Tag Archives: Skills for Learning Life and Work

Expressive Arts, Senior Phase, Skills, Technologies

The E-CLIC Landscape Competition

August 30, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

The E-CLIC Landscape Competition was announced on January 25th 2014 and will run until September 30th 2014. Participants are invited to submit an idea / project based on the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) devices and tools to face a challenge for the landscape, with respect to the principles of the European Landscape Convention. Participants can compete in one of three categories (Secondary Education Pupils, University Students and the General Public) and win a trip to Estonia, where they will have the chance to present their idea and take part in the international E-CLIC Competition.

Choose one of the three challenges for the landscape in our country and put your imagination to work – you have four months to think, prepare and submit your project, either as an individual or in a team (if you are aged under 18, please do not forget to get permission from your parent or tutor at the personal data form).

The Scottish/British challenges are as follows:

Offshore renewables in coastal landscapes and seascapes.

Allotment gardens and change in urban landscapes.

The historic shaping of upland landscapes.

We will be happy to answer your questions (jose.munoz-rojas@hutton.ac.uk). Good Luck !

Please visit our website ([http://www.e-clicproject.eu%3chttp:/www.e-clicproject.eu]www.e-clicproject.eu<http://www.e-clicproject.eu>) and ning platform (http://e-clic.ning.com/) for further information, and also pass onto those whom you think might be interested.

Sciences

Science and Sustainability at the Scottish Learning Festival

August 27, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

THE SCOTTISH LEARNING FESTIVAL 2014: RAISING ACHIEVEMENT AND ATTAINMENT FOR ALL

There will be inspirational keynotes speeches, conversation and debate in the professional discussion sessions and professional learning seminars where you can engage in activities and learn from practitioners and young people;

This includes a number of seminars specifically aimed at addressing the sciences curriculum.

Wednesday 24^th September 9.30-10.15am

Learning for sustainability – a strategic agenda for change – SLF Guide Page 7

In February 2014, the National Implementation Group for Learning for Sustainability was established to ensure all learners in schools experience global citizenship, outdoor learning, sustainability, children’s rights and play in a transformative way. This seminar will outline the ambitions of the group and this exciting agenda for change which will impact on all schools and support the introduction of the new GTCS Professional Standards.

Thursday 25^th September 12.00-12.45pm

Supporting primary science to inspire STEM careers – SLF Guide Page 21

STEM subjects are central to Scotland’s economic future and our health and wellbeing. They also offer a range of excellent career opportunities for young people. This seminar will demonstrate how SSERC and Education Scotland provide valuable support for primary practitioners to enthuse and inspire learners about science and STEM careers.

Thursday 25^th September 13.15-14.00

Engaging pupils with science – SLF Guide Page 23

Outlining the various projects Aberdeen City have developed, which have increased pupils’ engagement and enthusiasm in science. This includes the S6 Science Ambassador Award; Science Buddy Award; P6/7 Science Champions; Intertek Science Fair; Science for PSAs & Playground Science.

Thursday 25^th September 11-11.30am

Conversation Area : Supporting the Sciences

Meet the Education Scotland Sciences Team and explore the vast range of support available across all levels of the sciences curriculum. Discuss how to enthuse and motivate learners and practitioners through real life contexts and partnership working.

To book your place browse the conference programme, note the seminars you want to

attend and visit the SLF website – www.scottishlearningfestival.org.uk.

Sciences

SSERC Advancing Science, Technology and Safety NEWSLETTER: August 2014

August 19, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

SSERC, is a Local Authority shared-service providing support across all thirty-two Scottish Education Authorities. The organisation offers practical hands-on professional learning and development courses to Primary, Secondary and Newly Qualified teachers and technicians.

The latest newsletter details the residential and day courses available and how to access free equipment loan for your authority.

For further information click SSERC August newsletter

CfE, Sciences, Teacher Education, Technologies

Rethink the future-Ellen MacArthur Foundation

August 19, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

A one-day course for Secondary Teachers
Advancing Science, Technology and Safety
Imagine if we changed the way we used materials and energy. Imagine that instead of using things up, we designed objects so they were made to be made again. Firms have already begun to do this, and they are reaping the benefits of this ‘circular economy’ approach.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and SSERC are offering a professional development workshop designed to enable participants to learn about the circular economy, to investigate case studies of some companies that are adopting this model, and to look at some of the 700 teaching resources the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has produced.
The course will be of interest to those who teach about:
 Industry
 Energy
 Raw materials
 Food and textiles
 New technologies
 Design
 Systems
 Business and economics

Participants will be supported to develop an inter-disciplinary learning (IDL) project in conjunction with others attending the event. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation will support schools in implementing the IDL project. We strongly encourage schools to send at least 2 members of staff to the event.
Costs: The cost per participant will be £15 to include refreshments and course
materials
The closing date for booking is Monday 25th August.

For more information visit:
www.sserc.org.uk or
www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org

Sciences

Science and Sustainability at the Scottish Learning Festival 2014

August 18, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

THE SCOTTISH LEARNING FESTIVAL 2014: RAISING ACHIEVEMENT AND ATTAINMENT FOR ALL

This includes a number of seminars specifically aimed at addressing the sciences curriculum.

Wednesday 24^th September 9.30-10.15am

Learning for sustainability – a strategic agenda for change – SLF Guide Page 7

Thursday 25^th September 12.00-12.45pm

Supporting primary science to inspire STEM careers – SLF Guide Page 21

Thursday 25^th September 13.15-14.00

Engaging pupils with science – SLF Guide Page 23

Conversation Area

Supporting the Sciences

To book your place browse the conference programme, note the seminars you want to attend and visit the SLF website – www.scottishlearningfestival.org.uk.

CfE, Sciences

Royal Microscopical Society Microscope Activity Kit

August 15, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

The Royal Microscopical Society is dedicated to advancing science, developing careers and supporting wider understanding of science and microscopy.

The Society publishes The Journal of Microscopy and a series of microscopy books, as well as helping young scientists through Bursaries. In addition, the Society pursues initiatives to encourage young microscopists who may go on to influence our future.

To help practitioners bring an unseen world to life the society have produced a FREE Microscope Activity Kit.

They will deliver a fully-equipped RMS Microscope Activity Kit to your school, containing everything that you need to reveal microscopic life and structures.

For further information click: RMS Microscope Activity Kit

Outdoor Learning, Sciences

Science and Sustainability at the Scottish Learning Festival 2014

August 11, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

THE SCOTTISH LEARNING FESTIVAL 2014: RAISING ACHIEVEMENT AND ATTAINMENT FOR ALL

SLF 2014 is completely FREE for everyone to attend and will support practitioners as they explore a wide range of practical approaches, resources and research aimed at improving achievement and attainment for all learners in Scotland.
There will be inspirational keynotes speeches, conversation and debate in the professional discussion sessions and professional learning seminars where you can engage in activities and learn from practitioners and young people;

This includes a number of seminars specifically aimed at addressing the sciences curriculum.

