Star Track – Network Rail Design Trainee/Apprentice course
Network Rail have designed a new trainee/apprenticeship scheme, with 20 placements in various locations. It is a 2-year scheme, offered in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University.
“The future of Britain’s railway is looking better than ever, and your future will too with Network Rail.
With hugely ambitious engineering projects under way across the UK, we’ve created a brand new scheme to train track design engineers. This is a fantastic moment to join us if you have good technical and maths skills and a real drive to succeed.
You’ll enjoy a varied and challenging training programme which includes producing your own designs for track layouts and seeing them installed on site. There is huge variety to the role, with real scope to develop a rewarding career in the rail industry.”
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.
Date: 27 to 28 June 2013 Venue: National Science Learning Centre, York Audience: post-16 teachers, science coordinators/leaders, secondary teachers and others
There have been significant changes in the careers education, information, advice and guidance landscape. Young people are facing increasing labour market uncertainty, a complex choice of routes and the need for greater career resilience.
This conference will provide a wealth of resources and information to raise awareness about the exciting STEM related careers available to young people.
Generous ENTHUSE Award bursaries are available for teachers and lecturers from state funded schools, academies or colleges.
Newcastle University,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
Tyne and Wear,
NE1 7RU
An afternoon to bring together motivated educators and to illustrate the ideas behind Enlighten.
“Our goal is to create programmes that will raise achievement from teaching systems that enable and empower the students to learn, to raising self-esteem through powerful academic techniques, motivational tools and critical thinking.”
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
Open Educational Resource programme ‘The Virtual School’
Virtual school would like to invite teachers to contribute short audio lessons to be turned into learning videos. The videos will be distributed free of charge on the Virtual School YouTube Channel for use by teachers and science explainers or for pupils to watch at home.
The Biochemical Society has announced that grants of up to £1,000 are available to support scientific outreach events that communicate the excitement of molecular bioscience to young people and the community. Applications for funding are invited to assist with the direct costs associated with an event and expenses incurred (e.g. transport and/or teacher cover). The Biochemical Society must be acknowledged at the event and in the resources produced. Copies of all materials generated should be submitted to the Society to disseminate to others where appropriate. A short report of the activity and list of attendees is a condition of the grant. There are two round of applications per year, in September and April.
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.
National Grid, in partnership with The Smallpeice Trust, is offering Year 10s the opportunity of a one week residential work experience at National Grids Training Centre in Eakring. The week is aimed at students who are considering studying STEM subjects at A level and beyond.
This will be the fourth academic year that they have run the work experience week with the support of the staff at Eakring and volunteers from the business, with tremendous feedback from the delegates.
They will be holding two work experience weeks; the weeks commencing 8 April and 1 July 2013.
The week is an inspirational insight into National Grid and consists of interactive talks, hands on activities, trips to operational sites and a Project Day covering gas and electricity sides of the business.
If you have family or friends that would like to apply for the course, please visit their site here and complete the form.
Any questions regarding the Work Experience Weeks should be directed to Caryl Coton on 07769 558062 or caryl.coton@uk.ngrid.com.
£7 per student, maximum of 10 students per organisation
Trailblazers is an inspiring and exciting conference for 16 to 19 year olds, being delivered to open a major exhibition and engagement programme at Discovery Museum. The conference will focus on current career opportunities and professions in the science, engineering and technology industries in the North East and beyond. There will be an emphasis on increasing the female work force in these industries but the conference is relevant for both male and female students.
The day will include keynote speakers including Professor Isobel Pollock from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Member of Parliament for Newcastle Chi Onwurah, and Baroness Prosser from SEMTA (sector skills council for Science Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies). There will also be a range of practical workshops, demonstrations and careers stall areas from different organisations and businesses representing a wide cross section of science, engineering and technology specialisms.
The ticket price, as well as the talks, workshops and stall areas, includes a delegate pack for each student and lunch and refreshments.
Please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as places are limited. Students will also receive a complementary invitation to the evening exhibition launch at the museum.
For bookings and enquiries, please contact the Discovery Learning Team on 0191 2772174, email learning@discoverymuseum.org.uk
This conference is sponsored by SEMTA
Trailblazers is sponsored by SCMPharma
Each March thousands of secondary schools take part in National Science & Engineering Week to stimulate pupils’ interest in STEM subjects, encourage them to consider STEM careers and to raise the profile of their school. The free downloadable resources below make taking part easy and can also provide an engaging way for you to work with scientists and engineers. To access these and more register here.
Get set, demonstrate competition
National Science & Engineering Week are on the hunt for the very best demonstration ideas for science teachers and technicians. The new Get set, demonstrate competition is now open for nominations. Just use the easy online form to submit a video that you think shows an amazing demonstration.
Activity packs Free packs full of science and engineering hands-on activities and projects are produced each year for National Science & Engineering Week, and are available to download all year round.
4 packs are exclusively for secondary schools:
Genius Inventions This wide range of activities is mainly aimed at 14-16 year olds. With strong curriculum links, the activities cover ground-breaking inventions in three science disciplines, helping put students’ scientific knowledge into the context of invention and discovery.
Musical Moods Whilst the theme of this activity pack is around the topic of sound, these creative activities also link to electricity, human biology and behaviour and are suitable for students from the age of 11-16. Some cross-curricular activity might be possible with your Music department.
Future Morph These careers focussed activities are mainly aimed at 11-14 year olds. They engage students with the lives of real life scientists and help put their science learning into a personal context. The resources fit with some elements of “How
Science Works” and could contribute towards outstanding/good practice in terms of providing a broad science curriculum.
Rockin’ Crystals With activities suitable for students aged 11-16, this varied pack includes hands on experiment and activity ideas. Activities link to those parts of the KS3 and KS4 chemistry curriculum that relate to states of matter and structure of materials.
Case studies Secondary school case studies provide accounts of some of the best events and activities that have taken part during National Science & Engineering Week since 2009 and will give event and activities ideas for organisers.
How-to-guides
Ideal for first-time organisers, these guides present step-by-step instructions in how to arrange publicity, how to organise an NSEW event or activity and where to find funding.
To access these and more register here. It only takes a few minutes to get started.
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.
The IET Education Fund provides support for local education projects which are endorsed by IET Local Networks.
Any organisation capable of developing and delivering UK-based projects which promote STEM subjects to school children can apply for funding, including schools, IET Local Networks and IET TPNs. Awards of up to £5000 can be offered.
Applications for funding must be endorsed by the IET Local Network in which the project will be carried out, and applicants require a referee who can confirm their ability to deliver the project.
2013 funding round
Bids for funding will be accepted from 1 January 2013 to 18 March 2013 for projects taking place 1 May 2013 to 30 April 2014. Bids submitted after 18 March cannot be considered.
A formal judging process will take place, with judges’ decisions expected 26 April 2013.
To apply for funding you must:
read the criteria and guidelines
develop your application in collaboration with your IET Local Network
submit your application electronically to the regional liaison officer
All successful applicants are required to submit a report on completion of the funded project. Applicants who have not submitted a report for a previously funded project will not be considered for further funding until the outstanding report has been submitted and acknowledged.
These foundation courses team students up with role-model engineers who will guide students through every stage of product development to solve real engineering challenges! Previous students have worked with engineers from companies such as Babcock, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and the Royal Navy.
2-5 April, ECITB Engineering Experience, Harper Adams University College, Shropshire (splendid, rural location in the Central England!), £95
8-10 April, Engineering Experience, University of Liverpool, £175
Each course has a capacity of 100 students; 10 places maximum per school for each course.
