Information for Teachers

Scroll down for information on activities, events, and competitions for schools.


What could a STEM Ambassador
do for your school?

STEM Ambassadors bring enthusiasm and support to classroom projects. Teachers and schools benefit from access to quality-assured volunteers who can help in a variety of ways. Via STEM Ambassadors, teachers can not only get support for enriching and enhancing the curriculum through activities or events, but can also increase their own understanding of the career paths to which STEM subjects can lead. Schools can benefit from enhanced links with local business or individual volunteers with valuable skills.

For more information please visit the About STEM Ambassadors page.

STEMNetworking

STEMNET has now launched STEMNetworking

Find out what STEMNetworking can do for you:

  • Request STEM Ambassadors to come and visit your school using an online form

  • Find out more about what STEM Ambassadors can offer you by viewing the latest online STEM Ambassador requests

  • Register your school with STEMNetworking and start sharing your STEM Enhancement and Enrichments experiences

  • View what other schools in your local area have been doing in STEM Enrichment and Enhancement

    If you are a teacher and you would like to register to have a profile with STEMNetworking, you can register here.

    Visit STEMNetworking at: http://networking.stemnet.org.uk STEM Clubs

    If you are running an after-school or lunchtime club related to any sort of STEM activity, eg Young Engineers and Science Club, Astronomy Club, Maths Club, Food Technology Club, Camera Club etc you will be interested to know that STEMNET has set up a STEM Clubs to network and share information.

    The STEM Clubs offer a wealth of information to teachers who are involved in Clubs and gives you guides on starting and running a club, ideas, resources information, challenge information etc online. There is no cost involved, all you have to do is register the club on the Stem Club website.

    STEMNET wants to enable every school or college in the country to have a STEM Club and is hence providing a sharing of information platform to every club in the country, regardless of where it originates from or is organised by.

    More information about STEM Clubs can be found on the website at www.stemclubs.net

    The James Dyson Foundation

    The James Dyson Foundation encourages young people to think differently, make mistakes and invent, their aim is to excite young people about design and engineering, demystify the design process, and encourage creativity.

    The website contains lots of helpful information for teachers and students, including engineering challenges, education boxes, case studies and product analysis.

    A number of resources can be downloaded from the website others can be in the form of a physical loan to schools.

    Funmaths Roadshow

    The Funmaths Roadshow is a collection of 350 interactive mathematical puzzles for use with school children, students and university undergraduates between the ages of 10 and 20. The resource has been developed by the Liverpool Mathematical Society.

    It is a valuable interactive classroom resource that improves problem solving skills and most importantly it changes attitudes towards mathematics. The emphasis is on enjoyment, challenge and relevance to the real world enabling youngsters to become highly motivated successful learners underpinning the design for the Curriculum for Excellence.

    The resource is available for

  • Staff development / training days.
  • Funmaths Roadshow sessions for particular year groups.

    For further information contact Pat Lyden:
    Mobile: 077816 160 946
    Tel: 01436 679 582
    Email: Pat_Lyden@BTinternet.com

    National Science & Engineering Week

    "Communication" will be the theme for next year's National Science & Engineering Week, which takes place from 11-20 March 2011.

    The programme of science, engineering and technology events and activities across the UK is aimed at people of all ages.

    The British Science Association has been awarded funding from the Scottish Government to allow them to provide grants for events in Scotland held during National Science and Engineering Week 2011. This will be similar to the scheme they have operated in previous years and details will appear on their website in the near future.

    There are a few changes to the criteria and application process. This year they will provide an on-line application form and would encourage everyone to use this method of submitting their application as it will be much less labour intensive for the Association.

    Grants will generally be limited to £500 and the criteria for eligibility are as follows:

    Any organisation based in Scotland is eligible to apply but preference will be given to:

  • Events which target new and hard to reach audiences, for example in socially disadvantaged or rural communities (those in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise "catchment area", Dumfries and Galloway or Scottish Borders council areas).
  • Local authority areas not hosting a science festival funded by the Scottish Government.
  • Those organisations which have not received a similar grant previously or have not previously been involved in running science events.
  • Events that would not otherwise be able to take place due to lack of funding.
  • Events that have great potential for raising the profile of National Science and Engineering Week locally and/or have road media appeal.
  • An activity that directly promotes British Science Association activities or benefits the British Science Association members (e.g. an event promoting or celebrating the Association's young people's awards (CREST or CREST STAR Investigators) or Association supporters in Scotland).
  • Projects already in receipt of funding from OCSA (Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor) are not eligible to receive further funding directly from the NSEW grant scheme.
  • Grant money can be used for room hire, publicity, speakers, trainers, outreach shows, AV, reasonable volunteer expenses, transport or other costs of activities or events celebrating National Science and Engineering Week.
  • Grant money cannot be spent on large competition prizes, non-consumable equipment or assets e.g. microscopes or computers, ongoing salary costs, costs that are already covered by other funding, general running costs and overheads that are paid for by other income and the majority of the grant cannot be spent on refreshments.
  • The event must fall within National Science and Engineering Week (11-20 March 2011). The event must be STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) related.
  • The event must take place in Scotland. The event must be advertised on the STEM Scotland website: www.stemscotland.com and the British Science Association website: www.britishscienceassociation.org/events

