STEM Ambassadors under 30 years-old working in careers relating to ethical or ecological issues are sought to contribute to a careers guide that will be sent to schools and colleges nationwide. The guide looks at Ethical and Green Careers and will be published by Babcock Lifeskills.
The time commitment would be less than one hour and there would be no travel involved: the communication would be done entirely by phone or email. You would be asked to send a few photographs to illustrate the text. You would be sent a list of standard questions, and a deadline by which a response would be appreciated. You would be sent both a draft for approval, and a copy of the final product.
Tuesday 8th May
Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester
Are you looking to improve and develop skills for maths outreach? Do you currently do public engagement in maths and want to improve, or are you looking to try and incorporate the ‘M in STEM’ into your work?
BIG’s forthcoming skills day helps dispel the myth that Maths is a difficult and scary subject, among communicators as well as the public, and we hope to make it easier for people to engage with and to see the kind of work being done to popularise maths, as well as learning approaches to delivering their own sessions.
There will be three very skilled Maths communicators running the day: Matt Parker, Joshua Award-winning maths communicator and ‘Stand-up mathematician’, Nicola Stock, Centre for Life and Dr Sara Santos, from the Maths Busking project.
The event will cost £50 for BIG Members and places are strictly limited to a maximum of 20. Non-members will need to join BIG first at an annual cost of £30.
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:
Scientists, social scientists, engineers and clinicians can experience life in the heart of the newsroom by applying for a British Science Association 2012 Media Fellowship.
Spend 3-8 weeks this summer working with hosts including the BBC, Guardian and Nature to produce accurate, well-informed news about developments in science, and work alongside the UK’s top science editors in the British Science Festival Press Centre.
Return to work with media confidence, contacts, and first-class communication skills.
“I came away brimming with ideas, skills and advice for my researcher peers and I met some amazing people with the same values and drive as me. It was extremely interesting, educational and fun I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the world outside their research bubble.” Media Fellow
Apply online from 16 January – 11 March 2012
We welcome applications from researchers at all stages of their career and for eligibility criteria, experiences from past Media Fellows, and the online application form go to
STEMNET and Cisco are challenging 11-16 year olds to use their Maths and Science skills to
plan a major sporting event in their local area. The Challenge is to plan a major sporting event that would transform your local area and showcase local and national talent. Teams of 4-6 students must choose a sport and a venue or location, and work out what resources, facilities and equipment would be
needed for the event. As with all STEM Challenges, teams will present their project at a STEM Challenge
local judging event.
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)
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 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
Every year in November Charles Thorp Comprehensive School (formerly Ryton School) in Gateshead organises a Numeracy Week for Key Stage 3 students. They invite people who can talk about Maths in an interesting way, share their passion for the subject and show how Maths can be applied in real life scenarios. This year on the 16th November 2011 a STEM Ambassador Sandra Hardwick went to visit the school.
Here is Sandra’s reflection on the event: I went to the school at a pre-arranged time and met with a member of the maths teaching staff who took me to the first classroom. I delivered a 45 minute presentation to 15 year old students using a powerpoint presentation that I had prepared. The subject was roughly “how is numeracy that you learn at school relevant to my job”. I gave a half a dozen examples including trigonometry, measuring, accuracy, graphs, databases and charts.
After coffee break I went to deliver a more focussed presentation to lower sixth form students studying A level Mechanics and talked them through a real life project I am involved with relating the photos, drawings and diagrams to what they are studying.
I really enjoyed visiting the school and meeting the young students. I looked forward to doing it and the experience didn’t disappoint. The staff met me and took me through the school and the IT equipment worked in the first session but we had problems in the second session which did make the delivery much more difficult.
They students were (mostly) attentive and some even asked relevant questions. Of course some of them were too “cool” to take notice but this doesn’t bother me at all! I can vaguely remember my school days and might well have acted in the same way except no-one ever came to talk to us back then!
In the future, before I deliver similar events, I would email my presentations to the school ahead of the session to allow them to put them on the IT equipment before hand.
I would also build in exercises for the students to take part in.
I think the STEM outreach is essential to inspire young people to think more carefully about what they actually want to do after they leave school. I used to work in the university sector teaching undergrads and many of them “arrived” on enrolment day without a clue as to WHY they were there and WHY they’d chosen the course they were about to spend 4 years studying!
