Archive
September 27, 2010 - 2:53 pm
The Research Councils UK (RCUK) school placement scheme, Researchers in Residence (RinR) is searching the North East for engaging scientists wanting to participate in a TV school science documentary whilst raising their own profile.
This opportunity will raise your profile, allow you to engage the public, maximise the impact of your research and support the development of transferable skills such as teaching and communication skills.
The documentary requires a motivated and enthusiastic PhD or post doctoral researcher to deliver a project based on their research area to inspire 11-18 year olds. Placements consist of a minimum of 14 hours student contact time (supervised by the host teacher) and can be tailored around research commitments, spanning a six week period. The project is open primarily to STEM researchers however, non-STEM disciplines will be considered based on the strength of the project rationale. Whether you specialise in astrophysics, biology or geography, participating in the documentary is an excellent opportunity to showcase your research.
The project should enrich the classroom and include practical demonstrations, activities for the students and talks on focussed topics.
The placement will be supported by a teacher mentor, and communications training and T&S will be provided. Participants are encouraged to meet with the host teacher prior to beginning the placement as they are often able to advise and offer guidance on suitable project ideas. Commenting on the support she received whilst on placement at Thomas Hardye School, Katie Ball, biosciences researcher states, “Always ask the teachers before going into schools for their advice, maybe even show them your lesson plans; they probably have a good idea of what works and what doesn’t, remember they’re trained to teach.
“It was inspiring working with Dr. Jeremy Rowe, (biology teacher) at the school; I learnt a lot from his interaction with the students.”
The documentary will be filmed by Brook Lapping, an internationally acclaimed documentary production company which produces content for both TeachersTV and new online channel Newton
1 The Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK’s seven Research Councils:
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Science and Technology Facilities Research Council (STFC)
2 Researchers in Residence, funded by RCUK with support from the Wellcome Trust, brings together PhD and post doctoral researchers, young people and teachers via exciting and innovative placements in secondary schools and colleges across the UK. www.researchersinresidence.ac.uk
3 Teachers TV supports the professional development of anyone working in school through engaging videos, practical resources and an active online community and is funded by the Department for Education and operated by independent media consortium, Education Digital. www.teachers.tv
HD 4 , a perfect platform for participating researchers to raise their profile amongst the academic community.
Open to PhD students and post docs funded directly or indirectly by one of the seven UK Research Councils or the Wellcome Trust.
Researchers need to apply now to be considered, as filming starts in the mid-winter term (November). To apply, complete the application form at www.researchersinresidence.ac.uk
For more information, contact enquiries@researchersinresidence.ac.uk
September 22, 2010 - 12:14 pm
Here’s what Young Engineers have lined up for you in 2010/11:
Clubs – download our NEW Be Engineous activities (age 9-14)
A new activity programme, ‘Be ENGineous’, has been launched in time for the start of the Young Engineers Club year!
‘Be ENGineous’ has been designed to follow on from the ‘Get Them Going’ introductory programme and gives Young Engineers club leaders a ready-made programme to develop the engineering skills of club members that have already had an introduction to engineering. ‘Be ENGineous’ enables club members to progress further by working on more complex scenarios.
The programme provides an exciting mix of activities relating to different branches of engineering. Each activity has been split into 3 stages; the stages are indications of the difficulty levels of the activity:
* Stage 1 – Basic level; step by step instructions to complete the activity.
* Stage 2 – Intermediate level; follows on from stage 1 where students are required to build upon the completed stage 1 activity, not necessarily with instructions.
* Stage 3 – Higher level; students are required to research and develop the final stage of the activity, without instructions.
The activities included in the programme are:
• Hovercraft – General Engineering
• Bath Bombs – Chemical Engineering
• FM Radios – Electrical Engineering
• Water Purification – Civil Engineering
• Putt Putt Boats – Marine Engineering
• Cranes – Mechanical Engineering
• Rambling Robots – Robotic Engineering.
