Latest Comment: What would you do?Science and technology resources
Teaching Scotland journalist
Generation Science
Generation Science offers the UK's largest outreach programme of primary education science events. It has been touring for over 19 years with an experienced team bringing science to life. The 2010 tour kicks off in January, aiming to inspire pupils to explore and understand the world around them.
The programme reflects the challenges that primary teachers have with teaching certain areas of science and provides pupils with first hand experiences of innovative and exciting science activities.
Run by the Edinburgh International Science Festival, Generation Science, will, for the first time this year, tour nursery schools as well as primary schools throughout Scotland.
There are 17 different shows programmed for 2010, including 'The Wonderful World of Water', which recreates different extremes of weather in the classroom including snow, rain and ice and Deep Sea World's 'Underwater Explorers', which explores the effects pollution can have on our environment and how to protect marine life.
To book any of this year's Generation Science workshops and shows call 0131 553 0321 or email generationscience@scifest.co.uk Full programme details available at www.generationscience.co.uk
Crazy Creatures
As you might expect, Dundee - the city of discovery - is at the forefront of science and technology. And Dundee Science Centre (DSC) provides the perfect interface for schools.
Typical of their work is The Crazy Creatures Sensation - a cross-curricular project delivered in collaboration with Dundee Literary Festival and Dundee City Council, with the kind support of Starbucks Coffee Company.
The project is designed to help promote literacy in Dundee primary schools and support the ethos of Curriculum for Excellence. It provides schools books for pupils, a teacher resource pack, a gene extraction workshop delivered by DSC staff on outreach, the availability of science equipment to loan, and a 'meet-the-author' event at DSC during the Dundee Literary Festival.
The project focuses on Crazy Creatures, a book by local author Gill Arbuthnott, which has a strong biodiversity theme.
The project, which was conceived in 2008, has proved very successful with pupils and teachers and now runs annually as a result of this success. The project was also very well received during DSC's recent HMIe inspection. It also has impact beyond the three-month period of events between April and June - creation of a loan kit, containing a class set of books, and a number of science activities, has allowed many more schools to borrow the kit and experience the book.
For more information on this and the huge range of other workshops/shows, loan boxes, online resources and CPD opportunities, visit www.sensation.org.uk/education or call the education team direct on 01382 868609.
Canvas
Over recent years there has been growing interest in the idea that computer games can be used to engage, challenge and motivate learners. This interest is now translating into practice in the classroom.
The Scottish Centre for Games and Learning, known as The Consolarium, was established to explore how computer games can impact teaching and learning. Last year it revealed the results of a study of the effect of Nintendo's Brain Training from Dr Kawashima on pupils' maths ability. More than 600 pupils and 32 schools across the country were involved in the project and it found that a daily dose of the computer game improved pupils' attainment in maths and their concentration and behaviour levels.
As part of LTS's remit to explore emerging technologies and their potential application within teaching, it has also been exploring virtual worlds as a learning context. The world's first virtual world for learning was recently launched at the Scottish Learning Festival. Available to all Scottish schools via Glow, the Children's Art at the National Virtual Arena of Scotland, or "Canvas", is an online resource that allows pupils from all over Scotland to exhibit still or moving images in a virtual 'gallery'.
The resource is participative and pupils are not only able to exhibit their work but they also appear 'in-world' represented by a virtual character or 'avatar'. Canvas will encompass a main exhibition space as well as 32 separate galleries, one for each of Scotland's local authority areas. There is also a virtual auditorium for live and interactive seminars and tutorials that can sit up to 150 avatars.
Sites of special scientific interest
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are dotted around the country. Since 1949, they have been used to identify the best examples of natural places. But the name was never intended to suggest that their value was purely scientific. Their natural beauty and cultural story was always acknowledged - and can be used to great effect within the curriculum.
It is possible to carry out a whole range of subject-based studies in these places. Counting and measuring, poetry and prose, language, biology and chemistry, art and history, and, of course, geography to name but a few. Some can work entirely from what's there, others - history for instance - need more information to interpret the clues on the ground.
It will not be long before the artist wants to know a bit of history about the place, or the historian seeks a chunk of biology to make progress. Take children to a place hopping with bugs and colour and their curiosity will soon spill over particular subject boundaries.
You can find out what is near you on the SNH map. Although the Scottish Outdoor Access Code says that you are entitled to go on people's land for educational purposes (but not their immediate surroundings or 'curtilage' e.g. their garden), we strongly advise you to agree any visit with the landowner or manager. This is really necessary for the risk assessment as probably only they will know what hazards might be present on the proposed day. Even if they cannot join you when you bring the class, hearing their story about the place will help you add a lot of value to the visit.
More resources
Glow is Scotland's online education community. It continues to break new ground in the use of technology in the classroom, linking pupils and practitioners and providing the tools they need to bring experiences and outcomes to life. It offers web-based learning, teaching and CPD anytime, anywhere.
Find out more and view how some practitioners are using Glow to enhance learning at www.ltscotland.org.uk/glowscotland
Our Dynamic Earth is Scotland's only centre dedicated to earth and environmental science. Our Dynamic Earth actively engages pupils in both intra- and interdisciplinary learning. It offers the choice of immersive storytelling, investigative workshops, topical group debates or inspirational lectures covering social studies, the sciences, technology and expressive arts. New this winter is Scotland's only 360 degree dome film, We are Astronomers, narrated by David Tennant.
Fully HMIe inspected the education service is designed to help support the Curriculum for Excellence. Over December - March 2010 some schools will qualify for a transport grant to cover the cost of travelling to Our Dynamic Earth. To receive a dedicated education pack email liz.nolan@dynamicearth.co.uk go to www.dynamicearth.co.uk/education or call 0131 5231273.
Glasgow Science Centre offers an array of exciting workshops, live science shows and 3D immersive IMAX films, glittering star shows in Scotland's finest planetarium and early years activity, all enhanced by 3 floors of interactive hands-on exhibits covering science and technology.
Programmes are geared towards the Curriculum for Excellence and HMIe said in their most recent report: "Carefully planned shows, presentations and workshops which meet young people's needs". If visiting the Centre is difficult, BodyWorks on Tour, focusing on Science, Health and Wellbeing, represents only one of a number of the Centre's outreach programmes, which brings science directly into the classroom at your school. The centre also proves a variety of free science educational resources at www.glasgowsciencecentre.org
This list is not exhaustive. GTCS does not endorse any services, information or resources listed here.
Professional Recognition
If you have expertise in science you may be able to apply for Professional Recognition.
Go to www.gtcs.org.uk/professionalrecognition for more information
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would like to knowthe GTCS view on this scenario. I agree with Steve its a last option!
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