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.
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.
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/
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.
We are delighted to open the nominations for The STEMNET Awards 2012! These are online at www.stemnet.org.uk/awards
The STEMNET Awards aim to recognise the UK’s most inspirational people for motivating young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is again kindly offering a trip to CERN for the winners of each award. Winners will be announced at The STEMNET Awards 2012 Ceremony which will take place at the House of Lords on Wednesday 21st November, hosted by Lord Sainsbury.
From Friday 31st August to Monday 1st October, there is the opportunity to nominate for the following awards:
• Most Dedicated STEM Ambassador- for those Ambassadors who have made a significant contribution to the programme.
• Most Dedicated Employer- for those employers that have supported their employees to become an Ambassador and then to actively engage through this with their local schools.
• Most Dedicated Teacher- for those teachers who have proactively engaged with the programme for the benefit of their pupils and school.
• Most Dedicated STEM Club- for those STEM Clubs who have proactively engaged with the programme for the benefit of their pupils and school.
• The Inspirational Technician Award- for those technicians who have inspired young people to follow technician career routes.
There is no limit to the number of categories you can nominate in and please do forward onto your contacts too.
We are pleased to invite anybody to the awards ceremony who nominates a shortlisted candidate.
Summer Residential Course Opportunities for students with an interest or natural ability in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths!
Educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust is looking for current Year 11 students to apply for a place on a Low Carbon Energy residential course over the summer. They will gain experience of university and industry that will accelerate their personal development and their potential for greater academic achievement.
Yr 11, Low Carbon Energy
Newcastle University, 23rd – 26th July, 2012
The move towards a lower carbon economy requires us to develop a portfolio of low carbon energy technologies for the electricity, heat and transport markets. Sponsored by Senergy, a global energy services company, this course introduces you to the wide reaching opportunities in this fast changing sector and the difference you could make within this area of engineering.
What will I be doing?
Learning about the different forms of low carbon energy including wind, waves and tide through a series of masterclasses and laboratory sessions
Having question-and-answer sessions with leading experts from Senergy in low carbon energy and marine engineering
Using state-of-the-art research facilities including wave tanks, wind-wave-current tanks and circulating water tanks to conduct tests and experiments
Learning about the engineering challenges involved in capturing, distributing and storing energy from the environment
Competing in teams to design-and-make the most effective and innovative low carbon energy capture devices, tested in commercial and research test facilities
Benefiting from the experience and guidance of student mentors from marine technology and engineering
This course is subsidised and costs £225 which includes all accommodation, meals, course materials and fully supervised social activities. Students can apply directly from the Smallpeice website. Applications are reviewed and places allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Scientists, social scientists, engineers and clinicians can experience life in the heart of the newsroom by applying for a British Science Association 2012 Media Fellowship.
Spend 3-8 weeks this summer working with hosts including the BBC, Guardian and Nature to produce accurate, well-informed news about developments in science, and work alongside the UK’s top science editors in the British Science Festival Press Centre.
Return to work with media confidence, contacts, and first-class communication skills.
“I came away brimming with ideas, skills and advice for my researcher peers and I met some amazing people with the same values and drive as me. It was extremely interesting, educational and fun I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the world outside their research bubble.” Media Fellow
Apply online from 16 January – 11 March 2012
We welcome applications from researchers at all stages of their career and for eligibility criteria, experiences from past Media Fellows, and the online application form go to
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.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is committed to promoting enthusiasm and understanding of STEM subjects in young people and, as part of this commitment, offers funding to support local education projects.
The IET Education Fund is an annual fund, and will be accepting bids for funding from 1 January 2012 to 9 March 2012 for projects taking place 1 May 2012 to 30 April 2013. Awards of up to £5000 can be offered. Eligible projects must help to engage UK-based students aged 5-19 with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects, and projects must involve more than one educational establishment. For more information and an application pack, please go to http://www.theiet.org/fund
After some fantastic placements last summer we are now looking for project hosts for Summer 2012. Could you host one of the region’s bright, enthusiastic and capable young scientists and engineers?
