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3-18 Learning Schools Newsletter
Autumn Edition 2015 IN THIS ISSUE
WELCOME TO AUTUMN 2015 Welcome to the latest edition of Dundee Science Centre’s 3-18 Learning Newsletter, full of opportunities for learning in STEM subjects throughout the curriculum. Whether with Professional Learning sessions or class visits, arranging a STEM Ambassador to visit your school or running a STEM Club, we’re here to help! We are looking forward to supporting you this term and hope this newsletter will inspire you with opportunities to visit Dundee Science Centre, arrange a STEM Ambassador visit, and hear about recent activities.
• EXHIBITIONS AT DUNDEE SCIENCE CENTRE • 3-18 LEARNING SCHOOL WORKSHOPS • LOCAL EVENTS INCLUDING DUNDEE SCIENCE FESTIVAL
Simon Reynolds, Science Learning Manager
• TEACHER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SESSIONS INCLUDING COSMOLOGY! • COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
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DUNDEE SCIENCE FESTIVAL 2015 Dundee Science Festival takes place in the first two weeks of November, showcasing the rich culture of research, discovery and innovation to the local people of Dundee. Schools can join us at Dundee Science Centre for two extraordinary weeks of hands-on STEM experiences for 3 to 18 year olds! Admission for these events costs £4 per pupil.
Your school may qualify for a transport subsidy from the Scottish Government, and there is also additional support towards the admissions costs for Dundee City Council schools. To find out if you are eligible, or to book a slot, please contact the STEM Learning Team on 01382 868609 or learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk
Get with the program: computing – S2/3 Monday 02 November (10am-3pm) Meet experts at the forefront of developing new technological innovations in Dundee, a city which boasts awardwinning independent game design companies and much more. Speak to STEM Ambassadors about the variety of careers in computing, and learn how to program and compete with Lego Mindstorms robots.
Little astronauts (Early years) Wednesday 04 November (10-11.30am or 2-3.30pm) The Little Astronauts Workshop is for nursery groups of up to 20 children, featuring various Curriculum-linked 'Space' activities exploring the night sky, our star myths and the Earth's place in space. Snacks can also be provided — please ask for details and costs when booking.
Chemistry is everywhere: zinc about it! – S2/3 Thursday 05 November (10am-3pm) Explore the interesting science and unusual behaviours of novel smart materials in a practical workshop. Talk careers with a variety of STEM Ambassadors who use Chemistry in their everyday jobs. Prepare to be blown away by exciting Chemistry demonstrations by experts at Dundee Science Centre!
Physics of light: a discovery – S2/3 Friday 06 November (10am-3pm) 2015 is the International Year of Light. Learn about the Physics of light by touring ‘The Incredible Power of Light’ exhibition and discuss careers with STEM Ambassadors who use Physics in their jobs. Explore the wonders of the electromagnetic spectrum in a practical workshop, and make spectroscopes whilst learning about their applications in Astronomy.
Primary workshops: extended editions Monday 09 – Wednesday 11 November (3 hours, limited slots available) Discover the wonder of science! Enjoy feature length editions of your favourite primary workshops from Dundee Science Centre: •
Space (First/second level) Get the big picture of our place in space, from the Solar System to the Milky Way and find out what we know about our whole Universe. Ask about black holes, dark matter and alien life; launch a rocket; and study a genuine rock from space!
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Robotics (Second level) What is a robot? Learn to program our Lego Mindstorms robots, and teach them to follow your commands to complete different challenges! Learn about the future of robotics, from artificial intelligence, robot helpers in your house, and prosthetic limbs.
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Healthy bodies (First/second level) Learn about Healthy Bodies with Dundee Science Centre's favourite demos: studying the internal organs of our friend, Stuffee; following some food on its journey through the digestive system; and finding out how to keep all of your body healthy! Morning and afternoon slots are available, including time to eat packed lunch.
Dundee Science Festival 2015 schools programme runs parallel with Abertay University’s Dundee Primary Schools Science Week (02-06 November).