Wednesday 24th
Learning for sustainability – a strategic agenda for change – SLF Guide Page 7

In February 2014, the National Implementation Group for Learning for Sustainability was established to ensure all learners in schools experience global citizenship, outdoor learning, sustainability, children’s rights and play in a transformative way. This seminar will outline the ambitions of the group and this exciting agenda for change which will impact on all schools and support the introduction of the new GTCS Professional Standards.

Thursday 25th
Supporting primary science to inspire STEM careers – SLF Guide Page 21
STEM subjects are central to Scotland’s economic future and our health and wellbeing. They also offer a range of excellent career opportunities for young people. This seminar will demonstrate how SSERC and Education Scotland provide valuable support for primary practitioners to enthuse and inspire learners about science and STEM careers.

Thursday 25th
Engaging pupils with science – SLF Guide Page 23
Outlining the various projects Aberdeen City have developed, which have increased pupils’ engagement and enthusiasm in science. This includes the S6 Science Ambassador Award; Science Buddy Award; P6/7 Science Champions; Intertek Science Fair; Science for PSAs & Playground Science.

To book your place browse the conference programme, note the seminars you want to
attend and visit the SLF website – www.scottishlearningfestival.org.uk.

CfE, Literacy, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Sciences, Technologies

Languages and STEM skills, opening doors!

July 31, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, is working with businesses and schools in Scotland to promote languages as a key skill for employment.

Operating effectively in a global economy relies on many skills and includes the right language skills. People who can communicate, at least conversationally, can make all the difference in the conduct of business, consolidating relationships with existing suppliers and customers and opening the way to new overseas contacts. When combined with STEM skills, the career opportunities in a vast array of sectors widens.

Key facts from the CBI Education and Skills Survey 2013

Seven out of ten (70%) businesses value foreign language skills among their employees

French(49%) and German(45%) are the leading languages in demand, but those geared to businesses in China feature increasingly prominently – of those valuing staff with foreign language skills, 28% value Manderin and 16% Cantonese
STEM skills are in high demand and nearly two in five firms (39%) are having difficulties recruiting staff. 41% expect this to persist over the next three years
Shortages of STEM qualified technicians (29%) and graduates (26%) are widespread among firms in engineering, hi-tech/IT and science areas
Businesses recognise that they have a key role in encouraging more young people to study STEM subjects, enthusing young people about STEM (55%) and working with Universities to ensure the business relevance of the course (50%).

Read about people who have combined their STEM and language skills in the pharmaceutical industry, technologies and the Scottish Football Association and find out why they consider that learning a language is really important.

http://www.scilt.org.uk/Business/Jobprofilesandcareers/tabid/2867/Default.aspx

CfE, Sciences

Education Scotland Science Conversation Days Summary

July 30, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Following the publication of the updated Sciences 3-18 Curriculum Impact Report, 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 first of four conversations took place in December 2012 in Denholm House, Livingstone, followed by a further two during June 2013 at Bishopbriggs Academy and Millburn Academy, with the final conversation taking place in Bucksburn Academy on 12th December 2013.

Education Scotland collated the responses from each event and produced blogs for our CfE Learning and Stem Central in Motion sites to disseminate the findings across Scotland and provide opportunity for those who were unable to attend to give their views.

We have now collated the responses from all four conversation days and produced a summary document, which highlights the key themes to emerge and details the views and suggestions of the delegates in attendance.

To download a copy : Education Scotland Science Conversation Days, Summary

Education Scotland is keen to hear your views. Click on the title of this blog post to leave a comment.

Sciences

First Lego League World Class Challenge – August 26th 2014

July 25, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

FIRST LEGO League is a robotics program for 9 to16 year olds designed to get young learners interested in and enthsed by science and technology — and teach them valuable employment and life skills.

It can be used in the classroom or teams, composed of up to ten children with at least one adult coach, can come from a club or organisation who just want to participate in a challenge.

In First Lego League learners need to think like scientists and engineers as they programme a robot (using the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robot set) to score points, devising a solution to a problem as part of their project, all while being guided by the FLL Core Values.

These three elements – the Robot Game, Project, and FLL Core Values – make up the Challenge.

Registration will open soon for the 2014 First Lego League World Class Challenge, What is the future of learning? exploring how we gather knowledge and develop skills in the 21^st Century.

For more information: http://www.firstlegoleague.org/mission/support#sthash.PAN7FUy8.dpuf

Sciences, Senior Phase

Higgs Prize winners visit CERN

July 18, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

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.

Early Years, Sciences

The Royal Institute – fun, easy ways to do exciting science at home

July 18, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

ExpeRimental is a new series of free short films that make it fun, easy and cheap to do science at home with children aged four to ten. Ignite a child’s natural curiosity and explore, question and test some of the fundamentals of science with a variety of hands-on exciting activities!

ExpeRimental Bringing Science Home

CfE, Outdoor Learning, Sciences

Dams to Darnley Environmental Education Pack

July 16, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Young learners from Crookfur Primary School, East Renfrewshire and Cleeves Primary, Glasgow, have helped launch the new Dams to Darnley Environmental Education Pack.

The pack, which has been written by Countryside Ranger Eilidh Milne, is structured around Curriculum for Excellence and provides lesson plans and ideas for countryside ranger-led activities in Dams to Darnley and school grounds. It also includes lesson plans for outdoor learning activities for teachers, either within the country park, school grounds or local green space.

The pack can be downloaded at www.damstodarnley.org/pack and there will be a limited number of additional printed copies available on request.

Dams to Darnley Country Park is a partnership project between East Renfrewshire Council and Glasgow City Council.

Sciences

July at the Royal Institute

July 8, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

The Royal Institute is holding a series of events and workshops for all ages throughout July.

Take a trip to Antartica

Chris Turney will present the initial findings of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition 2013-2014, and explore what’s happened since the trip to Antarctica this winter.

The Physics of Winning

Journey through the history of sporting inventions and ask ‘at what point is having better equipment cheating?’

The Domesticated Brain

Explore the neuroscience of our social behaviour and learn how our brains are adapted to living in close quarters.

For further information http://www.rigb.org/

Assessment, CfE, Early Years, Sciences

Education Scotland’s support for learning, teaching and assessment in the sciences

June 16, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Education Scotland has produced a suite of documents to support learning, teaching and assessment of the sciences from early to third level.

