CfE, Health and wellbeing, National Qualifications, Research, Sciences, Senior Phase

Learning for the new NQs and forthcoming Glow meet on Stem Cells

May 12, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

The forthcoming special edition of Talking Stem Cells Ethical Dilemma series featuring Dr Bill Ritchie who was involved in the creation of Dolly the Sheep is coming up on Thursday 17th May from 1100-1230. You can sign up and join in via Glow Tv – please drop in even if you can’t attend for the whole event.

This Glow meet, which incorporates an input from a patient who may benefit from stem cell therapy, comes at an ideal time to tie in with recent publication by Education Scotland of advice and guidance associated with the new National Qualifications in Biology. Why not take this opportunity for your current S2 learners who will be entering the Senior Phase in 2013/14 to learn more about a topic on which they can build for NQs in Biology? Or why not sign up as part of your own CPD, and consider how you can plan for forming partnerships with cutting edge research in Scotland to enhance learning and teaching?

Background on Dolly the Sheep can be found at The Roslin Institute webpages.

This event will be coming live from Gairloch High School in the Highlands and you can find a Student pack associated with this event in the Stem Cell Glow Group.

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

STEM Central and The James Hutton Institute Water Works

May 12, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

An update on The James Hutton Institute’s Water Works competition with the announcement of the April winner.

The April winner is Aimee Holton, aged 16, from Banchory Academy with her picture “Droplets”. Aimee says “You don’t realise how precious water is until you see things like the hosepipe ban in England. It makes us appreciate every last droplet even more”.

This exciting competition could be used in many contexts, including to enrich the STEM Central water context. Details of the competition can be found on this blog, or in the competition details. Closing date is the 22nd of each month.

National Qualifications, Sciences, Senior Phase

Learning for the new NQs: Inheritance

May 11, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

University of Sheffield research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that Darwinian theories of evolution and natural selection continue to affect humans. This short article from The Independent “Humans still evolving” could be included in plans for learning and teaching associated with our forthcoming advice and guidance for National 5 Biology on Inheritance. More information on the research work associated with this publication can be found on the University of Sheffield website Human Life-History.

CfE, Sciences

The Ethical Dilemma- Special Edition

May 10, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

This is a special edition of the Talking Stem Cells Ethical Dilemma series with this event featuring Dr Bill Ritchie who was involved in the creation of Dolly the Sheep.

This workshop event is aimed at S1-S3 pupils (but is also suitable for P6/7 who would like to ask Dr Ritchie questions about his work) and is a mix of a short presentation from Dr Ritchie, interactive enquiry, student debate activities and live questions and answer interaction.

The Scientist

Dr Bill Ritchie is best known as the embryologist who, with a team of experts, produced the first cloned lambs from cultured cells, Morag and Megan. The following year he and his colleagues produced Dolly the first cloned animal from an adult cell. Following this success they produced Poly etc. the first cloned animals from transgenic cells. Later he produced the first cloned animal with a gene knocked out. This proved the principal that disease genes could be deleted from animals. There will be plenty of opportunity for the students to interact with the scientist.

The Patient

In addition to the scientist there will be input from a patient suffering from a disease who might have the potential to be treated by stem cell treatment.

This event will be coming live from Gairloch High School in the Highlands and you can find a Student pack associated with this event in the Stem Cell Glow Group.

Health and wellbeing, National Qualifications, Sciences, Senior Phase

Learning for the new NQs :Nuclear Power and Energy Security:

May 10, 2012 User deactivated 2 Comments

This week sees the shutdown of Japan’s last working nuclear reactor, in a country previously dependent on nuclear power for 30% of its energy needs.

Tomari shutdown leaves Japan without nuclear power

Energy Security is a rich context for learning which could meet the needs of learners for National 3, National 4, National 5 or Higher, in Environmental Science, Physics or Science. Advice and guidance aimed associated with Energy Security for National 4 Physics can be found on the Education Scotland website.

Advice and guidance associated with Nuclear Chemistry for National 5 has also been published. This has been written to intertwine the work of Albert Einstein and Marie Curie, exploring the issues associated with harnessing the power of the atom over the last 100 years and equally addressing the learning associated with National 5 Physics.

Throughout the advice and guidance, reflective questions are included to help you plan for learning and teaching to engage and challenge your learners. Does nuclear power play a role in our future? What about harnessing the atom’s power for other uses such as medical applications?

CfE, Health and wellbeing, Responsibility of All

The Shared Responsibility Project

May 10, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

On Wednesday 16th May at 3.45pm we will be joined in the Glow TV Studio by PC Elaine MacLennan, SCDEA, who will be discussing and highlighting the Shared Responsibility project that is currently undertaken by schools throughout Scotland.

The project is run in conjunction with the Government of Colombia, The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and the Science Centre Glasgow.

Scotland currently has the highest prevalence of cocaine use per head per capita of population in the world, (2011 UNODC report-annual prevalence of use as a percentage of the population aged 15-64)and Shared Responsibility is a creative and innovative project, utilising the concept of global collaboration to impact on the demand for Class A drugs and improve the environment/community both at home and abroad.

The aim of the project is to generate attitudinal and behavioural change in a fresh and inventive way by equipping young people with the tools they need to live healthy positive lives and assist with making the right choices in life.

Shared Responsibility embraces the key messages delivered in the national Choices for Life programme. It is hoped this will lead to pupils making positive choices in life, resulting in healthier lifestyles and enhanced citizenship. The programme is interdisciplinary in nature and designed to illustrate the benefits of Curriculum for Excellence. The project has developed pupils understanding, not only of their place in the world, but of the different beliefs and culture in Colombia and how cocaine in particular has an impact on communities on the other side of the world.