Nuffield Bursaries offer aspiring young scientists the opportunity to explore their chosen field of science, technology, engineering or maths during a 4 to 6 week summer placement. North East placements are offered by leading local and national businesses, scientific industrial research institutes and all of our excellent local universities.
STEMNET and the Paralympic Torch Relay Team are challenging 11-14 year olds to create a spark to light the Paralympic Flame by the energy of human endeavour.
The Challenge is to design a spectacular human-powered invention for creating the spark which lights the Paralympic Flame. For the Challenge entries, pupils must produce a design for their device and present to a panel of judges. Pupils will need to provide enough evidence to convince the judges that their invention will work.
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) honours teachers for their dedication to inspiring the next generation of chemists.
Do you know someone who has made a significant contribution to teaching the chemical sciences, developed innovative materials for students or is based in industry and has played a key role in promoting the chemical sciences in education?
They have a wide range of Prizes and Awards to acknowledge those undertaking excellent work. In recognition of their achievement award winners receive up to £2,000 prize money. Visit the RSC website for further details and to make a nomination.
Reward achievement: 2012 nominations open on 1 September 2011.
To view our full list of Prizes and Awards visit the RSC website.
Closing date for nominations is 15 January 2012
The challenge is aimed at young people aged 11 – 19 years old (key stages 3, 4 and 5), and involves 3 to 6 team members working together to design and build a radio controlled 4-wheel-drive (4×4) vehicle to set specifications, that can successfully negotiate a specially designed test track that emulates that of real life and what a full scale 4×4 vehicle can do. Teams entering the challenge will spend a number of weeks designing, researching, building and project managing their 4×4 vehicle to enter it into a regional heat to compete against other schools from their area. Regional winners will be selected via a judging process to go through to the National Final where they will compete again but this time against the other regional winners to challenge to become the 4×4 in school Technology Challenge UK National Champions.
Registration for the 4×4 in Schools Technology Challenge 2011/12 season is now open and the 2011/12 Rules & Regulations and Challenge Handbook are now available to download from the 4×4 in Schools website. I am delighted to announce that following the success and high standard of entry from the 2010/11 season, the 2011/12 Regional Finals will be held in February (dates T.B.C) and the UK National Final will be held at the Big Bang Fair on Thursday 15th March 2012 at the Birmingham NEC.
The Promoting STEM careers in your classroom course is on 17-18th March 2011 at the National science learning Centre in York. The course is designed for teachers of STEM subjects from Key Stage three to Post- 16, careers education and information, advice and guidance practitioners. It will provide opportunities for STEM staff to extend and enhance the work they do already. Tap into a wealth of new resources and support networks to raise awareness about the exciting STEM related careers available to young people. Hear from schools who have successfully integrated STEM careers awareness into their curriculum. Network with experts from industry, engineering, higher education and the Department of Education’s STEM cohesion team and other STEM professionals.
This conference carries an ENTHUSE Award of £751, an easy to apply for bursary available to all teachers, tutors and lecturers from maintained schools or colleges to help cover costs plus a small amount of money to help implement ideas once back in the classroom. For further information about the ENTHUSE Award, please visit www.slcs.ac.uk/enthuseaward
Promoting STEM Careers in your Classroom
Date: 17 – 18 March 2011
Course Cost: £351 +VAT
ENTHUSE Award: £751.00
To book your place on this exciting conference, please phone 01904 328 300 and quote nac10114p or visit www.slcs.ac.uk/national/nac10114p
The Big Bang North East 2011
New College Durham, 12 July 2011
Book Now!
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 2012
- 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 Young Engineers for Britain, CREST awards and the National Science & Engineering Competition. There is over £1500 prize money up for grabs and the best 10 projects will win a place at the prestigious national fair, The Big Bang 2012.
Find out more and register here 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, or half, day and enjoy an exciting science show, hands-on workshops and inspirational talks from young people who have succeeded in STEM. Groups will also tour the competition stands – perhaps it will inspire them enter The Big Bang North East in 2012!