The whole booklet can be downloaded from our Complete Activity programme webpage. The individual activities are also available on the activity bank, and are suitable for using as standalone activities.
Young Engineers is grateful to Tomorrow’s Engineers for supporting the development of this programme.
D&T Show – club members needed! (age 12-14)
Following the success of last year, Young Engineers is again asking its club members (age 12 to14) to join us at the Design & Technology Show at the NEC in Birmingham for one of the days between 18th and 20th November. We are currently confirming the line up of activities we will be offering this year’s club members, but it will be along similar lines to last year’s event which included: trialling a brand new Rapid electronics project, making rocket cars on the Technology Enhancement Programme stand and showcasing their own club activities and taking part in one of our home grown engineering challenges on the Young Engineers stand. Register your interest stating which day you’d like to attend and we’ll send you the programme once its confirmed. Email us to reserve your place.
Showcase your club at national level! (age 12-18)
We are looking for 24 ‘STEM’ clubs who cater for secondary-school level to display their various projects and take part in The Big Bang: UK Young Scientists’ and Engineers’ Fair that is being held 10-12 March 2011 at ICC London ExCeL. This is an opportunity for Young Engineers Clubs who do purely engineering activities or a mix of STEM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
Not only is this a great way to promote your club members’ talents but you will also have the opportunity to meet lots of celebrities, scientists and engineers. You will also be able to interact with some of the most cutting-edge companies in the UK and to showcase your projects to the UK media. There will also be plenty of opportunity for teacher CPD and networking amongst peers. The fair is a huge event, attracting 22,500 visitors last year. It will be a mass of displays, demonstrations, workshops and floor shows – a truly inspiring occasion for your club members to experience.
Apply by telling us about your club and the fantastic, interesting, unusual and creative projects that you have undertaken and explain why you feel your club will benefit from showcasing your efforts at the Big Bang. Closing date: 31st October 2010.
Application form link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BigBangFairClubShowcaseApplicationForm
The 24 selected clubs will be invited to bring up to 4 students and 1 accompanying adult to exhibit for the full three days of The Big Bang and will receive significant subsidies for travel, accommodation and catering.
You can find out more information about The Big Bang Fair by visiting: http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk
STEM Challenge Days (age 7-16)
“A great day was had by the students and teachers. It went very smoothly and we will recommend it to other schools.” Adrian Stannard, Kelmscott School. It has proved extremely popular in its first year, with over 4000 students experiencing one of our interactive challenge days. We have included some feedback from teachers to help you get a feel for what a STEM Challenge day is really about. 75% teachers gave their day an ‘excellent’ rating, with the other 25% considering it ‘above average’!
Our dedicated team have also included some new challenges for both primary and secondary school students. http://www.youngeng.org/index.asp?page=1260
Meet the Public
This project enables practising engineers to work alongside Young Engineers to engage the general public in inspiring bite-size engineering activities at local Science Festivals, County Shows and other public events across the UK.
Look out for Young Engineers at the next event in Manchester at Manchester Science Festival 19-20 October 2010.
Young Engineer for Britain (age 12-19)
Any student working on their own innovative, creative or novel inventions in either club time, part of the curriculum or as a hobby can gain important recognition for their project as they compete for some absolutely fantastic prizes and awards.
http://www.youngeng.org/index.asp?page=66
National Science and Engineering Competition (12-19)
The National Science & Engineering Competition is open to 11-18 year olds in the UK who have completed a project or activity in any field of science, technology, engineering or maths. If you or your team have done an amazing project or invented something new then you should enter!
http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/the_competition.cfm
The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust Engineering Experience (age 16-19)
Selected students take part in a 3-4 day intensive engineering, social and cultural experience visiting international industrial facilities in October 2011. The selection process is simple and is good university/job application practice. The six finalists are selected by telephone/video interview.
http://www.youngeng.org/index.asp?page=1178
The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust Teacher’s Award
Details are still being finalised, but there will be a Teacher’s Award at the Big Bang Fair 2011. We will be informing all once we have details of the nomination process.