So why not sign up and join us in Glow TV?

Gaelic Learners, Languages, Modern Languages, Technologies

Calling all educators interested in languages!

May 10, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

We are hosting a CPDMeet on Glow on the use of technology in the learning of Modern Foreign Languages. Catriona Oates (facilitator of MLPSNet on Glow) will host the online webconference. It will be of interest to language educators in all sectors; primary, secondary and special education.

It starts at 4pm on Thursday 17th May. More details and sign-up at http://bit.ly/cpdmeet48

MLPSNet is a community on Glow which is open to all educators. See http://bit.ly/mlpsnet for details.

Note that this CPD opportunity came about as a request from one of our CPD community members. You too can ‘order’ free, online CPD on any subject matter using the service at http://bit.ly/cpdrequest

CfE, Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Literacy and English, Responsibility of All

Wise up Wednesday – Learning about Scotland in the Early Years

May 10, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Last chance to sign up for our next Saturday Conference!

Early Years Saturday Conference

Learning about Scotland in the Early Years

Saturday 19 May, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

The study of Scotland is right at the heart of Curriculum for Excellence. This conference will provide an opportunity to develop practitioners’ understanding of a renewed emphasis on learning about Scotland and how we can enrich the learning experience for our youngest children.

Keynote speakers

Liz Niven – Liz is an award-winning poet who writes in English and Scots.
Juliet Robertson – Juliet is one of Scotland’s leading education consultants, specialising in learning and play outdoors.
Dr Donald Smith – Donald is the Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, as well as a novelist, poet, playwright and storyteller.

Vist here to find out more.

If you are already attending why not join our Early Years Saturday Conference community and meet other attendees before the event?

Visit www.bit.ly/earlysat and make a pledge today!

The Early Years Team

Health and wellbeing, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central Bioengineering and a Marathon Achievement

May 9, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Following on from our post about our most recent STEM Central context “Bioengineering” great news from the BBC about Claire Lomas’ successful completion of the London Marathon.

Claire was paralysed in a horse riding accident in 2006, and is the first person to complete a marathon in a “bionic” suit, taking 16 days to complete the 26.2 mile course. Find out more about how bioengineering and technology can change lives from BBC News Paralysed Woman Claire Lomas treasures 16-day London Marathon and “‘Bionic’ woman Claire Lomas completes London Marathon” and from the company which made the “bionic” suit ReWalk Bionics Research.

National Qualifications, Sciences, Senior Phase

Learning for the new NQs: Food Security

May 9, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Recent headlines on GM food from the BBC tie in with the Food Security published advice and guidance for National 4 Science and National 5 Biology. Food Security and sustainability as contexts also lend themselves to planning for learning and teaching associated with Environmental Science.

The advice and guidance includes reflective questions to aid you in planning for topical, relevant and challenging learning appropriate for your learners. What is GM? Will it play a role in feeding the world’s population of 7 billion and rising?

Additional Support for Learning, CLD, MCMC/16+LC, Supporting Learners, Young people, children & families

16+ Learning Choices for young people with additional support needs

May 9, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

16+ LC ASN conferences report provides a summary of the three regional Education Scotland events held in February 2012

Adult Learning, CLD, Health and wellbeing, MCMC/16+LC, Responsibility of All, Young people, children & families

Millions for Disadvantaged Communities

May 9, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, has announced the new People and Communities Fund to promote and support community-led regeneration initiatives across Scotland, is open for applications.

The People and Communities Fund will invest in community anchor organisations that deliver local regeneration activity and promote change in our most disadvantaged communities. The fund will have particular focus on supporting initiatives to increase people’s chances of entering employment, from progressing further in current work to help break down any barriers people face when considering employment.

In addition to supporting employability, focus will also be on promoting future preventative spending, such as investing in initiatives that will help improve health now to prevent future illness and hardship.

[ website ]

Health and wellbeing, Technologies

Food Revolution Day! Saturday 19th May

May 8, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

JOIN THE CONVERSATION AND HELP

CHANGE THE WAY PEOPLE EAT

Together we can change the way people eat by educating every child about food, giving families the skills and knowledge to cook again, and motivating people to stand up for their rights to better food. Add your voice to the conversation with your best cooking and food education tip, favorite ingredient, or tell us why you support the Food Revolution and what actions you are taking.

www.foodrevolutionday.com/

Click here to access a helpful PDF on 30 ideas to start a Food Revolution.

Health and wellbeing, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central Bioengineering: Mind controlled robots and robot legs

May 7, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Our most recent published context for STEM Central “Bioengineering” provides a rich basis for learning in sciences and technologies.

The BBC reports on Claire Lomas. Following an horse riding accident in 2006, Claire was told she would never walk again. Now, using the ReWalk bionic walking device, Claire has set off on her Marathon challenge, aiming to finish within three weeks of the start on 22nd April 2012.

Paralysed Woman to tackle marathon on robot legs

Paralysed Woman continues London Marathon with bionic legs

The Telegraph reports on “Mind-controlled robot for paraplegics unveiled” tying in the Brain Computer Interfacing learning journey with recent news which provide hope for paraplegics.

Early Years, Mathematics, National Qualifications, Sciences, Social studies, Technologies

STEM Central and The James Hutton Institute’s Water Works

May 6, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Earlier this year, we blogged about this exciting opportunity which can be used in many contexts, including to enrich the STEM Central water context.

A trickling burn, a flooded street, a horse’s trough or a grand Scottish loch – no matter what comes to mind when you think of water the Water Works competition wants your photographs. The James Hutton Institute has now announced the March winner of the competition, John Smith, Age 8, from Orkney. His picture, shown above, is called “The Flood at the Pumping Station” and shows his local pumping station at North Stronsay, flooded due to the nearby loch overflowing.

