Children throughout the North East are discovering something new, inventing amazing things, and investigating the unknown… and they want you to join them!
STEM Clubs are an opportunity for school children to learn away from the confines of the classroom and national curriculum. Students can investigate and explore the science, technology, engineering, and maths that really interests them and STEM Club sessions could cover just about any topic.
Popular STEM Clubs have covered topics including: computer coding, biology and nature, maths puzzles (code cracking), robotics (and robot wars), engineering (and sustainable energy), rocketry, chemistry (and blowing stuff up), astronomy, physics, science talks, and the incredible things being discovered today.
The clubs are often held after school (from 3.30pm) or during lunchtimes but can take place at a variety of times and dates.
Get Involved
If you are already a STEM Ambassador it’s really easy to start supporting a local STEM Club. All you need to do is contact us at ambassadors@ncl-coll.ac.uk, or on 0191 200 4453, and we’ll find you a STEM Club that needs your help.
If you’re not currently registered as a STEM Ambassador, getting started couldn’t be easier: Simply register at https://db.stemnet.org.uk/register/ambassador and our coordinators will be in touch to arrange your DBS check and induction training.
STEM Advisory Network – STEM Clubs Evening
We would like to invite you to our STEM Clubs evening on Thursday 20 June 2013. The event is aimed at STEM Ambassadors, volunteers, and teachers interested in learning more about STEM Clubs. At the event you can watch demonstrations of STEM Club activities and meet with teachers, and other people involved in clubs, to plan and support the STEM clubs programme.
Thursday 20th June 2013, 4pm – 6pm
@ New Sixth Form Building
Newcastle Sixth Form College
Westmorland Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 7SA
Sat Nav: Newcastle College, Rye Hill Campus, Scotswood Rd, NE4 7SA
Map: Google Maps Link Unfortunately google maps still thinks we are a building site but the main entrance is very obvious now on Elswick East Terrace roughly where you can see the little red crane on the google map image.
Parking is available at the main car-park off Scotswood road: Map link for parking
Agenda
3.30pm to 4.00pm Registration and refreshments
RAEng “Winning Medals” kit
- Dave Thomas, RAEng Connecting STEM Teachers. Your chance to evaluate this resource and take it away for use in your school.
3D Printing, STEM Club activity and teacher CPD opportunity
– Mark Thirlwell, 3d Futures.
STEM Clubs Network support
– David Rogers, STEM Advisory Network.
Running a STEM Club | Demo activities
– Chris Bell, Sacred Heart High School.
Stories of success
– approaches to STEM, activities and events that have made a difference.
Invitation to all school pupils and teachers to participate in AuroraWatch UK.
AuroraWatchNet is a project to build, deploy and operate magnetometers for detecting when the aurora borealis is likely to be visible from the UK and other mid-latitude locations.
AuroraWatch UK will provide 10 magnetometers for schools to use free of charge in their teaching of science, technology and mathematics. They will select the schools which will make the best educational use of the magnetometer data. Pupils and teachers from the selected schools will also be invited to a conference where they can share their results and learn more about the aurora from space scientists at Lancaster University.
If you interested in participating please nominate a member of staff to complete the competition form before 25 June 2013. AuroraWatch will announce the results on their website on 1 July 2013.
For more information about the schools’ magnetometer project and the competition please see http://aurorawatch.net/
From zombies to zebra fish, barnacles to bubbles, superheroes to sustainability…you’ll find them all in the British Science Festival Young People’s Programme Monday 9 – Thursday 12 September 2013 at:
Newcastle University
Northumbria University
Woodhorn Museum
Sunderland Museum
Newcastle City Learning Centre
Age 7-11: Turn everyday objects into smart devices or find out how science has saved lives
Age 11-14: Get blown away by explosive demonstrations or relax in a café made from waste
Age 14 -16: Investigate cutting- edge science from clinical trials and crowdsourcing to social diffusion and virtual reality
Age 16 -19: Discover how chocolate wrappers can clean up the atmosphere and whether science could make us superhuman
With over 80 activities at 5 venues across the North East, there really is something for everyone. Visit www.britishsciencefestival.org to register for updates, see the full programme and book your places.
Bookings open on 7 May 2013 and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Bookings will only be accepted via the online system. Although the event is free, cancellation charges apply once bookings are confirmed. Full conditions of booking are available in the programme and via the booking system.
A maths competition for 16+ students, run by Transversal in partnership with Olympic gold-medal-winning sailor Sarah Ayton.
Maths competition
Put your maths skills to the test and win a sailing lesson with a double-gold Olympic medal winning sailor!
If you think maths is done from behind a desk, think again! The Transversal Maths Challenge gives pupils the chance to test out their maths skills in the real world – on the high seas. Open to UK students between the ages of 16 and 18 in full-time education, the competition challenges pupils to solve a series of maths problems centred on sailing.
The prize
The six finalists will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Port Hamble, Southampton on Thursday, 4 July 2013 to take part in a sailing lesson with double-gold Olympic medal winning British sailor, Sarah Ayton, whose most recent success came when her team won the Yngling sailing class during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The following day, Friday 5 July 2013, the students will put their new skills to the test as they take part in the annual Transversal Charity Cup. This sees teams compete in a yacht race from Cowes, Isle of Wight to Port Hamble, Southampton to win money for their chosen cause.
This guide shows you how to go about the important issue of funding, how to run a STEM Clubs with next to nothing, and the possible sources of finance for your STEM Club
This guide will give you an idea of the impact STEM Clubs have on achievement, some opportunities for staff CPD, and the awards and competitions STEM Clubs can engage in.
This series of films will give you an idea of how to create your club identity, extend the impact of your club, and working with other schools and your local community.
Placement Provider: Durham University
John Girkin, Nazim Bharmal
Title: Speckle phenomena from laser light scattering Subject area: Physics Number of Placements: 2
Speckle is a phenomenon which was quickly observed after the laser was invented, and is often considered an annoyance. It can instead be utilized to make particular optical measurements that aren’t easily done without expensive and rare equipment. Examples include the wavefront of light beams, which when not flat produces blurring in imaging, or sizing particles by looking at the size of speckle or even quantifying the smoothness of skin. This project will look at speckle produced by small particles on a microscope slide and examine the basic properties of speckle, and then move onto new and more unusual examples. The project will be partly experimental and use the equipment in our undergraduate laboratories, and the student will have opportunities to be involved with the design and direction of the experiments.
Duration: 5 weeks Start date: 1st July
Placement Provider: Newcastle University
Anna Faszczyk
Title: Transport: RailNewcastle Subject area: Transport / Statistics Number of Placements: 1
RailNewcastle is an Intensive Programme in Rail Freight and Logistics with 54 students from Europe attending. At the end of the programme we will be collecting feedback forms from the students and then analyse their responses using statistics software (SPSS). The project involves: data cleaning, data analysis and report writing. The final report will be shared with 8 European RailNewcastle partners and might be used in other publications.
Duration: 4 weeks Start date: 4 July 2013
Placement Provider: Northumbria University
Anne Willis, Peter Hoare
Title: Battery technology – a history and a look to the future Number of Placements: 3
To develop a circus of experiments for use in local schools which establish some of the historical context of electrical cells (batteries to the general public!), their development to current models and a look towards future provision and usage, e.g. hydrogen fuel cells. The circus should provide hands on activities for a standard class of pupils (30) with support materials for technicians and teachers. If 3 students were allocated to the project we envisage that activities relating closely to KS3, KS4 and KS5 curricula could be developed. As a consequence of taking part in this project the students will gain an in depth knowledge of electrochemical cells. The developed materials would then be adopted by Northumbria and Newcastle Chemistry outreach teams and STEM Ambassadors from the Undergraduate and Postgraduate bodies trained to deliver them across the region.
Title: Behavioural study of the Chilean flamingos Subject area: Biology/Zoology Number of Placements: 1
To carry out a behavioural study of the Chilean flamingos, specifically breeding behaviour and the integration of hand reared juvenile birds. This project will also observe the relationship between the flamingos and other species, both collection birds and wild birds.
Title: Investigating enclosure use and interactions of the wetland centre’s Vulnerable Asian short-clawed otters. Subject area: Biology/Zoology Number of Placements: 1
Describe the breeding behaviour and mating system of WWT Washington’s flock of endangered white headed duck. This tricky to breed species is enjoying a new exhibit at the wetlands centre. This project would enable staff to determine stocking densities for this series of ponds. Observations would include breeding behaviour, nesting behaviour, interaction with con-specifics and other species.
Title: The breeding behaviour and mating system of WWT Washington’s flock of endangered white headed duck Subject area: Biology/Zoology Number of Placements: 1
To investigate enclosure use and interactions of the wetland centre’s Vulnerable Asian short-clawed otters. The centre has a newly formed pair which is displaying all the signs of breeding. This is an excellent opportunity for a student to assist the centre by describing the otter’s behaviour through observational surveys.
Duration: 6 weeks Start date: July 2013
Placement Provider: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
John Oliver
Title: What species inhabit hibernaculums Subject area: Biology/Zoology/Ecology Number of Placements: 1
Investigate what species inhabit hibernaculums which have been constructed around the nature reserve at WWT Washington. A hibernaculum by definition is occupied by hibernating animals during the winter. The habitats are however used all year round by different creatures. Your task would be to discover what uses these man-made habitats and would include using a range of different survey skills, trapping techniques, identification techniques and invertebrate sampling.
