inside
STEM
Autumn Edition 2016
WELCOME Dear STEM Educators, Ambassadors, enthusiasts Welcome to our Autumn term edition of Inside STEM We hope you all had a fantastic summer and had the opportunity to make the most of the nice weather. This season we have more fascinating and diverse stories about how STEM Ambassadors and Teachers in the North East are communicating their passion and knowledge of STEM topics to pupils in both secondary and primary schools across the region. We also have all the latest information about upcoming funding deadlines, competitions and local STEM events. If you’re a STEM Ambassador who would like some guidance on how to get started with an activity or are wondering what local activities might suit your interests and areas of expertise then we’d love to hear from you. You might even want to find out how you can go about offering support to your former school or your child’s school – we can help! Lucy (STEM Programmes Manager) and Hannah (STEM Learning Team Administration Assistant) can be contacted at: ambassadors@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk or by calling 01382 868610
You can also follow us on twitter @dundeestemlearn for all our latest updates! Share your STEM events and what you get up to at work – bonus points for including your STEM badge in any photos.
Local event Do you teach chemistry or a STEM subject? Are you a chemist by trade? Perhaps you now use chemistry in your career, or you have in the past. Come and join us for an evening of ideas and inspiration with beer and pizza provided free of charge. Date: Thursday 15 September from 6pm to 8pm Venue: Aberdeen Science Centre, 179 Constitution Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5TU. STEM Ambassadors and teachers are welcome to join us for this free networking event. You do not have to be a chemistry specialist - you may find this to be useful for meeting STEM Ambassadors in a number of fields who can support you, your school, your STEM Club or your organisation. We hope to have representatives from a number of partners that work together to support and promote STEM in schools and beyond. Confirmed guests include: • Royal Society of Chemistry Education Coordinator for East Scotland • STEM Ambassadors Programme • Aberdeen Science Centre Please get in touch if you would like to host a stall, or bring along your own resources to share. You can sign up for this event using Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ royal-society-of-chemistry-stem-networking-eventaberdeen-tickets-26408486494 If you can no longer attend, please let us know via ambassadors@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk so that we can ensure the place is taken up.
DUNDEE SCIENCE FESTVAL 29 Oct – 13 Nov 2016 A celebration of science with exciting events for the whole family - from space, animals and jewellery to lasers, art, medicine and computer games‌ www.dundeesciencefestival.org Dundee Science Festival returns in its 7th year to bring you fun activities for all ages showcasing the rich culture of research, discovery and innovation! Join us from Saturday 29 October through to Sunday 13 November to explore the exciting events right here at Dundee Science Centre and community hubs around the city.
Keep an eye out for the launch of the public events programme in October. Alongside the programme of public events, there will be a schools programme for primary and secondary pupils with a pdf brochure available from September. For more info, follow us @DundeeSciFest
Encourage girls to say “STEM is for People Like Me” Earlier this year, WISE teamed up with STEMNET to deliver revolutionary “People Like Me” training for STEM Ambassadors across the UK. Here in the North East of Scotland, Dundee Science Centre delivered this training to 27 STEM Ambassadors in Aberdeen and Dundee. What is ‘People Like Me’ training? When asking young people about STEM subjects and careers, the focus tends to be on what the engineers and scientists do rather that the characteristics of the people who choose these careers, resulting in the perceived identity of the STEM professional being created entirely using verbs. The conflict between girls self-identity and the perceived STEM-identity can result in girls thinking that STEM study and careers are not for people like them.
If you would like a STEM Ambassador to visit your school and deliver the activities from People Like Me, please get in touch and we can highlight this opportunity to our enthusiastic People Like Me trainees! STEM Ambassadors – we’ll keep you informed about upcoming opportunities to receive training. If you’re interested – let us know so we can give you an update in advance. http://www.wisecampaign.org.uk/about-us/wise-projects/ people-like-me
The revolutionary ‘People Like Me’ training focuses on using adjectives to describe the attributes of scientists and engineers, allowing girls to recognise that these are attributes that they themselves possess. By doing this, girls have the opportunity to imagine themselves in a STEM career and learn, despite their previous thoughts, STEM subjects are for people like them. Can a STEM Ambassador visit my class to deliver this training? 27 North East of Scotland STEM Ambassadors have now been trained to deliver this training for girls aged 11-14 years, allowing girls to participate in activities that will help them to realise their full potential in a STEM career at a crucial decision-making time in their lives, leading up to their National 4/5’s.