Other Competitions
For all other Young Engineers Competitions, please keep checking our website for updates when latest competitions will be available.
http://www.youngeng.org/index.asp?page=54
Club Activities
Available to Club Network members : (Membership is free – sign up now)
Activity Bank – need inspiration for your next club project? Search this ever growing resource. 11 new activities were added over the Summer between them catering for ages 8 to 16 – thanks to club leaders Caroline Alliston from Blue Coat Technology Club for adding “Bottle Rockets” and “Catapult to Fire a Water Bomb”, Paul Thomas from New Hall School for adding “Nuclear Engineering” and Andrew Bennett from St. Andrew’s Science Club for adding “24hr Clock”.
Don’t forget – we need Club Leaders’ help to keep this amazing resource growing! If you have run an activity which really worked well in your club, please do add it to the Activity Bank so that other clubs can try it also!
Go to Activity Bank
Submit an activity
Club Grant – £50 to £100 available each year
Exclusively available to Club Network members: (Membership is free – sign up now)
Don’t forget we’re keen to get our hands on information for our sponsors on what your club got up to last year. To help us, fill in our 10 minute Club Report – and collect your £50-£100 Club Grant to help you run the club this year! (New clubs can also apply for a Club Grant by telling us what they are planning for the coming year).
http://www.youngeng.org/index.asp?page=1122
Local Support Group Grant – £50 to £500 available each year
Exclusively available to Club Network members: (Membership is free – sign up now)
Funding is available to assist clubs who want to work with each other locally – purchasing of shared club resources, local events involving several clubs and joint club industrial visits are all eligible for support. Tell us who you want to work with, or ask us to put you in touch with clubs in your area.
http://www.youngeng.org/index.asp?page=1294
Club Leadership Awards
Exclusively available to Club Network members: Is there an adult helper, company contact, or even student mentor whom you’d like to thank for their club support?
http://www.youngeng.org/index.asp?page=139
Club Registration for 2010/11
Club Network members take note: Our club member numbers have been zeroed ready for you to enter this year’s figures, so please update your Club Profile with the number of students attending your club this year. Maintaining up to date membership information is an important element of keeping our sponsors up to date! In the coming months we will running a series of lucky dips and will be handing out more club merchandise as prizes, so get your club member numbers updated early so you will be put into each and every draw this year!
http://www.youngeng.org/index.asp?page=100 (Email us if you have problems)
The Big Bang Fair – date for your diary (age 9-18)
Taking place in Manchester on 10-12 March, this high profile and free event promises to: Wow students with experiments, explosions, simulators and shows. Give them the opportunity to quiz scientists and engineers about their jobs and discover a dream career. Meet students from around the country and find out about the amazing projects they have brought to display.See cutting edge technology from many leading companies and get some great teaching ideas. We are also helping to plan a series of STEM related Teacher CPD opportunities which will be publicised once we have the full details.
http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk
Regional Big Bang Fairs
A number of organisations are bidding to host regional Big Bang Fairs in June/July 2011 and once the selection process is complete, we will let you know who has the lead in your region so that you can start planning to attend.
Other News
Remember, get all our news first on www.youngeng.org! Other recent news items:
* Be Engineous is launched!
* We have won e-Legacy Awards
* Showcase your club at national level!
* SmartPlanet joins the Support Pages
* Square Eyed Engineering
*Calling for Entries in to the National Science & Engineering Competition
We hope you’ll find something amongst all of this lot to keep your gang amused. Club Network members remember there is loads more information on other competitions and sources of activity ideas and tips on how to get your club running smoothly in the members’ pages of our website. (Contact us if you have forgotten your log in details)
Kind regards
The Young Engineers Team
September 21, 2010 - 9:18 am
Project Overview
The Leader’s award for STEM was designed to give students between the ages of 5 and 19 an opportunity to gather personalised careers awareness. Students research, meet and interview professionals from a range of backgrounds about their career, career paths asking questions that are important to them.
