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Requests for Help in
the West of Scotland


Currently the projects available for STEM Ambassadors in the West of Scotland are as follows:

SCHOOLS AND EVENTS REQUIRING STEM AMBASSADORS

Crosshouse Primary, East Kilbride As soon as possible Ambassador required to talk to P6/7 about space, solar system topic.
Carrick Academy, Maybole As soon as possible Ambassadors with links to forensic science, or windfarm industry.
Ayr Academy As soon as possible and January/February 2011 Scotland Day. Would like help with historic element of Scottish science. Also see August Ambassador Newsletter for other areas of help required.
Queen Margaret Academy, Ayr As soon as possible Engineering and ecology type help.
Auchinleck Academy As soon as possible Help in many subjects, primarily Biology related but other areas also. See August Ambassador Newsletter.
Garnock Academy, Kilbirnie As soon as possible Talk to Intermediate 2 "Skills at Work (Laboratory Skills)" pupils about various careers within the NHS.
Greenwood Academy, Irvine As soon as possible Help with Biology/ Chemistry related topics.
Bannerman High School, Glasgow As soon as possible Help with promoting careers in physics to pupils.
Cedars School, Inverclyde As soon as possible Help with Intermediate 2 Skills at Work Lab Skills pupils about pharmacy/ Engineering/ Animal work/ Hospital work. Also help with Investigation work.
Lenzie Academy As soon as possible Looking for Systems Analyst to talk about their job to Computing Science class. Also looking for companies to engage with Design, Engineering and Technology Dept.
Bearsden Academy As soon as possible Researchers in Residence - Looking for assistance with Chemistry.
Largs Academy As soon as possible Researchers in Residence - Help with Science Baccalaureate projects in physics, biology and chemistry.
Moffat Academy As soon as possible Researchers in Residence - Help with Science projects.
Dumbarton Academy As soon as possible Researchers in Residence - Help with Physics.
St Matthews Academy, Saltcoats As soon as possible Looking at eco and conservation topics.
Arran Science Fair 6th September 2010 Science Festival Day, local primary P6&7 classes and S1 pupils, focus on forces.
Douglas Academy, Milngavie 13th and 20th September 2010 Business Dynamics Day - business awareness sessions for 5th & 6th year pupils.
Garnock Academy, Kilbirnie September 2010 Careers talks relating to Health Care, farming, animal welfare or transport companies. Also talks on alternative energy to S1 pupils before end of October.
St Aloysius College, Glasgow 18th October 2010 Chemistry related Ambassador to give careers talk on Chemistry.
Lenzie Academy 27th and 28th October 2010 Business Dynamics Day - core skills for 3rd/ 4th year pupils.
Williamwood High School, East Renfrewshire 9th November 2010 Ambassadors to have stands at careers evening.
Bearsden Academy 18th November 2010 Business Dynamics Day - business awareness sessions for 5th & 6th year pupils.
Kilwinning Academy November/December 2010 Motivational career talks to S5. Also Geology help for Earth Science Unit (Feb/ March 2011 time).
Kirkintilloch High School January 2011 Help with S1 Renewable Energy topic
Cedars School, Inverclyde June 2011 Help with maths/ engineering challenges for P1 to S5 pupils at Science Fair. Also help with murder mystery challenge.


LAB IN A LORRY

Moffat Academy, Dumfries & Galloway 9th & 10th September
Govan High School, Glasgow 13th & 14th September
St Benedict's High School, Linwood 20th & 21st September
Bishopbriggs Academy, Glasgow 18th, 19th & 20th October
Girvan Academy, Girvan 8th, 9th & 10th November
Castlemilk High School, Glasgow 8th & 9th December

For details about volunteering to help with Lab in a Lorry, what's involved and what you'd be expected to do, look at the attached word document.

INDUCTION TRAINING FOR STEM AMBASSADORS

New STEM Ambassador Induction Training 7th September 2010 Induction Training at University of Glasgow
New STEM Ambassador Induction Training 26th October 2010 Induction Training at University of Glasgow


"S" Cubes - Solar Science Kits
for Ambassadors to use in schools


Renewable Energy is a favourite topic for schools to ask for Ambassador help with. The topic of Planet Earth in the Curriculum for Excellence Sciences area includes "Energy Sources and Sustainability" and teachers are starting to request more and more visits from Ambassadors to help pupils gain a better understanding of this topic.

To help Ambassadors work with pupils, we will have a new set of resources available for Ambassadors to borrow by the beginning of September. These are "S" Cubes, manufactured by Solar & Wind Applications. There will be 8 Cubes which will be a big enough set for a class of 30 pupils to use at the same time.

