Welcome to Issue 8 of our Young People's Programme e-newsletter from the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science). Here’s what’s coming up…
1. THE BA FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE 2006 FEEDBACK 2. CREST « INVESTIGATORS
3. SHELL ACTIVATE BOOKLET
4. INTEL PEDAGOGICAL TRAINING: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
5. CRAFTY RAFT ACTIVITY
6. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING WEEK 2007
7. PERFUME CHEMISTRY PROJECT IN BRISTOL LABS
8. ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION (ASE) ANNUAL MEETING 2007
9. THE BA CREST SCIENCE FAIR 2007
10. RECOMMENDED WEBSITE
11. FINAL WORD
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1) THE BA FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE 2006 FEEDBACK
The BA Festival of Science, Europe’s largest celebration of science, technology and engineering, took place at the University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park and across the city of Norwich (2nd – 9th September 2006). A programme of events for young people ran alongside the main programme, giving approximately 4,500 students the opportunity to take part in workshops, talks and shows. From Bio-bubbles to Weird Waves there was something for everyone. Schools that attended the Festival can count some of the sessions towards BA First Investigators, Young Investigators and Science Communicators award schemes.
To find out more, visit Young people's activities at the BA Festival of Science.
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2) CREST « INVESTIGATORS
From September 2007 the First and Young Investigators schemes will be replaced by the brand new CREST « Investigators, for children from 5-12 years old. New subjects and an updated design will capture children’s attention before presenting them with an authentic problem to solve.
Children complete the fun and engaging activities, record them in their passport and receive certificates and badges upon completion of each level – Star, Super Star and Mega Star, and will have an opportunity to be a Young Science Ambassador. Progression through the levels sees the children discussing and deciding how to test ideas, solving problems, sharing information, researching and making independent decisions, organising their work and communicating their ideas. There will be a new emphasis on discussion, collaboration and investigation rather than following a set of instructions and writing. Old favourites from First and Young Investigators will be retained, but will undergo a revamp to be in the new style.
CREST « Investigators will launch nationally from September 2007, but if you would like to trial some of the activities in return for some valuable feedback to help with the redevelopment, please email jessica.paton@the-ba.net.
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3) SHELL ACTIVATE BOOKLET
To boost children’s participation in science, Shell Education Service has launched a free guide (the ACTIVATE booklet) to home science investigations for children. ACTIVATE stands for ‘Adults and Children Together Investigating Virtually Anything That Exists’. The booklet has been written by expert workshop leaders from the Shell Education Service to encourage parents and children to pursue a range of science investigations at home. ACTIVATE aims to catch the imagination of the budding scientists and set children on the path to the scientific discoveries of their own. Each of the investigations has been designed to be performed at home with everyday objects and the assistance of adults. Shell Education Service’s ongoing programme of interactive workshops reaches 50,000 children each year, with expert workshop leaders traveling to 600 primary schools across the UK. The workshops are unique in providing curriculum-based support for teaching investigations on physical processes and materials.
By completing activities from the Activate booklet children can earn credit towards their First and Young Investigators award.
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4) INTEL PEDAGOGICAL TRAINING: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
In order to enhance students’ learning and achievements, Intel Pedagogical Training has emerged as a model for professional development that builds on teachers’ collaboration in the design, delivery, and assessment of the National Curriculum. Building on three main educational pillars: Teaching Strategies, Teaching Models; and Learning Styles, this training empowers in-service and pre-service teachers with Learning Paths as tools for collaboration embedded with effective pedagogies. The training has the following steps:
• Teachers work in groups to discuss requirements and objectives
• Based on their personal needs analysis and requirements, teachers select from the methods available on the platform, implement in the classroom, reflect, and evaluate.
• Certification
This training doesn’t require teachers to be away from schools. Under the sponsorship of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT), this programme is offered as of January 2007 free of charge for all schools and teachers. To find out more, email: education.uk@intel.com
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5) CRAFTY RAFT ACTIVITY
With the summer holidays over and everyone back to school you can try one of our exciting activities which will be featured in CREST « Investigators next year. This activity is part of our Young Investigators award scheme; however you will find more information, resources and extra challenges in the new activity below. You will also find organisers instructions with helpful handy hints and additional information.