The project has two parts, firstly students write a formal letter of application emailed to the editor@leadersaward.com. To complete the award students must then complete an interview with a STEM professional and submit to the editor whereon they will receive a certificate.
Special Awards are a series of awards supported by outside organisations each having a particular foci for the interviews and range of prizes for the best entries. Students can submit as many interviews as they wish in any one academic year. (The Leaders Award requires an annual up-dated application letter.)
Interviewee contact
If you have been interviewed at an event or school please contacting Christine James at christine.james@leadersaward.com Telephone number 01254 876598 website www.leadersaward.com this will enable us to forward you information should an interview be selected for a Special Award.
If you have any questions please email or phone – Many thanks.
Leaders Award STEM Ambassador fact sheet (2)
September 20, 2010 - 12:12 pm
Part of the Official London 2012 Education Programme
STEM Challenges are a series of competitions which link the curriculum to the inspiring Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Each challenge incorporates a range of activities for schools and once in a lifetime prizes can be won!
“The STEM Challenge students feel privileged to be a part of the competition. This is the best extra-curricular activity I’ve ever been involved with!” ~ Pam Large, Sacred Heart High School.
The STEM Challenges are ten activities designed for KS3 (or equivalent) students and inspired by London 2012. Each Challenge is a competition focusing on a different aspect of either the preparations for London 2012, or the event itself. The Challenges provide a cross-curricular approach to the STEM subjects, which benefits students in their academic work, whilst allowing them to develop skills and values that are essential outside the classroom. The activities have been designed for use in a club environment (e.g. a STEM Club) or during lessons.
The STEM Challenges are managed by STEMNET (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network) in association with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), and are funded by the Department for Education.
New Challenges are introduced each term and last approximately 6 to 8 weeks. They provide an opportunity for students aged 11-14 to explore, experiment and innovate! Each team is set a task related to London 2010, which gives students the chance to experience a combination of hands-on testing and research.
STEM Ambassadors are a free resource available to support your students and clubs in the Challenges. STEM Ambassadors volunteer their time to help excite young people about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. They have proven to be a vital resource for schools and colleges:
“The pupils valued the comments they received from STEM Ambassadors. It was great for them to have experts who really knew what they were talking about. Pupils were encouraged to discuss their ideas more as they were keen to improve their designs and complete the task to the best of their abilities.” ~ Lucy Rowe, St Mary’s Middle School, Puddletown, Dorset.
“STEMNET, you have solved my problem! We have no budget to pay Science speakers for our school and I’m so pleased to have made contact with you.” ~ Mrs Gaur, Shirley High School, Croydon, London.
STEM Challenges aim to support children and young people across the UK in the development of their leadership, personal, thinking and life skills. In each Challenge, a team of students work together to develop and achieve the seven core values of the Olympic and Paralympic games, these are: excellence, friendship, respect, courage, determination, inspiration and equality. Team work and enthusiasm are essential!
How to get involved in the STEM Challenges
It’s easy to get involved- simply register on the website www.stemchallenges.net The sign-up process is quick and simple- and you can go back to enter as many teams as you like from your school. What’s more, if your school is part of the STEM Clubs Network and you are a club leader- then it’s even easier. Just select your name from the list and you’re done!
We will send you a newsletter with regular updates on the Challenges, including information on forthcoming Challenge launch-dates and deadlines.
“Thank you so much for all your help! I have been really impressed by STEMNET’s advice and your organisation of our Scientists who were first rate and ideal for our purposes.” ~ Rebecca Jones, Science Co-ordinator, The Pointer School, London.
STEM Challenge 1
Challenge: Design an Eco-friendly National Handball Centre.
Winners: Appleton Academy from Wyke, West Yorkshire.