The James Hutton Institute’s Facebook page has more information on the March entries and how you can take part in May’s competition.

Need some more inspiration on water?

Whether you are working with the STEM Central Flood Management learning journeys in the context of social sciences, technologies or maths, or planning learning and teaching around themes of sustainability for new National Qualifications, this article published in The Telegraph, by James Dyson “Engineering can save us from drought” might provide information or inspiration. Perhaps you could use this year’s Dyson Challenge as a basis for learning, maybe your learners hold the key to saving water for a more sustainable future?

If your learners are considering the current drought and flood situation in large parts of England, why not use it as an opportunity to explore the role of engineers in sustainability? We would love to hear your ideas on our STEM Central in Motion blog.

Or try using the mindmap tool in Glow Science to kickstart thinking for you or your learners.

The James Hutton Institute via the Centre of Expertise for Waters are running a year long competition aimed at raising awareness of water and water-related issues across both primary and secondary ages. The competition, with monthly prizes, aims to encourage learners to think about the natural environment and make the link between CfE curriculum areas Sciences, Technologies and Expressive Arts. The competition page gives background on the competition and entry instructions.

Mathematics, National Qualifications, Sciences, Senior Phase

Learning in the new NQs: numeracy in sciences

May 5, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Education Scotland’s recently published advice and guidance includes exemplification of skills appropriate to National 4 and National 5. These have been exemplified in a biological context for National 4 Science, and in a physics context for National 5 Physics and can be used by practitioners to consider the level of challenge appropriate to N4 and N5 in terms of Building the Curriculum 4: Skills for Learning, Life and Work, the SQA’s Skills Framework, and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.

One area of numeracy you may be planning to explore with learners is the issue of causality and correlation. Can we use data to draw conclusions? Among the examples included in the advice and guidance for science is a consideration of whether or not there is a link between Type 2 diabetes and obesity. A starting point for discussion comes from the BBC’s Go Figure series in this article Watching out for Wimbledon-washing machine links. Does Wimbledon fortnight really affect demand for washing machine repairs?

Health and wellbeing, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central and a Focus on the Eye: Electronic Eye Implant Trials Prove Successful

May 5, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Another UK first which you could link into learning around the STEM Central Bioengineering context. The Glasgow Herald, The Telegraph and the BBC have reported on this breakthrough, in which the 3mm x 3mm electronic implant fitting with over 1500 light sensitive pixels replaces the function of the rods and cones. In this short video ‘How pioneering eye implant helped my sight’, Robin Millar explains how the implant works for him.

This clinical trial ties in with the BBC’s Bionic Body series which provides information, videos and images which perfectly complement our most recent STEM Central Bioengineering context exploring how bionics can transform lives.

Perhaps the learning and teaching you are planning is focused on the eye? This could be an opportunity to compare and contrast advances in sight restoration by learning about the electronic implant approach, compared with the other recent advances, for example in stem cell therapies.

BBC News Scientists restore sight in blind mice

BBC News Acid attack modelKatie Piper gets sight back

BBC News Hope for eye treatment using STEM Cells

Who would benefit from each of the different approaches? Are the risks and benefits of the different approaches comparable in terms of development and for patient use?

CfE, Health and wellbeing, Religious and Moral Education

Simple Acts on Glow TV

May 4, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Simple Acts is about inspiring individuals to use small, everyday actions to change perceptions of refugees and Glow TV is getting involved once again to highlight this just before Scottish Refugee Week.

Simple Acts consists of 20 actions that can be done by anyone and that encourage us to learn and do more with refugees. With every person who joins in on the idea and does a small thing with and for refugees, we get a little closer to removing barriers between communities and to creating the kind of world we all want to live in.

We believe that if everyone does at least one of these simple actions, we could make a big change to the way refugees are perceived in Scotland. Simple Acts are both fun and educational, contributing to the Scottish Government’s Curriculum for Excellence.

Over the next few weeks we will be joining the Scottish Refugee Council every Wednesday at 11am in Glow TV to find out more about:

the Spirit Project on 9th May with an update on the 30th May

learn about a refugee’s experience on 16th May

cooking a dish from another country on 23rd May

There are also supporting materials in the Simple Acts Glow Group which will also be of use.

Also if you are fundraising at school you can get the most out of your Simple Acts by raising funds for vulnerable new arrivals at Scottish Refugee Council. There are many ways you could help – you could charge for quiz entry or even for others to taste your cooking! You can find out more about fundraising on the Scottish Refugee Council website.

Find out more about what is on offer in Glow TV and sign up and join us – just look for the Simple Acts logo!

Early Years, Health and wellbeing

SCCYP – Your RIGHT wee blether feedback

May 4, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Once again join Tam Baillie and the Blether Bear live from Eyemouth Nursery and Primary in the Scottish Borders to hear about all the exciting things your children said in a RIGHT wee blether.

Tam will be saying thank you to everyone who took part and telling the story of a RIGHT wee blether.

It will be a chance for your children to find out what the Blether Bear has been doing and to ask Tam what he has been doing since our last Glow Meet.

CfE, Health and wellbeing

Going Sport Mad!

May 4, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Join this exciting event to preview the Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week and London 2012 World Sport Day with the London 2012 Mascots Wenlock and Mandeville!

With a little under 100 days to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games begin, Mid Calder Primary School in West Lothian will be hosting a very special Glow event designed to give schools ideas on how to have their very own celebration events around Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week and World Sport Day.

As well as suggestions for fun using the flags of competing teams, the London 2012 Mascots Wenlock and Mandeville will be making a special appearance to introduce their very own dance routine that celebrates the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games!

Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week, delivered in partnership with sportscotland – the national agency for sport, uses the excitement around the upcoming London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire school children to try more sport. From 11-15 June, schools across Scotland will be staging their own Games, Torch Relays and celebration events. Following the week, schools also have the opportunity to get involved in celebrations that will welcome the World to the UK for the London 2012 Olympic Games when World Sport Day, presented by Bank of Scotland takes place on 25 June.

Health and wellbeing

Sexually active teens in the UK

May 3, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

There was an interesting article in The Guardian on 25th April 2012 –

Britain has the third-highest proportion of teenagers who are sexually active at an early age and also ranks badly among high-income nations for harmful teenage drinking, according to a series of studies published in the Lancet medical journal on Tuesday.

The research, plus a report by Unicef, call for more attention to be paid to the changing needs of the young, warning they are at risk of mental and physical illness, vulnerable to unhealthy product marketing and that too many will die early.

Follow the link below to read more –
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/apr/25/uk-third-highest-proportion-sexually-active

CfE, Sciences

Marine Science Glow meet – answers now available

May 2, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Thank you once again to the 58 schools and 1700 pupils who took part in our Marine Science Glow meet on 23 Feb 2012 which was organised in partnership with Marine Scotland.

Congratulations too to Abbi from St Mary’s Primary School in Bannockburn who won her school a visit by the Edinburgh Science Festival Marine Detectives Workshop. Abbi’s question was chosen by the judges as the winning question on the day from the hundreds that were received. She asked, ‘Do whales have bellybuttons?’

If you want to find out the answer to this question and the many other questions asked by pupils on the day then visit: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/education/faq/creatures

The answers to the questions put directly to the presenters on the day are also available and can be downloaded from the link below.

Download presenters answers to Glow questions >>

Special thanks to Marine Scotland all all their staff who have gone to great lengths to provide answers!

Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Literacy and English, Responsibility of All, Technologies

Wise up Wednesday – This Sucks!

May 2, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Hello everyone!

Thank you for logging in for your Weekly Wednesday Wise Up! This week we are really excited to highlight the fantastic work created by Glasgow Film Theatre, Starcatchers, Platform and Toad’s Caravan. One of our team attended the premier at the Galsgow Film Theatre last week and had a great time! Lovely to see the stars of the show in their glamorous clothes on the red carpet!

This film presents a fantastic example of partnership working in the early years. What a great way to use the expertise of others to enhance children’s experiences.

As you watch you may get ideas for new experiences in your establishment. Your children will really enjoy this film, why not show it to them at story time?

Thank you and Enjoy the film!

The Early Years Team 🙂

THIS SUCKS: THE MOVIE!

Glasgow Film Theatre, Starcatchers, Platform and Toad’s Caravan have joined forces to produce This Sucks: The Movie, starring a talented cast of hundreds of nursery children from across Glasgow.

This Sucks: The Movie is a short film made by and starring children four-years-old and under from nurseries around the East-End of Glasgow. The film tells the story of Hetty the Hoover and the love of her life — Mike Dust.

The concept grew from a previous, highly successful Starcatchers project, This Workshop Sucks, which premiered at the Glasgow Youth Film Festival, a fun interactive workshop, telling the same story to pre-school children combining theatre, art and moving image.

Over two weeks in February 2012, hundreds of children from Glasgow nurseries participated in making the film with directors Matt Addicott and Katy Wilson from Starcatchers and the support of Toad’s Caravan.

This Sucks: The Movie! was made possible by Glasgow City Council’s Area Committee Grants.

CREDITS

CAST

Hetty the Hoover
Mike Dust
The Man and his family
The Doctor and Nurses
The Dancers

STARRING CHILDREN FROM:

Barlanark Family Learning Centre
Helenslea Nursery School
Hullabaloo Children Centre
Sandaig Nursery School
Westercraigs Nursery

STORY

Matt Addicott
Katy Wilson

NARRATION

Matt Addicott

FILM PRODUCED BY

Toad’s Caravan

DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY

Joanna Susskind
Marissa Keating

ANIMATION

Joanna Susskind
Bruce Cameron

FILMING

Brian Sweeney

MUSIC

Stuart Brown

PROJECT MANAGER

Paul Macgregor

Thanks to Numatic, James Dean and Rhona Matheson

For more info on Glasgow Film, visit http://www.glasgowfilm.org

For more info on Starcatchers, visit http://www.starcatchers.org.uk/

For more on Platform, visit http://www.platform-online.co.uk/

For more on Toad’s Caravan, visit http://www.toadscaravan.com/

Adult Learning, CfE, CLD, Community Capacity Building, Young people, children & families

Live UnLtd – Summer of Social Action Campaign

May 1, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Live UnLtd support young people to run inter-generational projects, start sports, arts, environmental and community projects; projects to address bullying, isolation and much more. Some of their award winners start their own sustainable social enterprises. All projects and enterprises are run by young people themselves (those under 18 need an adviser who can be a teacher, youth worker, parent or similar). For examples of projects please see here.

Individuals or small informal groups leading their own idea can apply. Applicants must be aged 11-21 and live in the UK. Applications cannot be made on behalf of organisations such as youth clubs or schools.

Applications must:

Show how the project will have a positive social impact on the applicant’s community;
Have identified a problem and show ho the project will tackle the problem;
Tell Live UnLtd what specific activities the project/enterprise includes and what it hopes to achieve;
Show how the project provides a learning experience for the applicant.

Receiving an award allows individuals to use their creativity and learning a hands-on way which may enhance their CVs. They can also help erase the negative stereotypes associated with ‘youth culture’ in the media today while making their world a better place.

