Sciences

Learning and Teaching> Sciences

Sciences - Fiona's News

This page will keep you up to date with national initiatives and developments in science as well as suggesting resources and websites that you may find useful.

I’d also be very please to hear about any exciting and successful science work that you have been involved in or have heard about. Contact me at the Colgrain Area Education Office on 01436 678635.

Recommended resources and ideas

What’s new in science resources and ideas?

Click here to find out about the latest science resources and ideas to try.

CPD

Building on the evident success of the 2007-2008 SSERC CPD programme, SSERC are again offering residential courses supporting Curriculum for Excellence. Each of the courses run in two parts with part 1 starting on a Thursday morning and finsihing shortly after lunch on Saturday; part 2 will run from Friday to Saturday. Particpants will be expected to carry out a classroom based project between parts 1 and 2. Previous participants have considered the SSERC courses to be very good. Information can be found on the SSERC website, under Bridging the Gap.

SSERC website

SafetyNet CD

please note that SSERC have provided an adapted online version of SafetyNet which is available from the members'area of the SSERC website.

Useful Links

www.ltscotland.org.uk – external site
Learning and Teaching Scotland’s homepage with information on national events, research, resources and examples of good practice. Click on National Qualifications Online and then choose your subject from the Find materials for your subject box.

www.asescotland.org.uk – external site
The website of the Associaiton for Science Education in Scotland.

www.asescotland.org.uk– external site
ChemWeb the interactive student guide to all levels of High School Chemistry in Scotland.

Learn Genetics. University of Utah - external site

Planet Science - external site

www.sserc.org.uk – external site
Scottish Schools Equipment Research Centre.

www.britishscienceassocation.org – external site
which contains information on national science and engineering week national science competition etc.

The Royal Society - external site

STEMNET Webpage - external site

STEM Directories - external site

Environment for young europeans – external site
A fun website aimed at younger children, contains information, games and puzzles on the environment.

STEM North of Scotland website - external site

SSERC, Science 3-18 - external site

I’d be delighted to hear of any websites which you have used and found helpful. Please contact me with your ideas.

Common content between Science and other subjects

Click here to download 'rough audit of areas of common content/working in science and other subjects'(PDF)

Click here to download common content between science and other subjects(PDF)

STEM

Introducing STEM

STEM North of Scotland is a collaboration between six local authorities - Argyll and Bute, Highland, Moray, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles along with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and STEM related sector skills councils. Together they have secured both a stempoint and a science and engineering ambassadors contract for the region

These contracts are centrally funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and managed through STEMNET. New funds now coming into the region are supporting the costs of establishing a STEM infrastructure which works to promote high quality enrichment opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

This infrastructure will be used to facilitate industry placements, bursaries and challenges, as well as to support creative approaches to fostering innovation and enterprise in the education system. The Stempoints and Science and Engineering Ambassadors Programmes aim to encourage more young people in the UK to make a choice to enter science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related careers at all levels, and ensure communities are properly informed about the science and technology that surrounds them. Drawing STEM opportunities together and promoting them through our regional communication channels will help you as teachers to quickly identify which projects may be relevant to you and whether they are actually available in your area.
For more information on stempoints and the science and engineering ambassadors programme visit www.stemnet.org.uk



Science workshops for teachers of primary 6 or 7 pupils

Argyll and Bute Council has recently joined the STEM North of Scotland Partnership which links Highland, Moray, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland and Argyll and Bute Councils in a partnership aiming to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a member of the partnership Argyll and Bute were provided with 30 science kits aimed at primary 6 or primary 7 pupils. The kits aim to promote awareness of renewable energy issues and contain a number of items such as worksheets and factsheets, games, science equipment and posters. Two very successful training events took place to introduce teachers to the kits in the Cowal and Helensburgh and Lomond areas and it is hoped that further kits and workshops will be available next year.

Promoting Science - SQA

The BIG Experiment competition 2010
Click here to download leaflet (PDF)

SQA Website

Darwin200 goes on tour

Darwin200 is a national programme of events honouring Charles Darwin, his scientific ideas and their impact. Many organisations, large and small, across the UK are planning an incredible variety of events to celebrate the life and legacy of Charles Darwin.