Crafty raft activity (PDF 206KB)
Crafty raft organisers notes (PDF 170KB)
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6) NATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING WEEK 9-18 MARCH 2007 (FORMERLY NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK)
This autumn, the BA will be touring the country to run a series of briefing evenings for teachers and those with an interest in science. These events will include:
• information on the BA's plans and focuses for NSEW 2007
• practical advice, support and resources for anyone interested in running his or her own event
• inspiration for activity ideas and information on how to find funding for your event
• news on the new National Science and Engineering Week small grant scheme available for schools in challenging circumstances
• an opportunity to network with other organisers in your area
For the briefing evening taking place on 27th September at Science Oxford and 5th October at The Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Portsmouth between 6pm – 8pm you can book by calling 020 7019 4953 or e-mail nona.ahamat@the-ba.net. These events are free however booking is requested.
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7) PERFUME CHEMISTRY PROJECT IN BRISTOL LABS
Thirty–two young women scientists from Year 10 in Marlwood School, Rednock School, Stroud High and Wynchcombe School science colleges (in Gloucs and South Gloucs) are involved in a unique science project co sponsored by The Royal Society. The main aims of the project are the promotion of a positive attitude to chemical sciences and the opportunity for the students to work with a practicing scientist.
All students took part in a one day course in perfumery with perfumer John Stephens of the Cotswold Perfumery in Gloucestershire. Two other practical components of the course will be held at Bristol University. One session will be on the synthesis of some perfume components in a full day lab workshop. The second day on chemical analysis of perfumes and components which are scheduled during the summer term. The last session in September 2006 will be a conference for 200 students. Amongst the speakers will be Dr David Kelly (University of Cardiff) who will present the lecture ‘The Chemistry of Sexual Attraction.’ During this event, the students will give mini-lectures on their projects for their silver Science Communicators Awards.
This project has been organised by Tim Harrison, School Teacher Fellow of the School of Chemistry, University of Bristol.
The Royal Society Partnership Scheme is a UK-wide programme open to all primary and secondary schools. It offers grants of up to £3000 for teachers and scientists or engineers to work in partnership on activities involving students from 5 to 18 years of age.
To find out more, please visit The Royal Society Partnership Grants.
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8) ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION (ASE) ANNUAL MEETING 2007
The Association for Science Education is holding its annual meeting from Thursday 4th - Saturday 6th January 2007 at the University of Birmingham. The BA's Young People's Programme will be attending the meeting and running lots of exciting events including:
• Friday 5th January 2007 10.30–11.30: The launch of the BA & GlaxoSmithKline’s new primary award scheme - CREST « Investigators. Enjoy a coffee and pastry and find out about the newly developed investigations for after school science clubs developed by Brenda Keogh and Stuart Naylor. A teacher from one of the pilot primary schools will share their experience of running the new scheme and there will be an opportunity to preview the new activities.
• Saturday 6th January 2007 11.30–12.30: (Drop in lunch session) Try out the BA’s new science activities for science clubs and find out more about the BA’s new Award Scheme - CREST « investigators.
The team will also be running hands on workshops:
Thursday 4th January 9.30-10.30 - Citizen Science: Resources to Discuss and Debate Contemporary Science issues.
Friday 5th January 14.00-15.00 – How Science Works with BA CREST Awards Saturday 6th January 11.30-12.30 – Fizz Pop Bang! New BA activities for
science week and science clubs
The BA will have an exhibition stand at the event, please come and say hello to us at ASE! Further updates about YPP @ ASE will be outlined in December’s YPP e-newsletter.
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9) THE BA CREST SCIENCE FAIR 2007
The BA CREST Science Fair is a national showcase of 70-100 science and technology projects from students aged 11 – 19. The fair brings together winners of the BA CREST Award regional finals and 15-19 year-old self-nominated students, all of whom have carried out outstanding science, engineering and technology projects. Judges select the best projects and young scientists for a range of prestigious prizes, including cash and international trips.
At the 2006 Fair Lydia Arnold, 18, from Derbyshire won the top prize, an expenses paid trip to represent the UK at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held in Indianapolis, USA. At ISEF, May 2006, Lydia competed against 1,500 of the brightest and most talented youngsters from around the world and went on to win the Patent and Trademark Office Society Prize.
The 2007 fair will take place on 23 February at The Royal Society in London. The deadline for self-nominations is 1st December 2006.
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10) RECOMMENDED WEBSITE
ZOOMsci - mix hot science with your cool ideas! is a website which features science activities and experiments for children and adults. You can find science experiments exploring chemistry, engineering and life science in the teachers and parents section under ‘ZOOM into Science’.
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11) LAST WORD
We really want to celebrate the work of our members so if teachers/science club leaders could send in any news, examples of work, photos of students taking part in the award activities, we can include them on the website and future e-newsletters.
For more information about the website, contact: Sangeeta.dhapp@the-ba.net
The next e-newsletter will be emailed in December
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