    To assist any potential event organisers a series of NSEW Information Sessions in various locations around the UK. In Scotland these will be held at the Museum of Communication, 131 High Street, Burntisland, Fife, on 4th October and at Kilmarnock College, Holehouse Road, Kilmarnock, on 19th October.

    The sessions are scheduled to be held from 3:00 till 5:00 pm. While it would be preferable for participants to attend for the full period they recognise that some potential attendees may not be able to get along for the start time. This should not deter them from attending as there would still be benefit in coming along for part of the session.

    Each session will comprise some background information on NSEW as well as presentations on Astronomy, Dark Skies, Young Engineers Clubs and Lighting up the Curriculum for Excellence. In addition there will be information on Case Studies of actual events, resource packs on running events, obtaining funding, publicising and activity/ challenge packs which are all available for free. There is no charge for attending these Information Sessions and light refreshments will be provided. Potential attendees need to register to reserve a place.

    Details of how to do so will be publicised on the British Science Association website in the near future: www.britishscienceassociation.org/nsew

    STEM Challenge 4:
    The Travel Challenge

    Can you help to reduce the carbon footprint of spectators travelling to London 2012?

    BP and STEMNET are Challenging students aged 11-14 to make sustainable travel plans for the journey from their school to 3 different Olympic and Paralympic venues. Launching in early September 2010, the fourth STEM Challenge focuses on the huge effect London 2012 will have on UK transport and efforts to make the Games the greenest in history!

    Students will work in teams to complete tasks directly connected to the Maths and Science curriculum, for their chance to win a set of Science Museum Club boxes, a free Teacher CPD course and £1000 equipment for your STEM Club. There will be four weeks to complete the task before the deadline in November, and a celebrity guest judge will appear at the Challenge final in January 2011!

    Deadline for entries: Monday 1st November 2010

    Full information available on the website at www.stemchallenges.net/challenges

    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.

    Funding and How to Apply

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

    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

    NanoYou

    Nanoscience is the study of phenomena and manipulation of materials at the nanoscale, where properties differ significantly from those at a larger scale. The nanoscale ranges from 100 nanometres down to the atomic level, where a nanometre is a millionth part of a millimetre.

    This is the website to visit if you want to know more about nanoscience www.nanoyou.eu

  • Nano Lab - Virtual Experiments and Hands on Activities
  • Nano Dialogue - Workshops, Virtual Dialogue, Cards and Role play
  • Play Nano - Jigsaw Puzzle, Memory Game, Other Games and NT Time Machine
  • Nano Educators - Take Part, Training Kits, School Programmes, Teachers' Blog, Pilot Schools and Nanoexhibition

    Now looking for next generation of NANOYOU pilot schools!

    During the 2009-2010 academic year 24 pilot schools across Europe (including one from Glasgow) were teaching NT in their classrooms with a wide range of materials, including videos, online animations, games, workshops, virtual dialogues, and virtual experiments based on current research.

    The second call for pilot schools will be open in October 2010. If you are interested in your school taking part, or for more information on Nanoscience: visit the website at www.nanoyou.eu

    IET Scotland 2010 Christmas Lecture
    Bioelectronics - Making Cells Dance

    The Institution of Engineering and Technology Scotland 2010 Christmas lecture to be presented by Professor Ronald Pethig and colleagues from the Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, will demonstrate how the techniques that electronic engineers have developed to produce computer chips are being applied to the biomedical and life sciences.

    Starting from basic concepts, examples will be given of cells moving and spinning under the command of electrical signals generated within lab-on-chip devices. Can such technique be developed to provide new methods for diagnosing disease, for discovering new drugs, and for exploring how stem cells can be used to repair damaged tissues?

