Welcome to the STEM Bulletin
This page has some information on different STEM Activities, Funding, Training and other STEM Enrichment Opportunities that will be of interest to teachers and lecturers in Suffolk schools.
Please also visit our STEM Resources Page for information on Useful resources, Hiring of our K'Nex Kits, Competitions and Useful websites.
Click here to read more about how some of our Ambassadors have been supporting schools and teachers.
Our STEM News Page shows all current opportunities for Suffolk STEM Ambassadors to assist schools with STEM-related events and activities. STEM Ambassador's are a wonderful FREE resource for schools! If you have an event taking place where you would like an Ambassador to assist you, please contact us: ambassadors@suffolkebp.co.uk or complete the 'Ambassador Request Form' which can be found in the Downloads section.
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* Feedback Needed Please!
If you are a teacher who has recently had a STEM Ambassador visit your school or work with you on an activity, please complete the feedback form, found via the link below, to tell us about your experience.
Your feedback is critical to ensuring we provide a good service and to help us secure future funding. Thanks everyone!
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* Let Teachers SHINE
Deadline 19th May
Teachers with an innovative idea to improve the literacy, numeracy or science attainment of disadvantaged pupils can apply for £15,000 to help set up a project in their school.
For more information and to download an application form please visit: www.shinetrust.org.uk.
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* Schools Climate Change Art Exhibition: Now open for entries.
Closing Date: 27th May 2013.
Last year the Suffolk Climate Change Partnership invited groups of young artists in Suffolk aged between 11 and 16 to create a piece of visual art for show at a public exhibition at the UCS Waterfront Building in Ipswich. The aim was to help young people engage in the issue of climate change, enthuse them to take action, and communicate their concerns on climate change to the wider community.
For 2013 they are opening up the challenge again! Only this time they are joining with their Cool Suffolk competition to create an exhibition and award that is also open to photography, film and digital media including video and YouTube clips, as well as paintings, sculpture and installations.
Entries for the next exhibition and award to be held in early summer 2013 at Ipswich Town Hall Galleries, will need to fall into, and tackle one of the following eight subjects:
• Climate Change – cause and effects • Energy Production • Energy Saving • Food Production • Water Conservation • Transport • Flooding and Coastal Erosion • Landscape and Biodiversity
There will be an Award Winner for the best entry within each category, then an overall Award Winner for the best entry in whole exhibition. The Exhibition this year is open to any Suffolk student aged between 11 and 18. Entries are to come from groups only, with one entry per group, but schools can enter more than one group. Each school will need to let the CO2art organiser know the name of an adult who will be the main contact for the school.
The Suffolk Climate Change Partnership is offering the challenge to Suffolk students with CO2art, with the aim to raise awareness of the human contribution to climate change, its causes and effects, and provoke action to change behaviour. The artwork or media entered is to be on the subject of “climate change and carbon emissions”, and should have a local focus. Entries should aim to raise awareness of the human contribution to climate change, its causes and effects, and provoke action to change behaviour, and aim to achieve at least one of the following:
• Raise awareness of man-made climate change• Provoke action to change behaviour• Prompt young people to influence the wider community• Promote continuing education or action on climate change• Demonstrate the causes and effects of climate change.
Entries can be in any form or media of visual art or video media. Entries can include paintings, sculpture, installations, mixed-media, photography, films, video, YouTube clips and animations…. the main stipulation is that the choice of media is used creatively and effectively.
How to enter:
To find out more about CO2art and to download an entry pack go to: www.greensuffolk.org/schools/co2art.
Schools are to submit an entry form, providing details of their groups entry either by e-mail to: christian.figg@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk, or by post to: CO2art Suffolk Suffolk Climate Change Partnership c/o Christian Figg, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Melton Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1AU.
If you have any questions then please e-mail: christian.figg@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
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* Young Engineers - The Renishaw Engineering Experience.
This may appeal to some of your sixth Form students or aspiring Yr 11 pupils who are looking to a career in engineering. Its completely FREE and is invariably a brilliant trip.
The Renishaw Engineering Experience is a fully subsidised five day package of activities that will give six chosen students a unique opportunity to get close to successful engineering-led organisations, meet the people behind their success, and the products that in some way have an impact on all our daily lives. The experience which is fully escorted will visit well known engineering companies, service providers and even heritage sites. It will be an inspiring and potentially life changing experience culminating in a visit to Renishaw’s award winning state of the art factory.
The Renishaw Engineering Experience is open to all full-time UK students aged 16-18 and will take place annually in late June 2013.
Please follow the link for a flyer for the 2013 Renishaw Engineer Experience which is being organised by Young Engineers on the company’s behalf.
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* RAF Work Experience Placements
The British Science Association have previously worked alongside RAF awarding students who take part in their work experience with CREST Awards. This year they’re opening up applications to everyone who meets their criteria.
The placements are for between 20 and 24 students, and are targeted at Yr 10 girls. The placements focus on aeronautical and electronic engineering, with the opportunity to take part in a STEM activity. All the placements provide experience of life on a RAF Station, including team building and fitness sessions.
Please visit the Young People's Download Page of our website for two application forms, one for the placement running the 29th of July to the 2nd of August, and the other for the placement running the 4th-7th of August.
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* CREST Science and Engineering Activities and Projects
The British Science Association have some FREE packs full of science and engineering hands-on activities and projects which are produced each year and are available to download all year round.
* Over 300 easy-to-run activities suitable for at home or school.
* Activities are curriculum-linked with teachers/organiser notes.
* Activity packs are designed to be carried out at minimal cost using items you would find in your average school or educational establishment (or even from your kitchen cupboard).
* For the kids they will be hands-on, fun, and we hope will have a wow factor!
* Each activity pack is themed.
To download packs, please visit: http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/national-science-engineering-week/download-activities-competitions-and-quizzes/activity-packs .
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* Connecting Classrooms through CREST
The British Council and the British Science Association are working in partnership to enrich Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities in the classroom in the UK and abroad through CREST Awards and Connecting Classrooms through CREST programme.
As well as learning resources and access to CPD material and course, schools are able to apply for an International Schools Award and a £1500 exchange visit grant.
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* CREST Youth Panel
Are you in touch with some engaging and keen students from all backgrounds, aged 13-19?
If so, please encourage them to nominate themselves to the CREST Youth Panel this year. This is a great opportunity for students to contribute to the scheme, meet like-minded students and learn new skills.
The next meeting will take place in early September, so students may be able to attend if they nominate before the end of this term.
More information and the nomination form on the panel can be found here: www.britishscienceassociation.org/crestyouthpanel.
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* Show Me Learning
Show Me Learning have hands-on shows and Science communication training that may be of interest to your school. They also research and script science shows and workshops for those who want to deliver their own science based events.
If you would like to know more, please contact Steve Allman: 01359 253 470 // 07905 500 751 or visit the website: www.showmelearning.co.uk
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* Missed out on a Kick Start grant?
Schools and other organisations can find lots of useful information on sources of funding for NSEW events and activities in the British Science Association's 'Guide to Funding'.
A wide range of organisations offer grants for running STEM outreach events and enrichment activities and these can help raise the profile of your school or organisation as well as bringing in the funding you need.
Lots of really engaging hands-on activities don't need lots of special equipment. For ideas on exciting but cheap activities to do at school, at home or at your organisation's NSEW event, check out 'Science on a Shoe-string'.
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* Smallpeice Trust - STEM Days, teachers apply now!
The Smallpeice Trust are pleased to announce that they have a number of STEM Days up for grabs! These are available to maintained schools in most regions of the country.
STEM Days involve working with 50, Year 9 students on a design and make project and are especially useful to students with a particular interest in, or aptitude for, problem-solving, design, manufacturing or engineering. They will fit the course around whatever rooms and equipment are available. All you need to do is supply the appropriate number of supervisory teachers and technicians in line with statutory requirements.