Following on from the Sciences Experiences and Outcomes we have the Sciences Principles and Practice Paper, essential reading which:

details the purposes of learning within the sciences
describes how the experiences are organised
offers guidance on aspects such as learning and teaching, broad features of assessment, progression and connections with other areas of the curriculum.

Supporting the Principles and Practice paper is the Concept Development in the Sciences paper.

This document is unique to the sciences curriculum and provides:

material for teachers to use alongside the experiences and outcomes to plan for the development of learners’ scientific knowledge, understanding and skills
describes progression in the development of knowledge and understanding of some of the scientific concepts.

In addition the Assessing Progress and Achievement in the Sciences paper supplements advice stated in the Principles and Practice paper to support practitioners in capturing what children and young people have achieved.

Assessment in the sciences focusses on learners’ knowledge, understanding, skills, attributes and capabilities in the significant aspects of learning.

We want learners to have K/U of the big ideas and concepts in science and also develop skills in investigation and enquiry, analytical thinking and become scientifically literate – the significant aspects of learning bring these together. They are the core learning against which learners’ progress can be compared periodically and are common to all levels from early to third.

Assessing Progress and Achievement in the Sciences:

supports professional learning and provides opportunity for reflection on assessing progress and achievement by giving further information on the significant aspects of learning and an outline of what breadth, challenge and application look like
designed to support quality assurance and moderation activities in planning for progression and approaches to managing assessment.

In addition to this there is the new Sciences Progression Framework, a guide intended to support practitioners in considering the evidence of knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and capabilities provided by learners as they progress through and then achieve a level in the sciences.

The significant aspects of learning relate to the statements for each level within this progression framework. They should be considered jointly when assessing progress and achievement.

We also have annotated exemplification of work in the sciences which show work deemed to typify the achievement of a level in the sciences. The effectiveness of the support documentation is evident when used alongside the annotated exemplars.

This resource:

outlines significant aspects of learning and describes what breadth, challenge and application looks like
should be used when planning learning and assessment
contributes to the moderation and profiling processes to help create a reliable picture of learners’ progress and achievement.
provides a focus for professional dialogue involving staff within or across establishments
provides a focus for dialogue involving parents
helps inform and review the quality of learners’ work which is deemed to typify the achievement of a level
identifies the range of work which typifies the achievement of a level across the learning in a curriculum area
encourages practitioners to appreciate how the quality of work being produced by their learners compares with that in the exemplars
supports practitioners in identifying aspects of the approaches used which might inform their own practice in their contexts
contributes to identifying gaps in the learning of their learners

Additional information regarding the sciences curriculum can be accessed through the Education Scotland sciences website and STEM Central.

Additional assessment resources can be accessed through Education Scotland Learning Teaching and Assessment

Sciences

Glasgow Science Centre, the Hidden Universe 17th-19th June 2014

June 6, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

The deep space of the hidden universe is so unimaginably distant that until recently we didn’t have the capability to explore it.

Take your own trip back in time and through space in the company of Dr Jonathan Whitmore, astrophysicist and lead astronomer of the Hidden Universe.

A showing of the documentary “Hidden Universe” will be supplemented by a live introduction and Q&A from Dr Jonathan Whitmore himself, and an opportunity to learn more under the stars of the Science Centre planetarium.

For further information contact Glasgow Science Centre www.glasgowsciencecentre.org

National Qualifications, Senior Phase, Skills, Technologies

Higher Computing Science Conference

June 2, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Computing Science – support for new national Qualifications

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

Examine a range of appropriate approaches to learning and teaching
Exemplify a significant amount of new course content
Continue to build a successful learning community for computing science
Examine other areas for development to be addressed over the next academic year

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.

Skills, Technologies

Edinburgh International Film Festival – STEM Careers Events

June 2, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Wednesday 24th – 25th June 2014

Into Films will be running 3 career sessions at next month’s EIFF.

One focusing on STEM students, the other on the same day includes STEM as part of film careers, with a third event will involve conversations with a VFX industry professional.

If you are interested in attending these events please contact – yen.yau@intofilm.org

Sciences

Royal Institute – Big Physics

June 2, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Join the Royal Institute this month for a series of physics events and workshops.

Black Hole Firewalls: What would you experience if you jumped into a black hole?

Matter Atoms in Action – explore the far-reaching applications of being able to watch atoms in action in important chemical reactions.

Faraday’s magnetic laboratory – explore the lab in which he worked.

Watch Physics Talks and hear the latest plans to explore Mars.

For further information about all events http://www.rigb.org/whats-on

CfE, Sciences

Royal Society of Chemistry Global Experiment 2014

May 23, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

The Global Experiment 2014 encourages young people aged 7-16 , from all around the world, to participate in two experiments, investigating solubility and growing crystals, and to share their results around the world by posting them online. The resources required are very simple and there is an introductory video, lesson plans and certificates for those who take part.

The experiments address experiences and outcomes from Materials: Properties and uses of substances, SCN 2-16b & SCN 3-16b.

The experiments help learners to develop skills associated with measuring and recording results, embed numeracy skills within a practical context and offer ICT development opportunities through presenting and publishing their results on the web.

Full details about the Global Experiment 2014 can be downloaded using the link http://rsc.li/ge2014

Did you know?
In 2013, over 21000 children took part in the Global Experiment, with 103 schools in Scotland posting results.

National Qualifications, Senior Phase, Technologies

Software to support server-side development for Higher Computing Science

May 21, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

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.

CfE, Sciences

Twitter chats with the Royal Institute

May 21, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Ever wished you could attend an event at the Royal Institute but haven’t been able to get tickets? Or do you live too far away to make evening events?

The Ri are now offering more opportunities for you to hear from researchers and experts from the UK and beyond.

As well as filming many events, making talks and debates available online for free, the Ri are now running Twitter chats with speakers to give everyone at home the chance to ask their questions.

The Twitter chat series launches TOMORROW Thursday 21 May with astrobiologist Lewis Dartnell at 7.30pm BST and mathematician Jordan Ellenberg on 4 June at 7pm BST.

For more information about twitter chats and What’s On in May at the Royal Institute: http://www.rigb.org/whats-on

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

Primary practitioner information Glasgow Science Festival 5th – 15th June 2014

May 20, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

The Glasgow Science Festival is preparing to bring its exciting mix of science and innovative events to its biggest ever festival.

Primary practitioners can access a variety of events, activities and workshops which showcase the contribution Glasgow and Glasgow based researchers make to the worlds of science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM).

From the intriguing Commonwealth Games Whodunnit, to the genetic investigation entitled Blame it on the Parents, to demonstrating energy and forces through the construction of a medieval castle there is something for every budding STEM learner.