Duration: 6 weeks Start date: July 2013
Placement Provider: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
John Oliver
Title: Compare and contrast the biodiversity of pond habitats Subject area: Aquatic Biology/ Fresh water Zoology Number of Placements: 1
Compare and contrast the biodiversity of pond habitats: one recently cleared of Canadian pond weed and others that haven’t been invaded with this plant. This will involve botanical surveys, amphibian surveys and invertebrate surveys. This project looks at the recovery rate of the recently cleared pond.
Duration: 6 weeks Start date: July 2013
Placement Provider: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
John Oliver
Title: An Ecological survey of what species inhabit the dead hedging surrounding WWT Subject area: Biology/Zoology/Ecology Number of Placements: 1
Investigate what species inhabit the dead hedging (barrier made from cut branches, saplings and foliage) that has been installed around the nature reserve at WWT Washington. Your task would be to discover what uses this habitat through a variety of surveying techniques to include birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibian and invertebrate species.
Duration: 6 weeks Start date: July 2013
Placement Provider: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
John Oliver
Title: The Investigating the possible negative impact of water pollution and its effects on the aquatic invertebrate community Subject area: Aquatic Biology/ Fresh water Zoology Number of Placements: 1
Investigate the negative impact water pollution has on aquatic invertebrate community across the nature reserve. Compare and contrast the biodiversity of ponds displaying the effects of water pollution. This will involve carrying out botanical, amphibian and invertebrate surveys.
Duration: 6 weeks Start date: July 2013
Placement Provider: Beamish Museum
Joanne McAnelly
Title: Museum Engineering and invention – Adhesion principle Subject area: Engineering Number of Placements: 2
To research and ultimately design, and if possible construct, models which may be used for demonstration of the principles of adhesion for William Hedley was a pioneer in the days of the early railways. Also to research and design and construct experiments which may be demonstrated to and tried by, visitors to the museum and can be taken to community events, in relation to the Puffing Billy Festival taking place in late September in the Wylam area.
Duration: 4 weeks Start date: tbc
Placement Provider: Newcastle University
Chandra Vemury
Title: A Review of Martensitic Phase Transformations in Shape Memory Alloys Subject area: Engineering Number of Placements: 2
Over the last couple of decades, considerable research has been carried out on a class of smart materials called Shape Memory Alloys (SMA). As a result of the interesting work, SMAs have been found to have a wide range of scientific applications including heart surgery, aeronautical design and earthquake resistant design etc. This project forms part of a research study currently underway at Newcastle University and is aimed at understanding the crystallography of SMA and the effect of phase transformations on their mechanical properties.
Duration: 4 weeks Start date: tbc
Placement Provider: Newcastle Science City
Karen Marshall
Title: Life Sciences and Bio-medicine – Future employment opportunities. Subject area: Bio-medicine Number of Placements: 1
Newcastle Science City (NSC) has an ongoing program which identifies and works with science, technology and engineering research institutes and businesses to understand the jobs they offer Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Engineering and Computing students. Company profiles and examples of career opportunities are printed in our eBook on our website. This project will investigate companies who work in the field of Biomedicine and Life Sciences. The researcher will work with the Skills and Education Manager at NSC to identify, interview and compile profiles about each company and will work with a young STEM employee at the company to agree a company profile, including images, to be included in the eBook. This placement will give the researcher unprecedented access to life science companies across the region, meeting young recruits and senior staff gaining an exclusive insight into the industry. They will also gain experience working with the eBook designer and publisher.
Duration: 4 weeks Start date: tbc
Placement Provider: Newcastle University Computing Science
James Turland
Title: Private Data Leakage on Mobile Phones Subject area: Technology Number of Placements: 2
The recent increase in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) poses many threats to security networks. Many existing networks and systems were designed and implemented without such devices (phones/tablets etc) having access. Moreover, these mobile devices are typically insecure or insufficiently protected (password/encryption). This promotes an environment where data is mobilised and transferred through unsecure devices. This poses significant risks and vulnerabilities and data leakage is a natural outcome of this.
Newcastle University has a keen interest in the field of BYOD and the risks related to this new phenomena. We have recently launched the Cyber Security Research Institute in collaboration with several other Academic Institutions in order to investigate and understand this problem space. We are interested in the human/cyber relationship aiming to understand the ways in which people use these devices and the methods in which they can be controlled/monitored.