STEM Days are usually priced at £595 plus expenses but thanks to their sponsors, they are able to offer these to schools absolutely FREE!
These FREE STEM Days are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Don't miss out, call Kirsten Brami on 01926 333200 or e-mail: kirstenb@smallpeicetrust.org.uk to find out if your school will qualify for a free STEM Day.
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* Institute Of Physics Affiliation Scheme
The Institute Of Physics is a leading scientific society promoting physics and bringing physicists together for the benefit of all. One of its core aims is to secure a flourishing future for physics by supporting teachers of physics in all schools and colleges.
The affiliation scheme for schools and colleges costs £45 a year and allows institutions to receive the regular newsletter Classroom Physics and the journal Physics Education as well as posters, resources and careers material produced by the Institute and others.
To join the scheme, please contact: affiliation@iop.org.
The Physics Teacher Network offers local CPD and support for teachers. The Physics Network Coordinator (PNC) for Suffolk, Gerry Blake, can be found by going to: http://www.iop.org/education/teacher/support/network/south_east/page_41386.html.
For more information on all that the Institute offers go to: www.iop.org/education.
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* The Society of Biology Schools and Colleges Affiliation Scheme (SCAS)
Schools and Colleges are able to become members through the SCAS programme.
As a member of SCAS, your school or college will receive a subscription to The Society of Biology's leading journals The Biologist and the Journal of Biological Education. Combined, these journals will provide your school or college with:
• some great classroom material, such as articles on cutting edge research
• the latest policy and curriculum developments
• results of research into the teaching, learning and assessment of biology
• reviews of new teaching resources
• information on the work of the Society at national and regional levels
Through The Society of Biology's partnership with the Biochemical Society, they are also able to offer as part of the SCAS membership:
• Latest developments on their FREE online teaching resources
• FREE teacher CPD events.
• Events for pupils (visit www.biochemistry.org/events)
• FREE online and hard copy careers-related resources for school and college students that highlight what biochemistry is and the opportunities available to those who study the molecular biosciences.
• Scientific Outreach Grants. The Biochemical Society offers up to £1,000 to support exciting and inspiring bioscience activities aimed at young people and the public. www.biochemistry.org/scientificoutreachgrants.
SCAS members can also access for FREE Natural England Invertebrate Conservation Slide Packs.
UK Schools annual fee £80, Overseas Schools annual fee £110
For more information about these resources, please contact: education@societyofbiology.org.
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* STEM Futures
STEM Futures is a socially responsible, residential STEM education concept, inviting young people from across the UK and beyond to participate in highly future oriented workshops with the STEM Futures principles of creativity, innovation, collaboration and fun at their core.
The workshops are being developed with leading lights from industry and academia, and leverage the intellectual capital of the globe by taking a crowdsourcing approach to curriculum development where possible. They’ll be set against the backdrop of creating the science and tech entrepreneurs of the future and how STEM subjects can help the human race address the big global challenges of tomorrow.
You can learn more from taking a look at the website: www.stemfutures.com . Follow on Twitter: @STEMFutures.
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* Sphere Science Limited - Workshops
Sphere Science Limited is the leading provider of Primary Science Workshops in the UK. their work includes investigative science workshops in schools (particularly primary) but they do a lot more besides! Visit their website: http://www.spherescience.co.uk/ for more information.
They provide a series of practical science workshops that support and enhance the National Curriculum (especially Science Enquiry). These are led by experienced UK science educators.
The company has also developed the SEEDS Project, which is a lunch-time science club run by Y5 (aged 9-11yrs) pupils for Y2 (aged 6-7yrs) pupils, and the SPLATS Project where secondary students are running a day of science activities for primary pupils. As well as leading the interactive workshops, the working directors also have experience of teacher training and delivering CPD/INSET.
To contact, please email: spherescience@yahoo.co.uk or complete an online form by clicking here.