For further information: http://www.gla.ac.uk/events/sciencefestival/events/schools/

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

Glasgow Science Festival 5th – 15th June 2014

May 20, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

As Glasgow prepares for the Commonwealth Games the Glasgow Science Festival is preparing to bring its exciting mix of science and innovative events to its biggest ever festival.

The principle aim of the Festival is to showcase the outstanding contribution Glasgow and Glasgow based researchers make to the worlds of science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM).

From 5-15^th June explore the frontiers of research through comedy, live shows, public debates and hands on exhibitions.

The science of sport will be uncovered and you can debate questions such as “If Usain Bolt was a bacterium, what would he be?”

For further information: http://www.gla.ac.uk/events/sciencefestival/events/

Mathematics, Sciences, Skills, Technologies

Scottish Engineering – Special Leaders Award 2014/2015

May 20, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Leaders Award for STEM is a fun and rewarding way of finding out about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). We also play host to additional Special Leaders Awards which run throughout the year, each having a particular focus.

If you could be an engineer in Scotland – what would you do?

We challenge Primary and Secondary school pupils in Scotland to research and interview inspiring engineers!

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. Our website contains resources and lesson plans which can help pupils get their research underway. Just visit the ‘Downloads’ section of our 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.

The Challenge

Pupils are asked to research engineering and interview a practicing engineer to interpret the statement “if 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.

Register your school via the website www.leadersaward.com. Once registered, you will receive an application pack and further guidance on completing the award.

For more information about the Scottish Engineering Special Leaders Award, please visit www.leadersaward.com

Technologies

S3–S6 NATIONAL ICT AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES CAREERS DAY

May 20, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

11th June 2014

Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh

10:00 – 10:25 am – Registration

10:30- 11:15 am – Welcome to Big Ambition Scotland

11:20 – Learning zones:

Expert Zone – join us for opportunity to ask industry experts questions like
- What it is like to work in ICT and Digital Technologies?
- How do I get in to the sector?
- What sort of skills are you looking for in employees?
- What the jobs of the future are likely to be?
- Opportunity Zone – learn from employers and education providers about the different entry routes into the ICT and Digital Technologies sector. You will be able to hear about the different job opportunities that are available, college and university courses and other options such as Modern Apprenticeship
Interactive Zone – an interactive session led by industry to teach you about programming in coding languages. Hand on session giving you an important insight into the world of code

13:45 – 1405 – Lunch break

14:05 – 14:15 – Closing session

Register via the BigAmbition Scotland website:

http://www.bigambitionscotland.com/news/events/national-ict-event-2014/

CfE, Sciences

Open day – a whole cluster approach to science

May 16, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Venue: Mearns Primary School, East Renfrewshire

Date: 9am to 12:30pm, Tuesday 3^rd June 2014

This professional learning event presents an exciting opportunity to learn about the approaches to 3-18 sciences developed by the Eastwood High School and Mearns Castle High School clusters which have been identified through the inspection process as being very good practice.

The event is aimed at Quality Improvement Officers, Science Development Officers, science coordinators, school leaders and practitioners from all sectors with responsibility for sciences as well as national agencies and partner organisations.

The event will provide delegates with an opportunity to hear about various strengths of work taking place in the cluster including the:

effectiveness of their collegiate working led by the Science Ambassadors and also the partnership with SSERC
cross-cluster development which has produced a very high-quality programme with strong progression across all the organisers and significant aspects of learning
well planned discrete and interdisciplinary learning experiences from nursery to secondary
outstanding resources for science across all stages which are easily accessible and very well matched to the experiences and outcomes
learning rounds involving staff across the clusters focused on progression which provide very good evidence of how well children are progressing through the levels
curriculum transitions which are described as sector leading.

To book a place at this event please contact Jennifer.Moore@educationscotland.gov.uk. It is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment.

CfE, Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

New When and how to use Citizen Science guide

May 14, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Scotland’s Environment Web has a unique set of on-line guidance and digital tools to help people set up their own public environmental monitoring projects.

Public monitoring or ‘citizen science’ can be described as “scientific activities in which non-professional scientists volunteer to participate in data collection, analysis and dissemination of a scientific project…” It can be a great, fun way to gather information and get involved – scientists need your help!

On May 7^th a best practice guide on When and how to use Citizen Science was published.

It will take anyone thinking about embarking on a project through the steps which will help decide when you should choose and how to use citizen science.

Whether you are a teacher keen to get your students outdoors, a member of the public wanting to get more involved in your local environment, or an organisation wanting to set up a project, here is support available in the Scotland’s Environment Web toolkit. The tools make it easier to start and run a project, using some of the new digital technology to help.

Click on the link to access Scotland’s Environment Website: http://bit.ly/18JGXwU

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

National Women in Engineering Day June 23rd 2014

May 13, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

National Women in Engineering Day has been set up by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) to celebrate its 95th anniversary. It takes place on 23 June 2014.

The aim is to celebrate the work that women do in engineering, and to showcase the great engineering careers that are available for girls.

The WES is calling on all groups (Governmental, educational, corporate, Professional Engineering Institutions, individuals and other organisations) to organise their own events in support of the day, and link them together for maximum impact through the use of the NWED logo, corresponding website, and supporting resources.

Find out how you can get involved here National Women in Engineering Day

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

RSE Young Academy of Scotland – Numeracy Counts

May 9, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Part of the remit of The Young Academy of Scotland’s Excellence in Education Working Group is to “draw upon YAS expertise to develop teaching resources that enable teachers to make full use of the interdisciplinary possibilities of CfE [Curriculum for Excellence].”

This resource, working within the Numeracy curriculum area, utilised the broad multi-disciplinary nature of the YAS membership to show how numeracy matters in the everyday lives and work of Scotland’s emerging leaders from the disciplines of science and humanities, the professions, the arts, business and civil society.

Through this YAS resource learners can find out how Cardiologist Marc Dweck uses numeracy in the diagnosis and treatment of heartattacks, discover how astrophysicist Catherine Heymans uses spread sheets when buying a new mobile phone and, most importantly, find out why ‘Numeracy Counts!’

Access the resources here – http://bit.ly/MqEQrJ

Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Technologies, Uncategorised

GLOW TV Session Introducing circular economy of textiles

May 8, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

CPD session

28th May from 16.00-17.00

Lynn Wilson, Key Accounts Manager (Textiles), Circular Economy Team at Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) will deliver a GLOW TV session introducing circular economy textiles and clothing industry models and how examples could be applied to class project work. It will also cover ZWS current work with the clothing industry – Sustainable Clothing Action Plan 2020 and the consumer side of this work – Love Your Clothes (www.loveyourclothes.org.uk) as well as Circular Economy Business Models in clothing retail.