What can they apply for? The costs of running projects. For example: venue hire, equipment costs, marketing materials, travel and volunteering expenses.

Eleven to 15 year olds can apply for up to £500 and 16-21 year olds can apply for up to £5,000. Award winners also receive the support of a Development Manager.

The deadline for applications is 31 May 2012.

Contact: Gina Headden at Live UnLtd in Scotland, Tel: 0131 220 0511 [ e-mail | website ]

National Qualifications, Technologies

Advice & Guidance for NQ Technologies

May 1, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

As you will no doubt know, the SQA have published their final documents for National 2 – Higher. In order to support schools in the delivery of key aspects of the new qualifications, Educations Scotland have published published a suite of practical advice and guidance for teachers and lecturers.

I think all teachers who will be delivering the new qualifications will find them useful and we would be delighted to receive your feedback. To access the advice and support from Education Scotland please click here.

To access the SQA website pages containing the final documents for Technologies please click here and selct your subject from the drop down menu.

Sciences, Technologies

Stirling University Investigate STEM Central

May 1, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

On Friday I visited Stirling University to complete a Technologies workshop with BEd2 students. We began by discussing the misconceptions surrounding Technologies within Curriculum for Excellence, and spent the rest of the time looking at draft second level learning journeys for STEM Central. The students thought the website was easy to use and felt that there was lots of ideas that they could adapt to their own lesson planning.

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:

STEM Central in Motion

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

National Qualifications

Advice and guidance for new NQs

May 1, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Education Scotland has now published a range of practical advice and guidance to support teachers and lecturers in the delivery of new NQs. This is now live on our website.

The advice and guidance which is available to download has been developed through ongoing discussions with Scotland’s national education stakeholders. My involvement has seen me working with many practitioners who are at the chalkface.

The views of teachers and lecturers have helped to shape the priorities for the advice and guidance. The focus has been on the delivery of courses where there is significant change – new units, combined courses and / or new contexts of learning. The advice and guidance hosted online is presented in a variety of accessible formats and include written advice, videos and some PowerPoint presentations. Links to other information and websites are also available within the documents and practitioners can use and / or adapt these materials to suit the needs of their learners.

The files are freely available – a Glow login is not required to download them. They can be found on the Education Scotland website here. Please take some time to read the materials and leave your comments on them.

Health and wellbeing, National Qualifications, Sciences, Senior Phase

Advice and Guidance for new National Qualifications: the nature of risk

April 30, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

A theme which comes through in a number of the new National Qualifications for sciences is that of risk, risks and benefits, and risk management. What does this look like for the learner? Is it a list of pros and cons or something more sophisticated?

In a BBC article from the Go Figure series, the question is posed “How risky is it if you don’t know the risks?” which explores this in the context of understanding the ‘risk’ of mobile phone use. The article was published in June 2011 but of course the issue of mobile phone ‘risk’ was raised again in the media very recently. This could also be the basis for discussion around risks associated with

radioactivity, in the context of the Advice and Guidance for Nuclear Chemistry, or Nuclear Physics

different energy sources and energy security within Physics or Environmental Science

developments in DNA science in our Health and Disease, or Inheritance Advice and Guidance.

Modern Languages, National Qualifications

New Advice and Support for Secondary Schools

April 30, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

As you will no doubt know, the SQA have published their final documents for National 2 – Higher. In order to support schools in the delivery of key aspects of the new qualifications, Education Scotland has published a suite of practical advice and guidance for teachers and lecturers.

There are new materials to help practitioners deliver their national 4 and 5 courses, although with some amendment, practitioners could use these materials at other levels too. They are designed to be skilled focussed to help teachers and lecturers integrate the skills of listening and talking, reading and writing. Practitioners can also use the ideas and suggestions to apply them to their own materials as they see fit.

The National 4 materials are based on five episodes of an audio book called “Mike Martin et le Grand Jeu” and the National 5 materials includes a video of three young French people discussing the contexts of Society, Learning, Employability and Culture. Both sets of documents include extensive exemplification, advice and guidance for practitioners and notes for learners.

I think all practitioners who will be delivering the new qualifications will find them useful and would be delighted to receive your feedback. To access the advice and support from Education Scotland please click here

To access the SQA website pages containing the final documents for Modern Languages please click here

Mathematics, National Qualifications, Sciences, Social studies, Technologies

STEM Central Water water everywhere…engineering solutions needed!

April 30, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Expressive Arts

ScranMeet 1 featuring Jackie Sangster

April 30, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

ScranMeet 1 – An introduction to interdisciplinary learning images, Thursday 3 May, 3.45 pm, http://bit.ly/scranmeet1

Join us in CPD Central for our inaugural ScranMeet to find out how you can acquire imagery and information from the Scran website. Discover diverse content and resources both local and global, to illuminate CfE projects right across the curriculum. The Scran Meet will consist of an introductory presentation by education officer and former teacher, Jackie Sangster followed by some Q&A.

Languages, Modern Languages

Swiss and Basque schools seeks Scottish partners

April 30, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

A French-speaking school near Basel in Switzerland is looking for a Scottish secondary school partner – for joint learning projects, shared language learning, etc. Their students are in the 16-18 age bracket.

And a Basque school in Oinati, northern Spain, is also seeking a Scottish secondary for possible joint projects in language, culture or science, and maybe an exchange programme or Comenius project in the future. Aagin, their students are around 16-18.

If your school is interested in a link with either of these two schools, contact Nick at nick.morgan@educationscotland.gov.uk for more details.