Sandra Hardwick is a Chartered Building Surveyor who specialises in energy assessment calculations of all types of buildings. She acts as a self-employed consultant to many Architects and property developers regarding how they can design and build construction projects in an environmentally conscious way. She also worked as a Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University for many years. Sandra is a member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a STEM Ambassador.
Once a week we send to our STEM Ambassadors 5 new ideas for STEM activities. Today we would like to introduce you to the world of Maths (NRICH and Bowling Maths), Food (Food for Life), Space (ESERO) and Technology (Connected Earth). Please check more details below. And enjoy planning your new activities!
Title
Description
Website
NRICH (Maths)
The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. Their website offers thousands of our free mathematics enrichment materials (problems, articles and games) for teachers and learners from ages 5 to 19 years. All the resources are designed to develop subject knowledge, problem-solving and mathematical thinking skills.
The Food for Life Partnership is a network of schools and communities across England committed to transforming food culture. Their website offers teaching recourses, case studies and films about food…
ESERO-UK aims to promote the use of space to enhance and support the teaching and learning of STEM in schools in the UK. The project is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Department for Education. Their website offers teaching resources and activities.
Bowland Maths makes maths fun and absorbing for pupils aged 11-14. The aim is to help change pupils’ views of maths by increasing their motivation and enjoyment, which should help increase their confidence and their competence. A second aim is to help teach maths in a different way.
STEM Ambassador Adam Lord from Siemens recently helped with the Wind Turbine Challenge organised for local schools in York by Siemens and the Smallpeice Trust.
The goal of the day was to build a wind turbine out of paper, nuts and bolts, blu tack, straws, tape, corrugated plastic, cogs and a generator. The winning team would be the one that produces the best cost/voltage ratio.
After the event Adam said: “My role was to facilitate and provide advice where necessary. I think the kids really enjoyed it.”
The Royal Society of Chemistry is offering 2 grant-schemes to schools:
Chemistry at Work events are careers-based for Year 11s and under, which can also include Primary. Outside speakers who use chemistry in their working life give hands-on presentations to groups of students and during the day, the students move round until they’ve visited everyone. Smaller events (150-ish students) tend to be run over one day and you can bid for funding up to £800 per day. Larger events, where more schools are involved can last up to 3 days and the daily rate is the same (£800 x 3 = £2400). Chemistry at Work events can be run in a school where if possible other schools are invited, in industry, at a University or anywhere you think it would work. You don’t just have to run one event but if you are thinking of running a few, please bear in mind the time it will take to organise and also put in a separate form for each event.
The expression of interest forms for Chemistry at Work events need to be sent to chemistryatwork@rsc.orgby 1st December 2011.
ChemNet events are for 16-19 year old chemists and are much smaller and tend to last a few hours rather than the full day. Ideally, they’d be 20-30 students per event and as with the Chemistry at Work events, speakers would give hands on sessions. You can bid for up to £500 per event with one form submitted per event.
The expression of interest forms for ChemNet events need to come to Joanna Buckley joanna.buckley@sheffield.ac.uk by 1st December 2011.
STEM Ambassadors can support chemistry events in your school for free! Fore more details please contact STEM Outreach team.
The Engineering in STEM Clubs CPD will be taking place on Thursday 8th December 4.00pm-6.00pm at Science Learning Centre North East. If you would like to attend please click the following link to register. http://stemcpdframwellgate.eventbrite.com/ Places are limited so please register asap.
Please note that all schools who attend the CPD will receive a free resource, ‘Engineering in a Box’ that contains hard copies of the resources produced by the Royal Academy of Engineering, and a selection of specialist resources worth over £75 to support the delivery of engineering in your STEM Club.
A STEM Ambassador who is an engineer that has worked in industry and now works with young people will be involved in the session.
Engineering in STEM Club Course Details
This free course is intended for anyone who is currently running or is considering running a STEM or STEM-related club (e.g. a science club, maths club etc.) and would like to include more Engineering into their programme of activities.
The session looks at creating positive images of engineering, and breaking down negative stereotypes to highlight the diverse and creative elements of engineering. It also offers a selection of activity ideas and access to support resources. The session has been developed with the specialist and non specialist in mind.
Come along, network with club leaders, get plenty of activity ideas and develop your club.
Light refreshments will be provided.
This course is offered free of charge through the Engineering Engagement Project from the Royal Academy of Engineering. By applying and accepting a place on this course your school will be automatically be signed up to the Engineering Engagement project mailing list. For more information visit www.raeng.org.uk/eenp
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.