ZWS is commissioning a series of master classes for textile and clothing industry experts, academia and education practitioners to up skill in areas such as zero waste pattern design; assembly for disassembly; fibre processing and dry dyeing and printing, to be delivered from January – December 2015. Four places per master class (there will be 16 in a class) are offered to teaching staff responsible for national curriculum development. Those wishing to attend must apply by preparing a proposal identifying how it will contribute to their professional development and how they will disseminate the learning. An introductory one day event introducing the topics will be hosted by the Scottish Textile and Leather Association in partnership with Zero Waste Scotland in September and the date will be announced shortly.

This session and the master classes proposed will be of interest to teaching professionals across disciplines from Science to Design and Technology as well as more traditional textile and clothing curriculum areas such as Home Economics and Art and Design.

Click on the link below to sign up for this session.

CfE, Mathematics, Outdoor Learning, Sciences, Technologies

Education Scotland STEM Conversation Day, May 12th

May 6, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

STEM Conversation Day

09:30 – 15:00, Monday 12^th May 2014

Venue: Optima Building, 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow

Education Scotland would like to invite you to take part in the Stem Conversation Day.

The day will commence with a presentation about STEM, followed by four discussion activities exploring STEM in education.

If you wish to attend please contact Louise Morton, STEM Development Officer at Louise.Morton@educationscotland.gov.uk

You may find it useful to familiarise yourself with some of the documentation relating to Science, Technologies and Mathematics, all online at Education Scotland.

CfE

Space Dinner Competition

May 2, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

This resource provides information about a competition which requires students to create a meal for Tim Peake to eat on the International Space Station.

The On board the ISS presentation outlines facts about food in space and provides photographs to simulate discussion.

The Great British Space Dinner Competition presentation sets the challenge for the students and gives information about the constraints that must be taken into consideration when designing the meal. The full size picture file contains higher resolution images.

The Menu design team activity sheet can be used to plan out the meal, give reasons for choices made and to evaluate the results, after making the meal.

For further information and how to participate in the competition: http://bit.ly/1iGqdix

CfE, Sciences, Skills

I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here!

May 2, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here! have been producing a series of science debate kits for some years now. They contain a detailed lesson plans and online resources. They are simple and ready to use educational resources that are good for small groups or a whole class.

Their latest free debate kit is on the topic of Electricity Distribution. It gets secondary students thinking about how electricity distribution is a major engineering and technical challenge. Teachers can sign up to receive this kit and future ones here: debate.imascientist.org.uk/electricity.

CfE, Skills, Technologies

NESTA Primary One Day Digital Creativity CPD event

April 30, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Nesta are running a one day digital creativity CPD event for primary school teachers. Find out more about digital activities you can introduce into your own classroom. Choose from four workshops on website creation, animation, Scratch and Kodu. No previous experience is necessary.

Date: Saturday 10th May

Location: University of Glasgow

To book go to onedaydigital.eventbrite.com

One Day Digital Workshops

Web development with CoderDojo

CoderDojo is a global movement inspiring young people to get involved in coding. At a CoderDojo you learn how to develop websites, build apps, design games and more. CoderDojo makes development and learning to code a fun, sociable, kick ass experience. This workshop covers the history of the world wide web, and how it is fast becoming the most exciting platform for digital making. The workshop will give participants the chance to learn about coding for the web, and build their own digital creation using the latest web technologies including HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript.

This workshop is suitable for those with a little experience of using a computer.

Creating, Editing and Sharing Content on the iPad

The iPad’s not just for capturing content; it’s an editing suite and means of sharing on the move. This session will give you a taster in photography, film-making, animation and audio, as well as manipulating, editing and sharing. While you can share this content with the world, more importantly you’ll leave equipped to share your knowledge with your class!

This workshop is suitable for complete beginners.

Scratch

Scratch is designed especially for ages 8 and over but is used by people of all ages. With Scratch, you can program your own interactive stories, games, and animations and share your creations with others in the online community. This workshop will focus on the importance of computational thinking and how to deliver these within the Curriculum for Excellence for upper primary school classes. The workshop will first look at the background issues followed by an extended hands-on session using MIT’s free Scratch software – an entertaining and engaging graphical programming environment for learners.

This workshop is suitable for those with a little experience of using a computer.

Kodu

Kodu is a visual programming language from Microsoft specifically designed for the creation of games. It can be used to teach creativity, problem solving, storytelling, as well as programming. This workshop will introduce you to the different Kodu tools that allow you to build engaging 3D worlds in which to situate your game, as well as learning to code the different objects in the world. The workshop will be very much hands on and you will make a range of worlds/games that will develop your confidence to take Kodu into the classroom. You will also be able to use the materials provided in class and how to deliver these within the CfE.

This workshop is suitable for those with a little experience of using a computer.

To book go to onedaydigital.eventbrite.com @onedaydigital

Skills

Skills Conversation Day 3

April 29, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

The third Skills Conversation Day will take place at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness on Thursday 5^th June 2014. Education Scotland are delighted to host the event with our education partners Highland Council and Skills Development Scotland.

The event will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to continue the conversations started at Loch Leven Community Campus in September and December 2013. The focus was on exploring the issues around developing a common language and understanding of skills and local approaches to engagement with employers, including contrasting rural and urban opportunities for work experience.

The key area of focus for the third event in the series will be how schools are planning for and recording progression in the development of skills. The conversations will pick up some of the inter-linked threads from previous events and weave these through the day’s presentations and activities.

The outcomes, materials and suggested actions generated from the day will be posted on the Education Scotland Learning Blog.

Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

Royal Institution Summer Schools

April 25, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Running throughout July and August, The Royal Institution Summer Schools bring to life all areas of science, mathematics, computing and engineering.

With over 50 sessions to choose from, covering topics from climate change to acoustics, earthquakes to rocket science, forensics to 3D printing, crash-testing to ancient history, there is something for everyone.

The two week long Summer Schools, ‘Computer-based mathematics’ start on Monday 28th July and ‘Introduction to robotics’ starts on Monday 11th August.

Booking is now open and places can be booked online via the Ri’s What’s On calendar or by calling our Public Programmes team on 020 7409 2992.

Please read on for just a snapshot of the different activities on offer.

http://www.rigb.org/

Technologies, Uncategorised

Issue 5 – Switched On Scotland

April 24, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Issue 5 of “SwitchedOn Scotland” – Computing At School Scotland’s newsletter – has been released. This edition gives an overview of the recent Digital Skills Investment Plan announcement, an update on the PLAN C Professional Learning programme, advice on how SQA standard pseudocode can be used and exciting news from Universities regarding their recommendations for Computing as an entry requirement for courses.