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* O2 Learn Awards- Rewarding great teaching
The O2 Learn awards celebrate great teaching. O2 are looking to get teacher’s best lessons on video and to create Britain’s BIGGEST classroom.
To date, O2 Learn has over 1,000 curriculum focused lessons available and has delivered over 25,000 hours of teaching. They have also awarded over £300,000 to schools and teachers for teaching excellence amongst the 13-18 age group category in the UK.
Upload a short video of your best lesson so students from across the country can learn from you. You'll also have the chance to win £2K for you and your school department each week and up to £45K for you and your school at the end of the year. They are also thanking every teacher who uploads a lesson with a free mobile broadband pack.
For more information please visit: https://www.o2learn.co.uk/o2_teachers.php.
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* EEESTA Cash for School Science or Engineering Clubs
The EESTA (East of England Engineering Science & Technology Association) are able to support any after school science or engineering club in the six counties of Herts, Beds, Cambridge, Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex in the purchase of equipment.
Their grant will be normally be limited to £300 and they will expect it to be matched equally by the school's own resources. In the case of deprivation they may vary the latter condition somewhat. They are limited to about 10 schools, at the maximum rate of £300 per year, on a first come basis. Visit: http://www.eeesta.org.uk/cashforschools.php .
HOW TO APPLY
Email the Chairman with the following information:
* School and Club.
* Contact name, email and phone number.
* Purpose of grant - equipment and use.
* Payee - this must not be the school's general account.
* Statement of deprivation if appropriate - free school meals, catchment, etc.
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* School Farm Links Project
The School Farm Links Project was introduced to encourage schools to come out of the classroom and visit farms. As an agricultural association, The Suffolk Agricultural Association feels that it is very important for children to visit the countryside and understand the importance of food and farming to their everyday lives. Through generous sponsorship from The Chadacre Agricultural Trust, they are able to provide a transport grant of £50.00 towards a farm visit.
Your school may already be linked to a farm but, if not, they do have a database of farms across the county.
If you would like further information regarding a potential farm to visit or if you would like to receive an application form for transport funding, please contact Hannah Woods, Tel: 01473 707118 / hannah.woods@suffolkshow.co.uk.
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* Paul Godding - the 7puzzle company
As ‘the UK’s leading provider of fun and effective mathematical activities’, the 7puzzle company are primarily concerned with improving children’s mental arithmetic skills and, just as important, feeding their enthusiasm towards maths through school-based programmes using board games, card games and puzzles.
- A fun & beneficial maths/puzzle day for the students in your school in 2013, and/or
- Some excellent board games & puzzles, which both children and adults will love.
So, if your school is looking for a fun maths/puzzle day that your students will benefit from, please visit:www.paulgodding.com/index.html to find out more.
Also, to improve your mental maths and strategy skills, you can download MATHELONA from the AppStore for just 69p. The recently produced number puzzle app is suitable for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It is very addictive and loads of fun as you can win gold, silver and bronze medals at various events. Just Google MATHELONA and go from there!
Paul Godding MSc, Board Game & Puzzle Inventor
Owner of the 7puzzle company
E: paul@7puzzle.com T: 07970 868121 F: 07970 883031
W: 7puzzle.com
You can also follow on twitter: @7puzzle
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* First Step Workshops Limited - CSI Science
First Step Workshops deliver vocational and enterprise science events. www.firststepworkshops.co.uk
"As a part of our partnership with Suffolk Education Business Partnership we are contacting all the schools in the region to introduce ourselves and the service we could provide any potential customer and offer discounted costing on our popular CSI Science event.
We pride ourselves on our stock and staff, anybody aware of the CSI education events through previous experience or media will find our events a fresh and unique experience, and we guarantee will beat any supplier on event quality, available equipment and quoted price. That’s our First Step promise and it has made us one of the U.K’s fastest growing and trusted vocational education companies.
Please don’t just take our word for it!
With a proven nationwide track record of second to none events for quality and cost we will be happy to provide regional testimonies of the products and service we provide. We have been tried tested and trusted by schools, STEM and EBP’s across the U.K and I hope your school will join our scientific enterprise family.