Fife Science Festival 2016 – Follow us on & #FSciFest Celebrate local science and innovation in the Kingdom of Fife! Working with local organisations, the Festival will create informal learning opportunities, provide career and educational inspiration and build relationships in local communities. The Festival will be travelling to Cowdenbeath during Thursday 05 – Sunday 08 May and Glenrothes during Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 May. Stay updated on the Festivals website (dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/festivals) or social media
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3-18 LEARNING SCHOOL WORKSHOPS A visit to the DSC is a memorable way to start the school year. With activities for every type of learner, it will grab your students’ attention and enthusiasm for science right from the outset. The workshops which we are currently offering at each level are:
Outreach
DIY Faraday Challenge Days – Engineering (Third/Fourth level) The Institution of Engineering & Technology have developed the DIY Faraday Challenges to be run in secondary schools, as team Engineering challenge days – for free. Following on from some fantastic challenge days last year, we are keen to continue supporting schools to join in with the project, as we can provide all the electronic resources, printed resources and trained STEM Ambassadors to support you running a DIY Faraday Challenge in your school. To find out more, search “DIY Faraday Challenge” or contact us on 01382 868609.
Dundee Science Centre’s STEM Learning Team can bring most of our workshops to your school. We are able to travel anywhere in Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands. To Book If you are interested in a visit to the centre, or us bringing a workshop on outreach, please contact our STEM Learning Team at learning@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk or 01382 868609.
Engineering Success in Dundee, part 1 of 2
Thursday 17 September 4:15–6:30pm at Scotland's Jute Museum @ Verdant Works Delivered by: University of Dundee and Dundee Heritage Trust Second or third level Investigate using Dundee’s rich social, political and technological history as a background context for teaching science and technology, by exploring Verdant Works – including its newly opened High Mill exhibition space and fully operational steam engine from 1801.
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SESSIONS Engineering Success in Dundee, part 2 of 2
Thursday 24 September 4:15–6:30pm at Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee Delivered by: University of Dundee and Dundee Heritage Trust Second or third level Following on from the previous session at Verdant Works, we will investigate how to plan individual lessons or topics and using a Social Science context to teach aspects of STEM. Space in the classroom (and secondary cosmology)
Thursday 10 December 4:15–6:30pm at Dundee Science Centre Delivered by: Royal Observatory Greenwich and Dundee Science Centre Primary & secondary Whether you are teaching Planet Earth in Space at primary or teaching Cosmology in secondary Physics, this session will help you develop the knowledge and confidence to teach the complex ideas in Astronomy and to answer your learners’ questions about space. With different sessions for everyone’s needs, we will have experts from the Royal Observatory Greenwich delivering a training workshop and Cosmology researchers on hand to explain the curriculum and answer all your questions. Scotland Beneath Your Feet I: Rock and Soil
Check our website and newsletters throughout the year for more professional learning opportunities with the Science Learning Institute.
Thursday 29 September 10:15am-12:30pm at Dundee Science Centre Delivered by: Earth Science Education Unit Second level Try a series of ‘hands-on’ activities to develop pupil understanding of the processes that have created Scotland's soils, minerals, rocks and diverse landscapes. See how to use these activities to motivate and enthuse pupils in the primary classroom, whilst developing their own understanding of Earth processes and promoting their thinking and investigational skills. The ideas contained in this workshop can be quickly implemented and meet some of the specific Curriculum for Excellence outcomes and experiences, whilst further developing thinking skills in pupils. The session will be followed by a buffet lunch.
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“I also plan to use STEM Ambassadors more frequently in the coming 9 year, as the pupils gain a great deal in terms of science in a career context.”
Stuart Sweeny, Biology Teacher @ Forfar Academy •
activities which can benefit the school curriculum
Through our Schools STEM Advisory Network, coordinated by Dundee Science Centre for
helping to identify and access enhancement and enrichment
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providing STEM Ambassadors (a free resource of volunteers) who can inspire and educate young learners about STEM in
North East Scotland, we can help teachers inspire
many ways
students in science, technology, engineering and •
providing links with local businesses
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supporting STEM Clubs
mathematics by: To register for our e-newsletter, or to find out more, contact ambassadors@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk
Our termly e-newsletter features a digest of resources, projects, funding and other opportunities to help you deliver Curriculum for Excellence.
Meet the STEM Team at Dundee Science Centre! Recently we’ve had some changes in our team and would like to take this opportunity to offer a reminder of who we all are and how best we can support you through our STEM Advisory Network. All of the team may be responding to your enquiries via email and telephone whilst Lucy and Jess travel the region to meet with teachers each term – so we’d like to put a face to the names in case you haven’t met us yet!