The "S" Cube is a "hands-on" approach to helping P4-7 and S1 pupils understand how renewable energy works. The "S" Cube contains a solar panel and allows pupils to power a torch or thermometer, hook up a capacitor and voltmeter to learn more about the energy of the sun. Worksheets are provided for the pupils to work through and there is a CD of additional material.

If you are interested in taking "S" Cubes into schools to cover renewable energy areas, please get in touch with us. You are welcome to take an "S" Cube home to experiment with before committing to taking a set to a class!

Visit www.solarwindapplications.com for more information.

Contact Gail, email:Gail.Penny@glasgow.ac.uk to arrange to borrow the "S" Cube resource.

STEM Leaders Award

The Leader's award for STEM was designed to give students between the ages of 5 and 19 an opportunity to gather personalised careers awareness. Students research, meet and interview professionals from a range of backgrounds about their career, career paths asking questions that are important to them.

Information on the award and how STEM Ambassadors can support this is contained in the attached Adobe pdf flyer.

Astronomers of the Future

Two of our STEM Ambassadors are very keen astronomers and have recently set up a new club, Astronomers of the Future, for beginners who are keen to find out more about astronomy and space. At monthly meetings members will enjoy talks and activities, have their questions answered and discuss the latest news from space, and observing nights and visits will be arranged. There is also an opportunity for members to take an on-line 12 modules beginners' course. The club magazine will include news and features by a variety of contributors, as well as guides to what's in "The Sky above You", by science writer and lecturer Duncan Lunan.

If you are interested in joining the club or are able to help with positions of Editor, Researchers, Art Editor, Designer, Secretary, Photographer visit the website www.astronomersofthefuture.net

The Royal Academy of Engineering - Ingenious

Ingenious is a grant scheme for creative public engagement with engineering projects.

If you have an imaginative idea that helps engineers to communicate their expertise and passion for engineering to a wider audience - they want to hear from you. You could be an engineer interested in running your own project, or a science and engineering communicator keen to explore ways to provide public engagement training and opportunities.

They welcome proposals from engineers and engineering organisations and institutions, universities, science and engineering communicators, public engagement specialists, colleges and schools.

The Ingenious grants programme aims to:

  • inspire creative public engagement with engineering projects
  • stimulate engineers to share their stories, passion and expertise in innovative ways with wider audiences
  • develop engineers' communication and engagement skills
  • create debate between engineers and people of all ages to raise awareness of the diversity, nature and impact of engineering.

    The closing date for this round of Ingenious is 29th October 2010.

    Funding and How to Apply

    Funding from £3,000 to £30,000 is available for projects that meet the criteria of the two funding streams:
    Public Engagement Grants
    Public Engagement Fellowships

    Potential applicants are welcome to contact the Academy to discuss their proposal idea. They can also provide suggestions to engineers for potential partner organisations with communication expertise.

    Contact Details
    Dr Lesley Paterson - Head of Public Engagement
    email:lesley.paterson@raeng.org.uk
    Further details are available on the website www.raeng.org.uk/ingenious

    Maths Activities - FunMaths Roadshow

    Are you interested in taking Maths activities into schools? One of our Ambassadors, who held Maths related workshops at the recent Stem Ambassador Celebration Event, has activities that you can be trained in and take to schools. The FunMaths Roadshow is a collection of 350 mathematical activities suitable for use with school pupils, college students, and university undergraduates, overall between the ages of 5 and 20. The first 100 were developed to celebrate the centenary of the Liverpool Mathematical Society in 1999, and the further 250 have been developed subsequently.

    Our ambassador is willing to train other ambassadors in the use of these activities.

    If you would like to attend a training session on these Maths activities please contact Gail at ambassadors@physics.gla.ac.uk and we will organise a date once there is sufficient interest.

    Opportunity to dine with Charlie Duke, Apollo Astronaut

    One of our STEM Ambassadors is the secretary of Airdrie Astronomical Association and would like to inform you of an event she is involved in.

    Charles Duke is one of only 12 men ever to walk on the moon. In September 2010, Apollo astronaut Brigadier General Charles M Duke Jr, Apollo 16 Lunar Module Pilot, will land in Scotland and "Walk With Destiny" is presenting two opportunities to spend an evening in his company.

    9th September - Gala Dinner and Drinks Reception in Glasgow Marriott Hotel.

    10th September - Lecture with Question and Answer session and complimentary autograph in Glasgow Caledonian University.

    For tickets and more information please visit www.walkwithdestiny.com or contact Aileen at aileenmalone@walkwithdestiny.com or call 01236 766970

    RedR (Register of Engineers for Disaster Relief)

    A new regional group has been set up in Glasgow. The group aims to provide support and training to individuals (not solely engineers) who may be interested in disaster relief and supporting the work RedR do.

    They are currently looking for new members, if interested please see the attached pdf leaflet. which provides more information, or visit the website at www.redr.org.uk

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