Prize: Trip to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The first STEM Challenge required students to design a National Handball Arena for the 2012 Olympics. The STEM Club at Appleton Academy began the Challenge by testing out different surfaces for the floor of the Handball court. In groups, the members of the STEM Club completed experiments on types of laminate flooring they had constructed and analysed how recorded balls behaved on different surfaces around school.
The successful team, from year nine, then designed a stadium based on a segmented orange. They worked with STEM Ambassador Phil Spencer, a building surveyor and the technology department to prepare scale diagrams and models to show the layout of the main arena.
The winning features of the design include the segmental structure of the sphere-shaped dome, which would allow natural light and ventilation into the arena. The team incorporated the use of eco friendly solar panels to achieve the environmental objective of the challenge. At the presentation event, the judges commended the team for their work and leadership skills.
“Winning the STEM Challenge, a national competition, is the result of a great deal of hard work and commitment by our students, and their excitement and enjoyment of science created by their teachers and the STEM Club.” ~ Dwayne Saxton, Academy Principal.
“It is fantastic that the hard work and skills of our pupils has been recognized nationally. This project has been completed in our after-school club – the pupils’ enthusiasm and willingness to invest their own time reflects the interest they have developed in their lessons.” ~ Barbara Hey, Advanced Specialist Teacher in Science at the Academy and STEM club co-coordinator.
STEM Challenge 2
Challenge: adidas asked students to design a new glove for Olympic and Paralympic Canoeing, Rowing or Sailing.
Winners: Heolddu Comprehensive School, Bargoed.
Prizes: £3,000 worth of STEM Club equipment and the latest in adidas sports clothing.
The second STEM Challenge required students to design a new glove for adidas (Official Sportswear Partner to London 2012) to be used by top Olympic and Paralympic athletes in Canoeing, Rowing or Sailing events. The Challenge was launched by double Olympic Gold medalist James Cracknell.
Students at Heolddu Comprehensive School decided to design a new glove for rowers, who don’t tend to wear gloves as they can cause their hands to sweat, impeding the action of rowing. The pupils relished the opportunity to produce a specially designed glove, which, made with the right materials could allow breathability and make a major contribution to the sport.
Once the team had decided on the most important properties to include in the design of their glove, they used a range of tests, activities and factsheets provided by STEMNET in order to research their design.
Heolddu beat stiff competition from seven other teams from around the country that made it through to the final, where they faced a Dragon’s Den style interview and grilling from the judges, including Olympic gold medallist rower, Tom James.
The students’ design is so inventive it is now being commercially developed by adidas. According to the company, the design was so innovative that it could give our Olympians the winning edge!
“We were thrilled and honoured to win such a prestigious competition!” ~ Owen Griffiths, Science Teacher, Heolddu Comprehensive School.
For the most up-to-date information on Challenge launch dates and deadlines go to: www.stemchallenges.net
To register for the latest Challenge go to: www.stemchallenges.net/school-register.html
September 17, 2010 - 3:19 pm
VIEW SCHOOL REQUESTS AND VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES AT http://networking.stemnet.org.uk/. YOU CAN ALSO CREATE YOUR OWN PROFILE AND CREATE BLOGS OR CHECK OUT THE RESOURCE BANK.
September 15, 2010 - 11:49 am
The National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec), Bobby Gilbert & Associates (BG&A) and Northumbria University’s Centre for Design Research are releasing a new free schools software package, Carbon Mixer for Schools, to teach school students about renewable energy. Narec will be delivering free training, starting with a launch event at Seaton Burn College on the 23rd September. This will compliment the already existing Explore Renewables project run by Narec. The project has been financially supported by the north east England regional development agency One North East (ONE).
Teachers from Seaton Burn College in North Tyneside have worked closely with the project, to ensure it fits correctly into the curriculum. The software is aimed at Year 9-10 / Key Stage 3-4 pupils with particular relevance to Core Physics GCSE module P1a, and incorporates task differentiation for students of all ability levels. The software comes with full lesson plans.