STEM Ambassador Loan Boxes Dundee Science Centre’s STEM team has received a kit of 20 micro:bits that are available for STEM Ambassadors to request, for use in schools and code clubs. If you’re a STEM Ambassador interested in borrowing the kit, contact the team and express your interest. If you’re a teacher looking for a STEM Ambassador to visit with the micro:bits, add your request to the website: https://db.stemnet.org.uk/requests/add
Did you know? The Dundee Science Centre team have developed a number of loan boxes available to STEM Ambassadors across the North East of Scotland. Aimed to support Curriculum for Excellence topics, these resources are free for STEM Ambassadors to borrow and take into schools. If you’re a teacher looking for support in these topics, consider requesting a visit from a STEM Ambassador and the relevant themed loan box (see below). Kits are hosted at Dundee Science Centre and Aberdeen Science Centre, so you have a choice of pickup location. For more information about the kit contents and availability, contact our team.
Marvellous Maths
Smart Materials
Contains some real life applications of mathematics, with kit including a Gaussian gun, solids of a constant width and some simple activities you can try out in the classroom.
Allow learners to get hands-on with some cutting-edge smart materials – materials that react and respond to the environment around them. From memory metals to expanding microspheres; “magic” waterproof sand to colour changing pigments, these materials are sure to defy anyone’s expectations as to what a seemingly simple material can do.
Inside Cells Enable exploration of the human biology of cells - the fundamental building blocks of life, and genetics - uncovering the cryptic codes that dictate who we are, what we look like, and why? Examine microscopic cell slides, create model organisms, debate topical science issues, construct a DNA double helix, and extract your own DNA. Includes EuroStemCell kit (available from Dundee Science Centre only).
Teachers – request a STEM Ambassador Are you looking for the support of a local STEM Ambassador? Or perhaps you’re wondering if other teachers within your workplace are involved in the scheme – let us know and we can put you in touch! Things that might be of particular interest right now include:
• careers fairs
• technical advice or practical support to STEM projects in the classroom
• support for projects in school STEM Clubs – including coding, eco, engineering and maths clubs
• judging school STEM competitions
• contacts for work experience placements
• speed networking with pupils, parents and teachers
• devise or deliver practical STEM experiments or demonstrations
• help students with mock job interviews
• mentors for Advanced Higher Projects and Baccalaureate entries STEM Ambassadors can support in person with a visit, or remotely via email, and we currently have over 600 in the North East Scotland region, so the chances are that the expertise you are looking for is represented! Make your request via the website, or send us a quick email with the details of your activity or topic. db.stemnet.org.uk/requests/add ambassadors@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk
STEM Ambassadors – sign up to an activity Are you looking to sign up for your first STEM Ambassador activity? Had a fantastic time delivering an activity at a school recently and want to sign up for more? Simply login to your account at www.stemnet.org.uk and click on “Search STEM Ambassador activities”. If you find something suitable click on “express interest” and a member of our STEM Learning team will get in touch to provide you with further details and contact information for the school. If you would like more information about the Curriculum for Excellence or to discuss the curriculum in more detail to find out where your area of expertise could best be utilised to support teachers - please get in touch for a chat.
Meet the
STEM
Ambassador
Fraser Christie St Paul’s Academy Dundee What is your role at St Paul’s Academy?
