. These guides, similar to those created for Higher, maps useful resources to key areas within the SQA’s course and unit support notes. Guides can be found in the appropriate subject folder. Use the hashtags for more updates into your Glow newsfeed or set alerts for these updates to appear in your glow inbox. These guides are part of the increasing number of resources found on the NQ Higher Sciences Site , the NQ course materials Glow portal and the Sciences Glow 365 site
The Higgs Prize is awarded on merit to two pupils from a publicly-funded school who have shown outstanding performance in the Advanced Higher Physics exam.
Established in recognition of the impact Nobel Physics Prize winner Professor Higgs’ theoretical work has had on modern day particle physics, it aims to reward and inspire Scotland’s best young school physicists.
The first ever winners of the award were announced last December and have just returned from their prize winning visit to CERN.
Lucy Willets-White, who is now studying Physics at Imperial College, London and Peter Rhodes, who is about to begin his medical studies also at Imperial College joined undergraduates on the CERN Summer Student Programme.
The prize winners’ views can be read in Issue 46 of the CERN newsletter
Further information regarding next year’s Higgs Prize will follow shortly.
Water. Paralysis. Food. Flight. Dementia. Antibiotics. Which challenge should science solve next?
In 1714 the UK Government offered £20,000 to the person who could solve the Longitude problem. In 2014 the prize fund has increased to £10,000,000 and the public get to decide what challenge needs to be solved.
I’m a Scientist get me out of here are giving the public the chance to ask before they vote with our Longitude Prize Zone. Until Wednesday June 25th anyone can quiz their champions to help decide which challenge to vote for, at:longitude.imascientist.org.uk
Many thanks to Aberdeen City Council for sharing resources.
These materials are provided to support staff who are delivering programmes of learning in Physics National 4 and National 5. Staff are encouraged to draw on these materials, and existing materials, to develop their own programmes of learning which are appropriate to the needs of each individual school.
The materials include National 4 and National 5 teacher guide and a complete set of problems and answers for:
•Electricity and energy
•Waves and radiation.
They are available in the NQ Sciences Glow Portal.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/nqcoursematerials/subjects/p/nqresource_tcm4817069.asp
Many thanks to Aberdeen City Council for sharing resources.
These materials are provided to support staff who are delivering programmes of learning in Chemistry National 4 and 5. The materials include teaching and learning activities for:
•Chemical formulae and reaction quantities
•Acids and alkalis
•Neutralisation
•Rates of reaction
•Energy changes
•Atomic structure
•Chemical formulae and equations.
They are available in the NQ Sciences Glow Portal.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/nqcoursematerials/subjects/c/nqresource_tcm4749193.asp
SSERC has recently moved all of its teaching resources to the open section of its website making them more readily available for public access. The SSERC website is at www.sserc.org.uk
lf you could be an engineer in Scotland – what would you do?
The Leaders Award for STEM is a Primary Engineer programme open to students from 5 to 19 years old. It is a fantastic way to increase their awareness of the breadth of opportunities open to them within STEM subjects. Students have the chance to speak directly to professionals from different fields in STEM. This award is a great opportunity to engage pupils with real engineers who will convey the importance of STEM in their daily working lives. Schools will be able to develop relationships with industry, both local and worldwide, giving pupils a unique perspective of professions and their significance in the wider world.
The Challenge
Pupils are asked to research engineering and interview a practicing engineer to interpret the statement “lf you could be an engineer in Scotland – what would you do?”. Primary pupils are asked to illustrate their response, accompanied by 100 words. Secondary pupils are asked to illustrate their response, accompanied by 350 words.
The website contains resources and lesson plans which can help pupils get their research underway. Just visit the ‘Downloads’ section of the website at www.leadersaward.com.
All successful participants will receive a certificate and winning entries will be exhibited to the public at the Barony Hall, University of Strathclyde (date TBC).
Closing date: 10th February 2015
How to get involved
Register your school via the website www.leadersaward.com. Once registered, you will receive an application pack and further guidance on completing the award.
LfS Scotland, in partnership with the Moray House School of Education, is now taking bookings for our new Leadership for Sustainability professional development course – a one-day course for Head Teachers, Depute Head Teachers and Principal Teachers in primary or secondary schools, and local authority officers with a key role in supporting Learning for Sustainability.
This highly interactive programme will highlight simple steps that school leaders can take to develop an effective whole school approach to Learning for Sustainability. It will enable you to effectively plan for and implement Learning for Sustainability requirements in your school in ways that will significantly enhance the educational experience of your pupils. A free follow-up twilight course is available to provide the opportunity for continuing collaboration with colleagues and for sharing insights from critical self-evaluation, reflection and enquiry.
More information is available here and to book a place, please contact Morag Watson
Nominations are now open for the SQA’s annual Star Awards.
The awards are a unique way to celebrate success, triumph, achievement and recognition of the best in education and training. Behind every success story lies motivation and commitment, pride and self-esteem and, of course, sheer hard work.
See the stars come out – nominate your stars today at www.sqa.org.uk/star
Closing date for entries is Friday 27 June 2014.
This Higher Human Biology Resources Guide links Mandatory key areas to useful learning and teaching resources.
The pages show the Mandatory key areas table from the SQA Higher Biology course and unit support notes with an additional column containing hyperlinks to videos, animations and other resources. Content new to the course from the Higher Still Higher have been highlighted in green to further assist practitioners.