These celebrations will continue until 24th November 2009, which is the 150th Anniversary of the publication of his famous book 'On the Origin of Species'. From conferences and exhibitions to graphic novels and dramatic performances, there is something for everyone. For a full list of more than 300 activities across the UK visit Darwin200


Tree of Life The Wellcome Trust has produced a high quality animation which lets you explore evolution on Earth as never before. A four minute film version, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, was shown on the BBC as part of its Darwin Season. Now you can download the film and explore the interactive version online. Visit Tree of Life


Order your Free Tree of Life Poster
Encourage your students to order this free poster from the Open University. They will be able to explore evolution in their own home with this lavishly illustrated resource that supports all the programmes in the Darwin season - Tree of Life, Dangerous Idea, and In Darwin's Garden. To order the poster visit Open2


The Great Plant Hunt
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has created The Great Plant Hunt, an innovative project to get primary school children out and about and excited by nature. The Great Plant Hunt is funded by the Wellcome Trust as part of a year of celebrations to mark the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin.

Available now is a splendid online resource, accesible to everyone to support the project that will be sent to schools. You can register your interest now by accessing the website: Great Plant Hunt


Survival Rivals
The Wellcome Trust has created this series of Darwin - inspired experiments for secondary schools. These practical projects, tailored to the 11-14, 14-16 and post 16 age groups, will help pupils see the link between Darwins ideas and biology today. As well as the three different experiment kits there are also the mass participation activity and workshops that form a question of taste. If you havent registered make sure you place your order now. Survival Rivals

Darwin 200

Coming to all schools teaching Biology Highers will be a set of books called "Think Darwin, Think Evolution, Think Now".

The books have been produced by SIBE (Scottish Initiative for Biotechnology Education) at The University of Edinburgh to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin. The booklet has been designed for Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher students of Biology.

These are books to complement what you are already teaching and to highlight the work of Darwin and show the relevance for the 21st century. Every school teaching highers will get a limited set. Please contact Laura Keenan on laura.keenan@hient.co.uk for more information on the delivery of these books. A downloadable version is available too Click Here

SCHOOL SCIENCE SUMMIT - REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS AND UPDATE ON ACTIONS

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, has today launched the report of the School Science Summit held on 5 May.
Click here to download report (PDF)
Alongside the report, we have published a Draft Action Plan which sets out a series of measures that are designed to improve the pupil experience of science, engineering and technology.
Click here to download draft action plan (PDF)

Key elements of the Action Plan include:

**** Increasing shared learning between industry, schools and academia;
**** Improving the status and image of science through a science careers advertising campaign;
**** Working with Skills Development Scotland to develop and promote careers advice in science and engineering;
**** Maximising the benefits of partnership with Scotland's science centres;
**** Increasing the use of Glow, the schools intranet, to share best practice in science education;
**** Reviewing teacher Continuing Professional Development opportunities in science and engineering;
**** Using the Curriculum for Excellence framework to create a seamless transition in science education.

Do Something Creative Do Science

The Scottish Government for their 'Do something Creative. Do Science' campaign have offered STEM As part of their 'Do something Creative. Do Science' campaign the Scottish Government have offered STEM North of Scotland a sum of money to help teachers organise activities or events to enthuse and motivate students to pursue their studies in science.
This is an invitation to all science teachers in the Highlands and Islands to sent us short proposals on how you would spend either £500 or £1000 on ways to make science for S1 to S4 students more relevant to the real world, taking a creative approach to engagement with young people and involving STEM Ambassadors.
From proposals received up to the 22nd January 2010 we will select the best and work with those to deliver ideas before the 30th April 2010. Tell us how you could make science more relevant for the younger age range.
We can assist with STEM Ambassadors and other resources to support ideas. Campaign materials will also be provided if required.
Attached is the application formClick here to download (PDF) which should be returned no later than 22nd January 2010. A decision on the successful applicants will be made by 26th January 2010 and you will be informed on that day.
Any questions or queries should be emailed to me (see application form) or call me on 01463 244 274 or 07917814607
Laura Keenan STEMpoint Manager

POSITIVE ABOUT SCIENCE - Join Dr Bunhead

The Positive about Science campaign is Scottish Government led and aims to increase interest in studying science, showing children that you can do interesting and exciting things with science e.g. diverse careers/fun activities. The campaign aims to take science 'out of the classroom' and show children how science is all around them.

The Big Experiment
Part of the campaign is The Big Experiment which this year is Dr Bunhead's Spoof Busters. In a Glow Meet, Dr Bunhead will present and discuss the skills needed for evaluating 'science' videos posted on the internet, and classes across Scotland will investigate one of these videos for themselves and decide if it is true, partly true or false.
This activity will suit a wide range of ages.
To find out more, go to the National Sciences Glow Group and check out the Glow Meets tab.
Dr Bunhead's Spoof Busters Glow Group

Have a look round the Glow Group and sign up for the Meet (1.30pm 16th March). You can download teacher notes with instructions, an equipment list and background information from the Glow Group, and there will be discussion opportunities to explore science myths.

Competition There will be a competition in the Glow Group, where classes can post a link to a hoax science video and the most convincing one will win a great prize.

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