For more details visit the British Science Association website at www.britishscienceassociation.org

Introducing Engineering

Introducing Engineering is a five-day residential course Monday 21st June to Friday 25th June giving S5 girls an opportunity to find out about engineering.

From advances in healthcare to renewable technologies, engineers are in demand and are at the forefront of solving some of society's major issues.

The course at the University of Strathclyde is not only an opportunity to find out about a wide range of engineering disciplines, but also a chance to experience University life, living in Halls of Residence and working in student labs.

The Faculty of Engineering at Strathclyde is the largest in Scotland with an excellent reputation for teaching and research. There is a full range of engineering degree courses on offer and participants will have many opportunities to visit departments and meet teaching staff and students.

As well as spending time at the University there are industrial visits off campus. A project runs throughout the week with an exciting finale on the last day. The project gives everyone a chance to get to know each other, develop creative skills and have fun!

For more information vist the website at www.strath.ac.uk/introducingengineering

The Big Bang Scotland
TechFest - SetPoint

7th June 2010 at University of Abertay, Dundee.

Would you like to be part of the first Scottish Big Bang Fair?

Have you completed a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics project you are proud of?

Would you like to be inspired by the amazing projects, activity providers, workshops and shows on offer?

The Big Bang incorporates CREST Awards and Young Engineers for Britain regional competitions, and the students aged 11-18 from all over Scotland (in teams or individually) can present their STEM projects to compete for prizes, including a place at The Big Bang in the National Science and Engineering Competition in 2011. Other projects, such as those carried out in STEM Clubs, may also be eligible to enter, and Clubs are invited to showcase their works.

As well as the competitions, there will be lots going on for students and teachers too!

More information is avaliable at www.techfestsetpoint.org.uk

Please register your projects or your interest in taking part by the 31st March 2010 at www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/scotland

or contact Jennifer Young by email: j.young@abertay.ac.uk
or by phoning 01382 308 571

STEM Challenge

Do you have a team of pupils that can help design an adidas glove for canoeing, sailing or rowing? If so, they could be in with the chance of spending the day with an Olympian!

In this challenge, adidas is challenging students to design a new glove for use by athletes in the above sports at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Students will investigate and test suitable materials for a glove and the winning glove design could even be prototyped by adidas.

This challenge provides an opportunity for any S3 student to be a part of London 2012. The challenge should amount to no more than eight hours of work, from which students create a ten minute presentation.

The challenge is now under way and runs until Sunday 25 April 2010

Team names must be registered by Monday 22 March 2010

For more information visit the website at www.stemchallenges.net

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

ESRC Festival of Social Science

Schools Competition

Interpreting Sustainable Communities

A journey from "sustainable development" towards "sustainable communities" Building on work across the UK, the University of Strathclyde offer this challenge for schools to expand young people's thinking about sustainability at Glasgow Science Centre's Eco Days.

At Workshops on 12 March, pupils will explore:
Connections between housing, services, economy & environment
How can communities balance the needs of people and planet?

The Competition

Submit a VISION OF SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY that challenges policymakers and professionals to deliver communities where young people want to live.

Interpreting Sustainable Communities Workshops will capture pupil's ideas and generate poster entries for the competition. If you cannot participate in the Eco Day Workshops, classes from P6 to S3 are invited to enter by sending in their own vision of sustainable community.

For more information visit http://gs.strath.ac.uk/suscoms

Book Workshop places at Glasgow Science Centre

Further information, contact sue.sadler@strath.ac.uk

I'm a Scientist, Get me out of Here!

I'm a Scientist, Get me out of Here! is an award-winning event, funded by the Wellcome Trust, which gets students talking to real scientists, online.

It's been thoroughly tested in a wide range of schools and includes lesson plans, information sheets and other resources that support and deepen students learning.

FREE to schools!

Next event:15th - 20th March 2010
Following event is 14th - 25th June 2010

Target Audience: Year 9s to post-16

For more information and to sign up visit the website at imascientist.org.uk/for-teachers

Glasgow Book Festival

13 March 2010 - 15.30-16.30pm
Paul Davies
Cost £7/ £6
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) , an amalgam of science, technology, adventure and curiosity, has detected only the eerie sound of silence after millions of hours of cosmos eavesdropping.

In his new book, The Eerie Silence: Are We Alone in the Universe?, Paul Davies, Director of BEYOND: Centre for Fundamental Concepts in Science, asks: Is ET out there, but not sending any messages our way? Is SETI a waste of time and money, or should we be developing a new approach to the search, using new tools and looking for a wider range of "intelligent" signals? And if signals were received how would we - or should we - respond?

8 March 2010 - 18.00 -19.00pm
Rebecca Goldstein and Steven Pinker
Cost £7/ £6
Award-winning novelist and philosopher Rebecca Goldstein's new novel, 36 Arguments for the Existence of God plunges into the great debate of our day: the clash between faith and reason.

World events are being shaped by fervent believers, while a new atheism is asserting itself in the public sphere. On intellectual grounds, the sceptics have everything on their side. Yet people continue to embrace faith in God as their source of meaning, purpose and comfort. Goldstein is in discussion with Steven Pinker - experimental psychologist, author of The Language Instinct, The Blank Slate and The Stuff of Thought.

To book either event please phone 0844 847 1683 or follow this link.

Tickets can also be purchased direct from The Mitchell Library.

The festival website is www.ayewrite.com

Dr James Bendle
Antartic Expedition

January - March 2010
Excellent CfE opportunity

Dr James Bendle, a Glasgow University Climate Change Scientist is on an Antarctic Expedition until March 2010. You can follow the amazing expedition through his blog.