Ronan Sandford, Outplay Games presentation
“Computing Teacher”. What were your motivations for getting in touch with your local STEMNET Contract holder? “I wanted to give pupils a chance to hear relevant, up to date stories from people actually involved in real world STEM activities”. How do you feel you have benefited from the support of the STEM Ambassador programme? “The Ambassadors have given my pupils a chance to hear the wisdom of adults from a wide variety of disciplines and sectors including University, Software Development, Networking and Public Services. Showing them that there are a wide variety of career paths and training opportunities out there and just how essential expertise and specialism in STEM is and will continue to be for our nation moving forward”.
Do you feel that your pupils have become more engaged with STEM since having contact with a STEM Ambassador? “The Ambassadors are great role models for my students a have had a positive effect on my student numbers. The ambassadors provide a good example of how you can use your gifts and talents to help and encourage others”. Would you recommend the STEM Ambassador programme to other schools? “Most definitely, I have built new partnerships with outside agencies which will benefit the pupils and my department moving forward”.
Have there been any highlights so far? – “Too many to list, wouldn't want to leave anybody out, but a few examples would be: o My pupils actually turning up early for school at 8am to listen to Ronan Sandford from Outplay Games deliver a breakfast talk about his career so far and the job his does. o Mark Zarb from RGU making my normally poker-faced senior pupils laugh with his entertaining and relevant talk on the wide variety of opportunities in Computing Science. o Steve Roud IT Service Manager with Angus Council giving us some great advice on getting a STEM job and the idea that we are all likely to have a number of different careers in our working life and that there are a number of routes to success even after you make a mistake or a bad choice. o Brian and Tina from Brightsolid showing pupils that there is a wealth of exciting job prospects on their doorstep here in Dundee. o Paige Shepherd from Abertay University who delivered a very informative and inspirational talk from a female perspective on her Computer Arts course and her perspective of Computing. She spoke about a lot of very relevant applications that I will look into introducing into our curriculum”.
Ronan Sandford, Outplay Games presentation
Meet the
STEM
Teacher
Liam Canning Mintlaw Academy Aberdeenshire What is your role at Mintlaw Academy? “Maths teacher”. What were your motivations for getting in touch with your local STEMNET Contract holder?
Pupils at Mintlaw Academy STEM Challenge day in June
“We were asked as a department to think of an activity for one of the days during activities week. I had heard of STEM but did not have a huge understanding of what they could do for us.
Do you feel that your pupils have become more engaged with STEM since having contact with a STEM Ambassador?
After researching the STEM website our department thought that a STEM day could provide an excellent opportunity to experience STEM subjects (in particular maths) in a different manner to what they would normally see in the classroom”.
“Certainly hope so. Event was end of term so no time to assess but believe that this day will be long remembered by the pupils and will hopefully encourage them to see the relevance of what they are learning and have an idea of particular career paths”.
How do you feel you have benefited from the support of the STEM Ambassador programme?
Would you recommend the STEM Ambassador programme to other schools?
“Going into the day the pupils were unaware of what to expect from STEM day. After experiencing the day I believe the pupils have a much better understanding of how STEM is involved in various professions and allowed them to see the relevance of what they do in class. I believe that pupils perceptions of maths in particular has shifted as it is no longer viewed as a classroom experience”.
“Absolutely. I will not lie, it was much more work than I anticipated. However, as long as your event is carefully planned you will find a shift in attitude towards your STEM subject. Can't wait to run the event again next year.
What was the highlight of the STEM Challenges Day?
A special thanks to the STEM Ambassadors and their help, they were invaluable in the smooth running of the day. If you can get in touch with an Ambassador then please do so, your
“It took 5 months to plan with multiple meetings with ambassadors to organise the events and logistics of the day. The major highlight for me was the day running exactly to plan with no hiccups. In particular, seeing the pupils reacting very positively to the ambassadors and the different challenges was very encouraging”.
Pupils at Mintlaw Academy STEM Challenge day in June
Meet the
STEM
Ambassador Michael Stringer STEM Ambassador since 2012, currently working on a PhD in Medical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen
What inspired you to become a STEM Ambassador? “I first became involved with the programme at the suggestion of a colleague and signed up along with another student from the imaging centre. Beyond that though I have always enjoyed talking about science, and particularly enjoy exploring the history. Finding out where the concepts we learn about at school or use routinely originate and the - at times very circuitous - routes involved in arriving at them gives an interesting perspective. Much of the credit must also go to the science teachers at my school who kept their lessons so interesting”. When did you first realise you wanted to pursue a degree/career in STEM? “Slightly unusually I first decided I wanted to do a degree in maths while I was at primary school. Even then the subject had a definite appeal to me that has only grown since as I have learnt more about it. Fundamentally maths seemed to be a common root for everything else, the “Queen of the Sciences” as Gauss put it. I liked the logic of the different processes and steps associated with them as well”. Do you feel anyone had a particular influence on your decision to pursue a degree/career in STEM? “My father was a maths teacher which was a definite factor I think, although it was never in an explicit way. I read quite a lot too, there are some really excellent popular science books. I particularly remember reading about the discovery of Neptune “at the point of a pen” and also the Millennium Prize Problems. I think the mystique of maths was something of a draw as well, the idea that a problem like Fermat’s Last Theorem which is so simple to state could stand for centuries while defying so many attempts to solve it – potentially all due to a margin that was too narrow.
What have been you highlights so far whilst participating in the STEM Ambassador programme? “It is quite difficult to narrow it down since I have really enjoyed all of them so much. One of the first events I worked on with some colleagues was a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based family day with Satrosphere on behalf of the imaging centre. Aside from really enjoying talking about different aspects of the science behind our work with the children, and a fair few adults, it was also the first time I had an excuse to run an experiment using liquid nitrogen. Since we are based in Aberdeen we quite often meet people with links to the development of the first clinical MRI scanner at Foresterhill. One gentleman even brought along some pictures which were taken on one of the early models when he was the volunteer. Last year I spent the morning of the solar eclipse running workshops tying in different aspects of magnetism and solar phenomena, as well as taking some observations, which made it a really memorable occasion. Most recently I was involved with a science day at Mintlaw Academy where we were able to be involved with suggesting and planning some of the events, the enthusiasm of the staff and students for the day was really infectious, it was great to see the pupils engaging so well with it. As others have said though the key highlight is working with the children and seeing how much they enjoy themselves, personally I enjoy hearing their questions the most – even though I do not know the answers at times”. Why do you feel the STEM Ambassador programme is important? “I think that STEM subjects are fascinating and it is vital that we get students to engage with them. The STEM Ambassador programme is a highly effective way of doing that by linking in real applications of science to the classroom. Aside from that the modern world is already heavily dependent on science, and will only become moreso.
If the UK is going to remain a scientific powerhouse it will need a lot more people to pursue careers in STEM subjects, So many of the great names of science lived and worked in the particularly in maths. Given the amount of research UK as well, Newton, Faraday, Kelvin and Clerk Maxwell, muthat depends on public funding it is also important to create seums and science centres do a wonderful job at making their a broader understanding of what is being done and why, legacies tangible and relating them to the broader applications”. as well as the benefits it can lead to in the future”.
Meet the
STEM
Ambassador
Sean Bonner a graduate Project Engineer for GE Oil & Gas specialising in subsea Christmas trees
What inspired you to become a STEM Ambassador? “I always enjoyed Maths and Science classes in school but had never had the opportunity or the encouragement to apply the knowledge gained on real-life projects such as the ones offered by STEM. As such, upon learning about STEM when I left university and began working and the role I could play in inspiring and promoting the application of this knowledge in the younger generation I immediately wanted to be a part of it”. When did you first realise you wanted to pursue a degree/career in STEM? “As above, I always enjoyed STEM subjects and school, and even earlier than that I loved building things with Meccano or Lego. But I knew I wanted to pursue a career in a STEM related environment towards the end of my time in school and I knew for definite I wanted to study Mechanical Engineering and subsequently look to start a career in engineering”. Do you feel anyone had a particular influence on your decision to pursue a degree/career in STEM?