The newsletter can be viewed online at http://www.casscotland.org.uk or on ‘issuu’ at http://bit.ly/casscotissue5“

Sciences, Social studies, Technologies, Uncategorised

Power Politics – teaching resources exploring Oil and Development

April 24, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Power Politics is a new education learning resource for schools, community groups, and anyone interested in global learning.

The resources were developed by the Living Earth Foundation as part of a three-year project funded by the European Commission. They were designed to meet the need for engaging development education materials, providing resources to teach with confidence on a broad range of issues relating to international development and global citizenship.

The resources explore issues including the Millennium Development Goals and the environmental, social and economic impacts of the oil industry, enabling pupils to compare and contrast the different contexts of Scotland and Nigeria.

Teachers, pupils and members of community groups in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Port Harcourt, Nigeria, were involved in a range of creative exercises and workshops, and were at the heart of developing the resources, which is clear to see in the final products. They created films and comic strips to bring to life the differences and similarities in their day to day lives, and to provoke debate and discussion about the opportunities and challenges that living alongside the oil and gas industry can bring.

The Power Politics pack includes:

Comic text books
9 short films introducing the key issues
Exercise packs with activities to suit a range of abilities
A user guide for teachers giving background information and additional support.

Power Politics is aimed at S1-S3 and the learning activities can easily be tailored to suit any age group.

The learning pack, with comics and exercises for entire classes is available free to use. You can borrow them from the Montgomery Development Education centre www.montgomerydec.org.uk. or access and download from the website www.powerpolitics.org.uk.

CfE, Sciences, Technologies

£2.5m funding for Scottish science centres

April 21, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Scottish science centres are to benefit from an extra £2.5m in funding.

Glasgow Science Centre is to get the largest share of the Scottish government funding, at £962,680. Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh will receive £899,090, Dundee Science Centre £332,220 and Satrosphere in Aberdeen £246,010.

The combined total includes £110,000 towards subsidising school transport costs, and a further £100,000 will be shared by the four centres for community events.

The popularity of the science centres has increased since last year with almost 645,000 more people visiting the four centres in the past 12 months.

The funding package will allow each centre to invest in hands-on exhibits and activities and use their experience to help improve the confidence of primary teachers in delivering physics, engineering and technology.

Dundee Science Centre has announced plans for use of its share of the funding, with the “Ice Station Antarctica” exhibit due to open this summer. This is a major exhibition from the Natural History Museum and will be seen outside of London for the first time.

The new “Scotland’s Time Lords” galleries will open at Our Dynamic Earth this month, bringing to life the impact scientists have had since the Scottish Enlightenment.

Technologies, Uncategorised

Skills Fusion – VFX film careers outreach programme.

April 14, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Skills Fusion is a VFX film careers outreach programme. Funded by Creative Skillset (http://www.creativeskillset.org/) , the Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries, its aim is to highlight the skills shortage that the UK film industry faces in this sector and the opportunities, particularly in the more technical specialist roles that rely on strong educational foundations in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), and computer science subjects, available to students.

Young people concentrating on these areas very often do not know, or realise that rewarding careers based on STEM subjects are possible in the creative industries, nor that many of computer generated imagery (CGI), that they see on the big screen, have been created here in the UK and not Hollywood.

It is recognised through the landmark report published by NESTA – The Next Gen Report – http://www.nesta.org.uk/publications/next-gen, that there is a knowledge gap between the classroom and jobs, and that without an intervention such as Skills Fusion, the UK film industry will not be able to maintain its position as a leading country to do business in the global marketplace.

The intention of Skills Fusion through its resources, attending conferences, working with schools, participating in career fairs, engaging STEM orientated school clubs and cascading information through career advisor networks, that it can inspire and spark that initial interest to potentially fully fledged careers, career paths, which they might not have otherwise considered.

If you would be interested in copies of the specially commissioned careers resource or have opportunities for someone to come to your school to talk about Skills Fusion, participate in an event/teachers CPD session or present a film careers talk to students, please get in touch with yen.yau@intofilm.org (Talent Development Manager, Into Film)

Technologies, Uncategorised

GLOW TV – Meet the Engineer – Roma Agrawal

April 9, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Meet Roma Agrawal

Date: 25th April

Time: 9:30 – 10.30am

http://bit.ly/leaderswardforstem

Roma Agrawal (www.romatheengineer.com) , an Associate Structural Engineer at WSP, will be talking to students about her career and her role in designing bridges, skyscrapers and sculptures with signature architects over her eight year career. She will then take questions from the students in the studio and logged in on GLOW TV.

Roma Agrawal is being interviewed to encourage students to engage with The Leaders Award for STEM (www.leadersaward.com).

Uncategorised

Learning Technologies in Argyll & Bute Council

April 8, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Over the last year the learning technologies team in Argyll and Bute have been providing additional exciting, computer science related learning opportunities for young people at primary level.

The long-term goal of this project is to capture the imagination of young people, to showcase what can be created and inspire through technology.

Before commencing this project we were very aware that our young people had excellent ICT skills and made very good use of technology. However, this project is about equipping young people at primary level with skills and knowledge to turn computing ideas into concepts, improve their understanding of how technologies work and gain some understanding of the concepts involved in computer programming.

We feel that this project is important to the economy of Argyll and Bute, particularly as we want to offer our young people as much choice as possible in where they live and work. We feel that the technology sector provides a number of remote working and company start up opportunities. Additionally we are very aware that almost every field of employment now relies on technology, and our challenge is to prepare young people for jobs that may not even exist yet.

Our team has so far supported approximately 50 primary schools by providing expertise to assist them in commencing a computer programming related project. We work with each school on an individual basis and the projects vary depending on the schools learning outcomes, expertise and available equipment.

Our approach has been to offer centrally hosted CPD sessions for staff whilst working directly with pupils in schools. We feel that technology related learning provides excellent pupil led and peer learning opportunities. It is however interesting to note that in the majority of cases the pupils’ knowledge of technology quickly overtakes that of the teachers. Subsequently, we are seeing teachers taking up more of a facilitator role in technology related learning.

An important part of this project was to establish a loan bank of equipment. This has given our team the opportunity to showcase a variety of technologies whilst allowing us to loan schools suitable equipment. In addition this provides the school with an opportunity to try out various technologies before committing to a purchase.

The two most popular activities in our schools so far are Kodu and Lego Wedo. However schools have also being using Raspberry Pi, Lego Mindstorms, Scratch, PicoBoard for Scratch, LiveCode and .net gadgeteer.

We have been very much encouraged by the enthusiasm and passion our young people exhibit towards technology. We have found that about 97% of the young people have fully engaged with activities such as Kodu and have shown a real desire to learn the basics of computer programming.