Adult Learning, CLD, Community Capacity Building, Young people, children & families

New resource site launched for CLD practitioners

April 30, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

The CLD Standards Council has developed a web-based framework to support creative and innovative learning and development for CLD practitioners. i-develop is part of the Standards Council CPD Strategy, “A Learning Culture for the Community Learning and Development Sector in Scotland”, and is based on the values, principles, skills and competences they need as communities, individuals and employers.

The Framework integrates the theories and practices that help shape effective CPD for the CLD sector, such as peer sharing, communities of practice, learning journeys and reflection-in-action in order to shape a learning community of practitioners across CLD. i-develop is free to access and open to all CLD practitioners – full time staff, part time and sessional workers, volunteers, activists, students, managers, leaders, new hands and those more experienced.

The CLD Standards Council is now looking for local champions to promote i-develop to colleagues, partners and networks in their area. If you are interested in becoming a champion, please contact Alan Milson.

CLD, Health and wellbeing, Young people, children & families

Youth Scotland launches new national leadership opportunity for young women

April 30, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

On Friday 6th April, Youth Scotland’s Girls on the Move programme launched the first national Sports Leaders UK Level 2 Award in Dance Leadership course. This new course has been established by Youth Scotland, the network of youth clubs and groups, in partnership with Sports Leaders UK. Part of Youth Scotland’s Girls on the Move programme, the Level 2 course provides a progression route for young female leaders to develop their skills as community practitioners.

17 young women, aged between 16 and 22 took part in the first course at Kilgraston School in Perth. They came from areas across Scotland including: Alness, Edinburgh, Fort William, Inverness, Kirkcaldy, Perth, Nairn, North Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and South Ayrshire. Throughout the course participants received training in working with groups, leading sessions and choreography. Following the course, the young women will be supported by local dance and youth organisations to undertake voluntary placements in their own communities.

Addressing the barriers that prevent young women from participating in physical activity, Girls on the Move provides support to young women in communities across Scotland, particularly those from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. For more opportunities for young leaders, including details of forthcoming Level 2 opportunities, visit the Youth Scotland website or contact Rebecca Simpson, Youth Active Manager, at rebecca.simpson@youthscotland.org.uk

CLD, Community Capacity Building, Health and wellbeing

Community-led health case studies

April 30, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

3 new case studies of community-led health have been developed by CHEX. These outline the process by which community-led approaches to health lead to better health and wellbeing outcomes for individuals. They can be downloaded by clicking on the following links:

Read more about the Community-led health for all resource here.

Health and wellbeing

Sustrans – Travelling Green Programme

April 27, 2012 User deactivated 1 Comment

The healthy way to get to school – Travelling Green.

Travelling Green is a complete six-week programme aimed at P5 level; it comes with lesson plans and wall charts. It gives children and their parents the skills and confidence to walk to school. Walking to school is good for children’s development as well and their physical and mental health. Travelling Green has strong Health and Wellbeing Curriculum links covering topics like for example; the circulatory and respiratory systems.

For more information, see link below;

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/safe-routes-to-schools/whats-in-your-area/scotland/travelling-green

Recent research has shown that children who do Travelling Green are generally more physically active than children who do not. Increasing children’s daily physical activity is essential for tackling the obesity epidemic, one of the key challenges facing Scotland’s population as described in Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer’s annual report. We need to make active modes of travel children’s first choice and make physical activity an everyday habit for Scottish children.

It has been shown that active children become active adults. Physical activity has recently been made a national indicator in Scotland. Walking to school is an excellent everyday opportunity for children to get the recommended amount of physical activity which is vital for maintaining their health and wellbeing. In addition, active children do better at school. When asked children want to be more physically active and they want to travel actively to school. Travelling Green is a resource that increases children’s physical activity in small manageable steps.

The resource was popular with teachers; they gave the following feedback;

“Well thought out and children benefited from it, many changed their route and started walking together in groups”.

“Easy to use with lots of additional resources and support materials”

“Good resource, making cross-curricular links”.

The Travelling Green resources were developed in partnership by West Dunbartonshire Council and are available for free to all Scottish schools.

There are also free Travelling Green flipcharts for interactive whiteboards available from Promethean Planet (see included step by step guide). We also include a guide for the Travelling Green resources and a flyer to circulate to your schools.

To get the resources sent to your school contact;

cecilia.oram@sustrans.org.uk 0131 346 9777

Assessment, Profiles, Profiling, Skills

Midlothian Profiling Videos

April 27, 2012 User deactivated 5 Comments

Midlothian Council has kindly agreed to share some videos they have created which feature learners discussing profiling. These videos were recently shown at the Education Authority Assessment Forum and can be downloaded from the National Assessment Glow Group by clicking here.

Health and wellbeing, Technologies

We are Giant Panda Scientists

April 26, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Robert Wiseman Dairies is supporting the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in promoting education about Scotland’s famous visitors, the giant pandas Tian Tian (Sweetie) and Yang Guang (Sunshine). Robert Wiseman Dairies is featuring the pandas on school milk cartons together with lots of “panda facts”. This Black and White partnership has been created for children to discover both the benefits of drinking milk and the importance of the giant panda. Teachers can download a free teachers’ lesson plan worksheet linked to CfE.

Click here to download a PDF leaflet about the pandas. wisemandairies.co.uk/panda

Additional Support for Learning, MCMC/16+LC, Supporting Learners, Technologies, Universal Support

respectme – training opportunity

April 25, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

respectme, Scotland’s Anti-Bullying Service, provides free training to adults who have a role to play in the lives of chidren and young people. Their next event is ‘Cyberbullying…..are you switched on?’ training on Tuesday 8 May, 2012 in Edinburgh. This training day will increase understanding of cyberbullying, its impacts and provide participants with practical strategies to address it. Full details and online registration can be accessed here

Sciences

STEM Central: Sounds like Bioengineering

April 25, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Doctors in Dundee have recently announced the successful restoration of a patient’s hearing using an implant known as the “vibrant soundbridge”. This could make an ideal link between our most recent STEM Central context “Bioengineering” and our forthcoming context on Sound.