Please visit the downloads section to see our literature and I do hope you find it useful. All of my contact information is listed above so please feel free to contact me with any feedback or queries you may have or, of course if you would like to step over the crime scene tape with First Step."
Please contact Vince Reeve, Events Co-ordinator & Owner, 07815 011 226 / admin@firststepworkshops.co.uk.
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* Cafe Sci
This is an initiative inspired by the Cafe Scientifique movement and funded by the Wellcome Trust. It provides students with an opportunity to meet STEM professionals in a more informal environment than a classroom, though usually at a school. As such, it is something teachers may be interested in organising, and something Ambassadors may be interested in participating in.
Cafés are held outside lesson time, usually during lunch or directly after school. Although they are held in school, the last place we want them to be is in a classroom. Speakers aren't encumbered with technology (no microphones or slide-shows allowed), so cafés can be held anywhere: the common room, the library, the cafeteria, maybe even outside - anywhere that feels relaxed and informal.
The format is simple. The scientist speaks for about 10-15 minutes - plenty of time to introduce the topic. Speakers are volunteers from local universities and industry, and range from professors to young PhD students, depending on the topic and their expertise. The one thing that they have in common is that they are passionate about their subject and excited about sharing it with students.
For more information, please visit: http://www.juniorcafesci.org.uk/.
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* GoMotorSport
Do you want to bring the inspiring excitement of motor sport into your school?
The Go Motorsport campaign has been set up to show people of all ages just how easy it is to get involved in one of the world’s most exciting and fast moving sports.
An interest in motor sport really does open up a wide array of career opportunities in subjects as diverse as engineering, marketing, coaching, administration, nutrition, PR and sports science. There are many technical apprenticeships available in motor sport engineering and the MSA runs an Advanced Apprenticeship in motor sport driving in association with the Sector Skills Council for Sport – Skills Active.
GoMotorSport http://www.gomotorsport.net/en-GB/default.html can provide you with an engaging and FREE presentation. Presentations can cover:
• Sport • Careers • Excitement • Engineering • Road safety • STEM club • Science and Technology
Go Motorsport presentations are delivered by a team of ten Regional Development Officers across the United Kingdom. They are former or current drivers, extremely knowledgeable, fully trained and of course CRB-checked.
The sessions can be tuned to suit a wide-range of audiences from enthusiastic primary school students to those studying for a specialist degree. Topics covered include opportunities for those too young to drive on the public road, advice on careers in engineering, information on local events as well as a clear road safety message.
This opportunity for your school can be used across the age groups and in sessions as diverse as careers, SEAL, specific lessons such as Engineering, Science and Technology as well making an excellent base for a STEM club session.
For more information please visit: http://www.gomotorsport.net/en-GB/news/Schoolvisitsprogramme.html or to book a FREE Go Motorsport presentation for your school call: 01372 414120 or email your contact details to: info@GoMotorsport.net.
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* Architecture Workshops
Architecture Workshops are hands-on fun educational activities for all Key Stages and abilities. Designed to enhance the national curriculum and to communicate the art and experience of architecture, art, and design.
Architecture Workshops help resource the school curriculum by providing pupils with insight into why and how things are the way they are. In the workshop, the quest for understanding the world around us is a shared experience between workshop presenter 'animateur' and the pupils.
Visualising, designing, creating, calculating and analysing are presented through practical activities. Pupils enjoy and learn about the real world through 'learning by doing', self teaching and communicating to others.
"It is quite encouraging to watch a group of eight year olds working as a team on a creative and yet technically demanding project with such enthusiasm and concentration. Tell them that this is maths and physics and they look at you as if you are mad!..." Don Barker, Journalist.
Workshop Development - Workshops you want.
If there is a stucture or piece of architecture you would like them to develop a workshop around please get in touch to discuss your requirements: elaine@architectureworkshops.org // Tel: 01223 365378.
