Your guide to key STEM events in the region and throughout the UK.
Every year the RCUK invites researchers and PhD students to apply for a grant of up to £2000 to support public engagement activities during National Science and Engineering Week (next one is 12th to 21st March 2010). This competitive award scheme is open to Research Council funded grant holders and postgraduate students affiliated to any one of the seven UK Research Councils. It is also available to those working in all Research Council supported Institutes or Centres. The focus of the awards is to involve practising researchers in public engagement activities (which can include activities for school pupils). Applications based around collaborations with others are encouraged but there must be significant contribution from the researcher(s) because development of their communication skills is one of the objectives of the scheme. They can apply for activities that have been run before.
Go to www.rcuk.ac.uk/scienceweek for further information.
Grants of up to £3000 are available for teachers and scientists or engineers to work together on creative investigations involving 5–16 year olds. Projects have included making biofuel from chip fat, testing whether brain train games really do improve memory and watching deep space for asteroids that could collide with Earth. For successful applicants, the grant is awarded directly to the school, enabling the school to pay for any specialist equipment needed for the investigation, travel expenses for the scientist/engineer and/or the school group and possibly teacher supply cover.
A dedicated team at The Royal Society supports all stages of the application process, including advising on investigations you may be considering and guidance in finding a suitable scientist/engineer partner. The next round of Partnership Grants applications opens in September and the closing date is November 6 2009.
The theme of chemistry week 2009 is food
The next National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW) will run from 12 -21 March, 2010. For NSEW 2010, The British Science Association together with the Department for Business Innovation and Skills are providing funds for a number of schools in challenging circumstances to organise their own science and engineering events as part of the week. The NSEW Small Grant Scheme for Schools will open at the beginning of September 2009, closing date 9th November 2009. Visit the website for more information on eligibility criteria and the levels of funding available.
Post-16 careers event with presenters from the space and aerospace industries
09:30 – 16:00 The purpose of this event is to gather your views on important issues in STEM Education at key stage 3. To stimulate your thinking we have inputs on the following topics:
1. GCSE choices at the end of year 9 – science and D&T
John Holman, Director at the National Science Learning Centre 2. Engineering & D&T curriculum at Key Stage 3
Matthew Harrison: head of Education, Royal Academy of Engineering
3. What should assessment in mathematics and science in KS3 look like?
4. Student voice - attitudes to mathematics and science among 11 to 14 year olds
After these presentations, refreshments will be served and then themed discussions will take place in small groups until lunch. The themed discussion groups will then continue after lunch followed by feedback from each.
The day will end with an evaluation and final short plenary to closing at 4 p.m.
The Science Museum has free entry so there will also be an opportunity to explore this impressive venue after 16.00.
Please try to book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited. The event is free of charge.
As part of the ongoing work to support the Learning and Skills Sector the LSIS STEM Programme is once again running network events in Science, Maths and Engineering during the Autumn term. These networks will continue to give practitioners an opportunity to work with colleagues across your region and also to work collaboratively with other practitioners in specific subject areas.
Subject networks aim to:
• share best practice in teaching and learning;
• develop innovative and up-to-date teaching strategies;
• review the range and use of the resources;
• facilitate networking with colleagues in the sector.
and provide opportunities to:
• share teaching and learning strategies with a group;
• discuss these strategies with colleagues from different contexts;
• harness the use of technology in teaching and learning. These network meetings are open to everyone involved in STEM from across the learning and skills sector. All practitioners are welcome whether from a work-based learning provider, college, prison, or adult and community learning. To book your place contact Alex Perry on .