This project has provided a number of opportunities for the young people of Argyll and Bute to share their learning and skills. We have seen pupils presenting and demonstrating technology projects at workshops. Some of these young people have stated that as a result of this they feel more confident in using technology but also as individuals too. In addition to this we have a number of schools establishing lunchtime, afterschool computing clubs and some schools appointing pupil ICT mentors.

The next step for this project is to implement a pupil self-evaluation framework in order that we can better measure the impact of learning computer programming in primary schools.

Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Uncategorised

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

April 3, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder- A free event for Educational Professionals

4 CPD credits awarded

16th June 2014, Royal College of Physicians, 9 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ

It is anticipated that this event will attract large numbers so please book early to be guaranteed a place.

Please return your completed registration form by either post or email to:

Post: RCPCH, 12 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JE

Email: Lorna.porter@rcpch.ac.uk

For further information contact Lorna at the email address above or on 0131 247 3657Agenda and booking form FASD 16 June 2014

Place will be allocated and confirmed on receipt of booking form.

Sciences

New Sciences Resource Guide

March 30, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Education Scotland has produced a new sciences resource guide.

This is a comprehensive information document for anyone with an interest in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Details regarding how to access our main science website, Journey to Excellence videos, blogs, NQ materials and Tigtag are available, alongwith a number of useful links to other relevant websites and organisations.

To download click : Sciences Resource Guide

CfE, Sciences, Senior Phase, Skills, Technologies

Evolution automotive show – seminar for teachers

March 28, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Special Seminar for Teachers – 3.30pm Friday 25^th 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 26^th April and test drive new generation cars. FREE entry. Register at: www.evolutionshow.co.uk

Assessment, CfE, Sciences

TigTag – free primary science resource for Glow users

March 21, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Education Scotland is delighted to announce that schools can access Tigtag – the award-winning online science resource for primary schools – free of charge through Glow.

We have agreed a 12 month national education licence with Twig World which allows Scottish schools to have unlimited access to this great resource.

There is no need to ask for a free trial or subscribe to the site if you are already a glow user.

Simply, click on www.tigtagonglow.com

You will see a box labelled Glow User. Put in your glow user name and password and start using this fabulous resource.

Alternatively, if you have entered a search for Tigtag and gone through http://www.twig-world.co.uk/tigtag/ click on the Tigtag image in the top right hand corner

and you will be taken to the Tigtag home page.

You will then see this image

Click on Log in with Glow and input your user name and password to start using the resource.

Remember there is no need to click free school trial if you are an existing Glow user.

You can use Tigtag straight away to enhance and support your science learning and teaching.

Tigtag provides access to:

• background information, relating to the key concepts identified in the science organisers, and quality films to support and enhance teaching and learning in the sciences.

• planning resources, investigation sheets, practical challenges and succinct clear lesson plans, providing a range of contexts for learning which draw on important aspects of everyday life and work.

• interactive lesson packages to help stimulate the interest and motivation of all learners and support staff in planning challenging, engaging and enjoyable learning and teaching activities.

• a “What Happens Next?” and “Scientific Enquiry” section to encourage learners to engage in dialogue, developing their investigative and inquiry skills.

CfE, Sciences

Bucksburn Academy Conversation Day 4

March 18, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Delegates attending our fourth conversation day at Bucksburn Academy identified three key themes for improving science education.

Discussions focussed on:

Priorities for sciences education

Identifying partnerships that work

What does great learning in the sciences look like?

Education Scotland is keen to hear your views regarding the third theme, addressing what great learning in the sciences looks like.

What does great learning in the sciences look like?

Science education is important for every child and not just for those who may be headed toward a scientific or technical career.

Great learning in the sciences encourages young people to make sense of the world around them, to be scientifically literate. It develops skills enabling them to analyse, evaluate, think critically, justify conclusions and be creative and innovative; skills required to thrive and succeed in an increasingly globalised and technological society.

Delegates identified factors contributing to great learning in the sciences:

relevant and purposeful (real life) teaching through engaging activities, which occur in and out of the classroom environment
learning environment has motivated and enthusiastic teachers and pupils
lessons have variety, depth, challenge and are interactive, delivered by inspirational teachers with a passion and enthusiasm for the subject and who convey a love of learning
consistent and firm discipline
learners are taught the skills they need through a variety of methodologies e.g. active, visual, audio and concepts are revisited in different ways
progression is evident
subjects are interlinked and connected
great learning is different in different schools and classes, and good teachers are still learning.

The final part of this discussion addressed the question, how do we get it right for every child and young person? Delegates’ suggestions included:

good communication between primary and secondary
establish where the “starting point” for every child is and identify children who need to extend their knowledge
ensure learners feel safe enough to ask for help/guidance
quality provision must be evident all the time
teaching should be delivered in different order/style depending on the needs of the learner.

Responsibility of All, Skills

Creativity Portal – has it made an impact?

March 18, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

The Creativity Portal is now 3 years old and we would love to hear from anyone who has used it – has it challenged your idea of creativity? Have you found it useful? Did it lead you to any inspiring resources, research or contacts?

If you have ever visited the Creativity Portal please take the time to answer a 5-minute questionnaire that will allow us to build a picture of what impact the Creativity Portal has made and give direction to its development in the future. Your responses will be invaluable in taking Education Scotland’s support of creative teaching and creative learning forward.

To access the questionnaire click the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/creativityportal2014

Your responses will form a vital piece of evidence for an independent evaluation of the Creativity Portal, led by Consilium Research and Consultancy, which will be published on the Creativity Portal in April/May.

If you have yet to use the Creativity Portal go to http://creativityportal.org.uk/

CfE, Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

National Science Engineering Week 14th–23rd March 2014

March 14, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

National Science & Engineering Week (NSEW) is a ten-day national programme of science, technology, engineering and maths events and activities across the UK aimed at people of all ages.

Anyone can organise an event or activity and the British Science Association supports organisers by providing:

Activity packs

National school poster competition

Mass participation in Flusurvey project

Case studies

How to guides

Our new activity packs include:

Explore the future– for primary schools

Community garden challenge – for secondary schools

Get engineering II – in partnership with Engineering UK (coming up)

Cracking chemistry, in partnership with Royal Society of Chemistry

This year organisers can celebrate anything related to science, technology, engineering and maths. The sky is the limit!

However, for schools, Explore the Future will be the common theme across competitions, new resources and online projects, to encourage teachers and other educators to look forward to the world their students will lead.

For further information :

http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/national-science-engineering-week

Technologies, Uncategorised

Engineering Science – Engineering Contexts and Challenges

March 12, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

“Engineering turnover has grown 2.2% over the past four years to £1.1 trillion in the year ending March 2012. 5.4 million people are employed across 565, 320 engineering enterprises but we need many more engineers!