WANTED: A VOLUNTEER THAT WANTS TO BE KEPT IN THE DARK! STEM Ambassadors with interest in astronomy are invited to help with the Dark Sky project.
With a resident population density of approximately two people per square mile, it’s perhaps not surprising that Northumberland National Park has some of the darkest skies in the region. The opportunities for star gazing are infinite and at this latitude, even the Aurora (Northern Lights) can be seen on those rare occasions of intense solar activity. Many people consider dark skies as contributory factor to the area’s sense of tranquility; however, it is a special quality that cannot be taken for granted. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. (CPRE) has published Light Blight maps for the last 20 years, and though Northumberland is still considered the darkest County in the UK, its percentage of area with truly dark skies decreased by 28% and its average night time brightness rose a whopping 1,000% between 1993 and 2000. And this trend is unfortunately still on the increase!
Following recent, successful conversations with the Kielder Observatory and other Astronomical Societies, we are considering whether to secure Dark Sky Reserve status for Northumberland National Park, to complement Kielder Water and Forest Park’s bid to secure Dark Sky Park status.
The application to achieving either status requires a high degree of commitment from the main organisations overseeing and financing the process, but more importantly, it is the roles of volunteers that will be critical to making this happen, particularly those with specific skills/experience. We would like to know if there are any volunteers out there who may have the following skills, and would like to have their names put forward for being involved in this project.
· Project management
· Experience of project funding bids
· Data collection
· An interest/passion in astronomy/dark skies
We are still at a very early stage of this project, but I will be more than happy to talk to anyone about this exciting venture. Do not hesitate to contact Duncan Wise from Northumberland Nartional Park Authority) by phone on 01434 611521.
Tyne Metropolitan College and Norham Community Technology College visit Siemens Energy Services for a Collaborative Development Day
Engineering Staff from TyneMet College, 4 teachers from Norham Community Technology College and Jo Lyons from the North Tyneside Education Business Partnership recently met with Carl Hopper, Siemens Energy Services STEM Ambassador for a tour of the Siemens Energy Services Plant to discuss ways of actively driving the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) agenda in North Tyneside forward.
The visit enabled the group to share good practice and discuss related teaching and learning resources which will lead to enhancing and enriching the curriculum, both inside and outside the classroom, to motivate students towards STEM.
The STEM agenda is integral to the College’s growth and development plans, TyneMet is already a regional leader for Engineering and Technology, with a wide range of vocational courses at its Coast Road Campus, designed to up-skill and advance both employees and employers across the North East.
TyneMet’s partner college and dedicated A Level Sixth Form, Queen Alexandra, is one of the top performing colleges in the country for Science and Maths with 100% pass rate across many AS and A2 subjects including Maths, Further Maths and Physics. More than half of Queen Alexandra’s students taking Physics and Further Maths are gaining the highest possible grades (A*, A or B). Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College outranked all other English schools in its category for AS Use of Maths to win a prestigious ‘Good Schools Guide Award for 2011. This coveted A Level awards recognises teaching excellence: an accolade that further demonstrates the College’s commitment to outstanding results, support for our A Level students and vision for growth in STEM areas for the future.
Across industry, societies, charities, universities and government, there is a wealth of expertise, resources and commitment to inspire and engage students with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The STEM Framework aims to bring coherence to the wide range of activities on offer; creating a clear path for students and teachers to access the support available while enabling funders and providers to see where they can make a difference.
Mick Burton, Head of Engineering at TyneMet, said:
“Collaboration between industry and education is essential and underpins the College’s commitment to providing outstanding education and training so that students, the local area and employers can succeed and prosper.”
For advice and guidance on courses still available at TyneMet College and Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College, call 0191 229 5000, email enquiries@tynemet.ac.uk or alternatively visit the website www.tynemet.ac.uk
Photo – Left to Right
Gary Eiles, Teacher in Engineering TyneMet College, Carl Hopper, Siemens Energy Services STEM Ambassador, Mick Burton, Head of Engineering TyneMet College, Stephen Moore, Head of Technology Faculty Norham Community Technology College, Jo McClean, Science Teacher Norham Community Technology College, Nick Hinder, Technology Teacher Norham Community Technology College, Stephen Jackson, 2nd in Maths Norham Community Technology College.
Moorland Indicators of Climate Change Initiative (MICCI)
The National Park’s Audience Engagement Project needs growing support from Voluntary Rangers and volunteers to help more people (both numbers & type!) to enjoy Northumberland National Park.
The latest opportunity to help out and do something a bit different is Moorland Indicators of Climate Change Initiative (MICCI)
What is MICCI?
Very basically the project gets young people out to measure the depth of peat, take soil samples and send data to be analysed by www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk So not only is it fun & educational for those involved, but it the data analysis is an output that will benefit other areas of the organisation’s work such as biodiversity and archaeology
Where did it come from? This project has been running in the Peak District National Park for the past 4 years. Have a look at http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/learning-about/learning-projects/climatechangeproject for a bit more background.
Why do it in Northumberland?
Our Border Mires are internationally important and have an unbeatable (we think but let’s prove it!) depth of peat. Some schools have already shown interest in helping us collect consistent data on peat depth in our park.
What is the volunteers’ role?
We need volunteers to assist staff, teachers and university students on field trips to carry out the peat depth sampling. These trips will take place next March to coincide with science week (weather depending). To enable interested individuals to do this we are running a training session this autumn.
MICCI TRAINING SESSION
DATE: Friday, November 11th
TIME: 10.30am – 4pm
VENUE: Twice Brewed Inn, Bardon Mill, Hexham, Norrthumberland, NE47 7AN, plus site visit
AGENDA:
Indoor session at Twice Brewed Inn (back room)
10.30-11 Background & how MICCI works (Chris Robinson, Learning and Discovery Officer at the Peak District National Park)
11-11.30 Peat in Northumberland, including a showing of Our Beautiful Bogs (Gill Thompson)
11.30-12 How will MICCI work in Northumberland? (Mandy Roberts)
12- 1pm Lunch (provided) & travel to site
Site Visit at National Trust land south of Peel Crags.
1pm-3.00 Practice Field Trip
3.00-4.00 Travel back to Twice Brewed for warm-up, coffee & quick discussion.
If you are a STEM Ambassador or a teacher interested in this training session please contact STEM Outreach team on 0191 200 4453.
One of our STEM Ambassadors – Dr Elisa Lopez-Capel from Newcastle University is delivering a workshop on energy production. Teachers are invited to attend.
Teachers’ workshop: Motivating critical thinking of young people in issues surrounding energy production and use.
Date: Thursday 24th November 2011 Time: 4:15pm to 6:30pm Venue: The Meadows. Waterville Road. North Shields. Tyne & Wear, NE29 6BA. http://www.meadowwellconnected.org.uk
Travel: Next to Meadow Well metro station (see map attached)
Price: Free
Registration Deadline 15th November Buffet and refreshments available on arrival.
Please register for this event so that we know how many people to expect: http://forms.ncl.ac.uk/view.php?id=2303
Project Background:
The ‘North East Schools: understanding Energy and Sustainability’ project aims to develop a sustainable programme in Energy Education through Newcastle University engagement with Schools, Councils and Museums in the North East.
Programme activities include: taster sessions, identification of resources (online questionnaire), development of resources (including teachers’ workshops), and delivery of activities at schools.
If you have time, please fill in the online questionnaire to ensure the event meets your needs and expectations. http://www.survey.bris.ac.uk/newcastle/beaconenergyteachersq
The purpose of this workshop:
• Capture your views on energy related educational resources
• Provide training in energy management (including a tour of renewable energy facilities at the Meadows)
• Showcase some of the energy educational materials we are developing: workshops, lesson plans, pupils’ findings, outcomes. This will include a presentation of findings from the Whitley Bay High School yr9 workshop on ‘Can you help improve your school’s energy efficiency?’
Identify educational resources associated with our core expertise in energy research at Newcastle University
This workshop has been developed in collaboration with North Tyneside Council, and supported by Whitley Bay High School and The Meadows.
If you would like more information about the project, please contact:
Dr Elisa Lopez-Capel , Research Associate in Energy Biosciences at Newcastle Institute for Research on Sustainability (elisa.lopez-capel@ncl.ac.uk) http://www.beaconnortheast.org.uk/projects/18/ne-schools-understanding-energy-and-sustainability-project
If you would like more information about The Encompass tool and Energy management, please contact: Mike Keenlyside, Environmental Sustainability Officer at North Tyneside Council.