Updates will be posted on GLOW 365
This resource compliments similar guides produced for Higher Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Following the NQ Sciences events which took place in Hampden Stadium in December 2013, Education Scotland, in partnership with the SQA, organised cross authority writing workshops for NQ sciences qualifications. Faculty Heads and Principal Teachers from 30 local authorities have attended and worked collaboratively to co-develop materials for priority areas identified required support at the Hampden events.
These events have been hugely successful; at the first event hosted at SSERC materials for the National 5 Assignment, National 4 Added Value Unit were produced along with a bank of open ended questions.
The first Higher event allowed practitioners to evaluate Education Scotland materials and to generate and share further support materials. The second event at SSERC allowed delegates to choose practical activities appropriate for the new Highers and practice these as well as gain some content training from our partners at SSERC. Over 500 resources was shared through the GLOW 365 sciences platform.
The third Higher Cross-Authority Writing Workshop took place on Tuesday 27th May.
The purpose of the day was to provide practitioners with the opportunity to complete the materials they are developing for the Higher Sciences qualifications and professional learning events with updates from industry and further education professionals of the applications and theory of new content areas. Colleagues from HMI, SQA, learned societies, STEMnet ambassadors and research institutes join the group. Presentations included careers in life sciences venture capital, the Higgs Boson, Antioxidants in food and Stem Cell research. Speakers then worked with teachers to produce professional learning materials, teacher and pupil resources and assignment materials.
The feedback from the events was very positive with those attending keen for the model of cross-authority collaboration to be extended to include preparation for the new Advanced Higher courses, review best practice in National 3,4 and 5 courses and to quality assure materials share through the GLOW 365 sciences platform.
Education Scotland organised and delivered a conference to support learning and teaching around the new Higher Computing Science on 29 May 2014. The main aims of the conference were to
Gerry Docherty, Chief Executive of Smarter Grid Solutions, who leads on the implementation of the ICT and Digital Technologies Skills Investment Plan was the keynote speaker. He did a tremendous job setting the scene for the conference and many of the issues he raised in the morning were discussed again in the closing plenary.
It was a really great day and gives us lots to build on. If you have any suggestions as to how Education Scotland can further support this area of the curriculum please contact jim.lally@educationscotland.gov.uk.
This Higher Biology Resources guide links Mandatory key areas to learning and teaching resources.
The pages show the Mandatory key areas table from the SQA Higher Biology course and unit support notes with an additional column containing hyperlinks to videos, animations and other resources. Content new to the course from the Higher Still Higher has been highlighted in green to further assist practitioners.
Updates will be posted on GLOW 365
Nominations are now open. The SQA’s annual Star Awards are a unique way to celebrate success, triumph, achievement and recognition of the best in education and training. Behind every success story lies motivation and commitment, pride and self-esteem and, of course, sheer hard work.
See the stars come out – nominate your stars today www.sqa.org.uk/star
Closing date for entries is Friday 27 June 2014.
Registration for SLF 2014 is now open at www.scottishlearningfestival.org.uk
The theme of SLF 2014 is raising achievement and attainment for all with a focus on maximising educational outcomes through:
• early intervention and prevention – for children, young people and adult learners in order to maximise educational outcomes;
• health and wellbeing – ranging from physical education and sport to the full range of health and wellbeing subjects which are the responsibility of all practitioners;
• employability skills – to secure a highly educated, well prepared and well-motivated young workforce able to compete in a global market.
SLF 2014 is free for everyone to attend and gives you access to:
• Inspirational keynotes from Michael Russell MSP, Dr Frank Dick, Prof Alma Harris and John Carnochan;
• Over 100 professional development seminars where you can engage in activities and learn from practitioners and young people;
• Lively debate at the professional discussions led by Sir Ian Wood, Chair of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, Sir Bill Gammell, Chairman and Co-founder of the Winning Scotland Foundation and Kenneth Muir, Chief Executive of the GTCS;
• Scotland’s largest education exhibition with over 100 exhibitors showcasing educational resources;
• Opportunities for discussion and professional networking with peers and colleagues from across Scotland.
Book Now
To guarantee your place at SLF 2014 and your choice of seminars book now, as many sessions do fill up before the summer break. Visit www.scottishlearningfestival.org.uk to browse the full conference programme and book your place today.
The new Higher Computing Science has a clear focus on modern technologies and development for the Web. Server-side scripting and online databases are the building blocks of the large information systems that we all use today.
The new Higher requires learners to provide “exemplifications and implementation of coding to create and modify information systems including the use of: … scripting (database/web pages), server-side scripting…”
This means that every learner studying Higher Computing Science should have experience of using these technologies. To support the introduction of the new Higher Computing Science, Aberdeen City Council have created and deployed a number of open source software packages.
We have deployed EasyPHP to provide each learner with a dedicated web and database server. This open source software provides an Apache Web Server, MySQL Database Server, PHP language plug-in 
(to allow for server-side scripting), phpMyAdmin (a web based database management tool) and Xdebug (to provide full debug information for learners as they develop programs). These servers are hosted locally on each computer where this software is deployed and the servers are controlled via a small application that learners can manage to start/store the servers as required.
This solution provides a full suite of technology that our teachers can now deploy in the classroom. We have modified the software so the data that a learner creates is stored and moves with the leaner in his/her roaming profile. No matter which computer he/she is using the required data is available.
As the solution is deployed locally on each station, the web pages are viewed using the localhost (http://localhost/) URL and the server is not broadcast to the wider Internet.
To assist with the development of programs, we have also deployed the open source NetBeans web project editor which supports development using a number of technologies that feature in the new Higher: Javascript (client-side scripting), PHP (server-side scripting), MySQL (database queries), HTML, CSS and others.