    A dish of brain cells, grown to form a neural network and modified to give out pulses of light when the cells are in action, will be shown 'thinking'. Can we use controlled pulses of light from the pixels of the world's smallest TV screen to turn on individual neurons in this network and to program them? Can we then use an array of micro-detectors, each element of which can detect a single photon of light, to monitor what this engineered network of brain cells is thinking or computing? Could a combination of such techniques, both already developed as separate technologies, be implanted into a human brain to control or repair brain damage? Can we build networks of 'brain' cells into silicon architectures, and programme and read their outputs using light signals instead of electrical signals.

    All of these questions - and perhaps more - will be explored with demonstrations in the presentation by Professor Ronald Pethig and colleagues from Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems.

    The lecture will be presented in
    Inverness - Thursday 2nd December
    Glasgow - Monday 20th December
    Perth - Monday 6th December
    further details on booking arrangements will be publicised later.

    The Professional Engineer

    A website commissioned by IESIS (The Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland) to promote the principle that professional engineering is a very important activity in human affairs. Young people with high level qualifications from school seeking to decide on a career should consider professional engineering. The information accessed by this website is intended to help in making such a choice.

    For more information visit the website at www.profeng.org

    Researchers in Residence

    Do you want to engage and motivate your students? Make links with your local university? Provide your students with positive role models - one who is actively engaged in learning themselves? Get your students thinking seriously about careers in science, technology, engineering or maths?

    Researchers in Residence is an established and highly regarded placement scheme funded by the UK Research Councils and the Wellcome Trust that places leading PhD and post-doc researchers in schools for up to 24 hours of student contact time. The scheme is open to schools right across the UK and is completely free of charge.

    Projects can be tailored to suit your needs; for example, targeting gifted and talented students, students doing coursework or National Science and Engineering Week. Placements can be flexible, including practical classroom activities, after-school club projects, lunchtime talks, careers advice or support for small groups.

    Over 300 placements were organised in schools across the country in 2008/9. The feedback from teachers and their pupils was overwhelmingly positive. If you've never tried Researchers in Residence and want to find out more, or if you've done it before and want to try it again, register online at www.researchersinresidence.ac.uk or call 0845 365 7470.

    Rapid Response
    Engineering Challenge

    The Rapid Response Engineering Challenge (RREC) demonstrates a new method of communicating engineering principles to S1 school children, based on re-building a devastated country hit by a hurricane. All pupils are introduced to a scenario where they have to imagine they are engineers going to help people who have very little infrastructure left after the storm.

    An inspirational introduction is given through an interactive presentation by a civil engineer. At the end of the presentation pupils are told that school will be "cancelled" for the following one or two weeks while they are trained to be Rapid Response Engineers providing the basics of water, shelter, food, transportation and communication.

    During the training time, subject departments work across the school curriculum on materials, developed by staff, which is linked to the hurricane theme. The S1 year group is divided into teams of six who work together in the subject areas with the lessons taking place during the normal school timetable. At the end of this time period, the pupils, still in their teams, work through four different bases during the activity day.

    Activity Day
    At two bases, pupils work together to make a shelter and transport water. The two other bases require the teams to identify who has the best skills to complete tasks in building weather instruments, orienteering in Spanish, building a water filtration system, creating healthy food and making a presentation to the World Health Organisation. Pupils, in their group, then raise funds for a charity that helps children in the developing world.

    If you are interested in participating in the Rapid Response Engineering Challenge, please contact the ICE Scotland office, scotland@ice.org.uk and you will be put in touch with your local co-ordinator

    People's Trust for Endangered Species

    Stag beetle education pack now availabe

    The long awaited stag beetle education pack is now ready to download.

    This fabulous resource from PTES and Royal Holloway, University of London, contains 20 different curriculum linked activities all about our largest terrestrial beetle and it's habitat.

    Please see the attached flyer for more details.

    Visit www.ptes.org/education and register to access this free resource.

    If you require further information please email: emily@ptes.org

    Go4SET

    A new EDT initiative involving students, engineers and companies in exciting projects to stimulate the interest of young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

    Go4SET links teams of six S2 pupils with companies and universities to offer a 10 week science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experience.

    For more information visit the Go4SET website at www.go4set.org.uk

    For background information visit the BBC Learning Scotland Website and read an article on "Inspiring Future Engineers and Scientists" which covers EDT and the Go4SET project.

    The
    Smallpeice
    Trust

    The Smallpeice Trust is an educational charity which promotes engineering, design and technology to young people. This year, the Smallpeice Trust will reach out to over 16,000 young people through residential courses and in-school Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Days.

    Residential Courses
    Based at the country's leading universities and other secure venues these 4-day courses provide Year 9-12 students with the opportunity to find out more about engineering. From Marine Technology to Low Carbon Energy Challenge, these courses all offer young people the opportunity to change theory into reality whilst connecting with industry professionals and technical specialists.