Sean inspecting the Christmas tree models
What have been you highlights so far whilst participating in the STEM Ambassador programme? “It’s hugely rewarding to see how the student’s I’ve worked with problem solve some pretty challenging and thought provoking tasks. The project I worked on most recently was to get the students to design, build and test a model Subsea Christmas Tree. The brief was quite challenging and the teams really excelled and produced some fantastic models – some of which I wouldn’t have imagined they’d be able to create. Additionally, perhaps what’s most rewarding is seeing how the students evolve over the course of the projects I’ve been on. Initially the students are generally very shy and scared to ask questions or get too involved. By the end of the project they are all extremely confident, are able to discuss the project matter with ease and are happy to be a present and comfortably demonstrate the work they have completed”.
“A number of family members have, and still do, work in STEM related jobs. They were certainly all an influence. But really my own passion for technology and engineering was the main driving force for pursuing a career in STEM”.
Girls Get Set site visit to GE Oil and Gas
Why do you feel the STEM Ambassador programme is important?
Sean Bonner on far left at S5 Best Project awards
“I believe the STEM Ambassador is extremely important because it allows us to promote and inspire the next generation of talent. Whilst hugely rewarding to us, I’d like to think that the students thoroughly enjoy the projects which they take part in and that it gets them thinking about a career in STEM”.
Meet the
STEM
Teacher Alison Drysdale
What is your role at Hazlehead Academy? “Depute Head Teacher”. What were your motivations for getting in touch with your local STEMNET Contract holder? “We've always had a close working relationship with our STEM Ambassador Contract holder and make the most of all initiatives they promote. This time we had an idea of our own we wanted to pursue, with the support of local STEM Ambassadors”. How do you feel you have benefited from the support of the STEM Ambassador programme? “The support we have received has been phenomenal. Our S6 Mentoring scheme has been exclusively supported by STEM Ambassadors who have come forward as mentors. This means our new S6 pupils will be encouraged by an assertive mentoring programme to support them with transition to further education or employment”.
Hazlehead pupils taking part in activities with STEM Ambassador mentors
What has been the highlight so far? “All volunteers have met with their mentees and been trained by two of our staff and we are encouraged by the enthusiasm of both mentors and mentees. Our pupils will find the input more relevant when they are given the opportunity to discuss their academic progress with someone who is out there in the real world and not 'just a teacher”. Do you feel that your pupils have become more engaged with STEM since having contact with a STEM Ambassador? “Whilst this programme is not exclusively STEM-oriented, all our pupils who have been in contact with STEM Ambassadors in the past have always become more engaged. Our most recent success story is one of our S6 pupils who delivered primary science as part of Aberdeen City Council's Science Ambassador scheme using the evidence she gathered at Hazlehead Primary, to complete her Interdisciplinary Project Unit as part of the Scottish Baccalaureate in Science”. Would you recommend the STEM Ambassador programme to other schools? “Absolutely, we have used STEM Ambassadors for British Science Week, CREST Awards, Scottish Baccalaureate in Science, Science Club, Eco/Citizenship days, Greenpower F24 Car and generally anything we are looking for external input from a STEM perspective”.
Hazlehead pupils taking part in activities with STEM Ambassador mentors
Ingenious: public engagement awards The latest round of the Ingenious scheme is now open to applications, and the closing date is 4pm on Monday 17 October 2016. Ingenious is an awards scheme for projects that engage the public with engineers and engineering. If you have an imaginative idea that helps engineers to communicate their expertise and passion to a wider audience – we 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. Ingenious has funded over 189 projects to date, providing opportunities for over 2,000 engineers to take part in public engagement activities, to gain skills in communication and to bring engineering to the very centre of society. The Ingenious awards programme aims to: • Inspire creative public engagement with engineering • 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 is available from £3,000 to £30,000. Ingenious is supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
“I want people to know that I didn’t spend three years at uni learning how to fix cars” Ingenious engineer
GREEN POWER!