In tandem with this software deployment, we have also provided training to support this technology, which all our Computing Science teachers have been involved with.
If you would like additional information about this solution please contact Charlie Love at Aberdeen City Council.
This is the next in a series of Higher Resources guides linking key areas of the curriculum to identified learning and teaching resources
The pages show the SQA Higher Chemistry course and unit support notes with an extra column. Content new to the course from the Higher Still Higher are highlighted in green.
The extra column, entitled “Resources identified by Education Scotland”, shows links to resources each with a brief description. They are web-based resources such as animations which help understanding of the mandatory content listed. Each resource is placed adjacent to the content it exemplifies.
Updates will appear on GLOW 365.
This is part of a series of Higher Resources guides linking Mandatory Course key areas to useful learning and teaching resources.
The pages show the Mandatory Course key areas table from the SQA Higher Physics Course and Unit Support Notes with an additional column containing hyperlinks to videos, animations and other resources. Content new to the course from the Higher Still Higher has been highlighted in green to further assist practitioners.
Updates will appear on GLOW 365
On behalf of Dr Aidan Robson FInstP,
Reader in Physics,
The University of Glasgow
Dear colleagues,
As part of “Elementary – CERN and Scotland”, http://cernandscotland.tumblr.com,
I’m pleased to invite you and your current 5th-year students to this year’s schools Particle Physics Masterclass, which will be held on Tuesday 17th June 2014 at Glasgow University.
This one-day introduction to fundamental particles and forces will be led by experts working at CERN and will convey some of the excitement of front-line research in a rapidly-developing field, with talks and hands-on sessions in particle detection and analysis of real collider data.
The masterclass will take place on Tuesday 17th June 2014 from 10am to 3.30pm, with registration from 9.30am, in the Kelvin Building at the University of Glasgow. It is intended for students who are just finishing 5th year; ideally for those continuing to Advanced Higher. There is no charge, and lunch will be provided. However, participation is by advance booking only and numbers are limited.
Please consult your pupils and if they would like to attend, email a list of their names to masterclass@physics.gla.ac.uk and indicate whether you would like to accompany them. The masterclass is normally oversubscribed, so I will try to make a fair allocation to schools on 9th May or shortly thereafter. Note that I’m unlikely to be able to fulfil requests for groups of more than about 10 per school.
We all look forward to seeing some of you here on 17th June.
Best wishes,
Aidan Robson
Education Scotland and SQA have identified questions from Standard Grade Credit and Intermediate 2 papers from the last three years and matched them to Key Areas in the N5 Chemistry Curriculum.
This resource has been produced in response to the requests from practitioners who attended the National Qualifications Sciences events at Hampden Stadium in December 2013 which Education Scotland organised in partnership with the SQA.
The questions in this resource relate to National 5 Chemistry and have been taken from the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Standard Grade and Intermediate 2 Past Papers.
Booklets of past papers and answers have been collated for the three units and a problem solving booklet for teachers and students to use as part of their revision programme for the N5 exam.
Chemistry N5 Past Paper Questions Chemical Changes and Structure (pdf)
Chemistry N5 Past Paper Questions Chemical Changes and Structure
Chemistry N5 Past Paper Questions Chemistry in Society (pdf)
Chemistry N5 Past Paper Questions Chemistry in Society
Chemistry N5 Past Paper Questions Nature’s Chemistry (pdf)
Chemistry N5 Past Paper Questions Nature’s Chemistry
Education Scotland and SQA have identified questions from Standard Grade Credit and Intermediate 2 papers from the last three years and matched them to Key Areas in the N5 Biology Curriculum.
This resource has been produced in response to the requests from practitioners who attended the National Qualifications Sciences events at Hampden Stadium in December 2013 which Education Scotland organised in partnership with the SQA.
The questions in this resource relate to National 5 Biology and have been taken from the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Standard Grade and Intermediate 2 Past Papers.
Booklets of past papers and answers have been collated for the three units for teachers and students to use as part of their revision programme for the N5 exam.
Biology-N5-Past-Paper-Questions-Cell-Biology
Education Scotland and SQA have identified questions from Standard Grade Credit and Intermediate 2 papers from the last three years and matched them to Key Areas in the N5 Physics Curriculum.
This resource has been produced in response to the requests from practitioners who attended the National Qualifications Sciences events at Hampden Stadium in December 2013 which Education Scotland organised in partnership with the SQA.
The questions in this resource relate to National 5 Physics and have been taken from the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Standard Grade and Intermediate 2 Past Papers.
Booklets of past papers and answers have been collated for the three units for teachers and students to use as part of their revision programme for the N5 exam.
Physics-N5-Past-Paper-Questions-Dynamics-and-Space
Special Seminar for Teachers – 3.30pm Friday 25th of April Royal Highland Centre
Need a greater understanding of the automotive industry to pass onto your learners? Transport Scotland, the Energy Saving Trust and their partners will provide an insight into the developments within the automotive sector and how Scotland is helping shape the future, with specific focus on low emission transport including low-carbon, hybrid, electric and hydrogen vehicles. The seminar will include case studies and examples of innovation to help shape courses and prepare learners to take advantage of this newly emerging and rapidly changing market. Please register your interest by emailing charlotte.cassar@psigroupltd.co.uk
Or you can just come along and enjoy the EVOLUTION show on 26th April and test drive new generation cars. FREE entry. Register at: www.evolutionshow.co.uk
Flash Learning is pleased to announce free online access to Virtual National 4 Physics and Virtual National 5 Physics until July 2014.