Is the decision to have such an implant an easy one? Some of the issues are explored in this BBC article “Caught between two worlds”.

Additional Support for Learning, CfE, Health and wellbeing, Sciences

Glowing Thursdays – Passion for Paralympics

April 25, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Thursday 26/04/2012 @ 10:45

Join us live from the Ottobock and International Paralympic Committee ‘Passion for Paralympics’ exhibition at Glasgow Science Centre for an exciting Glow Meet featuring British Paralympian, Jonathan Paterson from Motherwell, Scotland.

In addition we are also delighted to welcome Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison MSP who will also be taking part in the Glow Meet.

The exhibition is designed to create excitement for the London 2012 Paralympic Games and spread the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality. The exhibition also includes a history of the Paralympic Games, from its beginnings in Stoke Mandeville. It will inspire the nation to get behind the British Paralympic Team and provide an unprecedented welcome for the international athletes who will be in London to challenge them!

During the event viewers will have an opportunity to hear why Ottobock has a ‘Passion for Paralympics, Games Legacy for Scotland as well as being able to hear directly from Paralympian Jonathan Paterson who has just been named as one of the 22 footballers who will represent Great Britain at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

It will be Jonathan’s second Paralympic Games, having helped the seven-a-side team finish seventh in Beijing. Find out more about his experiences and his hopes for the London 2012 Paralympic Games by asking him your own questions live on the day.

BREAKING NEWS- WE WILL ALSO BE JOINED IN THE GLOW MEET BY BOCCIA PLAYING BROTHERS STEPHEN AND PETER MCGUIRE!!

CfE, Sciences

The Beavers are Back!

April 25, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Live from Edinburgh Zoo on Friday 27th April at 10.45am will be your chance to speak to Beaver Expert Robert Needham, Field Officer for the Scottish Beaver Trial.

Beavers became extinct in the UK 400 years ago, but now they are back in Scotland as part of a trial reintroduction, being co-ordinated by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust in partnership.

Since May 2009, four beaver families have been reintroduced to Knapdale, near Lochgilphead in Argyll and they have been busy since then making lodges, a dam and producing kits (baby beavers). This is your chance to ask lots of questions related to beavers and their habitat and to find out the latest news from the Trial.

Rob will be showing interesting photo footage of the beavers as well as showing you what beaver signs to look out for, just in case you want to go to Knapdale and find them for yourself.

This Glow meet is aimed at Primary and lower secondary learners. Sign up and join us in Glow TV!

CfE, Expressive Arts, Literacy, Senior Phase, Social studies

Take One Action Film Festival

April 24, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Are you aged between 15 and 21 years? Interested in great films that make a difference in the world? Would you like to organise inspiring film screening events in your local community? If so, here is your chance to take action!

Take One Action – Scotland’s global action cinema project – is organising it’s second Young Action Heroes Project for young people and their educators/youth workers at the Macrobert Centre in Stirling in late August 2012. We are keen to hear from schools and youth groups who want to take part in the residential and then screen a film to inspire action in others!

Application information is available to download from www.takeoneaction.org.uk/youth

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS FRIDAY 25TH MAY, but if you have questions before then email youth@takeoneaction.org.uk or phone Andy at 0131 5536335.

CfE, MCMC/16+LC, Technologies

World of Work Wednesdays – Working in Architecture

April 24, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Wednesday 25th April 2012 @ 14:00

Are you creative? Do you enjoying building and designing? Are you interested in spaces, places and the environment? Ever wonder why buildings are the shape they are? Then join our World of Work Wednesday event about the world of architecture and the built environment.

We will be joined on the day by two architects who will talk through their inspiring careers and answer any questions you may have about joining this exciting and creative profession.

Why not sign up and join us for this interesting event?

Adult Learning, CLD, Community Capacity Building, Young people, children & families

National Training and Development Network for Community Learning and Development

April 24, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

The next network meeting event is on Thursday 3 May at the Stirling Management Centre .

The purpose of the network is to provide a platform whereby those who are responsible for developing CPD within the context of CLD in Scotland, can be actively involved in developing a sustainable learning culture. This will contribute to the CPD framework that is currently under development to support the CPD Strategy for the sector.

We would like to invite you to register your interest in this open network to:

Ensure we have a consistent representation from across partnerships and the 3^rd sector.
To gain an overview of the resource we develop through the network to encourage a culture of learning and sharing experience and resources.
To establish a picture of what members are looking for to support their role in developing CPD within their role in CLD

To register please click on the link also attached is a draft programme.

Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, National Qualifications, Sciences, Senior Phase

Food for Thought? Food Security in the new National Qualifications

April 20, 2012 User deactivated 1 Comment

One of the contexts for learning and teaching within the advice and guidance for the new National Qualifications is Food Security. This could provide a context for learning relevant within Biology, Environmental Science, or Science, and with approriate differentiation to meet the needs of learners, as a context for learning at National 3, National 4, National 5 and Higher.

How about using this image , published in The Independent newspaper on 17th April, to prompt discussion? Could a cupcake made of insects be part of our future to enable us to feed the world’s rising population? Researchers at the University of Wageningen in the The Netherlands believe so. More information can be found in the International Business Times article “Cupcakes made from Insects: Food for Thought?”

National Qualifications, Sciences, Senior Phase

Learning for the new NQs: Personalised Medicine links to the new National Qualifications

April 20, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

The advice and guidance shortly to be published for the new National 5 Biology links to this very topical breakthrough in “personalised medicine”: tailoring treatments to the genetics of the disease.