Duration: 4 weeks Start date: tbc
Placement Provider: Newcastle College
David Rogers
Title: Science Communication / Web Technologies Subject area: Technology Number of Placements: 1
Production of a series of video interviews with STEM Ambassadors for publication on the web. During this project you will learn about science communication, web design and social media.You will also get to meet professionals and academics from a wide variety of fields within STEM.
Duration: 4 weeks Start date: tbc
Placement Provider: Newcastle College
David Rogers
Title: Science Communication / Web Technologies Subject area: Technology Number of Placements: 1
Research Science and engineering practical experiments and demonstrations. Completing a resource for STEM ambassadors and teachers to deliver in schools. During this project you will learn about science communication, what makes a good demo and how enrichment can support school curriculum.
Six new practical biology activities to engage students in Biology topics, from developing super-strength glue to investigating the decline of conker trees.
The activities are designed to enhance the curriculum, covering areas not supported by existing resources. They were developed with STEM Ambassadors in mind, and include guidance on introducing the topic, how to present the activity, structuring the session, equipment lists and health and safety notes.
The activities explore the following topics, providing STEM Ambassadors and teachers with guidance on introducing the topic, how to present the activity, structuring the session, equipment lists and health and safety notes:
Colour questions – what happens when coloured substances are mixed with oil and water?
A full day event for teachers at NETPark, Sedgefield, County Durham. The theme is Space Technology and purpose of the day is to enhance the teachers’ subject knowledge in this area and increase awareness of STEM careers.
The day is structured around workshops delivered by scientists and engineers which will provide the teachers with ideas for activities which will engage students with the STEM curriculum. Teachers will receive free resources to take away which they will be able to use in Science lessons or for STEM clubs. You will also have the opportunity to discuss STEM careers informally with practising scientists and engineers.
The workshops include making a robot, a spectrometer and landing a virtual Mars Rover. There will also be an engaging talk by a US Space Scientist who has worked with NASA.
The STEM Directories are an online resource to help teachers find Enhancement & Enrichment activities across the UK to support their teaching. It contains information about activities delivered in-school as well as trips that schools can make and challenges, competitions and summer schools. STEM Directories have over 300 schemes live on the site, but are keen to make the resource as comprehensive and useful to teachers as possible. As an added bonus, we provide 30 grants a year of £500 to teachers in English state schools, and more £500 grants for Maths teachers UK-wide who select a scheme listed on the STEM Directories site. If you’re not already listed, it’s an easy process and you will become eligible for teachers to apply to spend £500 on your scheme. The closing dates for these rounds of grants are 20 March 2013 and 22 March 2013.
The STEM Directories provide information about ways to support and extend your science, engineering, design and mathematics teaching. Some schemes bring exciting activities into your school, others can provide a memorable day out for your students or a nationwide competition to help motivate your science club. They might involve bringing a real scientist, engineer or mathematician into the classroom, give your students access to equipment not readily available or simulate real-life applications of science and technology. Many schemes can provide supporting teaching materials to help get the most of the activity.
STEM Directories also offer grants of up to £500 available for you to have a STEM Enrichment activity take place at your school in 2013. The closing dates for these rounds of grants are the are 20 March 2013 and 22 March 2013.
The British Science Association has published a new guide for teachers about STEM project work. It’s likely to be of most interest to secondary teachers of STEM subjects who use (or would like to use) student-led project work as a way of teaching or doing extra-curricular activities. It’s been written by Linda Scott, an experienced CREST Coordinator and teacher educator at the University of Worcester, and supported by Intel.
The Schools Analyst Competition is an annual event organised by the Analytical Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Teams of three students, from the first year sixth form or equivalent groups, compete to solve a practical exercise requiring laboratory skills, interpretation, and problem solving within a specified period of time. Regional heats are held in the RSC regional centres, which for the North East are Huddersfield, Bradford, Newcastle, Teesside, and Sunderland. The results from the winners of these local heats are then compared, and the best team is selected to enter the national final.
The Sunderland heat of this competition will be held on Monday the 18th of March between 1:00pm and 5:30pm in the Fleming Building at Sunderland University.
The Newcastle heat of this competition will be held on Wednesday, 27th March 2013 between 4.30pm and 7.30pm in the Ellison Building Laboratories (EBA504) at Northumbria University.
Each school in the area is invited to enter one team of three students drawn from Year 12. The winning team will need to demonstrate practical competence, organisation, problem solving skills, and effective written communication. The winners are selected on the basis of a detailed report of their results and conclusions.
Laboratory and safety considerations mean that they can only accommodate a limited number (9) of teams of three. Entry will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
The Connecting Classrooms programme promotes international schools’ partnerships through the Connecting Classrooms programme and CREST Awards.