STEM Ambassador / Teacher Networking and Nuffield Celebration
During last school summer holidays 32 students from across the North East took part in amazing projects working with some of the region’s leading Higher Education Institutions and organisations at the forefront of STEM. Having succeeded against stiff competition, the students received funding from the Nuffield Foundation Bursaries Programme (coordinated in the North East by Newcastle College STEM Outreach).
Around 100 teachers, students, parents, STEM Ambassadors and Nuffield project providers met last week at Newcastle College Performance Academy to celebrate the work of Nuffield students and their mentors. They were treated to some entertaining demonstrations of “Famtastic Plastic” by students, Reece Hughill and Aleksandra Slebzak, with their Mentor Anne Willis of Northumbria University.
The event was also a great opportunity for Teachers and STEM Ambassadors (trained and CRB checked volunteer professionals who work in schools throughout the country) to talk about enrichment in schools and forge relationships to bring “real life” STEM into the classroom.
The STEM Ambassadors and teachers networking event with Nuffield theme was supported by Nuffield Foundation and Royal Society of Chemistry and many chemistry projects were displayed. This ChemNet type event allowed people to talk about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths behind the Nuffield projects and about STEM in schools.
The event was supported by:
- STEM Ambassadors
- Nuffield Foundation
- Royal Society of Chemistry
- The Wolfson Foundation
- Newcastle College
Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for all survey!
Newcastle-based social enterprise Open Engineering Solutions is carrying out a survey about skills shortage and youth unemployment levels, including female participation in science and engineering. WE encourage all STEM Ambassadors, teachers and other STEM-oriented individuals to spend 5 minutes and help with the research.
Link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/KVZHPNY
The survey is open until 31 October
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 Literary & Philosophical Society (Lit & Phil) is the largest independent library outside of London, housing over 150,000 books. A wide selection of current fiction & non-fiction can be found alongside historical collections covering every field of interest, including science. It is located in a outstanding Grade II* listed building in the centre of Newcastle and is currently working to make itself known to the wider population in the city of Newcastle.
To raise their profile and attract a new audience to this beautiful building, they have asked the Community Science Team at Centre West to help them deliver a one-off event providing a unique opportunity for families to be given access to its building and to explore its resources.
They are looking for two or three science-based, hands on activities to enthuse and excite people about science.
If interested please contact Rhianne Dixon at Rhianne.dixon@centre-west.com with a brief outline of the activity and your costs.
CREST is a UCAS-endorsed and easy-to-run STEM enrichment scheme. It allows 11-19yr olds to link their personal passions with curriculum-based learning through creative projects. CREST is run by the British Science Association, accredits over 20 other national schemes and offers tangible benefits to both students and teachers. UCAS endorses the inclusion of CREST Awards in students’ personal statements. Find out more at: www.britishscienceassociation.org/crest
STEM Outreach organises a CREST assessment training for volunteers who would like to judge CREST projects in the future. New as well as more experienced individuals are more than welcome to attend the session. We will learn how to assess Bronze, Silver and Gold CREST projects and how to talk to students about their findings. The training will be delivered by Colin Wilkinson. Details of the training session are below:
Date: Wednesday 31st August 2011 Time: 5-7pm Venue: 616 Parsons Building, Newcastle College, Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7SA
Did you know that we have over 20,000 STEM Ambassadors in the UK???
STEM Ambassadors programme is a UK-wide scheme for STEM professionals and people with interest in STEM. Volunteers are CRB checked, inducted and insured and they deliver minimum 1 STEM-related activity in schools every 12 months. STEM Ambassadors represent small and large companies, universities and other organisations. Interested in becoming a STEM Ambassador?
If yes, you will need to follow the 3 steps listed below:
Details of the next induction for our new STEM Ambassadors from Tyne & Wear and Northumberland are below: Date: Wednesday 31st August 2011 Time: 3-5pm Venue: 615 Parsons Building, Newcastle College, Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7SA
To register your interest please contact STEM Outreach office via email ambassadors@ncl-coll.ac.uk or call: 0191 200 4453.
STEMNET published online the Summary overview of the Evaluation of STEMNET’s programmes 2009-10. The summary includes evaluation of:
STEM Ambassadors programme
STEM Clubs
Brokerage of STEM enhancement and enrichment activities
Employer perspective on STEMNET’s work
The key messages are:
The evidence gathered during the evaluation activities demonstrates that STEMNET’s services are of a high quality, and that they are leading to a range of positive outcomes for both teachers and pupils. Notably, involvement in STEM Clubs and/or interactions with STEM Ambassadors is increasing pupils’ interest in STEM, as well as developing their knowledge of the subjects, practical skills and generic transferable skills (e.g. team-working, problem-solving) which are of key importance to their future employability. There is also some evidence that involvement in STEM Clubs and interaction with STEM Ambassadors can increase progression to STEM subjects. In relation to STEM Ambassadors, the evaluation suggests that more ongoing and sustained contact with STEM Ambassadors could lead to even greater impacts for pupils.
Source: Summary of the NfER evaluation of STEMNET’s services on pupils and teachers, July 2010, p. 1
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:
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 Paralympics Games. Each challenge incorporates a range of activities for schools and once in a lifetime prizes can be won!
STEM Challenge 6 – The Website Challenge
• This challenge links to England’s STEM curriculum and criteria for assessing pupils’ progress in these subjects!
• Challenge for teams of 4-6 students from KS3
• Max 2 teams from 1 school
• Deadline for team entries: Wednesday 20th April 2011
• Teams do not need to have competition entries ready by this date – their entries will be judged at a local session in Tyne and Wear which will take place between 16-20 May 2011
• The top 8 teams will be selected to take place in June 2011, where Rachel Morris will be Head Judge!
• Further information: http://www.stemchallenges.net/challenges
What is it all about?
Design an official website for Paralympian Rachel Morris
The sixth STEM Challenge, sponsored by CISCO, asks teams to design an official Rachel Morris website. Students must consider how their design would allow people to find out more about her sporting achievements and her disability, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.
What you need to know?
• You can involve STEM club students and run the challenge for 4 weeks with them
OR
• You can organise Challenge in a Day event (supported by STEM Outreach) and experts (STEM Ambassadors) will be available all day to help students
• This activity could be accredited with Bronze CREST Awards
• You can get a free help from STEM Ambassadors and local coordinators
• Final teams will be asked to present their entries as a Dragon’s Den-style pitch to a panel of judges, which will include a celebrity Olympian!
Prizes?
• tickets to the World Skills Conference in October
• courtesy of Cisco
• up to £1000 of equipment for your STEM Club
Are you an employer or IT professional who wants to use your skills and experience to help inspire the next generation? Get involved with IT education by signing up for e-skills UK’s IT Ambassadors scheme.
Why IT Ambassadors?
Fewer students than ever are choosing to study IT-related degrees at university and the sector is experiencing shortages as a result. IT Ambassadors aims to harness the enthusiasm of people who work in technology to inspire more students to take up rewarding careers in IT.
Who can get involved?
From games designers to business analysts, software developers to project managers, IT professionals at any stage of their careers can become IT Ambassadors.
What will I be doing?
You’ll be supporting IT education and careers activity in schools and colleges across the UK. Ways you can get involved include:
giving a careers talk in schools
hosting visits to your company for students
providing information about your company for a student careers website
providing work experience for students
How IT Ambassadors works
1. Find an activity
Businesses and individuals can explore the e-skills activity pages to find a suitable way to get involved with schools. If you’re an individual volunteer, you can find something that matches your interests, experience and availability. If you’re a company you can find a range of activities designed to suit a variety of business interests.
2. Get advice and guidance
A range of resources to help you engage with schools are available. Everything from templates to case studies and guides are available for download on the e-skills activity pages.
3. Connect with a school
The IT Ambassadors scheme is a partner of the STEM Ambassador programme. You can find a local school to work with through STEMNET’s network of schools. For Tyne and Wear schools contact stempoint@ncl-coll.ac.uk
If you’re planning to work on an individual basis with students in schools you’ll be eligible for a free CRB check as part of the STEM Ambassador programme.
Visit: www.e-skills.com/itambassadors
Start exploring our activity pages to find a way you can get involved with IT Ambassadors.
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.
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:
Take 12 students from Thornhill School (STEM Club members) add one STEM Ambassador as an expert (Dave Burton from Siemens) and give them a full day to face the Wetsuit Challenge. The outcome? A completely new wetsuit design for a paratriathlete Jimmy Goddard!
STEM Challenges (www.stemchallenges.net) are series of competitions that have been inspired by London 2012. Each Challenge will focus on a different aspect of the preparations or the event itself. The Challenge number 5 was to design a new wetsuit for Jimmy, a British paratriathlete who is paralysed from the chest down. He can’t move his legs, but still swims and takes part in triathlon!