Year 10 Physics in Engineering
Work alongside experienced engineers, scientists and academics and encounter the extraordinary world of physics in engineering. This brand new course gives students the chance to discover how physics is applied to problem-solving in our rapidly changing high-tech world. Projects and masterclasses will be run by National Grid, National Space Centre, National Nuclear Laboratory, Rugby School, University of Warwick and the University of Leicester. Only 50 places available; 5 places maximum per school. Bursaries worth £80 are available to students attending from certain schools. See website for details.
9-11 April, Rugby School, £95
Course fees include all accommodation, meals, course materials, supervision and social activities. Teachers are advised to encourage students to apply early as places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Students can apply directly from the Smallpeice website.
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.
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.
An exciting new job opportunity has become available working with us at Newcastle College STEM Outreach! If you have an interest in working with schools and other organisations to increase engagement with science, technology, engineering, and maths we would love to hear from you.
STEM Outreach Coordinator / Administrator
Ref: SIX 6372
Salary: £15,720 – £16,157 per annum
Closing Date: 27 July 2012
Interview Date: 14 August 2012
This post involves arranging STEM Outreach activities across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. You will work extensively with organisations representing the whole spectrum of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), educational institutions, professional associations and STEM Ambassadors (volunteers form industry) throughout the region.
With a passion for STEM, the successful candidate will be highly self-motivated and able to work with a range of people from different backgrounds. Customer relations are extremely important in this role.
Applicants should have experience of project work and working in a busy office environment. The successful candidate will have a relevant level 3 academic/vocational qualification or higher.
Please note that this post is fixed term until 31 March 2015.
Newcastle College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Strictly no agencies or canvassing.
Job Title: STEM Outreach Administrator Reports to: STEM Outreach Lead / School Office Manager Grade: Support Grade E Pension: LGPS Teaching Role Category: Non Teaching
Key Tasks:
To contribute to the organisation for STEM Outreach activities across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. To ensure the smooth operation of STEM Outreach systems and procedures.
Summary of Responsibilities:
The following are Job Specific responsibilities for this position:
1. To liaise with STEM organisations and educational institutions to ensure events run smoothly.
2. To maintain STEMNET and STEM Outreach database systems.
3. To maintain and collate information relating to STEM Outreach activities and participants.
4. To deal with enquiries about STEM Outreach activities.
5. To attend events in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland acting as an Ambassador for the College and STEM Outreach.
6. Complete routine clerical tasks within the school office.
7. Contribute to the enhancement of systems and procedures relating to STEM Outreach activities.
8. To assist the administration of the Sixth Form College when required.
The following are standard responsibilities for all positions within the College:
1. Participate in any College staff review/performance management processes involving the identifying and meeting of training needs for self and others.
2. Take appropriate responsibility to ensure the health and safety of self and others.
3. Pursue the achievement and integration of equal opportunities throughout all College activities.
4. Undertake any other tasks and responsibilities appropriate to the level of this post.
5. Newcastle College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff to share this commitment.
Alternatively, packs are available for collection from the Shared Services Department,
Newcastle College Sandyford Campus,
Sandyford Road,
Newcastle Upon Tyne,
NE1 8QE
Telephone: (0191) 200 4000
Please return completed applications to the above address by Friday 27 July 2012.
STEM Outreach recently visited Boldon School’s STEM club where students helped to build a jelly baby wave machine and learned about light waves, reflection and refraction. Hannah and David obviously breaking the stereotype of white coats and goggles as one of the students remarked, “You look more like you’re from a rock band than scientists.” \m/ To build the tasty wave machine they used gaffa-tape, kebab skewers and jelly babies.
Students tested the wave machine by moving a jelly baby skewer at one end of the machine; setting off a Mexican-wave of jelly babies across the length of tape.
They then got to “test” the jelly babies by eating half of them. A wave was set off along the tape again but with one half stripped of jelly babies. This simulated a wave travelling from a dense (with jelly babies) to less dense medium (without jelly babies). The students observed changes to the wave as it passed along the length of the tape and explained what was happening.
To round off the session, Hannah and David talked about refraction and how refracted light allows you to see transparent objects such as clear glass. Students were amazed by glass objects “disappearing” in a beaker of glycerol (which has the same refractive index as glass).
The wave machine will be making another appearance this weekend at Newcastle Community Green Festival where STEM Outreach will be appearing with STEM Ambassadors as “Science Pirates” to communicate some of the amazing science research happening in and around the North East alongside some great bands, crafts and food. Event details here.
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.
Excite… Inspire… Celebrate!
Newcastle University, 4th July 2012
Can you spare just one day to help celebrate and reward the hard work of budding young scientists and engineers from across the North East?
The Big Bang North East is the regional heat for the National Science & Engineering Competition. It’s going to be an amazing day! Students will be educated and entertained through science, engineering, maths and technology enrichment activities provided by the Science Museum’s Punk Science, STEM Ambassadors, local companies, universities and charities. Amongst all the activities, students will be pitted against each other to win nominations to the Big Bang National Fair, and the prizes that are on offer.
We need your help! Judges help us select the winners and encourage the competitors to greater things. We’ll be awarding 10 nominations to the Big Bang National Fair in March 2013, along with a wide range of prizes.
Judges are only required to attend on the day, and you can’t fail to be inspired by the fantastic young people who are exhibiting their projects. If you, or your organisation, want to get more involved, find out about other ways here:
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.
Free Regional STEM Careers Guidance Event for Post 16 Students Date: Wednesday 15th March 2012, 10am – 2pm Venue: University of Sunderland, Dale Building, Sciences Complex, City Campus, Sunderland
Held within National Science and Engineering Week the STEM @ Sunderland Event is a hands on showcase event highlighting STEM careers and building the links between education and industry. Aimed at year 12 students with an interest in STEM careers and those who are considering university progression the event is open to schools and colleges from across the north east region. Delivered as a joint venture between The University of Sunderland, STEM Outreach at Newcastle College and RTC North Ltd; students will engage in employer led workshops across the four STEM disciplines. Participating companies include:
Proctor and Gamble
BT
3M
EDF energy
Thorne Lighting
NHS careers
NHS Pathology labs
SABIC
Siemans
Additional activities will be provided by ICE and Go Motorsports with a series of stimulating and exhilarating activities also offered by the University of Sunderland including Real Man Simulation (Sim Man) and Xsens MVN Biomech Suit.
Held at the Sciences Complex, City Campus, University of Sunderland; groups students will have access to regional and national employers, advice on STEM careers and university progression routes including funding advice and an insight into STEM opportunities.
Information for teachers
Open to 10 x year 12 students (per institution) interested in STEM careers and university progression
Interactive sessions delivered by companies and STEM ambassadors and supported by university students
Opportunity to meet and talk to current STEM employers encouraging education and industrial links for the school / college and employer contact, information and advice for the student
Access to University information and advice throughout the day
All students will receive 6 x 30 minutes taster workshops with sessions allocated to schools in advance
It is anticipated that 18 schools from across the region will take receive a place therefore allocation given on a first come first served basis
Unfortunately lunch is NOT provided therefore packed lunches must be brought by individuals
Registration
For further information and to register your school for this event please contact STEM Outreach at ambassadors@ncl-coll.ac.uk
The Royal Society’s Partnership Grants scheme is now open. Schools 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 5-18, as long as the project involves a UK school or college, and a practising scientist or engineer. The next round for applications closes on the 24th of February 2012.
For more details about eligibility criteria and to find out how to apply via their online application system, go to http://royalsociety.org/partnership.
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
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.
Once a week we are emailing our STEM Ambassadors links to 5 new websites where they can find some inspiration and information which will hopefully help them in planning STEM activities for schools. Websites very often include career path info, images which might be used in presentations or lesson plans. This week we are focusing on careers… Future Morph is about Maths, NHS careers about variety of jobs in health sector and STEM careers videos show some STEM Ambassadors in action in schools. Enjoy!