Our software to support National 4 and 5 Physics has been very well received and is now in use in approximately two thirds of Scottish schools. We have developed an enhanced version of the material and this is available online at www.eflashlearning.co.uk
All Scottish pupils (and teachers) are invited to register online. Click on the Join Now button and you will be asked to supply a username, password and email address.
This online, enhanced version of the software includes topic quizzes and progress checks. There is also a forum (one for each course) and this will be available for a trial period . Please note that the website uses advanced web design technology and is best viewed with a modern web browser.
Pupils need to provide an email address when they register and we undertake not to do anything with this, other than to send one mail in August, inviting them to subscribe to the next physics course they may be taking.
The Minister for Learning, Dr Alasdair Allan, recently put in place a package of support to help secondary schools to deliver the new National Qualifications. This support included new route maps through assessment and these have now been published on the Education Scotland website. Developed by Education Scotland, in partnership with the SQA, these provide a sequenced list of main messages and links for National 4 and National 5 Sciences.
Science Resources for the Nationals
Following the SQA/ Education Scotland joint publication of Past Paper Guidance for N5. Education Scotland has published copies of the identified questions on Sciences Glow 365 site, in the N5 folders for each subject. This compliments the previously shared N5 Biology questions. Further support materials for N5 will be published in the near future.
Shared on the Sciences Glow 365 site new class spreadsheets for tracking assessment standard passes at National 4 and an updated version for National 5. Look in the N4 and N5 folders in your subject.
There are still places available at Education Scotland’s Community Resilience Conversation and Networking Event on Monday 17th March.
The day is aimed at members of the Scottish Government, emergency planning and civil contingencies teams from local councils, representatives from local education authorities, and members of other key organisations to consider community resilience as a rich and exciting context for teaching and learning.
Conversation activities will provide delegates with opportunities to network with one another and engage in professional dialogue in relation to preparing for emergencies and developing resilient communities. Selected examples of good practice will also be shared through engaging presentations delivered by government, local council and school representatives.
We would like to invite you to take part in the event at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel on the 17th March 2014 to explore how we might take forward resilience education in schools and consider important developments in teaching and learning.
We would be grateful if you could register online at http://svy.mk/Mb8ZM7 by end of day Thursday 13th March 2014 to confirm your attendance and inform us of any special dietary or access requirements you may have.
Delegates attending our fourth conversation day at Bucksburn Academy identified three key themes for improving science education.
Discussions focussed on:
Education Scotland is keen to hear your views regarding the second theme which addressed identifying partnerships that work.
Identifying partnerships that work
Delegates identified various partner organisations that they were engaging with including subsea 7, forest rangers, ABC, mentoring John Lewis, STEM ambassadors, car safety, BP renewable, Forvie Nature reserve, university medical students, Zoo lab, forensic scientists, “curious about chemistry”. Learners at Bucksburn Academy had also set up a programme of advanced level lunchtime lectures in relation to STEM.
Delegates put forward suggestions for successful partnership working. It was agreed that this had to be mutually beneficial, providing support, resources and expertise for the school, whilst meeting the business needs of the organisation. In addition delegates highlighted the following:
Delegates identified areas of partnership working which they regarded as requiring further development:
Education Scotland is keen to hear your views. Click on the title of this blog post to leave a comment
Time: 09:30 (for 10:00 start) – 15:00
Venue: Glasgow Hilton Hotel, William Street, Glasgow, G3 8HT
Education Scotland is excited to be hosting its first community resilience conversation and networking event with a view to developing a shared, partnership approach to provide 3-18 resilience education opportunities.
The day aims to bring together members of the Scottish Government, emergency planning and civil contingencies teams from local councils, representatives from local education authorities, and members of other key organisations to consider community resilience as a rich and exciting context for teaching and learning focusing on a range of contexts such as flooding and other forms of extreme weather and their impact on our lives.
Conversation activities will provide delegates with opportunities to network with one another and engage in professional dialogue in relation to preparing for emergencies and developing resilient communities. Selected examples of good practice will also be shared through engaging presentations delivered by government, local council and school representatives.
We would like to invite you to take part in the event at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel on the 17th March 2014 to explore how we might take forward resilience education and consider important developments in teaching and learning. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. There is no cost to attend.
We would be grateful if you could register online at http://svy.mk/Mb8ZM7 by Monday 10th March 2014 to confirm your attendance and inform us of any special dietary or access requirements you may have.
Following the publication of the updated 3-18 Curriculum Impact Report for Sciences in October 2013, Education Scotland hosted a series of conversation days to engage stakeholders in discussions around the findings of the report and to collectively identify priorities for action to secure improvements in science education nationally.
The fourth conversation day took place in Bucksburn Academy, Aberdeen, on 12th December 2013 and brought together around 40 participants from the local authority, Satrosphere Science Centre, Aberdeen University and representatives from industry, universities and schools. Delegates heard presentations from Kittybrewster Primary School, Bucksburn Academy, Glaxo Smith Kline and the University of Aberdeen.
Following the welcome presentation participants split into small discussion groups to identify the key priorities for improving science education. Discussions focussed on three themes:
Priorities for sciences education
Attainment
Delegates recognised:
Support
Delegates suggested:
Confidence
Cluster working
Learners attending the conversation day highlighted the areas they regarded as being the key priorities in sciences education:
SECONDARY
Delegates highlighted a number of concerns relating to the secondary sector which they viewed as being key priorities in teaching the sciences:
Education Scotland is keen to hear your views. Click on the title of this blog post to leave a comment.