Year 9 students from Thornhill started their work one week before the final took place. They met with their teacher Daniel Abraham every day after school to discuss the Challenge and even used own initiative to phone companies and got some samples of materials!
The real Challenge started on Monday 7th February at 9am. After few brainstorms and online research they came out with some brilliant ideas! Students had to finish their work and came up with the final design by 2pm when a judging session with 3 STEM Ambassadors began.
2 teams with 6 students each presented final outcomes in front of the judging panel and answered questions related to their projects. The judges were impressed with “incredible clear & well-rehearsed presentations” and the fact that both teams “knew exactly what they were talking about” plus had “great use of ICT”. The final scores for the teams were very high: first – 114 and second – 127 (out of 150 points). The judges said at the end: “All members were enthusiastic, worked really well as a team and seemed to respect each other. Well done!”
Students also entered Bronze CREST Award with their Wetsuit project. They finished the day at 3.30pm and everyone (students and judges) went home happy!
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
Volunteering programme helping IT employers to inspire students
IT Ambassadors aims to harness the enthusiasm of people who work in technology to inspire more students to take up rewarding careers in IT.
"We’re helping employers to provide meaningful support to schools by sharing our lessons learnt from the many activities that we have organised for schools. We provide companies with best practice materials such as template activities, presentations and hints and tips for volunteers that e-skills UK has acquired through years of experience."
Visit IT Ambassadors to make the most of the resources available. The scheme is also partner of STEM Ambassadors. Contact itambassadors@e-skills.com to be kept up-to-date with news and any opportunities in your area.
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
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
The Research Councils UK (RCUK) school placement scheme, Researchers in Residence (RinR) is searching the North East for engaging scientists wanting to participate in a TV school science documentary whilst raising their own profile.
This opportunity will raise your profile, allow you to engage the public, maximise the impact of your research and support the development of transferable skills such as teaching and communication skills.
The documentary requires a motivated and enthusiastic PhD or post doctoral researcher to deliver a project based on their research area to inspire 11-18 year olds. Placements consist of a minimum of 14 hours student contact time (supervised by the host teacher) and can be tailored around research commitments, spanning a six week period. The project is open primarily to STEM researchers however, non-STEM disciplines will be considered based on the strength of the project rationale. Whether you specialise in astrophysics, biology or geography, participating in the documentary is an excellent opportunity to showcase your research.
The project should enrich the classroom and include practical demonstrations, activities for the students and talks on focussed topics.
The placement will be supported by a teacher mentor, and communications training and T&S will be provided. Participants are encouraged to meet with the host teacher prior to beginning the placement as they are often able to advise and offer guidance on suitable project ideas. Commenting on the support she received whilst on placement at Thomas Hardye School, Katie Ball, biosciences researcher states, “Always ask the teachers before going into schools for their advice, maybe even show them your lesson plans; they probably have a good idea of what works and what doesn’t, remember they’re trained to teach.
“It was inspiring working with Dr. Jeremy Rowe, (biology teacher) at the school; I learnt a lot from his interaction with the students.”
The documentary will be filmed by Brook Lapping, an internationally acclaimed documentary production company which produces content for both TeachersTV and new online channel Newton
1 The Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK’s seven Research Councils:
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Science and Technology Facilities Research Council (STFC)
2 Researchers in Residence, funded by RCUK with support from the Wellcome Trust, brings together PhD and post doctoral researchers, young people and teachers via exciting and innovative placements in secondary schools and colleges across the UK. www.researchersinresidence.ac.uk
3 Teachers TV supports the professional development of anyone working in school through engaging videos, practical resources and an active online community and is funded by the Department for Education and operated by independent media consortium, Education Digital. www.teachers.tv
HD 4 , a perfect platform for participating researchers to raise their profile amongst the academic community.
Open to PhD students and post docs funded directly or indirectly by one of the seven UK Research Councils or the Wellcome Trust.
Researchers need to apply now to be considered, as filming starts in the mid-winter term (November). To apply, complete the application form at www.researchersinresidence.ac.uk
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 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
Would you like to be involved in Scarborough Engineering Week 2011?