This is a great opportunity for schools as there are some fantastic learning benefits to a partnership with an international school, especially when looking at global issues such as climate change where a real life context from more effected areas can be very beneficial in promoting understanding of the impacts and challenges involved.
As well as the British Council resource – Climate4Classrooms – and the BSA’s own specially adapted Tree for Life challenge, there are lots of CPD units and workshops available. There is also the £1500 grant for a teacher exchange visit once the schools have shown that they are working in partnership; working together on a CREST Award or completion of the Tree for Life project will be accepted as evidence of this and will qualify teachers to receive the grant.
Excite… Inspire… Celebrate! The Big Bang North East
Wednesday 3 July 2013 at Newcastle University
BOOKINGS NOW OPEN!
Join us for a celebration of science, engineering and maths in the North East
• Enter pupil project work to win cash prizes and places at The Big Bang UK 2014
• Bring a group of pupils for a fun, exciting and inspirational day out
Enter the Competition
Do your pupils have science, engineering or maths project work they want to show off? The Big Bang North East includes the regional heats for the National Science + Engineering Competition. There is over £1500 prize money up for grabs and the best projects will win a place at The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair 2014. Find out more and register here http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/northeast/
Visit the fair
Bring a group of pupils for a fun, FREE, day out. Visit the fair for a full day (10am-2.30pm) and enjoy a selection of activities which including science shows, hands-on workshops, drop-in zones and inspirational talks. Headliners are the Science Museum’s crazy comedians, Punk Science, who return for 2013 with The Most Disgusting Show in the World.
Find out more and book here http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/northeast/
Newcastle Friday 8 March 2013, 1pm. Venue: Theatre Royal. Suitable for: Year 11 and Sixth Form Students Price: £7
Line Up:
Rob Eastaway: The Maths of TV Gameshows
Steve Mould: Weird and Wonderful Maths
Colin Wright: The Maths of Juggling
Maths Inspiration is one of the largest maths enrichment programmes for teenagers in the UK. It’s a chance for Year 11s and sixth formers to experience the UK’s most inspiring maths speakers live, in big venues, presenting mathematics in the context of exciting, real-world situations.
All shows have three interactive talks, an interval and a lively Q and A session at the end. Many of the shows feature mathematicians, engineers and physicists, making this the ideal STEM outing for your school.
If you are looking for a great hands-on STEM activity take a look at Practical Action’s Floating Garden Challenge, designed for ages 7-19.
The problem: In Bangladesh land is frequently flooded as a result of climate change, ruining crops grown for food. The result is that families go hungry.
The Challenge: To design and make a model solution to the problem that will enable farmers to grow crops even when the land is flooded.
Students test their models to see which one holds the most weight when floated in water then look at how Practical Action has worked with communities in Bangladesh to build floating gardens out of local, sustainable material.
Resources to help you deliver the challenge are free and include a PowerPoint, teacher’s notes, student worksheets, certificates and an A2 poster which you can request free.
Eligible schools can apply for £200 funding to run activities for (National Science and Engineering Week) NSEW 2013. Free resources and support are available to help make your school’s activities straight forward and spectacular.
The British Science Association’s Kick-Start Fund is designed to help schools in challenging circumstances create a buzz around science, inspire staff, pupils and parents and make NSEW the best week of the year!
Is my school eligible?
To be eligible for a grant schools must fit into at least one of the following criteria:
have a high proportion (30% or more) of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds
have a high proportion (30% or more) of pupils eligible for free school meals
be a small school based in a remote and rural location
How do I apply?
All you need is an idea for an event or activity to run during the Week. For help with activity ideas, visit the grant activity page here.
The STEM Directories Grant scheme is now open for applications from teachers (deadline 3pm on Tuesday 30 October). You can promote yourself to teachers, and you’re eligible for the grant scheme if you get yourself on there.
A bit more information about the grants
Grants of up to £500 for you to have a STEM enrichment activity take place at schools in England before March 2013, to be chosen from those listed in the online STEM Directories (www.stemdirectories.org.uk).
The aim of STEM Directories Grants Scheme is to foster the use of the STEM Directories, enable wider access to activities listed and support STEM teachers. The scheme is designed to not only raise awareness of enrichment activities but to support teachers’ professional development and enhance the experience in school by helping integrate enrichment activities in curricular practice. Grants are open to all state-funded schools in England. Applications are particularly welcome from both schools in underprivileged areas and high achieving schools.
Some activities may be free, in which case funds can be used to help integrate these in classroom practice (e.g. for materials and/or CPD). Grant funds will be transferred once the activity has been delivered (usually directly to the activity provider). Please remember the maximum grant is £500 and any further cost is the responsibility of the school.