For more information and to view various workshops, please visit: http://architectureworkshops.org/ or visit our Downloads page to view an information leaflet.
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* Young Engineers
Young Engineers have Competitions, STEM Challenge Days, Club Network news and special events to take part in.
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Making Knexions (Age 9-11 Free Entry)
Project Length: Min 150 minutes Team Activity: 6-10 students
Making Knexions:
• Connecting Schools • Connecting Students • Connecting Fingers with K'Nex
A Young Engineers initiative designed for secondary schools to link through STEM with their primary feeder schools. Read more.....
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Project Eggs Factor ‘Eggtastic Voyage’ MkII (Age 7-16 Free Entry)
Project Length: Minimum 180 minutes Team Activity: 2-4 students
Captain Egg and Lieutenant Ouef have just celebrated the successful completion of their last mission, and now they are ready to embark on their latest escapade! Read more.....
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Krazy Racers ‘The Koncept Kar’ MkII (Age 7-18 Free Entry)
Project Length: Minimum 180 minutes Team Activity: 2-6 students
Create a unique and wonderful passenger vehicle with two body shells - one is crazy and whacky, the other is futuristic and streamlined. Read more.....
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Young Engineer for Britain Competition (Age 12-19 Free Entry)
Individual or Team Activity: 1-4 students
The competition aims to encourage and reward creative, innovative and unique marketable projects. Read more.....
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STEM Challenge Days (Age 7-16)
Challenging 'design and make' projects, delivered by the Young Engineers team in your school! Read more....
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The Twilight Zone – Bringing Engineers, Students & Parents Together
A great opportunity for students, parents and engineers to work together to solve a practical engineering challenge! Read more.....
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Launch Pad - For New Clubs and Clubs Inactive in the Last Three Years
Blast-off! Here’s a great opportunity to launch new clubs, or inactive clubs back into action! Generous start-up package available! Read more.....
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New Fundraising Page for Clubs
One of the biggest obstacles facing many Young Engineers clubs is fundraising. Club leaders can now access our new page on fundraising suggestions. Read more.....
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Keeping the Young Engineers community in touch - Facebook and Twitter update
Keep up to date with what's happening in the engineering world and with Young Engineers! Prize for the 1000th Twitter Follower goes to Blue Coat Young Engineers Club! Read more.....
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Club Registration for 2012/13
Free 'Lucky Dips' for Young Engineers merchandise for Clubs sending us their club membership numbers! Read more.....
Club Grants - £50 to £100 available each year
Exclusively available to Club Network members. Read more.....
Club Stories
See what some of Young Engineer clubs have been getting up to! Read more....
Local Support Groups
Working together with other clubs in your area. Read more.....
Merchandise
Great Young Engineers stuff to buy for your club members (or yourself!). Read more.....
Other News
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news on What's New
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* Science Made Simple
For the third year running, science made simple, an award winning science communication company, is delighted to announce a tour week of heavily subsidised engineering show days in your area thanks to funding from the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology).
They will be visiting schools in the East of England from 13th May to 17th May 2013. The show available to schools in your area will be A Rough Guide to Engineering (KS3).
A show day can comprise up to three performances in total. This whole day of shows is available to schools for just £75+VAT. The shows are performed in the school hall and can be presented to as many pupils as you choose to bring to the venue.
If you have any questions regarding this tour or other opportunities from science made simple please do not hesitate to contact them: info@sciencemadesimple.co.uk.
science made simple is a social enterprise with a passion for science and all things associated with it! They aim to share their enthusiasm by offering a selection of inspirational and educational experiences that are tailor-made for schools, festivals, adult audiences and the public.
Their mission
To inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers
To engage a wider public with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) as part of popular culture
To be a STEM translation service between researchers and the public
The IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) is a world-leading professional members’ organisation for the engineering community. It is working with science made simple to advance the Institution's vision in sharing and advancing science, engineering and technology knowledge to enhance people’s lives around the world and to encourage young people to study for careers in the engineering sector. Click here to sign up to their free teacher resources.
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