The software draws from the existing Carbon Mixer commercial tool developed by BG&A and used by architects, developers and planners. Carbon Mixer for schools creates a simulated workplace experience for students, who are invited to take on the role of ‘Carbon Consultant’ to a range of demanding clients. As students experiment with renewable and fossil-fuel energy sources to find the perfect balance between energy demand, output, payback and carbon emissions, their clients challenge their choices and provide ongoing feedback via a simulated chat engine.
The official launch of the software will be at Seaton Burn College at 4:30pm to 6pm on Thursday the 23rd September. As places are limited, If you would like to attend the event, please email explore.renewables@narec.co.uk to register.
The address of the venue is Seaton Burn College, Dudley Lane, Seaton Burn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 6EJ
Information about the Carbon Mixer for Schools, and free downloads, will be available on the Explore Renewables website (http://www.explorerenewables.co.uk) from the 23rd September onwards. If you require any further information please contact explore.renewables@narec.co.uk
Tom Bradley
Project Engineer – Distributed Energy
Narec
Phone: +44 01670 357685
Fax: +44 01670 359666
Mobile: +44 07872 502245
Tom.Bradley@narec.co.uk
www.narec.co.uk
- 11:43 am
On behalf of the oil and gas industry OPITO – The Oil & Gas Academy would like to invite senior school pupils from your school to take part in Energise Your Future to be held at Royal Marines Commando, RMR Tyne, Anzio House, Quayside, Newcastle, NE6 1BU on Thursday 30th September or Friday 1st October 2010. Session times are 09.45 – 12.00 or 12.30 – 14.45.
Don’t miss the opportunity to attend this engaging and highly interactive FREE event where oil, gas and energy companies will showcase the exciting and vibrant sectors that offer real career opportunities to people now and into the future.
The industry is not just about engineering and geology – career opportunities exist for those with other talents in a variety of other disciplines including marketing, accounting, law, Human Resources, Public Relations, Drilling and Design – there’s a career to suit everyone in the Energy Industry, no matter what their skills this event will give pupils the opportunity to seek the answers they are looking for.
To allow as many schools as possible to attend places may be limited, so to secure your schools attendance at EYF Newcastle ’10 please complete the booking form or for further information please contact:
Diane Johnston
Skills & Learning Development Coordinator
T: +44 (0) 1224 787805
E: diane.johnston@opito.com
Energise Your Future school flyer and booking form (2)
September 13, 2010 - 10:50 am
Through a rapid process the Technology Strategy Board are seeking proposals for three month projects, worth up to £25k. We also want to find out what you would do if you received up to £100k for a project lasting up to six months. In fact, you could be pitching your idea in front of a panel of judges at Innovate 10 on October 12 and receiving up to £100k in project funding.
http://www.innovate10.co.uk/launch-pad/about
Innovate10 Competition Flyer
September 10, 2010 - 12:09 pm
An overveiw of what is coming up from the Royal Society of Chemistry:
In November there is a schools’ chemistry quiz, open to teams of 4 (two from year 9 and one each from years 10 and 11)
In december we’ll have our Christmas Chemistry lecture, which we’re also hoping to make a public lecture in the evening.
In January or early Feb there are the Holmes lectures, which are aimed at
14 year olds and run over three consecutive nights. The theme is lights, camera, action and is part of the international year of chemistry.
There are plans to run a series of lunchtime chemistry careers talks, mainly for undergrads but also open to sixth formers or year 11. The plan will be to have a talk from a local chemist (or person with a chemistry
qualification) telling the audience about their job and how they got into it. Aftwerwards there will be an informal lunch where people will get a chance to talk to the speaker.
Also, just to mention, it’s National Science and Engineering week in March and funding applications for running events closes sometime before Christmas.
- 11:43 am
The School of Marine Science and Technology at Newcastle University is holding a Marine Science conference on Wednesday 15th December 2010 and wondered if you would be interested in bringing along your A-level Biology students to participate in the event. The conference has been organised by a committee of final year Marine Science undergraduates with speakers from a range of universities in the north. The day will be run in the style of a scientific conference with poster sessions and information stands.