Title
Description
Website
Future Morph
This website is designed to show you just some of the amazing and unexpected places that studying science, technology, engineering and maths can take you. Think of this as your basecamp, your launchpad, the door is open come on in and explore.
Chantry High School get Appy with BT at STEM Challenge 7 Final
BT and STEMNET invited STEM Challenge finalists to compete for big prizes at the Natural History Museum
Chantry High School, Suffolk has won the most recent STEM Challenge! The competition asked students from across the UK to work in teams to design a smartphone app which can be used by visitors at London 2012.
STEM Challenges are a series of competitions designed to encourage young people aged 11-14 to use the skills learnt in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths lessons to help prepare for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. STEMNET (The Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Network) works in partnership with major organizations to nationally manage each Challenge for UK Secondary Schools.
STEM Challenge 7, supported by BT- the Official Communications Services partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – asked students to help make London 2012 Everyone’s Games by designing an app that provides useful information, communicated and accessed in the best way possible in order to contribute to a great Games experience for all.
Following regional competitions, eight schools from across the UK reached the national final at the Natural History Museum on Thursday 20th October. Each team of students aged 11-14 competed in a Dragon’s Den style pitch before a panel of expert judges. Finalists included:
• Bushey Meads School, Herts & Luton
• Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, Hereford & Worcester
• Broxburn Academy, East Scotland
• Chantry High School and Sixth Form Centre, Suffolk
• All Hallows Catholic High School, Lancashire
• Gosforth Central Middle School, Northumberland & Tyne & Wear • Kesgrave High School, Suffolk
• The Harvey Grammar School, Kent & Medway
The winning design, presented by Chantry High School, was commended for its professional finish and in-depth technical knowledge. The team won £1,000 worth of equipment for their STEM Club and an experience prize awarded by BT. Second place was awarded to Team Oxidise from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, Hereford who received £750, the third place team from Broxburn Academy, East Scotland were awarded £500. The judges were looking for a creative, innovative idea which also applied the Olympic and Paralympic Values to the project, as well as a display of excellent teamwork and the development of inspirational ideas.
The STEM Challenges have received the London 2012 Inspire Mark and are part of Get Set, the London 2012 education programme. The first STEM Challenge required students to consider some of the steps involved in designing a National Handball Centre for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the second was to design a glove suitable for rowing, canoeing or sailing. The third STEM Challenge invited students to explore approaches to anti-doping laboratory techniques. The fourth Challenge asked students to pitch their plans for sustainable travel from their schools to forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Game venues. STEM Challenges 5 and 6 focused on designs for leading GB paratriathlete, Jimmy Goddard and paralympian Rachel Morris.
STEM Challenge 8, sponsored by Deloitte, is now underway and invites students to explore Paralympic sports available in their local areas and propose ways in which more people can get involved! Schools wishing to enter this challenge can visit www.stemchallenges.net for further details.
The Department for Education has launched a new web tool helping parents find and compare local schools’ performance. The ‘compare schools’ tool brings together a wide range of performance data in a single place.
Parents can find schools by name, keyword or location or browse via an interactive map. Each school has its own mini-site with a range of useful information such as spend per pupil and test and exam results. Parents can also compare their school with others nearby – or with any other school in England.
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.
Supporting teaching and learning in colleges
Are you interested in becoming an ementor?
Aims
Ementoring is a flexible way to volunteer and an opportunity for you and your mentee to develop new skills. By sharing your experiences, you can support other people to grow in confidence and explore options for their future. All you need to be a mentor is a willingness to help other people and an online connection. Because ementoring is done online, you can do it at a time and place that suits you.
Who are we looking for?
Mentors can be from all levels, working in an engineering related profession or with an engineering background, and from a variety of ethnic/cultural backgrounds and social classes. Ideally you would have progressed up through the further education route or have knowledge of the further education sector. You will need to be enthusiastic, passionate about Engineering, want to help other people and have a willingness to share your experiences and insights to help encourage young people in further education to remain committed to a career in engineering. It will be helpful, but not essential, if you were an existing STEM Ambassador and have previous experience of working with young people.
What is involved?
Once you have registered and completed your training, the Bright Links engineering team will match you with up to four mentees who will be students in further education colleges who are studying engineering courses at Level 2, Level 3 and possibly Level 4. They will be looking for advice and support around study skills, apprenticeships, engineering careers, applying to university and much more. You will communicate with your mentees through the safe and secure Bright Links ementoring website, which will have its own engineering section dedicated to this Engineering Further Education ementoring project. To be effective you need to be willing to spend between 30 minutes and 1 hour a week supporting your mentees.
Next Steps
Become a mentor: If you think you’ve got what it takes to be a mentor, apply to the Bright Links engineering programme today at www.brightlinksengineering.org
The Partnership Grants scheme offers grants of up to £3,000 for science projects run at a primary or secondary school or college in partnership with a professional scientist or engineer. In order to apply for this grant teachers must team up with a practising scientist or engineer and STEM Ambassadors are more then welcome to help!!!
Examples of our local North East past projects include:
Education Endowment Foundation grants – open for applications
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent charity dedicated to raising the educational attainment of disadvantaged pupils in Primary and Secondary schools in England, and is funded by a £125m grant from the Department for Education. The EEF’s vision is to break the link between family background and educational achievement, ensuring that pupils from all backgrounds have the opportunity to fulfill their aspirations and make the most of their talents.
Grants start from £50,000 and should reach at least 100 students, in one or multiple schools. The support offered by the EEF will depend on assessment of the needs of the host organisation and the scale and nature of the project. As well as a financial grant, an organisation might also be offered capacity-building support and other advice and expertise – for example, around targeting or scale-up.
Deadlines for applications are:
- 03 October 2011
- 2 December 2011
- 30 March 2012
A celebration of the innovative science happening in our region
Venue: Scotswood Suite, Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne Date: 17 May 2011 Time: 12noon – 5pm
Newcastle is a proud city of science. Driving forward the development of electric vehicles, playing a leading role in identifying causes and prevention of Alzheimer’s and pioneering cutting-edge stem cell research into the diagnosis and treatment of cancer – just some of the innovative science activities that are happening right here in Newcastle.
To showcase these activities Newcastle Science City are bringing the city’s science excellence to life under one roof, at the International Centre for Life on 17 May between 12noon and 5pm. The venue will come alive with a vibrant exhibition of the work happening across our region giving schoolchildren and the local community the chance to meet with scientists and get behind their discoveries through models, films, presentations, even taking part in a real-life experiment!
On the day we’ll be joined by special guest Steve Mould, Blue Peter’s resident scientist, who will be bringing science to life using his unique, engaging style that has won the hearts of children and adults alike.
This event is a must for anyone studying science at school, thinking of a career in a scientific area or those who simply enjoy seeing science in action!
If your school would like to attend please provide; your school name, how many children you will be bringing and your estimated time of arrival at the event via email tohelen.mcloughlin@newcastlesciencecity.com
(Please note it is anticipated that each school will need 1.5 hours to see the exhibition in full)
£80 per week available to students studying A Level or other higher academic or vocational STEM qualifications in the North East!
Nuffield Foundation offer up to 1000 bursaries a year, for students to work alongside practising scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. Projects take place during the summer holidays, giving students an insight into the world of scientific research and development.
Placements are available across the North East, in universities, research institutions and other organisations.
Take a look at projects available for Summer 2011 here:
As you know, water is a basic requirement for all life, yet water resources are facing increasing demands and competition from users. The UN General Assembly assigned 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water after the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992. Since 1995 World Water Day has been celebrated across the world, raising the issues related to water. In 2011 there were over 600 World Water Day events being held around the world, one of which was at Kenton School.