Find out more and book here www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/northeast
Congratulations are in order for 10 projects from schools in the North East who competed in the regional Big Bang fair in July. They are going forward to compete in the National Science and Engineering competition at the Big Bang fair held at London’s ExceL on 10th – 12th March 2011. Shows including ‘Brainiac Live’, ‘Bang Goes the Theory’ and activities like ‘Amoeba to Zebra’, ‘The Ever Wondered Why Roadshow’, ‘Grow Your Own Body Parts’ and ‘Hydraulics for Frolics’ will be taking place at the event.
For more information on The Big Bang fair, to register your attendance and book tickets please visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk.
Congratulations and the best of luck to the following schools and their projects:
School
Project
Central Newcastle High School
EES Project
Emmanuel College
Automatic Curtain
Emmanuel College
The Nyctolight
Emmanuel College
Frequetherapy
Emmanuel College
Electronic Musical Keyboard
Emmanuel College
Electronic Safety Device for Bike Users to Wear
Newminster Middle School
Which Tattoos Last the Longest
Queen Elizabeth High School
Gun Barrel Movement on a Challenger Tank
Sacred Heart High School
Liver Disease
St Bede’s RC School
Safety First Warning Lights
STEM Outreach would also like to congratulate and wish the best of luck to Corylus Learning’s Colin Wilkinson and Sarah McLusky at Sparks Education who will be co-ordinating the Big Bang North East at New College Durham on 12th July 2011. For more information on next year’s regional Big Bang fair feel free to contact Colin at colin@coryluslearning.com or Sarah at sarah@sparkseducation.co.uk or visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/northeast/
The National Science & Engineering Competition is proud to announce The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust Teachers Award is taking nominations for the 2011 prize.
This prize is open to any UK teacher (full-time/part-time, specialist advisor, AST etc) who teaches or supports Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) lessons in and out of school/college from primary to top end secondary.
The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust Teachers Award is looking for a teacher who shows enthusiasm, passion and energy for their work, commitment and dedication and good subject knowledge / expertise, all of which have been used to enthuse the students they work with.
If you think you are this person, or if you know a teacher who deserves to have their hard work in STEM acknowledged, then please contact Ellie Chambers at Ellie.Chambers@britishscienceassociation.org or on 020 7019 4945 so you can be sent either a self nomination or nomination by another person form. Please take the time to fill either of them out and put your nomination forward (do make sure you let the nominee know first though!) You can return the form electronically, in the post or by fax on 020 7581 6587.
The winner will receive £500 and a certificate as well as being invited on an experience trip and many other benefits and perks for the coming year.
Teachers can either nominate themselves, or be nominated by another person.
From the pool of entries, five teachers will be shortlisted and have their travel costs covered to attend The Big Bang where they will be interviewed by a judging panel to select the award winner. The recipient will be announced at the National Award Ceremony on the same day in the evening of Friday the 11th March.
Can your students work as a team, design a community sports venue and overcome engineering problems?
Want them to have fun putting science, engineering, maths and technology to the test? Then it’s time to take on the Create Sport Challenge
What is it?
The Create Sport Challenge is a FREE national competition. It allows 12/13 year old students to work in teams with a built environment professional to complete a challenging project that introduces real-world problems to the classroom.
Why take part?
Your students will:
Get active input and guidance from a working professional
Use their creativity and curriculum knowledge to overcome a range of engineering problems
Become more aware of the world around them and understand the things engineers do every day to solve worldwide and local issues
Develop skills in project management, design & technology, communication, presentation and organisation
What will your students do?
Work together as a team (20 to 30 hours for CREST awards)
Create a design for a community sports venue
Build a model of the venue
Write a detailed report of the different project stages and the problems encountered
Use the competition website and social networking tools to help with the project
What’s the prize?
Teams will be judged regionally and the best will be invited to present their work at a grand final in June 2011 at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London. The prize for 1st place will be £1,000 for the school of the winning team. Prizes for other places include a school visit by an athlete and a trip to a major sporting venue.
Things are really hotting up for Big Bang North East! Blue Peter science presenter Steve Mould will be presenting the awards ceremony, featuring regional finalists of the Young Engineer for Britain Competition and CREST Awards. Steve will also be performing some of his favourite experiments in front of a live audience of school pupils from the North East.
See Blue Peter science presenter Steve Mould on YouTube:
