Archaeological Discovery Days 2011-12 - Extension Learning Courses at University of Cambridge, Spring 2012

Discovery Days are extension learning courses for individuals which provide young people aged 11-15 (school years 7-10) with an opportunity to apply and stretch their existing knowledge and intelligence in a series of multi-disciplinary challenges linked to subject specific concepts at Key Stages 3-4.

The emphasis is on introducing new knowledge, ideas and approaches in practical hands-on activities from the multi-disciplinary subject of archaeology to contribute to on-going studies and project work in most curriculum subjects. In addition, skills developed during Discovery Days will contribute to Gifted and Talented programmes, STEM clubs and Citizenship studies. Discovery Days aim to provide 'beacon' learning experiences which will be enthusiastically remembered by pupils as highlights within their study of core curriculum topics.

Discovery Days are taught by experts from the University of Cambridge led by Dr Carenza Lewis, well-known from Channel 4's Time Team and BBC's Story of England. Dr Lewis is Director of Access Cambridge Archaeology at the University of Cambridge with more than 20 years experience of making archaeology enjoyable, inspiring and educational.

Discovery Days will enable you and your pupils to meet and work with staff and undergraduates at the University of Cambridge, raising achievement and aspirations and increasing awareness among young people from all backgrounds of the opportunities offered by Higher Education.

Both the school group and individual Discovery Days take place 9:30am - 3:30pm in University lecture rooms in the city centre of Cambridge. For up-to-date information on place availability please see our Programme of Events.

Beacon East Professional Development Events, 28 Feb-21 Mar 2012

Beacon East have seven forthcoming professional development events taking place during the Easter term. All events are FREE and are outlined in brief below - flyers for these events can be found on the 'Teacher Downloads' page of this website. The full 2011 - 2012 east region programme can also be accessed at the Beacon East website www.beacon-east.co.uk

Event one - Norwich Research Park Careers & IAG and Curriculum Support Event

Tuesday 28th February 2012, 9.00 am - 3.30 pm

Free event open to Science Teachers. Also open to Careers & IAG and WRL Coordinators.

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Event two - Marshall Aerospace Careers & IAG and Curriculum Support Event at Marshalls in Cambridge.

Tuesday 6th March 2012, 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm

Free event open to Engineering and Design Technology Teachers. Also open to Careers & IAG and WRL Coordinators.

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Event three - Army Careers, Employability Skills & Curriculum Support Event. Organised for Suffolk and Norfolk colleagues at Robertson Barracks in Norfolk.

Thursday 8th March 2012, 9.30 am - 3.30 pm

Free event open to Teachers and Curriculum Coordinators. Also open to Careers & IAG, Citizenship, PSHE and WRL Coordinators.

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Event four - Britvic 'Liquids Mean Life' Enterprise Skills Event. Back by popular demand, east region event held at Britvic in Norwich.

Tuesday 13th March 2012, 9.30 am - 3.00 pm

Free event open to Enterprise and WRL Coordinators. Also open to Business Studies, Retail and Food Technology Teachers.

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Event five - Royal Mail 'Climate Change Challenge' Event at Royal Mail Norwich. Brand new CPD event and resources. Don't miss out!

Wednesday 14th March 2012, 9.30 am - 3.00 pm

Free event open to Science, Geography and Environmental Studies Teachers. Also open to Citizenship, WRL & Enterprise Coordinators.

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Event six - Animal Welfare Careers & IAG and Curriculum Support Event at Wood Green Animal Shelters near Huntingdon.

Tuesday 20th March 2012, 9.00 am - 1.00 pm

Free event open to Science Teachers and Curriculum Coordinators. Also open Careers & IAG and WRL Coordinators.

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Event seven - EDF Energy & Sizewell B Power Station Careers & IAG and Curriculum Support Event at Sizewell B Power Station.

Wednesday 21st March 2011, 9.00 am - 12.30 pm

Free event open to Science, Geography, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Maths and Design Technology Teachers. Also open to Careers & IAG and WRL Coordinators.

If you have any questions or wish to book places on any of these events, please contact Mark Bruhin:

mbruhin@beacon-east.co.uk 

Expedition Iceland  - STEM Study Visit - 3-9 June 2012, closing date 1 March 2012

This exciting STEM Study Visit has been designed to give participants the opportunity to conduct a STEM subject field work project in a remote environment and experience a different approach to practical activities under new conditions.  This one week CPD expedition will also give them the experienceof an area of the natural world which has recently been at the centre of a number of STEM relevant stories. From earthquakes to Mars training Iceland is a destination that can bring STEM subjects to life in the classroom.

The STEM Study Visit will take place within Landmanaluager, a remote volcanic mountain range with exposed cliffs, dramatic scenery and is part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. Each participant will have the opportunity to design and carry out a realistic project with a meaningful outcome relevant to the conditions and environment, participant’s own area of interest and that of their school/college and students. Each project should tie in to an area of the National Curriculum and where possible link to scientific research currently taking place.