Lucy is the STEM Programmes Manager, with a responsibility for the STEMNET programmes in the North East of Scotland. This involved making sure the STEM Learning Team meet with all 56 High schools in North East every year, ensuring they receive tailored support in STEM subjects and supporting their STEM Clubs. Lucy’s ultimate goal is to create STEM links between schools, industry and the community and help teachers inspire students in science, technology, engineering and maths. Lucy also ensures STEM Ambassadors receive their full induction training, PVG and provides ongoing support.
Jess is our STEM Learning Officer, looking after the School Advisory Network for teachers and making sure all our communications and newsletters are delivered to you with exciting stories. Jess also makes sure that STEM Ambassadors are supported throughout the volunteering process and delivers Ambassador induction sessions.
Emily is the STEM Learning Administration Assistant. Amongst a variety of roles in the team, primarily supporting STEM Ambassadors throughout the volunteer process, she is also responsible for taking School Advisory Network meeting bookings and coordinating school visits to the Science Centre as part of our 3-18 Learning Programme.
Book an appointment with a member of the STEM Learning Team For free, tailored advice from your local STEMNET contract holder, book a visit from a member of the STEM Learning Team at Dundee Science Centre by selecting a date and time suitable for you at https://v1.bookwhen.com/dundeesciencecentre. Alternatively, please contact us by e-mailing ambassadors@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk or telephone 01382 868610.
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WHAT’S ON AT DUNDEE SCIENCE CENTRE? MUSIC OF MAYHEM – SCIENCE OF SOUND On until the 25 October 2015
Age: Families / All Ages Event: Drop-in activities Time: 10am-5pm daily Tickets: Normal admission applies – free to members Description: Generate spectacular sounds and create riotous rhythms-pump up the music on a giant flute or change pitch using your body weight. With around 50 unusual and interactive installations, Music Mayhem’s exciting, creative sound sculptures ensure that this exhibition hits all the right notes. Complementing our exhibition there are also a variety of shows on offer including the Science of Sound, which allows visitors to discover how we make and perceive sounds? Our younger visitors can also jump on board the Musical Mystery Bus and use their imaginations to explore the world of sound which surrounds us.
School groups can pair an exhibition visit with one of our sound workshops: Little Noses (EY), Sounds like Fun! (1L) or Animal Chattter (2L).
DESTINATION SPACE
October onwards Age: Families / All Ages Event: Family show/ MTE event and family fun day Time: tbc Tickets: Normal admission applies – free to members. See website for details on ticketed special events. Description: Visitors will be invited to join Destination Space through a calendar of family shows and live events running from October 2015 including special events for Tim Peake’s launch, meet-the-expert sessions and a fabulous astronaut show that will engage and inspire family audiences with Tim's mission. See the Dundee Science Centre website for details For school groups, our Little Star Gazers, Exploring Our Universe and Destination Space workshops offer astronomy for all ages (Early-Fourth Levels).
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THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF LIGHT
Sunday 01 – Sunday 15 November Age: Families / All Ages Event: Exhibition Time: 10am - 5pm daily Tickets: Normal admission applies – free to members Description: Did you know that the UK carries out leading research using and creating high-power, ultrafast, highsensitivity laser systems? Come and explore this interactive exhibition to discover how lasers today impact almost every aspect of life! Celebrating the United Nations’ International Year of Light & Light-based technologies (IYL 2015), this exhibition shows the role of lasers in our daily lives and what the future will bring – get an insight to the solutions lasers will provide for global challenges in energy, health, defence, environment and social sciences. S2/3 classes can pair the Incredible Power of Light exhibition th with our special Physics of Light day on Friday 6 November. INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF LIGHT
Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 November Age: Families / All Ages Event: Family show/MTE event / Family Fun Day Time:10am - 5pm daily Tickets: Normal admission applies – free to members. See website for details on ticketed special events. Description: Dundee Science Centre will host a four-day long exploration of the science of light in celebration of the contributions Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell made to modern science. Find out what light is and what we can do with it in our fun interactive family show. If you would like further th illumination then Sunday the 15 will see Dundee Science Centre joined by experts on light to present examples of their work, talk to visitors and answer any questions.
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STEM IN CONTEXT Perth College – Monday 21 September 5-7pm Montrose Academy – Wednesday 30 September 5-7pm Ellon Academy – Wednesday 7 October 6-8pm Meet other local teachers and STEM Ambassadors from a variety of backgrounds within Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Book you place on: http://dundeesciencecentrestemlearningteam.eventbrite.com/