The Technologies Impact Review (TIR) is one of two aspect reviews being conducted by Education Scotland over 2013-14. The other is literacy and English. Similar reports were published in 2013 on science, social studies (on Education Scotland website) – these had similar process and objectives as for TIR: “What is it like to be a learner 3-18 in Scotland? What contribution do the technologies make to that experience, and what is their impact on young people?”
This blog post is part of a series of blogs sharing practice that has been seen in the schools visited as part of the review.
What is a QR code?
For those of you unfamiliar with QR (quick response) codes, they are similar to bar codes and contain information specific to an item. A key benefit of a QR code is that any amount of information can be attached to them. Creating QR codes is easy, free and you do not have to be an ICT expert to produce them. The following website contains information on how to get started https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/. You can produce QR codes to use during lessons, using them in a variety of ways to enhance learning and teaching. To access the information contained within QR codes you will need the “scan” app. Apps are easily downloaded and installed on any mobile device.
Example of an activity using QR codes:
QR codes have been used to enhance learning and teaching in Practical Woodworking across several topics such as, tools, processes, materials and construction. For each lesson, the format is generally the same, however alterations are made to ensure the lesson remains current. QR codes, some containing answers, descriptions and questions based on the topic being taught are produced and printed separately on A5 paper. A5 image sheets containing one picture and a QR code linked to the picture are also created. Finally, an answer sheet containing blanks linked to the answers, questions and descriptions found in the QR codes is produced. QR codes can be placed around the classroom and adjoining corridor.
The Lesson:
During the lesson learners are placed into groups of no more than four. Learners are given instructions to find the answers/descriptions missing on their answer sheet. Learners then work through a task using their answer sheet to identify a series of items found on their desks. For example, if the lesson focused on woods, learners would use their answer sheet to determine what answers/descriptions matched the wood samples given. In total, a timeframe of 20 minutes is given and a timer is placed on the interactive board.
On completion, learners begin peer assessment using a carousel system, placing ticks/crosses next to answers they agree/disagree with. Once the carousel is complete, each group returns to their own desk to see how well they have done. Learners can then share their views as to why they agreed/disagreed with other groups. This informs discussion and allows learners to utilise their knowledge in teaching one another. It also allows the teacher to raise important teaching points, to ensure learners understanding is further improved and correct.
Why was this approach taken?
This approach was taken because the theory in Practical Woodworking can be seen by learners as repetitive and they find it difficult to retain the knowledge required. There is no final exam and practitioners often find that learners do not recognise the importance of developing their knowledge and struggle to recall information when prompted or when working through tasks, tests and homework. This approach allows the development of knowledge and understanding to be an active part of the course.
What are the benefits for learners?
Learners gain several benefits from this approach. They are given the opportunity to explore their own understanding and share this with their peers, develop their critical thinking skills and become active in revision and assessment. The approach also utilises current technologies, whilst giving learners the opportunity to bring their own technology into the classroom. The topic naturally informs group discussion amongst learners and the teacher. Learners are also given ownership of assessment enabling them to peer assess work, which deepens their understanding, whilst continuing to develop their literacy skills.
‘I learned not to be scared to talk about cancer’
A really exciting day on Friday 7th February when we welcomed P7 pupils to Dundee Science Centre to work with world-leading scientists from Dundee Cancer Centre. Through hands-on activities, developed and delivered by scientists, researchers and nurses from Dundee Cancer Centre, children learned about cells and cancer.
Children said:
I can’t choose one thing, I loved it all!
I learnt about how the different bloods get ready for scientists! It was fun!
That you should be careful with what you wear outside and that if you eat broccoli it helps a lot.
I learnt that cancer travels faster than normal cells.
There are 200 types of cancer cells
I enjoyed making play-doh drugs
Very easy to understand and was fun
I enjoyed meeting a real scientist
I learnt that strawberries have DNA and what our cells look like! It was fun!
I learnt today about cancer and how it can be stopped.
Teachers were equally positive in their feedback:
Hands on activities are great. Brilliant to see the kids engaging so well.
The people who were doing the explaining, explained very complex concepts in a very understandable way for the children. It’s something that we will pick up on when we go back to school and share what we have learnt with the rest of the school and try to find out more.
This is the first part of a bigger piece of work, the next steps of which are to work with teachers from secondary schools and Dundee Cancer Centre to develop a workshop to support the broad general education in the secondary setting, or the Senior Phase. This will provide opportunities for learning for teachers involved, and the pupils in the 10 secondary schools we work with, when we bring our funded outreach to them between September and December 2014.
If you’re interested in being part of this exciting project, and connecting your learners with cutting-edge, world-leading sciences happening in Dundee, please contact Lauren Boath, Science Learning Manager for more information (lauren.boath@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk)
Re-thinking Progress is the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s first ever education open-house event in partnership with Bradford University’s centre for the circular economy. We would love for you to join us.
Register here to receive more information and to be notified when tickets become available.
With a focus on discussion and interaction, Re-thinking Progress will see the Foundation’s education team host a one-off series of short talks, Q&A’s, breakout sessions, seminars, and expert lectures, to explore what the circular economy can offer in the way we approach and deliver effective education.
The event will be held at the re:centre, University of Bradford (pictured left) which is a cross University facility for business engagement and collaboration, with the circular economy providing one of the major programme elements.
Thinkers and innovators will join us from areas as diverse as 3D printing, higher education, urban design and aquaponics to inform the application of the circular economy for both formal and informal educators. Everyone is welcome.
See some of the highlights for the session topics below, and learn more about the circular economy in education here.
Severe weather has caused disruption through utility failures and signifiant flooding in various areas throughout Scotland.