Impact Awards Available.  We are able to offer bursaries (known as Impact Awards and provided by the Department for Education) currently for the weekend element of the STEM Study Visit. The £400 and can be used to cover the cost of the visit, fees, expenses and resources. In order to receive an Impact Award teachers will need to be from a state funded school, including maintained schools, academies and free schools.

How to book

See the downloads page for further details and a booking form.

The expedition is booked on a first come, first served basis. Confirmed bookings for the expedition will be required by 1st  March 2012 with a non returnable deposit of £50. Owing to the nature of the expedition invoices will be sent in advance and will need to be paid, in full, by 01 April 2012.

Call the Science Learning Centre East Midlands on 0116 252 3771 or email: slcem@le.ac.uk

Study visits to sites of STEM interest are organised to complement contemporary science. The STEM Study Visit to Iceland aims to enhance subject knowledge andunderstanding about applications of science and will involve working with experts inthe field. It will also be useful for identifying Iceland as a potential site for school visits.

Participants will be able to:

• enhance their subject interest and knowledge of contemporary science in a real life context

 • increase their confidence and knowledge of locations to facilitate ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’

• exchange ideas about teaching How Science Works, with colleagues in an informal setting.

IET Education Fund, closing date 9 March 2012

The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) is committed to promoting enthusiasm and understanding of STEM subjects in young people and, as part of this committment, offers funding to support local education projects.

The IET Education Fund is an annual fund, and will be accepting bids for funding from 1st January 2012 to 9th March 2012 for projects taking place 1st May 2012 to 30th April 2013.  Awards of up to £5000 can be offered.

Eligible projects must help to engage UK-based students aged 5-19 with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects, and projects must involve more than one educational establishment.

For more information and an application pack, please go to www.theiet.org/fund

Healthcare Science Week, 9 - 18 March 2012  

Healthcare Science Week (HCS Week) takes place at the same time as National Science and Engineering Week - 9th - 18th March 2012. 

The events for HCS Week are mostly coordinated by the designated team within the NHS. The aim of the programme is to help promote the wide variety of careers within the healthcare sector.

Rapid advances in technology mean that healthcare science is now one of the fastest moving, most exciting and challenging areas of our national health service (NHS).  The NHS relies on healthcare scientists to help find out exactly what’s wrong with patients, recommend what needs to be done to help them and, in many cases treat them too.  They also develop and test new, sophisticated technology and techniques to provide safer and more effective ways to diagnose and manage medical problems and improve patient care.

If you have a flair for science and want to make a real difference you’ll be spoilt for choice of rewarding careers in healthcare science, whatever your academic background. With 45 extraordinary careers to choose from in three key areas; Life Sciences, Physiological Sciences and Physical Sciences and Engineering, you’re sure to find something to suit you.

Where are you now? Studying for GCSEs

What should you do now?  

• Visit www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk and register for more information on chosen careers.

• Check what your likely exam grades/results will be.

• Explore routes into your chosen career – will you need a degree/other qualification before you join, or will the NHS train you on the job?

• Can you start as an assistant?

• Are there any particular skills or experience that will improve your chances of getting into your chosen career?

• Enquire about volunteering or work experience

• Find out if you need any specific ‘A’ levels, or equivalent qualifications.

• Consider the option of a 14–19 Diploma.

Who can help?

• Subject teachers

• Your careers advisor/Connexions service

• Professional bodies

• NHS Careers

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Where are you now? Studying for A-levels or another course at your school or college

What should you do now?  

• As for GCSEs, plus:

• Consider the option of an apprenticeship.

• If you need to study a particular degree, investigate which universities offer it.

• Investigate any further qualifications you might need for your chosen role.

• Search the NHS Jobs website at www.jobs.nhs.uk and speak to your local trust to get an idea of current   vacancies

 Who can help?

• Subject teachers

• Your careers advisor/Connexions service

• UCAS

• NHS Careers

• Professional bodies

Here are some other things you can be doing, depending on where you are right now in your education. For all contact details, please visit www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/contacts or email: ambassadors@dh.gsi.gov.uk.

Get Interactive with National Science & Engineering Week, 9th-18th March 2012

This year’s National Science & Engineering Week sees the introduction of hands-on activities with quiz apps and a Facebook competition!

• Facebook Book Competition

Become a fan and enter our daily competition for your chance to win great books from the amazing Basher science range, donated by Macmillan Children’s Books.

Today’s clue has been published today!  So if you know the answer, you can enter the competition and win!

If you don’t know the answer, questions are different everyday so you can still follow the competition by becoming a fan of National Science and Engineering Week page.