The theme of the event is ‘easing transition’ and the conference is a novel opportunity for A-level students hoping to go to University to study a science-based subject to gain experience of how oral and poster presentations play an important role in assessment and to hear more about life at University from students themselves.
The day will start at 9:30 am with registration and refreshments, with the talks beginning at 10:00 am and lasting until around 3:00 pm. All refreshments and food will be provided and each participant will receive a conference bag. After the afternoon break there will be a chance for pupils to ask current Newcastle students about university life, studying at Newcastle, the marine science programmes etc in a question and answer panel. The day will finish no later than 4:15 pm.
For further information or to book your place at the event please contact Sara Marsham (sara.marsham@ncl.ac.uk or 0191 222 3056)
- 11:28 am
Over the summer we have run our “Splashdown” summer schools.
This year, we ran two week long schools, one for Key Stage 2 and one for Key stage 3 pupils.
Children come for 5 days and get involved in science explorations of the natural environment. We focus strongly on marine habitats, but also investigate rivers, woodland and sand dune habitats. Pupils can use our microscope, aquarium and science facilities to plan their own projects, and in past years, these have been submitted for Crest awards. The week is very enjoyable with plenty of opportunities for fun, and to make new friends.
There is a fee involved and registration forms for next year’s summer school will be downloadable from our website, certainly from February 2011 onwards. There are some places offered for free and schools can contact us to find out more information regarding these.
We are planning our “Inspiring Oceans” careers event for 1st December. This will be a repeat of last year’s great success where lots of companies from science, technology and marine related organisations come along to offer advice, and hands-on activities to school groups. There will be bookable interactive activities, careers talks, and lots of prizes to be won. This event is free of charge, but booking is essential. It is aimed at pupils of 14-15 years and older.
We are also holding a “Marine Science conference” on Wednesday 15th December 2010 open to A-level Biology students. The conference has been organised by a committee of final year Marine Science undergraduates with speakers from a range of universities in the north. The day will be run in the style of a scientific conference with poster sessions and information stands.
WE are advertising our “X-factor” competition, which is spelt “ECS factor” – Environmental Consultancy Solutions. Teams (up to 4 pupils) can register to participate, and will role-play as a team of scientists working to solve a particular problem. They should identify a topic of their own choosing related to the marine environment.
This could be:
· a study of a given species or habitat,
· it could be a threat to marine diversity,
· or a problem related to food harvesting from the oceans,
· it could also be a technology or engineering problem related to the marine environment,
· perhaps something to do with renewable energy
· the topics are limitless as long as they are related to marine issues.
The pupils should research this topic and come up with solutions to the problem.
Guidelines can be sent out on competition submission criteria.
Winning teams (submission deadline is in early March 2011) will get a day out at sea on the University’s new research vessel to conduct scientific surveys of marine habitats with a team of professional marine biologists.
We also offer a comprehensive programme of activities for schools on STEM activities. Schools can book challenging and well structured days throughout the year. These can be fieldcourse or lab-class based. We accommodate all age groups.
For more information please visit http://www.ncl.ac.uk/marine/learning/ and contact Jane Delany the Dove Marine Outreach co-ordinator j.e.delany@newcastle.ac.uk
- 11:03 am
At Centre for Life there are opportunities for students of all ages, from reception class to sixth form, to discover more about science through exciting, hands-on activities. We offer a programme of over 90 curriculum-linked science workshops, available on demand throughout the year and covering topics from electricity to Ancient Egyptian mummification. For more information see our website www.life.org.uk/education and if we don’t have what you’re looking for just contact education@life.org.uk or call (0191) 243 8211.
We have some exciting opportunities for sixth-formers coming up this term. A-level Biology classes can take part in our new, cutting edge PCR workshop, ‘A Question of Taste’ and for those interested in medicine, we are running our popular Mini Medical School, a six-week evening course featuring local university experts starting on 7th October (details at www.life.org.uk/life-science-centre).