Water for the World
Over 100 people from 12 primary schools across Tyne and Wear turned up to support World Water Day and to gain a greater awareness of water scarcity issues. A range of entertaining workshops were on display to get stuck in to; from scientific experiments to mapping water scarcity on Google Maps to throwing cups of water at sixth formers – the latter being very popular! Many thanks are in order for the workshop deliverers including: the Environment Agency, Newcastle University, TDR, Kenton School, Sir Charles Parsons Primary School, WaterAid as well as SCENE Ambassadors from Newcastle College Sixth Form.
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 second round of the 2011 Public Engagement Grant Scheme from the Institute of Physics is now open for applications. The grants are worth up to £1000 and aim to support physics-based outreach activities in the UK and Ireland throughout 2011. Activities should provide engaging experiences of physics for public audiences.
The School of Life Sciences at Northumbria University is pleased to be hosting one of the headline Newcastle Science Festival events at it’s flagship new £30 million sport facility – Sport Central – in the heart of Newcastle city centre.
The free event Body in Action – Where’s the Science in Sport Science? will explore how Sport Scientists unlock the potential in athletes to perform to the limits of their physical ability. There’ll be demos of cutting edge equipment and an opportunity to test your own limits with strength, speed and power tests at interactive stations. You’ll also be able to speak to the experts and take a look around Sport Central.
Can you help explain the concepts that students find hardest to learn?
“Often, the best teaching goes unnoticed and unrewarded. Britain’s Dream Teachers, created by Jamie Oliver and YouTube, aims to identify and celebrate inspiring teaching and help students get to grips with the toughest topics.”
YouTube has asked more than a thousand students and teachers as well as subject experts at Edexcel, the UK’s largest awarding body, to come up with what they consider to be the toughest topics at GCSE and Standard Grade in Maths, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography and History.
The identified topics in Biology are: What is the role of DNA in cloning and evolution?; How does nerve transmission work?; Which enzymes catalyse what substrates and how do I remember them all?
In Chemistry: How are polymers structured?; How do I test for ions in a compound?; How do you balance a chemical equation?
In Physics: How is radioactivity used in everyday life?; What is electromagnetic induction and how does it work?; How do I calculate forces and momentum and what equations do I need?
Now the question is have you got the answers?
If you’ve got an effective way of teaching one of the toughest topics make a short video of your idea and post it up on YouTube so other teachers and students can learn from your approach. You could also win a £10,000 prize split between you and your school, and the winning teachers with a group of students will be invited to an award ceremony at Google’s UK headquarters.
Upload your video by midnight on 5th April when all entries will be judged by a panel of subject specialists including previous Teaching Award winners. The results will be announced on 13th April.
On the 22nd March, all over the world, people will be celebrating World Water Day. Newcastle College, Kenton School and the Climate Change Schools Project would like to invite your school to be involved in an event to raise awareness of water issues around the world.
Your KS2 students will have the opportunity to participate in workshops led by sixth form students about different water issues including flooding, climate change adaptation, water scarcity and clean water. We recommend that you bring between 5 and 10 students to the event who can then go back to your school and share what they have learnt.
The event is half a day and is free to attend.
There is the opportunity to register for either the morning session or the afternoon session:
Morning: 9.30 am – 11.30am
Afternoon: 12.30pm – 2.30pm
In each session students will get to participate in two interactive workshops.
A number of sample teaching resources will be available for teachers to look at from a number of organisations including WaterAid, Oxfam and Northumbria Water.
Where:
Kenton School
Drayton Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 3RU
The event is going to be really fantastic and an excellent opportunity for your students.
To register to attend or for more information contact SCENE at:
Event for STEM Ambassadors and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics school / college teachers
STEM Advisory Forum and STEMNET are pleased to invite you to the
STEM Forum Event
The Royal Society,
6-9 Carlton House Terrace,
London,
SW1Y 5AG
Tuesday 22 March 2011
4:30pm to 7:00pm
This event brings together school and college teachers with people who use Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in industry and business. There will be presentations on the school curriculum and on STEM in the economy. The main purpose of the event is to enable a sharing of information and views between education and the workplace.
STEM Ambassadors will have the opportunity to talk directly to those involved in STEM teaching at school/college and will be able to share examples of how they use STEM in their work.
Teachers will have the opportunity to share with those in industry and business the factors that influence what happens in lessons. Teachers will 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 below:
Inventing The Future: CAS Northumbria University Sixth Form Conference
A one day taster session giving an insight into the fascinating innovations in Computer Science for Sixth Form and FE students and Maths and IT/Computing teachers.
Northumbria University,
Rutherford Hall,
Ellison Building,
City Campus,
Newcastle
Friday 18th March 2011
10am – 3pm
Northumbria University School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences (CEIS) and Computing At School (CAS) bring you an exciting day, which showcases future and emerging computing technology. Activities will include:
“Being Human in the Digital Age” – Abi Sellen, Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research
Northumbria University School of CEIS – why apply here?
Showcasing cutting-edge computer technology research
Industry speaker – computing in the real world
Information Security – Siraj Shaikh, Coventry University
Although the day is aimed at students, teachers can benefit from the presentations as CPD.
We need to encourage more young women into science/engineering/technology based careers, so Headstart are extending their course opportunities to year eleven girls.
There is a brand new course for year 11/S4 girls:
Newcastle University:
11th – 13th July 2011
Hosted by the School of Marine Science & Technology, students will design, build and test a design which will increase the efficiency of the shipping industry and therefore use less fuel, cost less to run and hopefully be kinder to our environment. Underpinning the course will be skill development sessions comprising project management, confidence building, team-working, study skills and presentation skills.
The course will be a valuable preparation for STEM A-levels and we’d be grateful if you could let your female students know about this great opportunity.
Places are limited so completed applications need to be returned to us as soon as possible.
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
Invitation to Northern Architecture’s New Education Programme Launch January & February 2011
Teachers and Educators are invited to the launch of Northern Architecture’s new Education Programme at three exemplar educational venues across the region:
Darlington Education Village,
Salters Lane South,
Darlington,
DL1 2AN
4.30-6pm Thursday 27 January
Cramlington Educational Village,
Highburn,
Northumberland,
NE23 6BN
4.30-6pm Monday 31 January
Cardinal Hume School,
Old Durham Road,
Gateshead,
NE9 6RZ
4.30-6pm Wednesday 2 February 2011
The events are an opportunity to:
Meet Northern Architecture’s Education team
Learn what we can offer teachers and pupils
Talk to teachers already using our workshops their schools.
Take part in a short hands-on taster from one of the workshops
Take away a copy of our new Educational Programme Brochure.
Northern Architecture believes that encouraging children and young people to look at, question and think creatively about their built environment has valuable educational benefits. We offer innovative programmes that enable participants to develop the ability to understand and explore architecture. We believe that encouraging children and young people to look at, question and think creatively about their built environment has valuable educational benefits. We work in both formal and informal learning settings to raise aspirations with pupils and teachers, addressing the National Curriculum through local, regional and national initiatives.
Events are free, but please reserve your place online. For more information and to reserve places see www.northernarchitecture.com
Wednesday 15th December 2010 at 19:00 (refreshments from 18:30)
Presented by R L Warrender - Senior Lecturer, University of Sunderland
The University of Sunderland Cluster Computer (USCC) is an example of what can be built using commodity components for the creation of a high performance computer cluster. Built just over three years ago, the USCC uses 160 Intel ‘Woodcrest’ Cores running in 40 compute nodes and can be booted into either Windows or Linux operating systems.
The talk will focus on three key areas:
a) The system architecture and construction – size really matters!
b) Examples of recent uses being made of the system – how effective is the USCC?
c) The development of teaching resources for use by staff and students interested in applications to be run on the USCC.
