Category Archives: Science

Achievement, CLPL, Literacy, Maths, Numeracy, Outdoor Learning, Parents, Science, Self-evaluation, Social Studies, Support, Technology

Building a Curriculum for West Barns Primary School

West Barns Primary School was inspected in November 2013.  The lead inspector during the feedback challenged the school community to develop the curriculum to make it the ‘West Barns Curriculum’.  Over the past 18 months, the school community has worked to develop the curriculum – moving from ‘a blank wall’ to a shared understanding of the rich West Barns Curriculum experienced by the learners.  Follow the link to the West Barns Curriculum Magazine to look at how the school has outlined the curriculum for parents:

Curriculum for West Barns BOB

BqcfG87IIAAqAtrIMG_0982

Glow, News, Science

Glow Science – new resources for learners

The Glow Science website has just been updated with 130 new short films focussing on chemistry and physics, and covering everything from the periodic table to Newton’s laws of motion.  Supported by learning materials and ideal for revision purposes, these short films will motivate and engage learners.

Glow Science covers the four science disciplines: biology, chemistry, physics and earth science.  

A Glow log-in is required to view these materials.

Implementation, Science

STEM ED – Scottish Government Project

Scottish Government Project, Learning Progressions in STEM 3-18

 STEM-ED Scotland is currently undertaking work for the Scottish Government illustrating journeys of learning that show how understanding of the core concepts/ideas and scientific skills can be built up from nursery to secondary (3-18) in two big ideas in science. The project is at a crucial stage and we are holding twilight sessions to consult with teachers on issues such as suitability for classroom practice and content.

 Participation is voluntary and would involve looking at the pathways and providing feedback in a facilitated discussion that is expected to take around 60 to 90 minutes. Travel expenses for attending the meeting will be covered and refreshments provided.

We are aiming to hold sessions on Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th and Tuesday 17th May in either Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh or Dundee. The sessions will start at 16.30pm and finish around 18.00pm. If you would like to contribute and are unable to attend one of the sessions there will be an opportunity to provide feedback online. 

Please contact us if you think you can contribute your expertise on Energy Transfer (Energy is transferred when things change or are made to happen but the total amount of energy in the Universe is always the same).

Send an email to stemed@bio.gla.ac.uk with your name, organisation and your area(s) of expertise (primary teacher or secondary teacher, and your subject area – biology, chemistry, physics, technology or mathematics). Please also indicate your preferred venue and availability. 

Connecting it up: towards a Route Map for STEM Education in Scotland

 STEM-ED Scotland

University of Glasgow

12A The Square

Glasgow

G12 8QQ

T: 0141 330 7407

E: Jennifer.Kirk@glasgow.ac.uk

Website: http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/stem/routemapforstemeducation/

Ideas, Parents, Science

SciFest

[slideshow id=2]

Dunbar’s Science Festival

Dunbar’s first ever science festival took place on Sunday 13th March 2011 at Belhaven Fruit Farm. It was organised by Dunbar Primary School Parent Council as part of National Science & Engineering Week.

The day involved an overwhelming array of activities which combined to provide an inspiring model for parents, teachers, universities and employers to come together to enthuse young people and get them interested in Science. As you’ll see from the pictures it was a hugely popular event with a massive turnout.

Congratulations to all involved in putting this impressive event together, and as a Dunbar resident, I look forward to next year’s event!

CPD, Glow, Science

Glow Meets

There are two upcoming Science related Glow Meets which you might be interested in joining…

Scottish Science Education Conference 2011

If you are unable to attend this amazing event tomorrow but would still like to take part in this excellent CPD opportunity then don’t panic we have the answer!

We will be running Glow meets/ streaming of two of the workshops for you to watch from the comfort of your own computer

From 11.15 – 12.15 Bringing Science Alive: Hester Binge
Hester will show you a variety of strategies to help develop children’s creative thinking in science including a variety of ideas to enable effective recording without the use of exercise book. This workshop is designed to enrich the science teaching and learning in your classrooms so that children are more engaged and awakened by science.

Then a second workshop from 13.30 – 14.30 “Using scientists and their stories in science” – Rosemary Feasey, excellence in primary science consultancy. Find out about scientists, their stories and applications in everyday life and associated fun practical activities for the classroom).

Click here for more information on this Glow Meet.

Museum of Flight

Glow meet from the Museum of Flight on the 8th March. The Glow meet is aimed at upper primary and lower secondary schools the time of the meet is 13.30.

The challenge is to make a basic foam flier (or similar) and test it out. Which design can travel the furthest?

Click here to go to the glow group for more information.