    In-school STEM Days
    STEM days are for students in Years 6-11 and are especially popular in Year 8 and 9. Groups of 50 students work together in small teams on "design and make" projects to improve their creative thinking and problem-solving skills. The activities are varied and range from designing, testing, and refining motorcars powered by super-capacitors to propelled gliders, wind turbines, and bridges.


    Becoming a Smallpeice Supervisor on residential courses
    The Smallpeice Trust is always on the lookout for enthusiastic teachers to become residential supervisors to support students on the course. The work is particularly suited to those with some knowledge of education, design technology or engineering. Main duties include working with a team of students throughout the course, supporting learning, monitoring progress, and encouraging full participation.

    Benefits

  • £240 worth of gift vouchers to use in high street stores
  • Full board accommodation at the course venue provided and travel expenses reimbursed
  • Expand your CV with experience of working with young people in an extra-curricular setting, residential supervision and working with adults and students from a range of backgrounds
  • Network with professionals and academics

    For more information visit the website at www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/

    The Commonwealth Orchard

    The Commonwealth Orchard is working with schools, community groups and a wide range of landowners, businesses and local authorities to develop a Scotland wide legacy orchard. In response to demand from schools, they are developing a Fruitful Schools pack which will be available to download.

    Volunteers are needed to help in researching and putting together interesting facts and material relating to schools in terms of planting, picking, storing and eating the fruit. They work from schools - from pre-school, primary schools, special needs schools and secondary schools - and material needs to be tailored to the needs of the particular group. They will request help from teachers who have taken part - to form case studies.

    For more details visit the website at www.commonwealthorchard.com
    or contact John Hancox, 0778 606 3918. email: john@commonwealthorchard.com

    Computing Science For Fun

    The fun side of computer science! Explore how computer science is also about people, solving puzzles, creativity, changing the future and, most of all, having fun.

    Use "Last One In" to find what's new. Browse the website or wander aimlessly in the maze. Links from the magazine try "Magazine+" Thinking of doing CS, but not sure what it's all about? No problem - try the interactive guide.

    Searching for answers or more to do. Why not build your own Noughts and Crosses Artificial Intelligence or discover the computer science behind our magic show?

    Visit the website at www.cs4fn.org

    The Royal Meteorological Society

    The Royal Meteorological Society is the Learned and Professional Society for anyone whose profession or interests are connected with weather. MetLink is the flagship dedicated educational website of the Society with weather and climate resources aimed at primary and secondary school teachers, students, teenagers, children and the general public.

    On the site you will find a whole range of materials including informative powerpoint presentations looking at cloud types, weather hazards and phobias, lesson plans for all key stages, an indicative guide of where meteorology can link with the curriculum for different key stages, how you can book a Meteorology Ambassador to come to your school, information regarding meteorology careers, courses, qualifications and employers, colouring sheets, puzzles, topical weather articles and more! A whole host of over 150 meteorology education and careers related links can also be found on the site.

    Visit the website at www.metlink.org



    Science Connects
    Autumn 2009
    News Bulletin

    The latest News Bulletin
    from Science Connects
    is now available.

    To receive a copy please email

    a.kerr@physics.gla.ac.uk

















    STEM Directories

    The STEM Directories aim to provide enough information for teachers to pinpoint quickly which activities and events provided by organisations across the UK will enhance and enrich their school curriculum. The Directories are delivered in three distinct volumes: Science, Engineering and Technology, and Maths.

    You can download the STEM Directories by going to the STEM Directory website. www.stemdirectories.org.uk

    View an online copy of the directories with particular relevance to Scotland.

    The Learning Grid

    The Learning Grid Guide brings together a wide range of events, competitions, short courses and awards for young people from primary school to university.

    These activities are all related to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

    You can request a copy of the publication by sending an email to a.kerr@physics.gla.ac.uk

    View an online copy of the directory with particular relevance to Scotland.

    Do something creative
    Do science

    Ever considered a career in science? The options open to you may be surprising and more exciting than you think

    Science has a reputation for being all about boffins in white coats. To most of us that's pretty dull, right?

    It's easy to forget that science is everywhere - think about the stuff in your everyday life. If it hasn't at least been touched by science, it has come about as a direct result of it. Just about everything, from the computer that you're using right now, to the stuff you put on your hair - everything involves science somehow.

    For more information visit the website at www.infoscotland.com/science

    Young Engineers & Science Clubs

    The purpose of the Clubs is to engage young people in practical hands-on science and engineering activities and to enthuse them to pursue a career in science, engineering and technology.