In addition to the talk, attendees will also get the chance to visit the facility and see a variety of visual applications running on the cluster.
The talk will be given by R L Warrender, who is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Computing at the University of Sunderland. As well as teaching within the Computing Department, he is also studying for his Professional Doctorate developing a Framework for Efficient Cluster Computing Services in a Collaborative University Environment.
The tour of the USCC facility and demonstration will be given by Professor John Tindle who designed the USCC system.
Electric car racing event – Wednesday 6 July 2011 at Croft Circuit, Darlington
Your school is invited to participate in this exciting Greenpower electric car racing event. Your school still has time to get involved, to design, build and race an electric car.
Greenpower is dedicated to promoting engineering and technology as a career option to students aged 9 to 25 in any form of full or part-time education. This is achieved through unique hands on projects to design, build and race an electric car, with the support of an engineering ambassador.
By taking part in the competition, all participants are given an insight into the real, tangible world of science and engineering. The competition is very popular, which stands as a testament to its unique approach to engineering and its ability to bring together and excite young people from a variety of different areas and backgrounds.
Not only does Greenpower approach the idea of science and engineering from a less mainstream direction than normal lessons or after school clubs, it also encourages creativity and most importantly enthusiasm and cooperation in problem solving invaluable skills for any young person. For the school getting involved will bring the following:
- A project which can be used to enhance the engineering diploma or CREST award or other STEM activities.
- Links with Mechanical, Electrical and Design engineers as mentors.
- National and regional recognition.
- A visit to North east school that has already taken part to share experience.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is delighted to offer continued support to Greenpower. Participation in this exciting challenge requires teamwork, engineering skills, commitment and enthusiasm.
If you are willing to give your students a brilliant opportunity to get involved in a project like this and would like to receive more information about how to enter this Websites:
Institution of Mechanical Engineers – http://imeche.org/ Greenpower
If you would like to enter the competition then please contact Julie Harrison on 07899 050767 or email julieharrison@a4e.co.uk.
Please note: pupils will also be able to attend that are not participating in the actual design and build programme. Further details about this will be sent to schools nearer to the time.
NORTH EAST REGION In partnership with IMechE North East
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.
Dunelm Road, Elm Tree Farm, Stockton on Tees, TS19 0TS
Presenter:Michele Smale, Advisory Teacher, Children Challenging Industry in Yorkshire, CIEC, Department of Chemistry, University of York
Target Audience: Primary School Teachers
Synopsis:This practical workshop is aimed at teachers of upper KS2 looking for an innovative approach to scientific enquiry of green plants and their technological applications in a changing environment. Set in the real life context of industry’s need to look for renewable fuels and energy sources, children explore sunflowers and other oil rich seed plants to understand their potential in this cutting edge field of science.
Participants will have the opportunity to try out a sequence of practical explorations and investigations that follow the story of the sunflower from seed to oil, fuel and lubricants. There are opportunities to see how these activities link closely to assessment using APP, participants will see how this resource supports the AF2, understanding the applications and implications of science, strand.
Booking is not essential but it would be very helpful if you could let the Field Officer know if you (and any colleagues) are attending. Contact Lyn Bossons at lynbossons@ase.org.uk or on 0191 3737753.
This meeting is free and open to non-members.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available from 4pm onwards.
SCENE – Sustainable Communities and Environments North East
We would like to invite you to the SCENE launch conference on Thursday 18th November 2010 at the Assembly Rooms, Newcastle.
SCENE is a brand new venture from Newcastle College as part of their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. The four key strands of SCENE are corporate social responsibility, carbon reduction, sustainable development and community cohesion. SCENE works with schools and communities in the North East to raise awareness of and educate about climate change and sustainable development issues both regionally and globally.
The conference is suitable for teachers, sixth form students, community groups and any interested businesses. Please forward to any colleagues who might be interested.
The agenda for the day is as follows:
08.00 Arrivals / Teas and Coffees
09.00 Lynda Evans – Welcome and introduction to SCENE
09.15 Speaker – Ann Finlayson, SEEd Director
10.00 Workshop 1
11.00 Break
11.30 Workshop 2
12.30 Lunch
13.30 Workshop 3
14.30 Speaker – Adrian Hilton – Climate North East
15.15 Thank you and Close
Please contact Lizzie Lunn at elizabeth.lunn@ncl-coll.ac.uk or on 0191 200 4453 to register your attendance or if you have any queries.
For more information on SCENE and to register please visit www.scenelink.org
Organisation
Workshop Name
Description
Climate Change Schools Project
CCSP’s Adaptation Challenge (AC)
Newcastle College has just become a Climate Change Lead School. This workshop will discuss how Newcastle College could lead on an AC project in Newcastle. Examples of other wonderful projects taking place by the Lead Schools around the region to give ideas.
ActionAid
Power Down
ActionAid provides award-winning resources, lesson ideas, participatory and visual materials, information on assemblies and workshops from ActionAid’s network of teachers, to inspire, amaze and explore.
Sustaine
Brighter Futures Together toolkit
Participants will have the opportunity to hear more about the Brighter Futures Together toolkit, learn more about sustainability and explore how they can begin to take action to improve their own local neighbourhoods.
The Great Debate
The Great Debate ‘taster’ workshop
A two-session workshop introducing sixth form students to the world of debate, showcasing the work of The Great Debate and RCE North East. The aim is to encourage young people to engage in serious discussion of contemporary issues.Students will be given a topic to research prior to attending the workshop.
Team Kenya
Climate Change Connections
Ecotourism In Kenya
Tourism Concern
Exploration of the human and environmental costs of unsustainable tourism.
This workshop will explore the human and environmental costs of unsustainable tourism, through the stories and photos presented in Tourism Concern’s exhibition ‘Demonstration Tsunami’ documenting what has happened to India’s coastal communities in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami.
Newcastle City Council and North East Skills
Enviro Schools and Schools Against Waste
Workshop about how the Newcastle City Councils Enviro Schools Programme engages with schools on sustainability issues and what the Schools Against Waste programme is, how schools can access this free resource and why we have develop it.
Energy Saving Trust
Carbon Reduction
Practical ways to tackle Carbon Reduction.
SCENE, Newcastle College
SCENE Ambassadors
SCENE Ambassadors are sixth form students who create a resource related to the SCENE strands (e.g. climate change) and deliver it in primary schools.
Fundraising Skills UK Ltd
Fundraising
Introduction to fundraising and factors in fundraising success.
OPAL
Learning to lead environmental surveys
A workshop on environmental surveys.
John Muir Award
Environmental Award
The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme which encourages people of all backgrounds to connect, enjoy and care for wild places
Come and find us at the Assembly Rooms (Newcastle) Ltd, Fenkle Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5XU
Pearson Publishing is pleased to announce the launch of an exciting resource that promotes STEM in schools.
The ‘F1 in Schools Curriculum Resource’ enables students to follow the steps that a professional team would take in preparing to race a car.
It prepares students for the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge, a multi-disciplinary contest in which teams of students use computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacture (CAM) software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and then race miniature balsa wood racing cars powered by compressed gas.
Intended to develop students’ interest in, and knowledge of, engineering and design, the ‘F1 in Schools Curriculum Resource’ enables schools to run a cross-curricular project. It is an excellent way to move STEM work from after-school clubs to timetabled classroom activities, and thereby give STEM more prominence in school life.