There will be free curriculum-based materials. If any of your pupils have questions about the science or you would like to access the free materials please register your school by e-mailing Glasgow University Science Festival.

There will be opportunities to talk directly to Dr Bendle and free events for pupils at the Glasgow University Science Festival in June 2010.

View the official trailer for the expedition.

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 to be launched in early March 2010, 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

Healthcare Science Schools' Competition



The competition "Diagnose it in the NHS!" will be running again during National Science and Engineering Week - March 12th-21st 2010.

This year will be even bigger!
Aimed at S2/S3 pupils the competition encourages students to think about the 51 career opportunities for scientists in the NHS and help them to develop job seeking skills and make informed decisions about important GCSE or Diploma choices.

Simple competition
Students are challenged to select one of the 51 SCIENCE careers available with the NHS and working individually or in teams of up to four create a job description, a job advertisment and a CV of the perfect candidate or a short film interviewing their Healthcare Science STEM Ambassador about their amazing role in the NHS.

Great prizes
4 laptops to winning school!
2 laptops for runner up school!

Competition closes March 31st 2010

To register email: diagnoseit@dh.gsi.gov.uk

The attached pdf leaflet. provides additional information.

National Science and Engineering Week
Engaging wih a Scientist

Thursday 18th March 2010 - 7pm - 8.30pm
Rutherford McGowan Building Crichton Campus, Dumfries

Title: "Stem cells- the hope and the hype"

This talk will highlight new developments around the emerging field of stem cells with an opportunity to have an ethical and moral debate on the implications of these developments. No prior knowledge or understanding of stem cells is expected as the science underlying the subject will be presented in layman's terms.

Friday 19th March 2010 - 2pm - 3.30pm
Kirkcudbridght Town Hall, Kircudbridght

Title: "In-vitro Fertilisation: some moral dilemmas"

The process of IVF resulted in 1978 in the birth of Louis Brown. Since then the technique has expanded beyond that of just a means to have a child. Issues such as inter-generational gamete donation, saviour siblings, and for the need of supportive parenting rather than for a father are hotly debated. This event is an opportunity to consider the ethical implications of some of the issues surrounding IVF.

Scientist: Dr Mair Crouch, geneticist and academic lawyer.
Chair: Carolyn Yates, Immediate Past Chair ASE.

Please come along to enjoy the opportunity to meet a scientist and to discuss two topical issues.

Free Entry. No registration required.

The events have been funded by the generosity of a grant from the Scottish Government and the British Science Association.

I Investigate
The Big Experiment
A competition for students studying Science

It's a really simple concept. Tell the SQA about a scientific experiment you have developed with your teacher or lecturer. What made it special and innovative? What did you get out of it? It can be related to any science discipline: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or related subjects.

The experiment can be based on formally assessed work, but it doesn't have to be. Your submission should be in the form of a science research report - one that includes pictures and film-clips.

The Big Experiment competition is open to all secondary schools and colleges in Scotland that offer SQA qualifications.

Full competition rules and an application form are on the website at www.sqa.org.uk/stem

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 30 June 2010.

Finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony to receive public acknowledgement of their work. The winner will receive a superb prize for themselves and for their school or college.

This is a great opportunity to work with SQA to showcase imagination and innovation in science in your school or college.

For more information phone 0845 279 1000 or email customer@sqa.org.uk

Bosch Technology Horizons Award - essay competition to inspire young people

Supported by The Royal Academy of Engineering, the Bosch Technology Horizons Award is an easy-to-enter essay writing competition open to all young people aged 14 to 24. Now in its fifth year, the competition aims to raise the profile of engineering and technology among young people.

Entrants are asked to write a short essay in answer to a question that encourages them to explore a wide range of engineering and technology topics. This year's question is: "Are engineering and technology essential for future development?". By selecting an area they are passionate about, entrants get to test their writing skills and provide their opinion on the impact engineering and technology has on their chosen subject.

Prizes
The competition has two age categories: 14 to 18 and 19 to 24 year olds. The first place winner of the younger age group will receive £700 and second place receives £350. There are will also be five "highly commended" finalists who will be awarded £150 each. For the second age group of 19 to 24 year olds, the winning essay will win a top prize of £1000; with second prize of £500 and the five highly commended finalists will each receive £250.

The deadline to enter the Bosch Technology Horizons Award is the 22nd March, 2010 and all the finalists will be invited to attend a presentation day in July 2010 at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London, where they can meet leaders in the world of science and technology.

Full information on the competition along with resources for teachers and advice on how to structure a winning essay can be found at: www.bosch.co.uk/technologyhorizons

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

West Point Bridge Design Competition

Could you be a bridge designer of the future?

The Institution of Civil Engineers invites you to take up this challenge.

The Challenge
A new bridge is required to cross the River Forth- Could you design it?

As the designing Civil Engineer of the project you will use a bridge design software package to design the most cost effective bridge to get across the river.
This competition is open to all schools in Scotland, and each school can field as many teams of two from S1 to S3 as they like.

Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the winners of the team who design the cheapest bridge which satisfactorily carries the design loads.
1st- £150 of Amazon vouchers for each team member
2nd- £100 of Amazon vouchers for each team member
3rd- £80 of Amazon vouchers for each team member
And £30 Amazon vouchers for each member of the next 6 teams!!

The competition will open on 1st February 2010 and run until 23rd April 2010.

View a pdf with details.

For more information contact:
John McPartlin - Education & Careers Co-ordinator
Institution of Civil Engineers-Scotland
c/o Scottish Engineering
105 West George Street, Glasgow. G2 1QL
Email: John.McPartlin@ice.org.uk

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.

Details on the following programmes..........