Providers, if you’re not listed on the site, you won’t be eligible for teachers to apply for a grant to access your scheme. They also provide money to the school even if your scheme is free, so everyone wins!
The Big Bang Fair 2013
London’s ExCeL Centre
14-17th March 2013.
With over 65,000 people expected on site across the 4 day event, The Big Bang is now the largest single celebration of Science & Engineering for young people in the UK. As the Fair extends to four days for 2013, they are expanding the Club Showcase to over 150 clubs to form the largest showcase of its type in the country.
A club can be selected to:
A) Compete in a clubs competition held Thursday 14th and Friday 15th March 2013 with awards handed out at the National Awards Ceremony on the evening of Friday 14th (school and college days) in the ExCeL Auditorium including UK Club of the Year.
B) Participate in the UK Showcase on the Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March (Family days) and be eligible for People’s Choice Awards presented on Sunday 17th March 2013.
C) A combination of A and B Compete and Participate for all four days Thursday 14th to Sunday 17th March 2013
To be eligible for either of the above the club must participate for at least two days (Thursday and Friday or Saturday and Sunday). Any club available for all four days will be eligible for both.
The clubs selected will receive: Food vouchers per day
A clubs show box
Access for all students to book into activities at The Fair
Participation certificates for all students participating
Please note clubs will be able to participate for one day but will only be eligible for: £50 worth of food vouchers per day
Access for all students to book into activities at The Fair
Participation certificates for all students participating
Club Bursaries
All clubs selected will be provided access to apply for a bursary for travel and accommodation. The link to the online bursary application process will be provided to clubs upon notification that their application was successful.
Please note that bursaries are only available to clubs that prove they have exhausted all reasonable attempts to obtain the funding elsewhere. This includes, school funds, Parents and Teachers Associations, Local Education Authorities, local businesses and education charities. Evidence of formal written requests and refusals or part funding offered will be required as part of your submission.
If your club will require funding to participate we strongly suggest all clubs begin this process of application prior to the formal application link being provided in December. Please note that the bursary application deadline will be Friday 25th January and all evidence will need to be submitted by this date in order to be considered for a full or partial bursary.
The University of Nevada are running a challenge for which UK schools are eligible.
Full details are available at http://cadchallenge.net.
The challenge is to create a 3D design using a free browser-based CAD tool. Designs will be judged on complexity and physical fidelity.
Prizes
First place: NCLab Full Version for one year (see details), an iPad 3, and Certificate of Award.
Second place: NCLab Full Version for one year (see details) and Certificate of Award.
Third place: NCLab Extended Version for one year (see details) and Certificate of Award.
Institute of Physics’ Public Engagement Grant Scheme 2013 – Round 1
Do you have a fantastic idea for making physics accessible? Do you want to reach a wider audience? Do you need some support to make your outreach activity happen?
The first round of the 2013 Public Engagement Grant from the Institute of Physics is now open for applications. The grants are worth up to £1500 and aim to support physics-based outreach activities in the UK and Ireland throughout 2013. Activities should provide engaging experiences of physics to public audiences.
SCENE at Newcastle College would like to invite teachers to bring groups of 5-10 of their Year 10 students to an exciting free event at Newcastle College on Friday 29th June.
The "Rio +20 Youth Solutions Conference" will give students a chance to debate the same global issues to be discussed by world leaders at the "Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development" in June.
Young people will have the opportunity to see how these issues are affecting the North East as part of the College’s role in the UN Regional Centre for Expertise (RCE) in Education for Sustainable Development. Through this they aim to give young people a voice about sustainability issues. The solutions from the event, suggested by young people, will be discussed at the next annual meeting for the global RCE.
Debates will be facilitated by passionate Sixth Form Students from the College, industry experts and professionals, and teachers will be invited to support debates. Also during the day we hope to provide information to students about careers and training in sustainability and the environment sector.
Issues to be discussed on a local level:
• Jobs
• Energy
• Food
• Flooding and Drought
(More information about Rio+20 can be found at www.uncsd2012.org/rio20)
The event will be suitable for gifted and talented students as well as subject areas like citizenship, sciences, geography or a school eco-committee. Please register with Rachael Little via email rachael.little@ncl-coll.ac.uk or phone 0191 200 4453.
This out-of-the-box poster competition is a simple way to take part in National Science & Engineering Week, either as homework or a class project.
The British Science Association is launching an ideas challenge for 5 – 14 year olds asking them to invent a multi-terrain global racer that uses renewable power.
Pupils will need to invent one method of transportation that can carry themselves and two friends across a range of challenging terrains in their global adventure! The race could last many weeks, so vehicles will need to be large enough to carry supplies.