The resource is provided online, and an annual subscription costs just £295+VAT per school. Discounts are available if several schools purchase together; please contact us for further details. You can also encourage schools in your area to subscribe by sending them the following link to an information site, which is at: http://www.parsonpublishing.co.uk/fscr/
To view a brief demonstration of the ‘F1 in Schools Curriculum Resource’ (Bloodhound SSC), enter the user name ‘demo’ and the password ‘password’ at: http://fscr.pearson.co.uk
This edition of the ‘F1 in Schools Curriculum Resource’ is for the 9-14 age group and Bloodhound SSC level of the challenge; subsequent editions for the F1 Class level will be available shortly.
To express your interest in editions for the 11-14 or 15-19 age group at the F1 Class level of the challenge, or for any other queries about the ‘F1 in Schools Curriculum Resource’, please email fscr@pearson.co.uk or call 01223 350555.
Lindisfarne Room, Main Campus, Newcastle University
You and your students (Year 10 – 13) ar invited to the Oceans of Opportunity Careers fair on Wednesday, 1st December 2010 at the Lindisfarne Room, Newcastle University.
The event is an opportunity for pupils to participate in a suite of stimulating interactive activities that bring science and technology learning to life. A wide range of high profile STEM companies and employers will be represented at the event with many challenging and exciting careers showcased. While all careers represented are in science and engineering, many also have a focus on the marine sector, a field that a lot of young people will have not considered.
Schools can book a choice of two free activities from a choice of 4, participate in an engaging debate, have the opportunity to win prizes and resources, and find out more about the fantastic careers and courses on offer.
There are a number of different options available to your school/college:
The options are:
Attend the morning session (10am-1pm) : participate in two hands-on activities, speak to organisations and companies at the Careers Exhibition, and be involved in the debate.
Attend the afternoon session (12-3pm): participate in two hands-on activities, speak to organisations and companies at the Careers Exhibition, and be involved in the debate.
Participate in Careers Exhibition only – from 10.00am-12noon
Participate in Careers Exhibition only – from 1.00pm-3.00pm
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.
Be a part of the first ever engineering mathematics network
A unique and exciting opportunity has arisen for engineering mathematics practitioners to join a new networking group. The group will support those who are teaching mathematics in the engineering diploma (whether mathematics teachers or engineering teachers) by providing opportunities to meet together and share what they are doing, as well as to try out the resources available. This groundbreaking initiative is aimed at Engineering Mathematics Level 3 practitioners, and anyone teaching mathematics within other engineering courses, who wants to seize a valuable opportunity to investigate a variety of teaching approaches, network and learn from others and explore and develop resources. Venues are likely to include Manchester, London and Bristol and will take place between 22 November and 3 December 2010. To express an interest in attending or for more information contact Melanie Harradine
Embedding Excellence in Mathematics Leadership conference
This free one-day NCETM conference will assist with the professional development of newly-appointed mathematics subject leaders in the primary, secondary and further education sectors. It will allow participants access to experienced, practising teachers identified as excellent subject leaders in their sectors. Delegates will also become part of a support network. The conference, on 13 November, 09:30 am to 5:30 pm at City Inn, Brindley Place, Birmingham, will be launched with a keynote speech from HMI Jane Jones. To apply, complete the online application form by 20 October 2010.
Last chance to join secondary subject leaders’ seminar
The second NCETM national online seminar for secondary mathematics subject leaders will address some of the big issues secondary subject leaders face, suggest resources that can support you in the role, give you the chance to hear from other subject leaders and share your experiences and challenges, and offer the opportunity to join a continuing secondary subject leaders’ network. The meeting, on Wednesday 20 October from 8:00 to 9:00 pm, will use Elluminate Live! but no particular equipment or software is required, nor is expertise or experience of online meetings. If you are interested in joining the meeting and/or would like to know more, contact Phillipa Marshall.
If you would like more information on NCETM please contact them at info@ncetm.org.uk
The Make a Mint Challenge is a stimulating, two stage competition open to young people aged 14 – 19 from across Newcastle. The competition encourages young people to develop key business skills, gain an innovative approach to problem solving and generate real business solutions for a future world. Each Challenge invites young people to consider the next generation of innovative products and how they meet the needs of a future marketplace.
The Challenge is in 2 stages:
Gateway Stage 22nd September – 20th October 2010
Individuals are challenged to generate ideas, designs and applications for new products meeting the brief provided. Ideas must be exciting, innovative and eye-catching. Entrants work individually and submit entries online.
Challenge Final 16th November 2010
A design and build teamwork stage held at the Spark in the Park Festival at St James Park on 16th November 2010. The Challenge Final includes business rigour, planning, teamwork and budgeting. The overall winner will be the team that best meets the Final Challenge brief in an innovative and practical way.
To enter the Make a Mint Challenge, students must register their details and complete the online Gateway Challenge no later than Wednesday 20th October 2010.
The Challenge is run in conjunction with Newcastle City Council and the Make your Mark campaign and offers the opportunity to take part in a business ideas competition that celebrates and stimulates enterprise skills and talents. The challenge is free to enter and offers the opportunity for individuals to win prizes for themselves and recognition for their schools /youth groups.
Please click on the link below to find out more about the challenge or alternatively download a information pack.
County Durham based multimedia specialists Lush Places Media have created a unique and interactive TV workshop using cutting edge technology.
A portable television studio with the latest ‘virtual’ computer generated set gives groups a rare opportunity to experience life in the high pressure world of broadcast news.
The course, flexible enough to appeal to primary school children through to college students and corporate team building teams, gives an insight into the decisions that need to be taken to ensure a programme gets ‘on air’ to deadline.
Groups will have to use teamwork, leadership and decision making skills to choose the content and write scripts. Everyone will then audition in front of the camera and autocue before final roles are allocated as the clock counts down towards transmission.
The final programme will be recorded ‘as live’ and made available to the client. Everyone involved will leave with a laminated certificate to prove they have taken part in Lush Places Media’s Lights! Camera! Action! experience.
Lights! Camera! Action! feeds into the curriculum with elements of IT, English, communications, arithmetic, media literacy and raising self-esteem.
For schools and colleges no worrying about transport costs and form filling. Lights! Camera! Action! comes to them, providing value for money and flexibility.
The sessions will be led by award winning journalist, broadcaster, presenter and multimedia trainer Andrew Glover, Director of Lush Places Media.
The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Maths (NCETM) is committed to the idea of collaborative teacher enquiry as part of the landscape of professional development. To this end they fund Teacher Enquiry Funded Projects (TEFP) (up to £5 000) and Mathematics Knowledge Networks (MKN) (£2 000) every year.
From September, the National Centre is looking to support a number of small, short term projects. They believe this experience will lead to participants wishing to take teacher enquiry further in the future. The NCETM Regional Teams will work with you to define a project and budget. They can offer small amounts of funding (no more than £1 000) together with some online coaching from a member of your NCETM regional coordination team to start you off and keep you going on some element of teacher enquiry.
NCETM is supporting an exciting range of Regional Projects here in the North East in all phases. Topics include: use of rich tasks; active ways of teaching various topics; using Maths300 in your classroom; developing discussion in mathematics in your classroom and at home; using Maths in Work video in the classroom; progression to mathematics A-level. They can offer funding and support for further small-scale, classroom-based projects involving a group of colleagues working together to develop some aspect of their mathematics teaching and then sharing the experience with others.
Contact Steve Humble or Viv Brown if you would like help with your bids and ideas or for more information on any of the services NCETM have to offer.
Alternatively, for more information on what NCETM has going on and for news updates please visit www.ncetm.org.uk/
Do you teach some young scientists or engineers who deserve recognition? If they are 11-18 with a great project or invention…enter the National Science & Engineering Competition today. There is over £50,000 of prizes, including cash awards and trips abroad – plus the prestige of winning a high profile competition for your school or college and the teachers involved.