Winds of up to 90 mph hit parts of the country last night causing power cuts, rough seas and heavy swells. Those regions partcularly badly affected include Glasgow, Aberdeen, the Western Isles, Shetland, Orkney and Dumfries and Galloway among others.
For further details go to: http://bbc.in/1klW9Yb
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has been issuing regular flood warnings urging the public to take immediate action against the predicted flooding.
The ‘Ready for Emergencies’ website contains free teaching resources to help young people and their local commuitites to prepare and cope in extreme weather situations like these. For severe weather learning journeys go to: http://bit.ly/1gmTEml
Make sure you are signed up for SEPA’s free flood alert service. Register at: http://bit.ly/1cCJ2uB
Inspired by this year’s CHRISTMAS LECTURES with Alison Woollard the Royal Institute has launched a Chromosome-themed advent calendar. Each day between 1 December and Christmas Eve they will release a new video working through the 23 pairs of human chromosomes and the mitochondrial DNA that make up the building blocks of human life.
Over 24 days they will look at ‘junk’ DNA, raise awareness of a range of genetic disorders and the research behind the latest treatments, learn about blood donation and visit Alison’s lab in Oxford to find out about genetic ageing. Join the Royal Institute to investigate male baldness, explain Nobel Prize winning science, take a trip to the zoo, delve into the mysteries of ginger hair and much much more…
Explore the advent calendar at www.rigb.org.uk/advent
Plus, follow #Riadvent on Twitter or like us on Facebook to be the first to find and watch the videos and enter our competition to win a prop from the set of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES.
HEA Scotland: CfE tackling transition events series – Biological Sciences3rd Dec 2013, 17.45-20.15
This event, which forms part of the Higher Education Academy Scotland CfE Tackling Transitions Series, will facilitate networking and dialogue between school, college and university Biological Sciences educators, to best support students throughout their learner journeys.
It is crucial that educators delivering university programmes have an in-depth understanding of developments and seek to build on these to achieve long-term improvements in the quality of the student experience in Scotland.
The HEA is keen to facilitate dialogue, to promote greater understanding of the developments that are taking place, and to assist university staff in preparing to meet the changing needs of future students.
The event will include contributions from the HEA’s Curriculum for Excellence Scholars in the Biological Sciences, who will be presenting outcomes from their work.
Location
The event will be held in Level 7 Conference Room in the Sir Duncan Rice Library at the University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue , Scotland, AB24 2TZ and a buffet reception will be provided. The event will begin at 17.45 and conclude at 20.15.
Event costs
This event is free of charge to attend
Booking
Please book a place on this event at http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/events/detail/2013/03-Dec-CfE-TacklingTransition-Biosciences-Aberdeen
Improving Science Education – Conversation Day
10:00 – 15:30, Thurs 12th Dec 2013
Venue: Bucksburn Academy, Kepplehills
Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9DG.
Education Scotland has been holding a series of face-to-face
conversations this year with the Scottish education community to engage schools
and stakeholders in the findings of the Sciences
3-18 Curriculum Area Impact Project report and
to determine key priorities for sciences education. The three events that have
already taken place have engaged a wide variety of people from all
school sectors as well as industry, colleges, universities, parent groups, and
science organisations.
Places are still available for the event on the 12th
December for those who would like to join discussions and help shape the future
of sciences education in Scottish schools. Please contact Jennifer Moore on Jennifer.Moore@educationscotland.gov.uk
to book your place.
Applications for the fifth international Millennium Youth Camp have begun.
The 2014 Millennium Youth Camp will be held during 3rd–11th June 2014 in the Greater Helsinki area in Finland
The one week camp takes place in Finland every summer and is organised by the Technology Academy Finland, the Finnish Science Education Centre LUMA (University of Helsinki) and Aalto University.
The camp offers young people from across Europe, aged between 16-19, who are interested in mathematics, the natural sciences and technology, an opportunity to learn more about Finnish expertise and top level research in these areas. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other young people who share similar interests.
In addition to lectures, workshops and visits to Millennium Youth camp partners, the project includes project work supervised by experts and carried out in small multi-national organisations.
There is a two phase application process and applicants choose their preferred topic area from the 10 listed on the application form: applied mathematics, climate, ICT and digitalization, water, renewable natural resources, energy, bio-sciences and -technology, food sciences and technology, material sciences and technology, and urban planning.
Application for the first phase begins on 15th October and ends on 15th December.
On 3rd February 2014, 200 young people will be chosen from these applicants for the second phase.
On 17th March 2014 the names of 60 participants chosen for the camp will be published.
For further information please contact:
Professor Maija Aksela, chairman of Millennium Youth Camp steering group
Finland’s Science Education Centre LUMA, University of Helsinki
maija.aksela(at)helsinki.fi, tel. +358 50 514 1450
Caroline Korhonen, Project Coordinator, Technology Academy Finland
caroline.korhonen(at)technologyacademy.fi, tel. +358 40 5569 999
A link to the application form and additional information about the application process can be found on the Millennium Youth Camp website.
Education Scotland has recently published annotated exemplification which is deemed to typify the achievement of a level. This work is billed as ‘early insights’ as it should be viewed as a starting point for comment, reflection and amendment. It builds on the Assessing Progress and Achievement professional learning resources which have been used to guide the exemplification. Each exemplar contains a mixture of annotated exemplification, pupil voice and practitioner notes/reflection. The amount of each of these has been determined by the staff involved. The resources are a work-in-progress and draw on emerging practice from practitioners from 3-15. There are currently one exemplar at one level across most of the curricular areas although the aim is to add to these. This Annotated Exemplification of Work is available on the Education Scotland website.
