Category: STEM learning activities

Context Planners

Now we are a couple weeks into our new normal, you might be considering your IDL approach.

The RAISE Primary Science Development Officers created IDL/STEM context planners which can be used for Early, First or Second CfE levels. They have a planner and the resources required to help you deliver the lessons. The resources for each section can be found in the Google Drive link in the Suggested Blocks of learning column.

Any problems please leave a comment below.

EARLY LEVEL

People who help Us:

The Day the Crayons Quit:

 

FIRST LEVEL

Matilda:

The Twits:

Weather:

SECOND LEVEL

World War II:

Rainforests:

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone:

Game Design:

 

WL STEM logo competition

We are running a competition for all P1-P7 pupils across West Lothian Council to design a new logo for our twitter and glow pages.

Children can complete this in class or send as a home learning task. If children can create their logo and write about “what stem means to me”, take a good quality photo of the design and wording- then send it to @WL_STEM on twitter (if a home learning task) or if completed in class email to nicola.connor@westlothian.gov.uk. Please include the child’s name, school, class and age. Prizes will be:

1st Place- Logo used for twitter/glow and a Sphero Bolt for using at home (kindly donated by RS Components)

2nd Place- Signed by the author- a book by Caroline Allison “Build it! 25 Creative STEM projects for budding engineers” (Kindly donated by Caroline, through her web site http://www.technologyforfun.co.uk/)

3rd Place- An airzooka  (Kindly donated by the SSERC Primary team)

All entries to be received by Friday 11th September at 2pm. The entries will be judged and the winner will be announced on Friday 18th September, the winner’s logo will then be used on all WL STEM pages and resources.

We look forward to receiving your entries!!

Roslin Institute- Easterbush Outreach

The Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre remains closed, however, they have been keeping busy by creating some simple, hands-on activities that helps families explore the real-life science that is happening here in Scotland.

These step-by-step, curriculum-linked (Scottish CfE Level 2 – 4) investigations develops your pupils’ understanding of how science works and prepares them to create their own investigations at home.

Each investigation is linked to real-life research happening at The Roslin Institute, and explores how science is carried out using the scientific method, encourages curiosity and most importantly of all, is fun! There’s even a certificate that grown-ups can award their young science explorer to celebrate their achievement.

Each investigation pack includes:

  • Workbook with instruction guide, that can be downloaded and printed or used on a mobile device. With guiding questions so that grown-ups can support their young explorer through their investigation.
  • A critical reading text about the work of our scientists, to help develop scientific thinking.
  • A guide for grown-ups, that gives some tips and hints about the investigation and the scientific method.
  • A certificate to reward your child’s scientific achievement.

To download the first two activities Wonder with Worms and The Big Balloon Blow Up visit https://edin.ac/2XgQ3BN

They encourage your pupils (and their grown-ups) to share their investigations via social media @EBSOClab @RoslinInstitute and #GreatSciShare, in the spirit of the Great Science Share, these resources encourage young people to ask and answer their own scientific questions.

Primary Science Teachers Trust- Science at Home

https://pstt.org.uk/resources/curriculum-materials/Science-at-Work

The Primary Science Teaching Trust is working with Spectrum Drama and St. Mary’s University to create opportunities to meet past and present scientists and to learn more about people who do jobs that use science.

Science at Work consists of weekly activity sheets about scientists and people who work in a science-related job. Children are encouraged to send in their questions to the scientist who will answer as many as they can in a video released the following week. Videos can be viewed through Primary Science Teaching Trust’s Facebook page. NB: if you are unable to access Facebook, you can view the video here.

Key things you need to do to take part…..

  • Every Tuesday we will release an activity sheet – these can be downloaded from this page or sent straight to your inbox by signing up to their mailing list.
  • Click on the SEND US YOUR QUESTION tab and complete the form to submit your child’s question and/or upload their drawing by 3pm on Thursday the same week.
  • Click attending on the Facebook event.
  • The following Tuesday watch the video – just follow this link and don’t forget to download the activity sheet for the next week’s scientist.

Use this format in a weekly learning grid and ask your class to send in questions or complete the activity sheets.

Dr. Chips

Jonathan Chippendall (Dr.Chips) has been posting ‘how to’ STEM videos weekly (almost daily) on his Youtube channel.

One example is about digital coding and creating your own quiz:

Dr Chips is involved in the Great Science Share (see post in STEM Learning Activities) and will post a weekly video based on the theme….the first one was based on the theme Dawns Chorus

These are great videos to generate ideas and informative too.

Great Science Share

The Great Science Share takes place on the 16th June and it would be great to have as many West Lothian  pupils signed up and taking part.

The information on how to sign up is here: https://www.greatscienceshare.org/getinvolved2020

There are weekly themes released on a Monday- the first was released on the 4th of May linked to Dawn Chorus.

Or if you’d prefer to join in the Great Science Groove Along, film yourself carrying out the dance and upload before the 5th of June.

If you would like to find out more about a scientists work or what skills an engineer uses every day, ask a question on twitter using the hashtags #GreatSciShare and #Askaquestion and a STEM Ambassador will try to give you an answer as soon as possible!

Some West Lothian schools have already signed up to take part but if you register and share your question and learning on the 16th June…please copy in @WL_STEM on twitter too and we will share/celebrate your investigation.

West Lothian INspired

INspired is a learning space for young people that has been created to motivate purposeful, agentic learning through engaging challenges. The blog link is here:

Welcome!

Follow the INspire team on twitter @StayINspiredWL and use the hashtag #aspire2inspireWL to share your work….or email it to StayINspiredWL@westlothian.org.uk.

You can ask your teacher to share it too

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