A recent winner said: “I just wanted to say that I received my Basher Science book on Physics, and it’s even better than I had expected. Thank you very much :-)”

• Quizzes         

Who do you think is the fastest animal?

-   The lion

-   The alligator

-   The horse

-   Cheetah?

Test your scientific knowledge on your own, with your family or as part of a class activity with your pupils.  Multiple choice and questions only quizzes, at two age-levels, are available on the British Science Association Website.

Plus, NEW for 2012, you can download our quizzes to your mobile via the Quipper app. Just download the Quipper free app from the Android store or the iPhone store, and then search ‘Science Week UK’.

Good Luck and Have Fun!!

FREE CPD for Suffolk STEM Club Leaders, 20 March 2012

On Tuesday 20th March 2012 at 4pm, there is a FREE twilight STEM Club CPD event taking place at Newmarket College, Suffolk.

The aim of the session is to support people involved in setting up and running an extra-curricular STEM club in their school.  The event is being co-ordinated by the STEM Clubs Network, and the session is delivered by a STEM club leader with the experience and enthusiasm to provide relevant and inspirational support, advice and guidance.  To access event details, visit http://www.stemclubs.net/events, or ask your local STEM Clubs Advisor about events in your area. Contact the STEM Clubs Advisor team via support@stemclubs.net.

This free, twilight course is intended for anyone who is currently running or is considering running any kind of extra-curricular STEM club. This course will enable you to:

• Reflect on how you want your STEM club to develop
• Draw on the experiences of others whilst planning STEM club activities
• Build robust strategies for dealing with any challenges your STEM club may face

The advice, support and insight you will have access to on this course is drawn from the collected experiences of the members of the STEM Clubs Network.  Your trainer, David Kirkham from Newmarket College, will guide you through this whilst addressing your own individual needs.

The registration questions will help your trainer address your individual needs as a STEM club leader, so please take the time to carefully consider what you would like to achieve by coming on this course.

The Art of Shaping Metal

In addition David will do a hands on demonstration on how the use of metallurgical processes to enable students to create decorative objects.  This can be achieved using almost any type of heat source and the application of a little metallurgy knowledge.  These exercises can form the basis of after-school STEM activities.

Free Resource Pack

Teachers who attend a STEM Club network CPD event will receive a free resource goodie bag containing three different smart material packs from SEP Mindset worth over £50.  A term's worth of activities to inspire your students and help you continue your club's development after the course has ended.

For more information please visit: http://stemclubevents.eventbrite.com. To book a place on the CPD, please click here.

GSK Scientists in Sport Anti-Doping Challenge has launched! Closing date 31 March 2012 

Scientists in Sport is a GlaxoSmithKline schools outreach programme, inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It comprises a series of open days at universities for 11-14 year old school children to learn about the various uses of science in sport.

Schools can enter as many teams as they wish (up to six students per team) ... just make sure they use a unique username for each, so that every team has its own online entry form. Teachers must register to receive login details to access the materials and instructions for running the challenge (registering doesn't mean you have to enter!)

Please visit our ‘Teacher Downloads’ page for more information about the challenge.

Deadline for entry: end of March 2012

Judging: April 2012

Grand Finals (Glasgow and London): May 2012 (dates tbc)

The Scientists in Sport programme is more than just a one-off competition! We're running more university events between now and the Games, so please take a look at the website and let them know if you would like an invite.

If you would like any more information, please visit http://www.scientistsinsport.com/ or feel free to contact Mark Gadd: ambassadorslondon@stemnet.org.uk

Announcing the 2012/13 Rolls Royce Science Prize, closing date 30 May 2012

The Rolls-Royce science prize is an annual awards programme designed to help teachers improve science teaching and learning by supporting innovative new projects within schools and colleges throughout the UK.   Each year teams of up to six adults are asked to submit project ideas that will inspire and educate pupils using a budget of up to £5,000. A total of £120,000 in prize money is awarded each year.

Entries can be in any area of science education and can be entered in any one of three categories; 3-11yr, 11-16yr and 16-19yr.

All entries must be made on-line by 30th May 2012, using the entry form on the Rolls-Royce Science Prize website: www.rolls-royce.com/scienceprize.

The Science Learning Centre East of England may nominate two schools from any age range for a Special Merit Award of £1000.  Schools who would like to be considered for nomination by the Science Learning Centre East of England should contact the SLCEE in good time to express their interest. 

Teacher Guidance notes can be found on our 'Downloads' page.

In June each of the Special Merit Award winners will be assessed and the best nine entries selected as finalists. Finalists will receive a further £5000 to put their plans into action the following September. At the end of the academic year the best two projects will receive a further £10,000 and £15,000.

Contact Kate Mouncey: k.mouncey@herts.ac.uk for secondary and post 16, or Lynda Homer: l.homer@herts.ac.uk for primary schools.  They would be delighted to offer advice.