Engineering companies are projected to need 1.86 million people with engineering skills between 2010 and 2020. This mean we need double the numbers of engineering related apprentices and graduates coming out of college and universities.”

Facts from Engineering UK 2014 – http://www.engineeringuk.com/View/?con_id=441

Within Engineering Science National 4/5/Higher the engineering contexts and challenges unit is an opportunity to bring engineering to life and to deepen the learners understanding of how engineering plays a part in their local community.

We have an opportunity for one group of learners studying national 4 or 5 or Higher to work with Edinburgh Trams and to see engineering in a real world context, in and out of the classroom.

http://www.edinburghtrams.com/

This will be based on a first come first serve basis, if you are interested please contact kirsty.mcfaul@educationscotland.gov.uk for more details.

CfE

Scotland’s Environment Youth Discussion

March 12, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Would you like to win £1000 for your school or group?

Enter Scotland’s Environment Website Youth Discussion competition by 31 March for a chance to win.

We have £1000 to award to the best school/group entry and £100 for the best individual entry. We have lots of other exciting prizes including HP tablets, educational experience days with a “green” theme, a backstage tour of The Hydro and tickets to the Irn Bru Carnival 2014.

To enter, just answer the following question: “What needs to change in your local community that will make a positive difference to your environment and what role can you play in making it happen?” then submit your answer in an imaginative way.

Follow the link for further information about this competition and to get an entry form: www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/yd

The competition is easy to enter and is relevant to many areas of the curriculum including drama, art, science, English and even modern languages. This means entering the competition can easily be dovetailed into current project work or class topics. The competition entry rules are very flexible which enables teachers to choose the level of input they feel is appropriate and suitable for their pupils. A number of useful teaching aids and resources have been developed that provide a good starting point.

You can choose to present your answer in a number of formats from a simple drawing, painting or report to something more complex such as a video, website or photographic essay; be as creative as you want!

The competition is open to all young Scots aged between 5 and 18 years old and you can enter as an individual or as a group e.g. Eco Group, class, youth group. The closing date is 31 March 2014 so there is still time to enter – what are you waiting for?

Your entry may also be eligible for the Young Reporters for the Environment competition. It is being run in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful and is open to young people aged 11 to 21 years.

Responsibility of All, Technologies, Uncategorised

Launch of the information and communications technology (ICT) and digital technologies Skills Investment Plan

March 11, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

First Minister announces funding to attract up to 11,000 jobs.

Scotland’s digital technologies sector will benefit from £6.6 million to boost its internationally renowned reputation for cutting-edge expertise, the First Minister Alex Salmond announced today (Tuesday 11 March, 2014).

The funding will support digital skills and address actions set out in the information and communications technology (ICT) and digital technologies Skills Investment Plan, which was also published today by the First Minister, on a visit to officially open the new Edinburgh premises of CodeBase, Scotland largest digital incubator company.

The announcement comes during Make Young People Your Business Week which focuses on promoting the digital technologies sector as a career option to a younger audience while celebrating Scottish successes in the industry.

The plan includes actions such as:
• Responding to the immediate skills shortage by developing an industry led talent academy model in summer 2014 to support the demand of up to 11,000 jobs per year
• Offering more opportunities to increase female participation in the digital sector
• Aligning education systems to employers need and supporting employer engagement with schools
• Delivering 750 work placements for FE/HE students by 2016

Scotland’s ICT and digital technologies sectors deliver £3 billion to the Scottish economy and currently employs 73,000 digital technology professionals. There is huge global demand for Scottish expertise and talent in this sector and today’s announcement will help maintain Scotland’s position as a key player in the global arena.

For more details follow the links below.

The SDS/Scottish Government press release is here – http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/-6-6m-for-digital-Scotland-a3c.aspx

The SIP has also been uploaded to SDS Skills Force website – www.ourskillsforce.co.uk/ict-and-digital-technologies-skills-investment-plan/

BBC Coverage – www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26528176.

Just as a reminder to follow the Make Young People Your Business Week on twitter, use #DigiSkills.

CfE, Sciences, Senior Phase

Bucksburn Conversation Day

March 10, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Delegates attending our fourth conversation day at Bucksburn Academy identified three key themes for improving science education.

Discussions focussed on:

Priorities for sciences education
Identifying partnerships that work
What does great learning in the sciences look like?

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:

organisation must provide support in the classroom and visit the school (not the other way)
partnerships should be innovative, curriculum led, embedded in the curriculum
personnel involved are enthusiastic individuals with a willingness to commit extra time to establish short/long term working relationship
investment and funding through the partnership provides opportunities for all

Delegates identified areas of partnership working which they regarded as requiring further development:

not enough organisations/partnerships to support early years
more visiting scientists lecturing at a high level – aspirations needed to be raised
speakers need to be able to pitch talk at right level for young people
mixture of input needed for different levels of interest required

Education Scotland is keen to hear your views. Click on the title of this blog post to leave a comment

National Qualifications, Sciences

March NQ Science Update

March 10, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Nominations for the next three rounds of cross authority working groups are due by 5pm on Monday 10th of March. If you’re interested in attending please contact your local authority organiser.

Glow TV events:

Ask the Expert – Neil Kermode 11 March 10.30 http://bit.ly/1g9zh90

As part of the Get Energised with the ScottishPower Foundation project, this series of broadcasts from the National Museum of Scotland will help N4/5 students in STEM subjects to learn more about renewables in Scotland. Hear from leading experts in the field and ask them about their work.

Past papers identified by Education Scotland and SQA as appropriate for N5 Biology have been collated and shared by Invergordon Academy. These are posted on the Sciences Glow 365 site.

Geneious software suitable for case studies, a free download suitable for case studies in the Genome key area of DNA and the Genome unit at cfe Higher Biology is available from.

http://geneious.com/

A free online Environmental Studies textbook, Earth’s Dynamic Systems is available at http://earthds.info/ particularly good for Geosphere, Hydrosphere etc.

Dave Edwards from the Open University asked Education Scotland to publicise this MOOC.

The OU’s free Moons MOOC is at; https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/moons and I am gearing up to facilitate some of the discussion. It starts on 17 March.

We envisage it taking around 3 hours per week, for the eight week presentation.

Aberdeen Biodiversity Centre have a S1-3 poster competition running currently, copies can be downloaded from their website under secondary education – ttp://www.abdn.ac.uk/biodiversity/education/secondary/cfe-support/

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Computing Science – support for new national Qualifications

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Wednesday 24th – 25th June 2014

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11th June 2014

Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh

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CPD session

28th May from 16.00-17.00

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Would you like to win £1000 for your school or group?

Enter Scotland’s Environment Website Youth Discussion competition by 31 March for a chance to win.

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A training blog for PLSuperheroes