    To find out details of what the Clubs are all about and what they can do for you - whether you're a young person thinking about a career in science, engineering and technology, or a teacher looking for resources to promote science engineering and technology.

    Visit the website at www.yecscotland.co.uk

    Glasgow Science Centre

    Glasgow Science Centre is one of Scotland's must-see visitor attractions - presenting concepts of science and technology in unique and inspiring ways. The website includes information on courses for teachers and special subject-specific events for schools.

    New Exhibition- Inside DNA
    Inside DNA: A Genomic Revolution, is a unique exhibition encouraging you to explore developments in the fast-moving field of human genomics. Inside DNA was developed by At-Bristol on behalf of Ecsite-uk, with funding from the Wellcome Trust and support from the Sanger Institute.

    For information on the above and to contact Glasgow Science Centre Visit their website at www.glasgowsciencecentre.org

    West Point
    Brdige Design
    Scottish Contest

    The West Point Bridge Design Contest allows S1-S3 students to become engineers, using a free software package to design and load-test a bridge. The software is designed by the West Point Military Academy in the USA, who use it to run a large annual contest in America.

    Entry to the Scottish contest is open to S1-3 pupils from anywhere in Scotland, working in teams of two. Pupils who take part in the competition will gain experience of engineering design principles, material properties and team working, meaning that this competition is ideal for use by science and engineering clubs or part of lessons.

    The contest can be started by a visit from an engineer to a School, or teachers can apply for an information pack which provides all the information needed to start the activity independently.

    Competition dates
    The contest usually runs from the start of January until the middle of March, with the close timed to coincide with National Construction Week. In order to enter, teachers will need to apply by email for a contest code.

    Competition is fierce, and children often get so enthusiastic that they work on their designs at home.

    If you are interested in participating, please contact John McPartlin email: john.mcpartlin@ice.org.uk for more details, and to register your interest in the 2011 contest.

    BodyWorks on Tour - Glasgow Science Centre

    BodyWorks on Tour is a new outreach programme about our amazing bodies. These engaging science shows, interactive workshops and amazing exhibits are the perfect complement to the Curriculum for Excellence science and health & wellbeing outcomes. There is an experience available for all ages.

    For full details see
    attached pdf file

    Lab in a Lorry - in Scotland
    register your interest now

    Do your students have enquiring minds? Are you keen for them to get more experience with hands-on experiments? Would they benefit from interacting with practising scientists? Then you need Lab in a Lorry.

    What is Lab in a Lorry?
    Lab in a Lorry is an interactive mobile science laboratory which gives young people (11-14 year olds) the opportunity to explore science through open ended experiments. Guided by volunteers who are practising scientists and engineers from industry and academia, the students relish the opportunity to work with "real" scientists. And it's not just the students who benefit. Volunteers gain communication skills and a real sense of achievement from sharing their knowledge with the students.

    The Lab is fitted with three distinct lab areas where groups of up to six young people can take part in each of the fun and informative experiments. With at least one volunteer to every six students, everyone gets to try their hand at experimental science and think about the surprises and questions that arise. We fit in with your school timetable accommodating 18 students per period and can visit your school for as many days as you like. Best of all, the Lab is free to host at your school.

    What does Lab in a Lorry need?
    We are currently putting together tours for 2010 academic year and would like to hear from any schools that are interested in hosting the Lab. For a Lab in a Lorry visit we need:

  • somewhere to park (a large flat surface with access to power)
  • groups of young people (11-14 year olds [KS3] to inspire and engage)
  • volunteers (at least three to lead the experiments)
  • lunch for the volunteers and staff (usually 4 people)

    We invite physicists and engineers to staff Lab in a Lorry, but you can recruit friends, parents, and colleagues to volunteer. By recruiting scientists from your local area, you improve the probability that Lab in a Lorry will visit your community. If you cannot recruit any scientists from your area, then we will try to organise a team for you.

    We try to accommodate all requests we receive, but we have to take into account numbers and availability of volunteers, as well as time and the distance to travel.

    More information?
    If this sounds like something that your school would benefit from, please get in touch now.

    To find out more about the programme and what's involved in hosting Lab in a Lorry or to register your interest see www.labinalorry.org.uk
    Alternatively you can contact James Bamford: by email or phone: 07920 118 673

    Computing Science Inside

    An online resource to bring Computing Science alive in the classroom.

    A series of workshops is available that focus on the ideas in modern technology and demonstrate to students how these applications and devices work using fundamental Computing Science Techniques.

