November 2009 - Posts
Darrell Hamilton from Tunbridge Wells Boys has organised the attached INSET showcasing some Physics practicals. This is supported by the IOP. He wrote the following to me.
"I have an event running 10th Dec around some interesting practicals. The spaces are limited (about 8 remain), so it'll be first come first served. Would you mind letting people know, through the blog/forwarding my email, please?" Any takers need to move fast!!! I notice this includes some free food - now there's an incentive.
I have been asked by the Kent and Medway STEMPOINT to advertise the STEM briefing meetings that they have organised. Details are in the attached flier. I hope many of you will find a meeting that you can attend. Let's get STEM up the agenda in schools!
It is with deep regret that we have to announce the cancellation of our Annual Science Conference. The uptake was very low (single figures) and we had to leave time for Kent University to prepare their facilities. The conference was widely advertised by ourselves and the Science Learning Centre. Despite offers of funding to support attendance we did not get enough people signed on to the day to make it viable. SORRY! I would like to thank Nigel Holmes for all the work he put in organising the day, Jane Anderson and her colleagues at Kent University for their commitment to and support of this conference. I would also like to thank all of the potential workshop leaders who were lined up for the day. We may try to revive the conference in 2010. Watch this space for details. Thank you to those of you who did sign up.
Attached is a useful powerpoint for those of you considering new courses or a change of emphasis at KS4. Do contact me for further details or more information. The options available and some statutory rules are shown. There is also an explanatory sheet covering vocational GCSE and other courses.
I was going to attend a STEM conference in London but had to withdraw at the last moment. They have sent through this power point presented on the day by Jonathan Bach from the National Strategies. Please read this as it puts into context and points to the comparative time we should be setting aside for APP (it is not very high!) Obviously it would have been good to hear exactly what was said. However, there are impoprtant messages put down in print.
Please find attached your invitation to a FREE energy revision event for students and teachers.
SEPnet, the South East Physics network, is running a free afternoon energy event for GCSE students at venues around the South East. The session consists of a dynamic lecture, an exhibition of hands on activities and a quiz.
The dates and venues are:
12th January - University of Kent
13th January – University of Southampton
14th January – Royal Holloway, University of London
20th January – Queen Mary, University of London
1st February – Aylesbury High School, Buckinghamshire
3rd February - University of Sussex
In the evening local teachers are invited to attend a CPD session, including a chance to try the student activities and a drop in workshop on teaching energy in the classroom.
This is the video to go with the Foot Spa (HSW) activity. A great bit of pseudo science! Watch and enjoy!!
At a recent subject Leader Day Anna Rothwell (Bradbournes Sch) said she'd share some materials to help make a levels display. Attached are a photo of the display and some publisher files to support making it.
Here is the amended powerpoint we used on the day and the video for the foot spa (HSW) exercise.
Here are the additional resources used by Stella Paes (Regional Adviser for Science - National strategies) at this meeting. They are zipped as an attachment.
I have received the following information which you might find useful as a Science Week activity next year which is low cost and a bit different. Attached are the flier for the event.
"I am dropping you this email with news of an upcoming event I will be delivering on-line for Science week 2010.Following the success of last years trial run Petroplus Coryton have agreed to support a second year of live webcasts for science week. We had over 5000 pupils tuning in to the live science / energy webcast during science week 2009, and I want to double that figure this year. To do this I will need your help..... please feel free to pass this flyer onto any school you think might be looking for something different for science week.Anybody interested in taking part should drop me an email for further information. r.farr@virgin.net or visit the website www.theenergymc.com"
The Government and the National Strategies are focussing on the uptake of STEM subjects post 16. All schools, whether they have sixth forms or not, will have to disclose how many students go on to study post 16 STEM subjects. In order to raise this number STEM enrichment and engagement activities can help. What are you doing to support STEM in your school? Complete this audit form and plan how you can plug gaps or improve your offer. We need more scientists and technologists (including mathematicians) to help keep UKPLC ahead of the rest!!!