The aim of Scarborough Engineering Week is for local engineering businesses to work together with local schools and colleges to inspire the young to consider engineering as a potential future career. In 2011 Scarborough Engineering Week will run during w/c 10th October for 5 days at the Spa complex in Scarborough. Scarborough’s first ever engineering week was run in Plaxtons showroom in May 2010. We attracted approximately 400 visitors to the event and showcased the AMRC’s technologies truck of the future MANTRA. We also had a formula one car, robot playing golf, a laser cutter and factory tours of Blue Bird Vehicles Ltd and Plaxton Ltd (all of which were donated in kind).
Our mission for Engineering Week 2011 is to make the event even bigger and better than before, we would like to show a real breadth of engineering by demonstrating a range of engineering toys which are manned to inspire the young and would like to attract more visitors from within the region than this year.
If you or anyone you know would like to get involved in the event please contact Shona Lloyd (contact details below).
Do these things sound intriguing? Are you interested in communicating science to a young audience? Lab in a Lorry needs volunteer scientists and engineers for events across the country this academic year.
What is Lab in a Lorry?
Lab in a Lorry is an interactive mobile laboratory which gives young people (11-14 year olds) the opportunity to explore science through open-ended experiments. Volunteers guide the students through the experiments (oil and viscous liquids, sound and resonance, light scattering and colours, climate change and energy sources, optoelectronics) and makes sure everyone gets to be involved through hands on experience.
What would I have to do?
You’d be asked to oversee an experiment for the day. On the morning of an event, you’d receive training on the Lab and we send you all the background material in advance.
We ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of one full school day but you are welcome to come along for as many days as you like – we have plenty of freebies for you, such as t-shirts, magnets and your very own toy Lab in a Lorry, see the picture below! You also receive free affiliate membership to the Institute of Physics.
More information?
To find out more about what’s involved in volunteering for Lab in a Lorry and where we will be touring, visit our website: http://www.labinalorry.org where our tour schedule is always up to date and contact me on the details below to sign up. Volunteers are the key to the success of Lab in a Lorry and I hope that you will become part of the team.
2010 Tour Schedule
Volunteers
Argyll & Bute
May25 & 26
Oban High School, Soroba Road, Oban, PA34 4JB.
2 / 4
Renfrewshire
June 2 & 3
St Benedict’s High, Bridge of Weir Road, Linwood, PA3 3BH.
0 / 0
Aberdeenshire
June8, 9, 10.
Mintlaw Academy, Station Rd, AB42 5FN
4 / 2 / 3
Borders
June 14 & 15
Earlston High School, Borders, TD4 6JP.
1 / 2
Inverness Zone
Scottish Government sponsored Highlands Tour
June22 & 23
Dornoch Academy, Evelix Road, IV25 3NH
3 / 3
June24
Fortrose Academy, Academy Street, IV10 8TW.
4
June 25
Inverness Science Festival, Inverness College UHI, Crown Ave, IV2 3NF.
Conker Tree Science: a national citizen science experiment on parasitism in an invasive species
Funded by NERC Public Engagement www.ourweboflife.org.uk
The biology: The horse chestnut leaf miner (‘the alien’), an invasive moth
species spreading throughout England and into south Wales, creates
conspicuous brown patches (mines) on the leaves of horse chestnut trees,
and is parasitised by a species of wasp (‘the natural pest controller’).
The project: School-children will provide national data on parasitism levels,
by collecting horse chestnut leaves with mines and rearing out the insects:
are they aliens or pest controllers?
The hypothesis: Do local levels of parasitism vary depending on how long
the alien has been present?
The aim: To teach children about ecology, by letting them participate in a
real scientific research project.
The roles: 10 ambassadors from throughout England and south Wales will
assist with this project, by each recruiting 10 classes of school-children,
visiting schools, inspiring pupils and teachers, collecting leaves, helping
children collect data, and checking their results. Potential ambassadors will
attend a training and selection day in Bristol on 7 June; those selected will
visit their schools at the start (5-9 July) and end of the project (19-23 July).
A small fee to cover expenses will be paid. Ambassadors may be biology
students or graduates, and must have a keen interest in ecology and in
‘spreading the word’ about the environment. As well as recruiting
participants for this experiment via ambassadors, we will achieve media
coverage of the project in order to recruit more participants.
To apply: E-mail your cv with a covering letter, to Nancy Jennings, project
manager, nancy@dotmoth.co.uk by 28 May 2010.
Dr Michael Pocock, University of Bristol
Dr Darren Evans, University of Hull