    As well as running the workshops themselves in the classroom, teachers can request a visit from the CS Inside team.

    For more information visit http://csi.dcs.gla.ac.uk

    Think Darwin, Think Evolution, Think Now

    Think Darwin, Think Evolution, Think Now has been produced by SIBE (Scottish Initiative for Biotechnology Education) at The University of Edinburgh to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin.

    The 96 page booklet has been designed for Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher students of biology. The booklet links in with attainment targets on the Higher and Advanced Higher syllabuses and these links are shown in the teaching notes.

    The booklet is to provide support in the teaching of evolutionary theory and its many connections throughout the field of biology.

    To view an online copy of publication

    Hard copies of the publication can be obtained by contacting K.Pullen

    Bowland Maths

    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.

    The Bowland Maths materials look very different from most maths teaching materials. They consist of innovative case study problems, each taking 3-5 lessons, designed to develop thinking, reasoning and problem solving skills. Each case study is different, but all provide pupils and teachers with problems that are fun and engaging, while also being a rich maths experience. The case studies are not remotely like answering questions from a book.

    Bowland Maths also includes Professional Development materials to help teachers develop the skills needed for the case studies and for the new Programme of Study. There are five modules which cover the main pedagogical challenges for this type of investigative problem solving. Each module is activity based; it is built around problems similar to the case studies, but short enough to fit into a single lesson.

    All these materials are available on the Bowland Player, which is free to UK schools from the website at www.bowlandmaths.org.uk

    Survival Rivals
    Experiments for schools inspired by Darwin

    Hands-on experiments, inspired by Darwin and free of charge to UK state secondary schools. Plus free online resources for all schools.

    There are three kits in the series:

  • I'm a Worm, Get Me Out of Here (exploring natural selection)
  • Brine Date (looking at sexual selection)
  • The X-Bacteria (investigating antibiotic resistance in bacteria)

    Each kit contains everything teachers and students need to carry out the experiments in school. All the experiments are designed to help young people see for themselves how Darwin's ideas link to modern evolutionary principles and contemporary biomedicine.

    For further details visit the website at www.survivalrivals.org

    Bridges to Schools
    Initiative

    Bridges to Schools is an initiative, promoted by the Institution of Civil Engineers which takes a 12m long model of a cable-stayed bridge into Primary Schools. Pupils are able to build, walk across and deconstruct the bridge, learning about bridges, teamwork and civil engineering.



    The Bridge model is available for visits of 2-4 days. It is aimed at children in P6 and P7. Schools often group together and arrange for one school to host the Bridge while pupils from other local schools come to the host school for the experience.

    To host the Bridge you need to have a gym or hall with a clear length of 15m. It is very important that this space is available, otherwise the bridge will not fit.

    Usually four one-hour sessions fit into the school day. Any School interested in this initiative should contact: John McPartlin email: john.mcpartlin@ice.org.uk

    Clyde Waterfront Education

    A river of learning, a stream of ideas

    This is a valuable new educational resource to support teachers in the Clyde Waterfront area and to connect local young people with all the exciting developments happening along the river.

    Clyde related lesson plans

    200 new lesson plans have been added to the site to provide a rich source of local material. The site is ideal for teachers looking for material to use with pupils from Primary 6 to Secondary 3.

    For further details please visit the website at www.clydewaterfronteducation.com

    SNAP





    The Scottish Network for Able Pupils (SNAP) runs courses and workshops for teachers and able pupils.

    SNAP is working across the UK with schools and education authorities. They also run workshops for young people and provide advice for parents.

    For further information go to www.ablepupils.com

    Earthwatch Educator Expeditions

    Funded environmental research expeditions with Earthwatch for secondary school teachers.

    This is a fully funded CPD opportunity for teachers of Science, Geography and Citizenship to join a conservation research expedition and to use this experience to integrate environmental themes into their teaching.

    Participants are also able to apply for a grant from Earthwatch to 'kick start' an environmental initiative in their school or community.

    For more information visit www.earthwatch.org

    MadLab

    MadLab is a unique, hands-on electronics workshop for children and adults. In the workshop participants solder electronic components onto specially-designed circuit boards. There are currently over forty MadLab kits which people can make - the simplest being Flashing Lights, the most complicated a programmable robot which is able to find its way around a maze. The excitement of MadLab is learning how to use a soldering iron, and actually being able to make and take home a working electronic circuit.

    For more details visit the website at www.madlab.org

    Teacher's TV

    Thousands of education programmes on TV and online.

    Tomorrow's Teacher provides you with an engaging set of resources; inspirational programmes, lesson plans, worksheets, and related video content from Teachers TV.