It is anticipated that this resource could be used to:
• Inform any review of the quality of learners’ work which is deemed to typify the achievement of a level.
• Identify the range of work which typifies the achievement of a level across the learning in a curriculum area.
• Appreciate how the quality of work being produced by their learners compares with that in the exemplars.
• Identify aspects of the approaches used which might inform their own practice in their context.
• Contribute to identifying gaps in the learning of their learners.
• Provide a focus for professional dialogue involving a group of staff within or across establishments.
• Provide a focus for dialogue involving parents.
Tell us what you think
We would like to hear what you think about what has been produced so far. Your feedback will help inform this on-going work on annotated exemplification which typifies of achievement of a level in each of the curriculum areas to be shared through Education Scotland’s web-site. In particular we would be interested in your views on how well the exemplars support your understanding of assessment and achievement of a level.
In your comment response please can you let us know which sector you work in – early, primary, secondary, special and also the curriculum area you are responding to. Many thanks.
When? 4th September 2013, 16:30 – 18:30
Where? Dundee Science Centre
Recommended for: Practitioners with responsibilities for Food and Health, sciences, and Health and Wellbeing, and planning for learning for early years to senior phase.
Sign up by contacting Michael Smith on michael.smith@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk or 01382 868609
Food and drink offers an engaging context for learning within Curriculum for Excellence, providing opportunities for
interdisciplinary learning, and for rich and meaningful partnerships between schools, the food and drink industry and other organisations.
4.30-5.15: Registration, light refreshments, networking and tours of the Cooking Bus
http://www.focusonfood.org/cookingbuses.html
5.15 – 6.00: Micro presentations from:
Education Scotland – Food for Thought – Food Education: an overview
Scottish Food and Drink Federation – How to link real life industrial applications to food education in schools
University of Abertay – What help can higher education provide and what are the next stages of study
Food Industry, Agrico– Why we get involved and how we can help support schools
Food and Drink Ambassadors – What we can offer schools
Eco-Schools Scotland – Food and the Environment’ topic; resources and case studies for interdisciplinary learning and teaching
Dundee Science Centre – Bringing food and science to life in Curriculum for Excellence
Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) – sharing exciting activities on food chemistry
6.00 – 6.30: Food and Science marketplace, meet experts who can help with practical ideas and ways of using food as a context across learning. Discover the resources available from a range of organisations to support your planning for learning and teaching in the context of food and drink. Hear a selection of micro-presentations, explore exhibitor stands, take away free resources, network with colleagues and take the chance to visit the Cooking Bus
Delivered by Education Scotland, Scottish Food and Drink Federation, Dundee Science Centre and partners.
New Enquire film launched!
Getting ready to leave school: Making a good transition
In Enquire’s new film, pupils from Woodlands school in Edinburgh share their views on getting ready to leave school and offer useful tips for adults who might be supporting them during this time. We learn about their hopes for the future and how a learning resource, created by Playback ICE, called the Moving On programme has helped them to feel prepared for their next steps.
Launched at the 2013 Enquire National Conference, the film looks at a variety of key themes, including:
• What transition means to young people getting ready to leave school
• What makes them nervous about this time, and what makes them excited
• How additional support needs can impact on a young person’s ability to make a good transition
• How the Moving On Programme has helped them to feel prepared for leaving school
• The skills they have acquired since starting the Moving On programme
You can watch ‘Getting ready to leave school: Making a good transition’ on Enquire’s Youtube channel
(The film was made by Enquire, the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning, and Media Education. Scottish folk singer Karine Polwart kindly contributed the music.)
Glow TV is delighted to be able to offer teachers and students a range of SCHOLAR sessions which will include both Professional Learning opportunities as well as revision sessions for those sitting exams this year.
These begin on Tuesday 23rd April at 7.30pm with a Professional Learning opportunity for Modern Languages teachers entitled ‘Using SCHOLAR to support Higher, Advanced Higher and National 5’. This session will be presented by Douglas Angus, SCHOLAR Online Tutor for Modern Languages. Find out more in Glow TV.
Look out for new homework sessions in May for Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and Physics.
Revision support for NQ English and Mathematics
With the SQA National Qualifications examinations looming, the National Glow Team are pleased to announce the launch of exam revision support for NQ English and Mathematics. Aimed at pupils and supported by teachers, this Glow revision resource will help pupils in their preparation for national examinations by allowing them to post questions and queries into a teacher facilitated Glow Forum. The resource will be open to all pupils and teachers with the potential to become a vibrant self-supporting community.
Find out more here.
What could you change in a day? Could you challenge yourself to do something extraordinary? Live UnLtd want to back your idea to make a real change!
Be Extraordinary for a Day is for 11-21 year olds who’d like to try their hand at addressing a social or environmental issue in their area over a short period of time e.g. a day to a week. If your application is successful, award winners will receive support and up to £500 to help you turn your idea into a reality. Some people may choose to develop their ideas after this short term award while others will not.
Basic Criteria
Your idea must be a short project that will tackle an issue in your area. If successful, your project must take place in a short timescale (for example, a day or a week) between July and December 2013.
This competition is open to individuals aged between 11 and 21 years only. Clubs and organisations cannot apply; however, applications from individuals within a club/organisation setting are welcome to apply, providing the project is run separately from the club/organisation.
People aged between 11 and 21 can apply for £250-£500. Those aged 11 – 17 must have parental permission, and must work with an advisor to assist in making the project happen (for example, a youth club worker, parent, guardian, or teacher). Cash Awards can only be used to cover project costs and not direct salaries.