For those wanting to do some science in their spare time, our Science Club for 6-14 year olds involves hands-on experiments and things to make around a different theme each month (details at www.life.org.uk – search for Science Club). New for this year are our weekend Science Sessions for teenagers (13 and above). No membership is required to attend the sessions, anyone interested can join the Facebook group (Newcastle ScienceSessions) or sign up to the mailing list on sciencesessions@life.org.uk and book into sessions that they’d like to attend. Topics for science sessions are decided collaboratively between Life staff and the participants and have included DNA Fingerprinting, make your own robot and (very) Energetic Chemistry.
September 9, 2010 - 3:57 pm
1. Information on Challenge 4
Challenge title: The Travel Challenge
Launch date: Monday 6th September 2010
Deadline for entries: Monday 1st November 2010
Judging dates: between 1st and 8th December 2010
Challenge Final: at ASE Conference, Reading, 06 January 2011
Further information: http://www.stemchallenges.net/challenges/
Challenge description for schools:
Can you help to reduce the carbon footprint of spectators travelling to London 2012?
BP – the official oil and gas partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games – is challenging pupils ages 11 – 14 years to make proposals for sustainable travel options at Games time.
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games present London and the UK with a huge transport challenge: approximately 8 million tickets will be on sale during the Olympic Games, with a further 2 million available for the Paralympics. As part of making the Games sustainable, transport is an important consideration. Spectators will be encouraged to use public transport, walk or cycle – in fact, London 2012 would like 100% of spectators and workforce to travel to London venues by the most sustainable modes.
The Challenge is to make sustainable travel plans for the journey from your school to two different Olympic and Paralympic venues. We suggest you take approximately four weeks to complete the Challenge, ideally this would be done as a Club activity. Your research should also be used to create a short presentation on sustainable travel. You will need to work in teams of four to six people, and think carefully about what your team can achieve in the available time – manage your time effectively, sharing out tasks and not taking on more than can be realistically completed.
STEM Challenge 4 Flyer FINAL
September 8, 2010 - 2:49 pm
The Royal Society’s Partnership Grants scheme is now open. You can apply for up to £3000 to work with scientists and engineers on creative investigations that inspire students with the excitement and wonder of cutting-edge science or engineering research.
Funds are available for projects working with students aged between 5-19, as long as the project involves a UK school or college, and a practising scientist or engineer. The next round for applications closes on 5 November 2010. For more details about eligibility criteria and to find out how to apply, go to http://royalsociety.org/partnership.
http://royalsociety.org/partnership-grants-scheme-case-studies.
If you have a great idea for a project, but need help in finding a partner, then please contact us.
Royal Society staff are happy to discuss ideas for projects, and can be reached on education@royalsociety.org or 0207 451 2554.
More Info
September 7, 2010 - 4:29 pm
STEMNET and the STEM Advisory Forum are pleased to invite you to the STEM Forum Event
National Space Centre, Leicester, LE4 5NS
Monday 27 September 2010
4:30 pm to 7.00pm
This event brings together school and college teachers with people who use Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in industry, research and business. The main purpose of the event is to share information and views between education and the workplace so that links between them can be strengthened. The focus will be on generating practical actions of benefit to all participants. There will also be short and informative presentations on the school curriculum and on STEM in the economy.
STEM Ambassadors will have the opportunity to talk directly to those involved in STEM teaching at school/college and will be able to explore how the use of STEM in their work can be translated into educational environments.
Teachers will have the opportunity to share with those in industry and business the factors that influence what happens in lessons and how they would like to be able to use the examples of STEM in the workplace in their lessons.
A light buffet will be provided at 6.30pm.
To book your place at this exciting event, please click on the event registration link: Register
If you have any further queries then please contact Gemma Marlowe at gemma.marlowe@nordanglia.com