The lucky finalists will be invited to showcase their work to around 24,000 students, teachers, journalists and VIPs visiting The Big Bang: UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair in London in March 2011. Here your students can mix and compete with the country’s best – and gather tips and advice from working scientists and engineers from all fields in business and research. With plenty of individual and team prizes up for grabs, there are lots of opportunities for all students, and the two winning individuals in the senior category will be crowned the UK Young Scientist of the Year and UK Young Engineer of the Year.
For the first time, NSEC is offering a prize for specialist schools, sponsored by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT). Eligibility is wider than simply schools who have student competitors and it has a separate application process (via SSAT). Any school with a STEM specialism (Maths & Computing, Science, Technology or Engineering) can apply. Details are on the NSEC website:
The Engineering Development Trust (EDT) run a number of schemes across the UK to encourage young people to consider courses and careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). They have developed their widening participation programme where they have set up activity days to encourage pupils who are under-represented in STEM (girls, ethnic minorities and those that would be first in their family to consider higher education) to consider courses and careers in these areas and are working with a number of schools and universities in delivering these days.
First Edition is one of EDT’s widening participation programmes that aims to encourage pupils from under represented groups with a current focus on those who will be first in family to consider higher education. The days are designed to encourage creativity and innovation through hands on practical activities focused on team working and problem solving and it is intended to be the first step to a range of STEM-related educational options.
EDT also run the following schemes:
Go4Set links Year 8/9 and S2 pupils to local companies and universities through a 10 week STEM project
Engineering Education Scheme provides Year 12 and S5 students with a real scientific, engineering and technological challenge to solve over a 6 month period
Headstart offers science, technology and engineering experience courses at university for Year 12 and S5
The Year in Industry provides career development work placements for Pre-University and Undergraduate students.
To find out more about EDT, please visit EDT’s website at www.etrust.org.uk
A First Edition event will be taking place at Northumbria University on the 17th November from 10:00 to 15:00 for Year 10. If you are interested in along please contact EDT by email or call 01707 871 504
For more information about EDT schemes, please visit:
STEM Ambassadors and STEM teachers came together to share ideas and experiences at an event on 27th September 2010 at the National Space Centre.
We invite you to join a follow-on discussion based around the following questions.
For those working in or with STEM:
Is there anything you wish you had learnt, been told at school or college which would have helped prepare you better for your chosen career, study or work environment?
What do you think are the key messages about studying or working with STEM that we should be telling young people today?
For those teaching and working with young people in education:
Is there anything you wish you could tell your students about working in or with STEM that you think could help prepare them better for study and/or work?
What are the areas for which you would like particular support from those working in or with STEM subjects e.g. careers, curriculum, work experience, extracurricular activities etc?
What are the best ways in which those working in or with STEM can help you and your students? In your experience, what works well?
For those in other roles:
What are your views on the links between the world of work and STEM Education?
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.
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.
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)
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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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
The North East Science Alliance (NESA) provides people who work in science communication and education the opportunity to network, share ideas and form collaborations. The informal meetings typically start at 7pm, after refreshments have been served, with short presentations about current projects, research or other schemes of interest from a variety of speakers.
NESA also promotes the opportunity to network with contacts, and this is carried out with plenty of time at the face to face meetings, but also via a Google Group that allows members to share news, job opportunities, discuss current issues and pass on information.
The aims of the NESA are:
to promote public dialogue about science in its broadest sense
to raise the profile of public engagement activities in North East England
to encourage the co-ordination of public engagement activities in North East England
to promote collaboration in accessing funding, staging activities and making the most of all of our resources to maximize public engagement with science
As a member of the NESA you will be able to attend the quarterly meetings, give presentations and share information as well as taking advantage of this excellent networking opportunity.
Membership of NESA is free and open to anyone working to engage the public with science; the network is run by volunteers and relies on the generosity of hosts, presenters and organisers providing assistance free of charge to operate. To join, and learn about future meetings, please sign up at: http://groups.google.com/group/ne-science-alliance For more information, please visit the British Science Association website, which hosts information about the network: http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/nesa
In anticipation of the release of the 2010 ‘A’ level results, a leading educational charity, the EDT, has said that good information needs to be provided at an early stage to encourage students into careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Dr Gordon Mizner, Chief Executive of the EDT says, “Students normally make their choice of ‘A’ level subjects before GSCE results at the age of 15 or 16 and often have made choices even before this stage. They base these decisions on what they see of life around them. The problem is that in the media, and on television in particular, they see lots of examples of people with careers in the arts, entertainment, drama and the media, but far too few examples of people with exciting careers in science, engineering or technology. They need to have greater input on the possibilities of STEM careers before they make these important decisions.”
Dr Mizner pointed out that programmes providing industry/education links to engage students in projects and experiences enabled them to see STEM subjects being used in a commercial environment.
He says, “Of the students on our ‘Go4SET’ programme for 12 -14 year olds, 68% said that the experience made them more likely to study science and maths subjects at school (31% have an unchanged opinion). Greater participation in this type of scheme can provide the significant shift in attitudes towards STEM subjects that the recent Dyson Report identified as being vital to prevent skills shortages in the very industries to which we are looking to provide the engine for UK growth in coming years.”
We have a number of activities which schools have requested – some are summer schools and are very soon and others are for later on in the year. If you can do any of them please let me know.
When
Where
Description
Anytime next week (26th- 30th July) between 10-2pm
Excelsior AcademyDenton Road
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6AF
Summer School for year 5/6 pupils who are ‘persistent absentees’.Would like someone to deliver a practical session using Science or DT
The sessions we are running are as follows
CSI Scotswood
Science for starters(have you anything for this???)
Food Design
Poet’ tree’
Film making
Local songs
Mask Making
Jewellery Making
Lunch will be provided.
Anytime on 3rd 4rth and 5th August10.30am-2.30pm
George Stephenson Community High SchoolKillingworth
NE12 6SA
working on an electro mechanical Christmas displayfor the White Swan Centre in Killingworth
times are
10.30am-2.30pm
Can anyone help out?
From September
Sandhill View SchoolSunderland
SR3 4EN
Ambassador volunteers to mentor car project.
October 4th
Newcastle University
EES (Engineering Education Scheme)LaunchAmbassadors needed to provide activities on project management and Communications. We are looking for them to be extremely interactive and more activity based rather than sitting through a lecture.
Ambassadors will be talking to groups of 50 (estimated).
6th October
Sunderland High SchoolSunderland
SR2 H8Y
‘Opportunities Day’This is to cover our Senior School from Years 7-13.
Ideally any activities would have an hour slot. We are aiming to develop this theme re. careers and further education, personal development, extend the curriculum for the day and develop some creative /practical ideas.
Anytime on 8th – 12th November 2010
Ryton Comprehensive SchoolRyton
NE40 3AH
Numeracy weekSessions on using maths in industry and real life situations.
Best sessions usually involve some activity/calculations for the pupils if somewhat simplified from the reality of what is used (teacher happy to discuss with ambassadors).
1 hour sessions, ideally would like them to do two sessions to different groups of children
These sessions are most appropriate for more able pupils. I usually target year 10 and 11 set 1 and 2 pupils who should achieve GCSE A* – C grade in maths. We have 2 set 1s and 2 set 2s in each year group. These sets usually have 32 pupils in them.
14th February 2011
Farringdon Community Sports CollegeSunderland
SR3 3EL
Enterprise DayEnterprise activity to reinforce Technology subjects before the options are chosen by year 9. An example of the idea the teacher is looking for is product design and designing a Birthday card as an example of Designing, Manufacture, Advertising and Distribution. However, if ambassadors can come up with their own idea related to their company that would be excellent.