Look out for the forthcoming publication on the Education Scotland website, and meantime find out more about an international study funded by Cancer Research UK in this BBC article “Breast cancer rules rewritten in ‘landmark’ study”.

Early Years, Expressive Arts, National Qualifications, Sciences, Senior Phase, Technologies

STEM Central Sounds Inspiring, Sounds Amazing!

April 20, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

As we progress the development of our new context on STEM Central “Sound”, some ideas to link to your learning and teaching. The Glasgow International Festival of Visual Arts, running from 23-28th April 2012, is showcasing the work of six diverse artists with an interest in sound, space and place. The works of the artists, audio based pieces responding to the Clyde’s tidal cycle will be performed each day in public spaces in central Glasgow, and all will be performed on Saturday 28th in the circular, wood-panelled Trust Hall of Clydeport Authority Headquarters. Sounds inspiring? You can find out more on the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Arts website. What distinguishes music from noise? Why not view the Glow Science video “How do Musical Instruments work?” and explore this further?

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

STEM Central’s sound context will include learning journeys in sciences and technologies for early years, first, second and fourth level, incorporating work developed by the Engineering the Future project. The fourth level journey could be used to support your planning for learning and teaching for National 4 Physics.

CfE, Health and wellbeing

SCCYP – The Launch of RIGHT now

April 20, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

This Glow Meet coming live from Tynewater Primary School in Midlothian will give everyone an opportunity to meet Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People as he launches RIGHT now – the new phase of his activity for this year.

Be the first to find out about the new resources coming from SCCYP and get your pupils ready to talk to Tam about what he will be doing in the coming year. You may already have the new booklet in your schools and if not look out for it!

Tam will tell them about:

· how he is promoting children and young people’s rights

· the role of Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner, how you can contact him and get involved in his work

· a wee taste of what over 12000 of Scotland’s 2 to 5 year olds chose to blether to Tam about this year

· what is happening now in response to the priorities for his work identified by 74 059 of Scotland’s children and young people through ‘a RIGHT blether’, his national consultation with you that ended last year.

So why not sign up and join us for this exciting new SCCYP activity on Monday 23rd April at 11am?
Sign up in Glow TV.

CfE

School open day progamme – global citizenship

April 19, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

New global citizenship school open day programme

Education Scotland’s Developing Global Citizenship Team is pleased to announce an exciting new school open day programme. These inspiring, popular and practical CPD events give school leaders and practitioners a chance to learn from the experiences of schools which have achieved success in developing whole school approaches to global citizenship. Forthcoming events include:

St Paul’s High School, Glasgow (10^th May 2012)

Theme: Pupil voice, citizenship, community partnerships and sustainable development education

More info at http://bit.ly/GIxU3I

Stockbridge Primary School, City of Edinburgh Council (17^th May 2012)

Theme: Pupil voice and partnership working with the local and international community

More info at: http://bit.ly/HSpzfM

Bo’ness Academy, Falkirk Council (17^th May 2012)

Theme: Global citizenship and international education within Curriculum for Excellence
More info at http://bit.ly/GMS49W

Kinnaird Primary School, Falkirk Council (23^rd May 2012)

Theme: Global citizenship, international education, Eco-Schools and Fairtrade

More info at http://bit.ly/I55SQB

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

Religious and Moral Education, RME

Religious Leaders of Scotland Glow TV event

April 19, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Monday 23rd April 2pm – 2:45pm

An opportunity to engage with and question leaders from across religious faiths in Scotland on the theme of ‘How is religion and spirituality relevant today?’.

The leaders taking part include:

•The Most Rev. Mario Conti (Archbishop of Glasgow)
•Mr Allan Forsyth (Chair of the Baha’i Council of Scotland)
•Reverend John Chalmers, (Clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland)
•The Most Reverend David Chillingworth (Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church)
•Imam Habib of Glasgow Central Mosque
•Rabbi Rubin, Jewish Community of Scotland
•Mrs Ravinder Kaur Nijjar (Sikh Community)
•Acharyaji Mishra (Priest of the Glasgow Hindu Mandir)
•Shobha Nagpal (President of the Glasgow Hindu Women’s Group)
•The Venerable Lama Yeshe Losal (Kagyu Samye Ling and Head Lama of Tibetan Buddhists in Scotland)
•The Venerable K Sri Rewatha (Chief Monk of the Sri Lankan Buddhist Community, Scottish Buddhist Vihara)
•Sr Isabel Smyth (Convener of the Scottish Inter Faith Council)
•Dr Maureen Sier (Director of the Scottish Inter Faith Council)
•Iain Stewart, Inter Faith Worker, Church of Scotland

Click here to sign up for this Glow TV Event. (Glow log in required)

Assessment, NAR

Innovative Approaches to QA and Moderation

April 18, 2012 User deactivated Leave a comment

Education Scotland has been working with a range of practitioners on developing innovative approaches to Quality Assurance and Moderation processes. These projects covered practice in the early years, primary, and secondary sectors across a range of subjects, with partners and through transitions. All projects are submitted to a national quality assurance and moderation group (NQAG).

To access the materials log on to NAR and copy and paste the URL below.

https://www.narscotland.org.uk/_search.jsp?search_phrase=QA%20and%20Moderation%20Innovation%20Sharing%20the%20Standard

Further case studies demonstrating innovative approaches to moderation both within and across authorities will be published at the end of June 2012.

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Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, has announced the new People and Communities Fund to promote and support community-led regeneration initiatives across Scotland, is open for applications.

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A training blog for PLSuperheroes