Apply now and Be Extraordinary For A Day!
Closing date for applications is Friday 14th June 2013
Winners will be announced on Friday 28th June 2013
The Scottish Government has extended it’s consultation about play until 23rd April 2013.
They are looking for individual children and young people and groups aged 3-18 to let them know what they think about play. The views collected will inform into the National Play Strategy which is due to be published later this year.
You can find out more at www.bit.ly/PLAY8129 .
she++ is a group set up by female undergraduates at Stanford to try and encourage more young women into careers in computing and technology.
This month sees the launch of their video documentary – visit the site for a trailer. This 12 minute film is intended to interest girls in the exciting opportunities that there are in pursuing a degree and career in computing. It is aimed primarily at the US audience but still has much to say to girls in Scotland.
The video is free but will not be openly available — each site must apply for a screening. This is very straightforward to do – see http://sheplusplus.stanford.edu/film/hostscreening.php for details.
Learning for Sustainability – the report of the One Planet Schools Working Group, was published 17 December 2012.
The report includes strategic recommendations to support the development of coherent whole school approaches to ensure that learning for sustainability, global citizenship and outdoor learning are experienced in a transformative way by every learner in every school across Scotland. The report includes a number of recommendations relating to career-long professional learning and initial teacher education and advocates genuine partnerships with local communities and action to improve the sustainability of the school estate. A key ambition of the report is to provide an agenda for strategic change that will create an enabling framework, remove barriers, and build on existing excellent practice.
Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages said:
“I welcome the publication of Learning for Sustainability and would like to thank the Working Group for their work and commitment to producing the report and recommendations. As we approach the Year of Natural Scotland in 2013, the report reminds us of the importance of learning which connects young people to local and global issues, an integral part of Curriculum for Excellence.
“A wide range of actions have been taken as part of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and we welcome steps to encourage and support schools in their approach to sustainability and global citizenship, including through outdoor learning.
“We will take time to consider the report, to engage with partners on its recommendations and respond in full in March 2013.”
The report can be downloaded from:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/ACE/OnePlanetSchools
See the associated Engage in Education blog from Professor Pete Higgins, Chair of the One Planet Schools Working Group: http://engageforeducation.org/news/learning-for-sustainability/
We’ve recently updated our Professional Learning section on STEM Central.
This section includes a number of videos in the “Exploring Engineering” series from “Getting started in engineering” to “Inspiring Space Engineering”. These can be used to help you understand more about STEM and engineering jobs and careers for children and young people, or used with learners to inspire them to pursue STEM careers.
With an overview of Education Scotland’s STEM work, and information on contemporary engineering jobs in Scotland, and links to partner resources such as myOilandGascareers.com and World of Work online, why not take a look to find out more?
Join our STEM Professional Learning Community (Glow login required) bit.ly/stemhome
The Scottish Government has published the following documents relating to Opportunities for All. They help to set out the expectations for delivery and processes to support better tracking of young people through the learning system.
Opportunities for All – Implementation Paper–
This publication describes the aim, principles and delivery mechanisms of the Scottish Government’s commitment to an offer of a place in learning or training for all 16-19 year olds who are not already engaged. It has been drafted in collaboration with key delivery partners, Skills Development Scotland, DWP Jobcentre Plus, the Scottish Funding Council and local authorities.
Post-16 Transitions Policy and Practice Framework –
This refresh of the 16+ Learning Choices Policy and Practice Framework positions 16+ Learning Choices within the context of the delivery of both Curriculum for Excellence and Opportunities for All. The Scottish Government would expect local partnerships to use this Framework to guide their detailed strategic and operational planning and to establish more formal agreements across and between services to ensure sustainable local delivery.
Post-16 Transitions Data Practice Framework –
The Framework sets out the roles and responsibilities of partners to effectively share data to support young people as they move through learning and training into jobs. It sets out the framework for data sharing that will allow the Scottish Government and its partners to create a system of working that appropriately supports each and every learning and training transition a young person makes from age 16 up until their 20th birthday. This system of working is central to delivery of ‘Opportunities for All’ and will significantly reduce the risk of a young person disengaging with learning and/or training.
Why not find out more about the modern zoo and join the free one day Global Classroom Conference at Edinburgh Zoo on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th November 2012?
Find out if zoos really make a difference to the many species on the IUCN Red List under categories such as ‘Critically Endangered’
Join us, as students take part in free workshops to help answer these questions and more:
· Is there a place for zoos in the 21st Century?
· Should we have captive breeding programmes?
· What role does a zoo play in conservation?
The conference runs 9:30am – 3:00pm and is suitable for S3 – S6 students.
To book and further information please email: education@rzss.org.uk or phone: 0131 314 0335. Maximum of 15 pupils per school limited spaces available so book early.
Booking deadline: Friday 12th of October
| Testimony is Education Scotland’s new high quality resource to support learning and teaching in religious and moral education. It has been designed for use by both staff and senior phase pupils. |
| Testimony illustrates how faith, belief and values can influence how a person acts. It includes examples of religious and non-religious standpoints to show how people from around the world and in Scotland have been influenced by faith. The material includes the personal testimonies of some well-known individuals alongside the stories of ordinary members of faith communities. |
| It can be used to support learning within the new SQA award in Religion, Belief and Values and also supports the development of skills for learning, life and work. |
| Scott Duncan, Education Scotland’s RME Development Officer, was interviewed at this year’s Scottish Learning Festival about the Testimony resource – listen to a recording of the interview. |
| Find out more by visiting the Testimony web resource. |
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