Volunteer with Greenpower and help inspire the next generation to design, build and race Greenpower Education Trust are looking for people to help them with their STEM project involving schools building and racing a small electric car as part of their school work. Currently there are just over 100 schools involved and we would like to double this by 2020.
We are looking for people to act as Ambassadors to visit schools and tell them about the project and Mentors to work with one or two schools to help them with the build. We are planning to hold an event at Edinburgh College late September for people who would like to be involved, date and times to be confirmed ASAP. In the meantime anyone who would like to know more can contact STEM Ambassador Alan Slade at Alan. slade@greenpower.co.uk.
Sign up to be the first to know about BP's Ultimate STEM Challenge!
The BP Ultimate STEM Challenge will be launching for a third year on 1 September 2016. The competition invites students aged 11 to 14 across the UK to solve real-world challenges and compete for some exciting new prizes! Give your students a head start by signing up now to be the first to know. Sign up now here. http://goo.gl/eCDMFq
The next I’m an Engineer event will run from the 7 to 18 November 2016, and applications are open now! Engineers apply by 26 September at: imanengineer.org.uk/engineer-apply
Teachers register by 26 September at: imanengineer.org.uk/teachers
After registering, teachers will receive an email asking which zone they would like to take part in. Respond to this email to complete registration for the June activity.
The next I’m a Scientist event will run from 7 to 18 November 2016, and applications are open now! Scientists apply by 26 September at: imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply
Teachers register by 26 September at: imascientist.org.uk/teachers
After registering, teachers will receive an email asking which zone they would like to take part in. Respond to this email to complete registration for the June activity. I'm a Scientist and I'm an Engineer give schools the opportunity to talk to scientists and engineers online. They are online competitions for scientists and engineers, where the students are the judges. The events are split into different zones, so scientists working in the same area go up against each other. The students ask questions, have 30 minute live chats, and vote for their favourite scientist or engineer to win ÂŁ500 to spend on more STEM engagement.
Funding – to support your outreach and engagement projects Microbiology Society
Holmes Hines Memorial Fund
The Microbiology Society is offering grants up to £1,000 to support microbiology teaching initiatives and events as part of the Microbiology in schools fund.
Administered by the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council), the Holmes Hines Memorial Fund offers small awards to help individuals or organisations with any scientific or engineering based activities where public funds are not available.
Deadline 15 September 2016 http://www.microbiologysociety.org/grants-prizes/ education-outreach-funds.cfm/microbiology-in-schools-fund
British Ecological Society The British Ecological Society offers outreach grants of up to £2,000 to its members and others, including schools, to promote ecological science to a wide audience.
Deadline 16 September 2016 www.britishecologicalsociety.org/grants-awards/ outreach-grants/
Biochemical Society The Biochemical Society wishes to support scientific outreach activities that communicate the excitement of molecular bioscience to young people and the community. Applications are invited for sums up to £1000 to assist with the direct costs associated with an event and expenses incurred (e.g. transport and/or teacher cover). Two rounds a year in April and September.
Deadline 23 September 2016 www.biochemistry.org/Grants/ScientificOutreachGrants.aspx
British Science Association The British Science Association is piloting a new programme to enable and encourage students from all backgrounds to participate in the CREST Awards scheme. They will provide support and funding for schools and organisations to run CREST Awards for the first time, as well as to enable those familiar with CREST to broaden the reach to more under-represented students. £300 per organisation is available to cover CREST registration fees, with up to a further £300 to support delivery of CREST Awards. http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/crest-reachingunderrepresented-audiences
Deadline 26 September 2016
No set application date. www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/howtoapply/routes/pe/ holmeshinesfund/
Institute of Physics The Science and Technology Facilities Council, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institute of Physics run a small grants scheme designed specifically for schools and colleges. The scheme provides schools with grants of up to £500 for projects or events linked to the teaching or promotion of physics or engineering. Awards are made three times a year and the next deadline is 1 November 2016 www.iop.org/about/grants/school/page_38824.html