    For full details please visit www.teachers.tv

    International Space School Educational Trust









    ISSET has the aim of utilising space and space exploration to increase student and teacher motivation and to increase the effectiveness of teaching and learning. This has been achieved through a range of programmes:

  • Student projects and competitions on space related topics that utilise ICT in the form of web-site design, e-mail attachments and CDROM development.
  • UK student and teacher science, technology and space experiences
  • Teacher research based training at master's degree level that includes working weekends, developing teaching and learning programmes, training at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and Johnson Space Center in Texas, evaluation and report writing.
  • Astronaut and Space Scientist visits to schools, colleges, universities and communities in the UK. Videoconferences with astronauts and space scientists
  • Relating aspects of space and space exploration directly to the curriculum on our web site
  • ISSET also conducts numerous INSET courses throughout the UK aimed at not only improving teaching and learning in science areas but also more generic professional development for both primary and secondary sectors.

    Visit the website at www.isset.org

    Institution of Civil Engineers

    What do Civil Engineers do ?

    Civil Engineers design and build all the static structures in the world around us.

    TRANSPORT

    Roads, railways, airports, docks, bridges, tunnels
    - to help us travel and move goods around

    ENERGY

    Power stations, hydroelectric schemes, offshore platforms & pipelines, wind & wave power
    - to give us power for heating & lighting

    WATER

    Dams, water supply pipelines, water treatment, drainage, sewage treatment
    - to give us clean water & keep us healthy

    STRUCTURES

    Housing, office buildings, sports stadiums
    - to give us shelter to live work and play and other facilities that up the built environment.

    If you would like to know more about Civil Engineering or how to become an engineer visit the website at www.ice.org.uk

    Universities keen to help schools with Advanced Higher Physics

    Both University of Glasgow and Strathclyde University have opened their Physics laboratories for Higher and Advanced Higher pupils to undertake their investigative projects. This helps give pupils real hands on experience of a University laboratory and access to lecturers, students and post graduates who can help them.

    If you would like to discuss opportunities for your pupils to work in either of these University Laboratories or plan ahead for year 2009-10 then contact:

    University of Glasgow
    Email Ik Siong Heng

    Generation Science

    Edinburgh International Science Festival's schools touring programme. In 2009 they travelled to some of the most remote parts of Scotland to see as many school children as possible including the Uists, Shetlands, Dumfries and Galloway as well as Caithness and Scoraig, and everywhere in-between.

    If you have any planned science events or health weeks that you would like them to visit get in touch now. 15 Shows and workshops to choose from.

    New booking line number is now 0131 553 0321

    For further details visit the website at www.generationscience.co.uk

    Bumblebee Conservation Trust

    Billions of the UK's bees are dying from unknown causes.

    Bumblebees are beautiful, hard working and incredibly important pollinators. In the last 70 years two species have become nationally extinct, and others are seriously threatened.

    Bees are responsible for pollinating one-third of all the foods we eat!

    You can help our Bumblebees by registering your interest on the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk

    Discover Engineering

    Discover Engineering provides a gateway to numerous websites for young engineers. Here you'll find everything you need to know about how to become an engineer.

    Categories covered include:-

  • The world of engineering
  • Careers and pathways
  • Which engineering sector
  • Apprenticeships and training
  • Considering college or university
  • Resources for teachers or advisors

    Visit the website at www.discoverengineering.co.uk

    Real Science

    Real science is a fascinating, absorbing, endlessly varied and exciting subject. But school science can seem dull, dusty and irrelevant to some young students.

    The news stories and science teaching resources on this website should ensure that the kids you teach are not among them.

    For breaking science news online visit www.realscience.org.uk

    UK School Seismology Project

    The sheer destructive power of earthquakes has always held a fascination for children. This project capitalises on this natural interest by making use of earthquakes and seismology as a unifying theme to teach a range of basic science concepts.

    Science is not a set of abstract ideas; it explains how the real world works.

    For more information email schoolseismology@bgs.ac.uk

    or visit the website at www.bgs.ac.uk/schoolseismology

    Engeneration
    Institution of Mechanical Engineers

    Engeneration is a free-to-join membership scheme for all 13 - 19 year old students of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, including the Engineering Diploma and other qualifications that can lead to a career in Engineering.

    The scheme is run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and offers you exclusive access to:

    Careers advice and profiles of real engineers

    Get support in your work with Insight learning materials

    Exciting trips and events

    Further details at www.engeneration.imeche.org

    Engineering the Future

    Engineering the Future (EtF) is an EPSRC funded project based in the Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow. EtF is helping schools raise awareness of the nature of engineering and the diverse career paths it offers.