Schools Aerospace Challenge, closing date 8 June 2012

Schools Aerospace Challenge is a challenge for all 16+ students who would like to discover the world of aerospace engineering. 

Teams submit their ideas on the training of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) operators and could win a FREE, five night residential course at the School of Engineering, Cranfield University (starting on 22 July 2012). 

Three teams will share a £5000 prize fund at an award ceremony and reception to be held in London at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in November 2012.

Full details at http://www.aerospacechallenge.org/

The Big Bang Eastern Event, 4 July 2012

You are invited to bring your students to the biggest FREE Regional Event in the East for Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics projects at Imperial War Museum Duxford on Wednesday 4th July 2012.

All secondary schools in the East (Beds, Cambs, Essex, Herts, Norfolk & Suffolk) are welcome. 
Come as a visiting group and / or to compete for the many prizes available in lots of categories, including CREST Awards & Young Engineer for Britain Competition. You could also win nomination to the The Big Bang 2013 (the national final).

We also encourage STEM Clubs of all kinds to come along to showcase their work.

Please register your interest or reserve a place by emailing: admin@setpointherts.org.uk with the following information:

Contact Name and email / School Name and address / Approx number of students attending / Approx number of projects / Club Showcase.

Due to expected high demand for places, the number of competing teams that each school can bring will be initially limited to 3 per school.  Dependent on bookings we may be able to allocate more projects per school nearer the event.

Please bring your best and most exciting projects! Please note: teams should consist of no more than 4 students.  You can bring plenty of non-competing students to support their peers & enjoy the event (there will be lots for all to see & do)

For more information, or to find out about last year’s event please go to: http://regional.thebigbangfair.co.uk/eastengland/

Paul Godding - Board Games & Puzzles

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

In the Zone

In the Zone is the Welcome Trust’s major initiative inspired by London’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It provides a fun, FREE and fascinating way of using science to discover how our bodies work during sport activity, movement and rest. 

If you haven’t already received it, watch out for your Free science investigation kit which is being delivered to primary and secondary schools during February and March 2012.

Science Learning Centre East of England will be presenting training courses in our region to support teachers in using the kits.  Further details will be sent out when these are available.  Suffolk EBP also hope to link up with STEM Ambassadors to support the use of these kits in the classroom or as a STEM Club activity.

Find out more by visiting http://www.getinthezone.org.uk/ and please get in touch with us if you are interested in linking with a STEM Ambassador.

Events coming up in 2012 from the Norwich Bioscience Institute

13th March 2012 – Showcase of Young Science

Venue: Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park

Time: 12:00-15:00

Yrs: 11, 12 and 13

PhD students and supervisors talk about their work and you get to vote for whose research gets funded!

24th March 2012 – Science in Norwich Day

Venue: The Forum, Norwich

Time: 10:00 – 16:00

Hands on activities for young and old from across the region, robots, DNA, bugs, hand cream, slime, bubbles and much more.

18th May 2012 – Fascination of Plants Day

Venue: JIC Conference Centre, Norwich

Time: 2 sessions morning and afternoon

Aimed at Key Stage 2/3 plant related activities and talks.  Further information: http://www.plantday12.eu

July 2012 – Science Camp - Year 10 work experience scheme

Further information at: http://www.jic.ac.uk/year10/

25th – 27th September 2012 - Inside Science Workshops for Gifted & Talented Students

Venue: Norwich Research Park

A 3 day workshop for gifted and talented students in years 11, 12 and 13.  Students are invited to spend three days on an intensive workshop, hearing about the research we do first hand, meeting students, post-docs and research assistants explaining exactly what it is like to work in science. 

Further information can be found at: http://www.jic.ac.uk/corporate/opportunities/InsideScience.htm

26th September 2012 - Microscopy Insight Day

Venue: John Innes Centre

Time: 09:30 – 16:00; 2 hour slots for 35 students max per slot

28th September 2012 – JellyVision Competition

Venue: Institute of Food Research, Colney

Time: 11:00

The Institute of Food Research has once again set local schools a challenge to find out who can make the tallest jelly. Go on – get practising. Further information at: http://www.ifr.ac.uk/jellyvision/

28th  September 2012 – Inside IFR Schools Open Day

Venue: Institute of Food Research, Colney

Time: 09:30-15:00

Open day – come and find out what goes on inside the IFR Yrs 11, 12 and 13. 

29th September 2012 – Inside IFR – Public Open Day

Venue: Institute of Food Research, Colney

Time: 10:00 – 16:00

Open day – come and find out what goes on inside the IFR.

GM take-away: How to Genetically Modify a Tomato and Other Things We Eat

A take-away photographic exhibition aimed at demystifying the process of genetic modification, making the debate about this controversial subject more informed. 

Go to http://www.howtogeneticallymodifyatomato.info/ for more information and to download a copy.