2 Workshops will be required. One 2 hour session in the morning, 9.30-11.30. One 2 hour session in the afternoon, 12.45-2.45. School begins at 8.45. We would prefer all Year 9 students to be doing the same activities in both sessions. There will be 84 students taking part in the morning activity and 73 in the afternoon. Preference for ambassadors from Technology and Engineering to deliver the enterprise.
It would be brilliant if a company could deliver this for the school.
Please let me know if you are able to do any of the above or if you have any activities coming planned.
Companies and organisations are being called upon to inspire the next generation of engineers by taking part in the North East Engineering Show which is making a welcome return this summer.
Rebranded as ‘boom!’ the event will see thousands of future engineers descend on what is the engineering equivalent of the Greatest Show on Earth.
The event, which is aimed at students age 11-17 and remains free for North East schools, is sponsored by One North East and combines an exciting fast-moving theatre style performance and interactive exhibition. The show takes place at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle from Tuesday 13 July until Friday 16 July.
Companies and organisations that would like to participate have until June 4 to register their interest in exhibiting at the event, so they don’t miss getting into the event guide which is currently being put together.
Those coming on board will be in great company as the event already has confirmed attendance from Honda’s ASIMO, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot with other highlights including RuBOT the amazing Rubik’s Cube solving robot, Starchaser’s Skybolt Sounding Rocket which stands at nearly 12 metres, RAF flight technology and a coffee powered car.
North East based universities and companies including Subsea North East, North East Process Industry Cluster, BAE Systems, Nissan, Siemens and The Tanfield Group will be showcasing their new technology and engineering innovation. The event will be presented by Robert Llewellyn of Scrap Heap Challenge and Red Dwarf fame.
Last year, the show provided an opportunity for 6,800 young people and teachers to sample first hand the importance of engineering in modern day life, and appreciate the Science, Technology and Maths skills that underpin careers in Engineering.
This year, schools have already registered over 5,000 young people to attend the event, with bookings still coming in. Schools still wishing to bring a class or year group to ‘boom!’ are urged to book via the event website www.boomnortheast.co.uk or phone the event team on 0191 240 7008.
One North East manufacturing and productivity manager, Dr Colin Herron, said: “boom! offers a great opportunity to inspire the next generations of engineers. Last year the event created a huge uplift in enthusiasm and interest for Engineering, Science and Technology amongst young people and we are confident that this year the event will be even bigger and better so I would urge those with something to share to register their interest today.”
ASIMO is the culmination of more than two decades of humanoid robotics research and development. The latest version of ASIMO made its UK debut in the region in 2008 and returns for the third time to inspire the North East’s next generation of engineers.
The Skybolt Sounding Rocket has been designed to flight test a Starchaser rocket engine and is designed to be reusable, a trait that is almost unique compared to other existing sounding rockets.
The show provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to find out about the diverse range of rewarding career options available in engineering with representation from employers in key regional sectors including renewable energy, subsea engineering, zero emission vehicles, low carbon technologies, ICT/digital, process industry/chemical engineering and construction/civil engineering.
Exhibitors at this event are being asked to complete an exhibitor’s registration form by Friday 4 June. Those with inspirational or interactive exhibits will be offered free space. Please email jenny@if-fma.com for a copy of the form or phone the event team on 0191 240 7008.
Ends.
For more information, contact Alison Laggan (press office) on 0191 229 6613, mobile 07766 424400 or email alison.laggan@onenortheast.co.uk
Enter the anti-doping STEM Challenge and you could win up to £3000 worth of equipment for your STEM Club!
This is in addition to the expenses paid trip to the Science Museum, which includes a curator-led tour of the museum, a private viewing of the “Who am I?” exhibition, a behind-the-scenes tour of the IMAX theatre and time in the Launchpad gallery.
What’s more, we’ll cover the expenses for up to six pupils and two adults, including transport, accommodation and meals. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
We’ve topped up the prize fund as we have been so impressed at the hard work pupils have shown so far in the STEM Challenges.
The deadline for team registration is Monday 14 June 2010. Team registration only takes a couple of minutes once you are logged in to the website! You then have time to prepare entries before the judging takes place in schools on Tuesday 6 July 2010.
More ways to win!!!
In addition to the main prizes, we are offering you opportunities to win STEM Club Boxes and a free tour of the London 2012 construction site. Visit the STEM Challenges website for more information.
• CREST is Britain’s largest national award scheme for project work in the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). It gives young people aged 11-19 opportunities to explore real world projects in an exciting way. CREST links closely to the curriculum and is a great way to make STEM creative and engaging – both in and out of the class.
• CREST was established over 23 years ago. Since then, over 300,000 young people have achieved CREST Awards. In the last year alone over 25,000 CREST Awards have been undertaken.
• For students, CREST Awards are a tangible recognition of success. They can be included in personal records of achievement – and used to enhance applications to universities, colleges and potential employers.
• CREST Awards are extremely flexible – they can link into work experience placements, after-schools clubs or several linked schemes. Some projects might be done in one day – others over several months. Students can investigate or design and make, research a subject, or design a science communication project.
CREST awards are available at three levels:
Bronze
• 10 hours of project work
• Typically completed by 11-14 year olds
• £4 per student
Silver
• 30 hours of project work
• Typically completed by 14-16 year olds
• £8 per student
Gold
• 100 hours of project work
• Typically completed by 16+ year olds
• £15 per student
The levels are progressive but can be awarded separately at any stage. The differentiated levels enable youngsters of all abilities to experience positive achievement in Science, Engineering, Technology and Maths (STEM) and cover many of the required key skills in the process.
Essentials at any level
1. A CREST activity must offer students the opportunity to:
• practise existing scientific and technological skills and experience and develop new ones
• follow a science/technological process
• demonstrate individualised and independent learning
• apply their work to a ‘real world’ context
• research and make use of material and human resource
• demonstrate some creativity or innovation in their work
• communicate their work to audiences, both expert and non expert
• consider the broader implications of the work of scientists and technologists
2. All students monitor their progress with the aid of a Profile Form. Profile forms are available at each level for science and technology projects.
UNDERSTANDING ANIMAL RESEARCH AND THE NATIONAL SCIENCE LEARNING CENTRE
Understanding Animal Research and the National Science Learning Centre are offering 12 grants of £400 each for teachers to participate in residential summer CPD workshop to develop key stage 3 and 4 teaching modules on the science of animal research.
The workshop will take place from 3 – 5 August 2010 at the National Science Learning Centre in York. Delegates should be practising teachers of science at key stages 3 and 4 in England and Wales.
If you are interested in taking part, please send a CV and a brief statement of interest (no more than 250 words) to John Meredith at jmeredith@uar.org.uk or email for more information.
All applications must be submitted by COB Wednesday 30th June 2010.
Do you want to engage and motivate your students? Make links with your local university? Provide your students with positive role models – one who is actively engaged in learning themselves? Get your students thinking seriously about careers in science, technology, engineering or maths?
Researchers in Residence is an established and highly regarded placement scheme funded by the UK Research Councils and the Wellcome Trust that places leading PhD and post-doc researchers in schools for up to 24 hours of student contact time. The scheme is open to schools right across the UK and is completely free of charge.
Projects can be tailored to suit your needs; for example, targeting gifted and talented students, students doing coursework or National Science and Engineering Week (which is next March). Placements can be flexible, including practical classroom activities, after-school club projects, lunchtime talks, careers advice or support for small groups.
Over 300 placements were organised in schools across the country in 2008/9. The feedback from teachers and their pupils was overwhelmingly positive. If you’ve never tried Researchers in Residence and want to find out more, or if you’ve done it before and want to try it again, register online at www.researchersinresidence.ac.uk or call 0845 365 7470.
“The programme has had the whole school talking and now teachers from other departments are keen to have a placement!”
Dr Margaret Ritchie, Head of Science Arbroath High School