Racers must be presented in the form of a poster with a drawing of the invention accompanied by an explanation of how it works. Full teacher’s notes will be provided.
Entries will be judged by a panel and the best researched and explained in each category will win a selection of prizes.
Macmillan and Kingfisher Childrens’ Books are generously providing £25 worth of books for each age category. There is also a Nintendo DS up for grabs for each of the younger age categories plus a Nintendo 3DS for the winner of the 11-14 age group. The closing date for all postal entries will be Monday 2nd April 2012.
STEMNET and Cisco are challenging 11-16 year olds to use their Maths and Science skills to
plan a major sporting event in their local area. The Challenge is to plan a major sporting event that would transform your local area and showcase local and national talent. Teams of 4-6 students must choose a sport and a venue or location, and work out what resources, facilities and equipment would be
needed for the event. As with all STEM Challenges, teams will present their project at a STEM Challenge
local judging event.
Here’s a quick run-down of National Science and Engineering Week events open to the public and schools in the North East. Click on the links to view full descriptions of the events
National Science & Engineering Week: Events and activities for everyone, 9–18 March 2012
In 2012, National Science & Engineering Week explores “our world in motion.”
National Science & Engineering Week shines the spotlight each March on how science, technology, engineering and maths relate to our everyday lives and helps to inspire the next generation of scientists with fun and participative activities.
With over 4,500 events and activities attended by 1.7 million people in 2011 and generating over £1m in press coverage, this is the UK’s widest grassroots celebration of all things science and engineering. You can join the celebration by attending an event or taking part in our national activities.
Armstrong the Electrical Wizard
Date(s): 14th March 2012 (11:00) to 14th March 2012 (13:00)
Date(s): 14th March 2010 (14:00) to 14th March 2010 (16:00)
Science made simple, an award winning science communication company, is delighted to announce a tour week of heavily subsidised engineering show days in your area thanks to funding from the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology).
They will be visiting schools in North East England from 30th April to 4th May. The shows available to schools in the area will be A Rough Guide to Engineering (KS3).
A show day can comprise of up to three performances in total. This whole day of shows is available to schools for just £75+VAT. The shows are performed in the school hall and can be presented to as many pupils as you choose to bring to the venue.
Educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust is looking for Year 9 students to apply for a place on a residential course over Easter. Students can apply to attend a foundation ‘Engineering Experience’ course and ‘Engineering Construction’ course. They will gain experience of university and industry that will accelerate their personal development and their potential for greater academic achievement. Students can apply directly from the Smallpeice website. Applications are reviewed and places allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Yr 9 Engineering Experience, 2-4 April 2012, University of Nottingham
This popular ‘foundation course’ is perfect for those who want to find out more about engineering and the exciting career opportunities available. You will get to work with engineers from leading companies across the UK and solve real engineering challenges.
• Analysing products, studying the roles they perform and the characteristics that make them effective
• Designing and building products using a range of different materials and control systems
• Learning the practical applications of the techniques and processes you will be using
• Understanding the importance of budgets in developing designs and materials, allowing you to calculate the financial implications of your decisions
• Collecting data from your project and analysing it to make better decisions
• Working alongside real engineers from industry, drawing on their knowledge and putting your new skills into practice
This course is priced at a special introductory rate of £95 which includes all accommodation, meals, course materials and social activities.
Year 9 Engineering Construction, 2-5 April 2012, University of Wolverhampton
This brand new course gives you the chance to be mentored by real-life engineering construction professionals.
You will find out about the diverse career opportunities available; from professional engineers, project managers and supervisors, to technicians, craft engineers and semi-skilled operatives. Can you rise to the challenge?
• Exploring the world of engineering construction through a series of hands-on workshops and demonstrations
• Meeting and working with real-life engineers from leading companies like Doosan Babcock, Foster Wheeler and Siemens, drawing on their expertise and putting your new skills into practice
• Working in a team on a design and build project, giving a practical insight into this field
• Collecting data from your project and examining it to make better decisions and evaluate performance
• Understanding the importance of financial management in developing designs and materials, allowing you to calculate the budgetary implications of your decisions
• Gaining an understanding of the wide range of career opportunities that you could explore and salary potential
This course is priced at a special introductory rate of £95 which includes all accommodation, meals, course materials and social activities.
The Royal Academy of Engineering coordinates ‘Connecting Teachers’, an education project which aims to establish a network of STEM teachers across the UK. The network will provide opportunities to engage in peer support and allow teachers across STEM subject areas to offer solutions on how to widen participation in STEM at KS3 and beyond.