    EtF is working on several fronts:

  • Building university-schools partnerships in electronic and electrical engineering.
  • Creating engineering careers materials
  • Developing an on-line interactive game
  • Addressing school university transition
  • Maintaining dialogue on how engineering can be embedded in the school curriculum.

    A number of school enginering units have beed developed. These cover years S1 through to S6 and topics ranging from tracking bats, controlling a Mars exploration vehicle, building alarm systems and wind powered generators.

    For information visit the website at: www.engineeringthefuture.info
    or email: e.ekevall@educ.gla.ac.uk
    or g.macbride@educ.gla.ac.uk

    Rolls Royce
    Resources for Schools

    On this webiste you can find and download resources Rolls Royce have created for schools.

    Read about how a gas turbine works, find out how the modules fit together or play one of the interactive games based on a variety of engineering concepts.

    Imagineering

    IMAGINEERING, introducing 8-16 year olds to the fascinating world of engineering, originated and run by the IMAGINEERING FOUNDATION an education charity which is staffed by committed volunteers with engineering knowledge. It provides fun, hands-on activities, lets children find out how things work and how they are made, and allows them to meet real engineers and find out what they do.

    The Foundation works hand-in-hand with professional organisations and companies, and Imagineering dovetails neatly with educational initiatives promoting engineering skills.

    Details can be found at www.imagineeringweb.co.uk

    Planet Science

    A web site run by the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA) packed full of resources and ideas for all children who study science and the teachers and other adults who support them.

    The Planet Science Website aims to

  • Inspire teachers by example to have great creative ideas about how they teach science
  • Inspire children and young people to think of science as a fascinating and creative endeavour, and a good potential career choice
  • Inspire parents to think of science as an engaging and rewarding subject for their children, and themselves

    For more details visit: www.planet-science.com

    Glasgow University Science Festival
    Outreach Programme

    Alien Atmospheres Show

    If we had to leave planet Earth would any other planet be able to sustain human life? Join us on a journey through the solar system investigating each planet with our exciting experiments on a search to find a suitable home!

    Planetarium Experience

    Our professional Astronomer with our mobile inflatable Planetarium will take you on a 45 minute journey to explore the Earth in Space - in your school!

    For details on these and other outreach programmes please contact Glasgow University Science Festival on 0141 330 5370 or email: info@glasgowsciencefestival.org.uk

    UK Resource Centre for Women
    in science, engineering and technology

    The UKRC for Women in SET works to significantly improve the participation and position of women in science, engineering and technology occupations in industry, research, academia and public service to benefit the future productivity of the UK and the lifetime earnings and career aspirations of women.

    For more detailed information visit the website at www.ukrc4setwomen.org

    NRICH

    The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

    On the website you will find thousands of 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 website is updated with new material on the first day of every month.

    Visit the website at http://nrich.maths.org

    Physics & Ethics Education Project

    An interactive website and virtual learning environment for secondary school science teachers and their students. It is a teaching resource developed to highlight the moral, ethical, social, economic, environmental and technological implications and applications of physics.

    More information at www.peep.ac.uk

    The BMFA Education Programme

    The BMFA education programme aims to encourage youngsters to build and fly model aircraft and so develop new skills and gain an insight into the science and technology of flight.

    The programme is constantly expanding and improving. The present range of kits are specially designed to improve the youngsters knowledge and skills as well as giving improved flying performance.

    Further details at www.bmfa.org

    ScienceProjectIdeas

    ScienceProjectIdeas is the ideal place for parents and teachers wanting to explore science with children. It is a regularly reviewed and updated collection of articles full of ideas for science projects in biology, chemistry, physics, maths, and environment & meteorology.

    The articles include background information on the subject, suggestions for simple hands on experiments with easily available ingredients, and clear explanations on the science that is going on.

    More information at www.scienceprojectideas.co.uk

    AAA Maths

    AAA Math features a comprehensive set of interactive arithmetic lessons. Unlimited practice is available on each topic which allows thorough mastery of the concepts. A wide range of lessons enables learning or review to occur at each individual's current level.

    Visit the website at www.aaaknow.com

    Robokid

    Robokid is a technology project based on the theme of Robotics. from Heriot-Watt University.

    The Robokid project aims to provide a technology project for the P6/P7 stage of the Scottish primary curriculum.

    Pupils work on a series of different activities using a specially design robot vehicle based on cutting edge electronic technology.

    The design was developed in the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering at Heriot-Watt University.

    The web site at www.robokid.org.uk gives you access to all project documentation and support services




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