A number of Teacher Coordinators (TCs) will be employed on a consultancy basis around the UK with the task of building up a local network of schools and teachers and linking in with other similar active STEM teacher networks e.g. Physics Teacher Network. The TCs will work with teachers to provide them with the tools to help illustrate to students the role of engineering in society and how engineers help shape our world and improve our lives.
The Academy are looking for teachers from across the UK who have a strong D&T, engineering or ICT background and would like to get involved in this role.
The TCs will not be expected to leave their current teaching role, the TC role would typically be ½ day a week in addition to their current teaching role.
For more information on the post and to download an application form, click here
Once a week we send to our STEM Ambassadors 5 new ideas for STEM activities. Today we would like to introduce you to the world of Maths (NRICH and Bowling Maths), Food (Food for Life), Space (ESERO) and Technology (Connected Earth). Please check more details below. And enjoy planning your new activities!
Title
Description
Website
NRICH (Maths)
The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. Their website offers thousands of our free mathematics enrichment materials (problems, articles and games) for teachers and learners from ages 5 to 19 years. All the resources are designed to develop subject knowledge, problem-solving and mathematical thinking skills.
The Food for Life Partnership is a network of schools and communities across England committed to transforming food culture. Their website offers teaching recourses, case studies and films about food…
ESERO-UK aims to promote the use of space to enhance and support the teaching and learning of STEM in schools in the UK. The project is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Department for Education. Their website offers teaching resources and activities.
Bowland Maths makes maths fun and absorbing for pupils aged 11-14. The aim is to help change pupils’ views of maths by increasing their motivation and enjoyment, which should help increase their confidence and their competence. A second aim is to help teach maths in a different way.
The Literary & Philosophical Society (Lit & Phil) is the largest independent library outside of London, housing over 150,000 books. A wide selection of current fiction & non-fiction can be found alongside historical collections covering every field of interest, including science. It is located in a outstanding Grade II* listed building in the centre of Newcastle and is currently working to make itself known to the wider population in the city of Newcastle.
To raise their profile and attract a new audience to this beautiful building, they have asked the Community Science Team at Centre West to help them deliver a one-off event providing a unique opportunity for families to be given access to its building and to explore its resources.
They are looking for two or three science-based, hands on activities to enthuse and excite people about science.
If interested please contact Rhianne Dixon at Rhianne.dixon@centre-west.com with a brief outline of the activity and your costs.
The Oceans of Opportunity event is being held on Wednesday 1st December 2010 at Newcastle University. It will be attended by an estimated 600-700 pupils aged 15-18yrs, from schools and colleges around the NE region and further afield.
Schools can sign up to a range of stimulating, interactive activities that bring science learning to life, participate in an engaging debate, and find out more about the fantastic careers and courses on offer. A wide range of high profile companies and employers will be represented at the event with many challenging and exciting careers showcased.
There are a number of different options available to your school/college, as there are different elements that make up the event.
The options are:
Attend the morning session (10am-1pm) which will include chance to participate in two hands-on activities, the opportunity to speak to organisations and companies offering courses or careers in marine, maritime and science based fields at the Careers Exhibition, and the chance to be involved in the debate.
Attend the afternoon session (12-3pm), and participating in the activities described above.
Participate in the Careers Exhibition only – from 10am-12pm
Participate in the Careers Exhibition only – from 1-3pm
As part of your session, students will get the opportunity to participate in two activities out of a choice of four.
Activity
Show off or blend in: What is the best strategy? The role of colour, light and shape in adaptations to the challenges of the marine environment.
Environmentally Friendly Oil Slick The oil disaster challenge!
Sink or Swim? Ship design and PropulsionGet stuck into marine technology in the laboratory.
Marine Biology in Action!An introduction to life in our seas.
To ensure your school/college’s participation in the Oceans of Opportunity event, please complete the form below by 4pm on the Tuesday, 2nd November 2010 and return it to Annie Cunningham at annie.cunningham@ncl.ac.uk or post to Annie Cunningham, Dove Marine Laboratory, School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University, Cullercoats, North Shields, NE30 4PZ.
Please complete the following details to register:
School Name:
Contact name:
Telephone:
Fax:
Best time to phone:
Email:
No. of places required in total:
No. of KS4 pupils:
No. of Post-16 pupils:
Please number the options below in order of preference, put a cross against any options you cannot attend.
Session
1- 4 or X
Morning full session 10am-1pm
Afternoon full session 12-3pm
Morning Careers Exhibition 10am-12pm
Afternoon Careers Exhibition 1-3pm
If you are attending a full morning or afternoon session, please specify your activity preferences below and we will do our best to accommodate your top choices.
Activity
1- 4
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
If you have any questions or queries please contact Annie Cunningham on the above email address.
