What's New?
News from the World of STEM
Latest News
NESTA are advertising an opportunity for an experienced project manager for the i-Discover education pilot in four secondary schools in the Highlands and Skye. This part-time role for £25k + expenses is fixed term from May 2010 - June 2011. Have a look at the advert and further information. Closing date: 15th March 2010.
The Leaders Award recognises and rewards those young people who have shown an interest in STEM. To enter as a team or individual, write a letter of application, followed by an interview with a person who works in the field of STEM - this could be one of our STEM Ambassadors. Look at this page for more information and download guidance notes. There are three categories, have a look at some intervies that have already been posted: 5-11 (primary), 11-16 (secondary) and 16-19 (advanced). There are now also special awards from Bloodhound SSC, WISE, IMechE, IChemE and the RAeSoc with special focus, prizes and deadlines.
Glasgow Science Centre brings tours like Bodyworks (for P1-S2) and The Maths Factor (for P4-S2) to you. Charges apply for the half or full day shows, but the good news is that in 2009/10 there are no extra travel charges, even if you live in the far north. It would be best to cluster several schools together to make most use of this funding. Bodyworks is coming to the Inverness Science Festival at the end of June - schools around Inverness could use this opportunity to book their own show around that time. One full day for 120 pupils and 4 hands-on workshops costs £375+VAT but no extra travel costs.
A new STEM Challenge has started on 1st February! Inspired by technical problems involved in the 2012 Olympics, students complete 6 to 8 week long challenges. When you register your school as a teacher, you gain access to the different challenges. Entries into the competitions are judged by STEM Ambassadors.
The West Point Bridge Design Competition, run by the Institution of Civil Engineers, opened on 1st February 2010. The challenge this year is to design a new bridge over the river Forth. Closing deadline is 23rd April and teams of two or more S1-S3 students can enter. More information on the flyer and the letter to teachers or contact John at John.McPartlin@ice.org.uk or 0141 221 5276
The Highland Solar System Project for P5-P7 pupils comes to primary schools in Caithness on February till May2010. For more information have a look at their poster and letter to teachers. If you are interested in booking a session, please contact Kathleen at 01847 889597 or Kathleen.McDougall@thurso.uhi.ac.uk
Have a look at the winter edition of ERIeducation, the science engagement round-up of 2009.
New competition for schools based on the Survival Rivals kits from the Wellcome Trust - fantastic prize of a free trip to the Galapagos Islands for 4 students and a teacher! Details on the website, deadline is 21st May.
The lab in a lorry will tour the Highlands and Islands - have a look at the current timetable (including locations) and let us know if you are interested to help out (as Ambassador) or would like to visit (as a teacher) - just email stempoint@hient.co.uk
Have a look at the new electric car used in Badenoch and Strathspey on stv - Kingussie High School's Shell Greenpower Car that won 'Best Engineered car' in this years competition is also featured!
We have joined facebook - become a fan of STEM North of Scotland!
The Environmental Research Institute has received money from the Scottish Government to expand their Science Engagement. They will provide training for researchers who can then go on to present their work to pupils and other members of the public. We will keep you posted!
Three new Science Festivals will start in 2010: the Hebridean SciTech Festival from 18th to 20th March in Stornoway - the Festival of the Sea from 21st to 31st May 2010, taking place around Oban - the Inverness Science Festival in June 2010.
Latest STEM news articles
Nathan Mackay from Watten wins Scotland Apprentice of the Year Award
Stornoway gets funds for SciTech Festival and Funding for Hebridean SciTech Festival and also on the BBC and the Parliament Business Bulletin
Rocket man in Elgin to spread the word
Laundry Day at Castletown and Reay Primary
STEM Ambassadors offer an insight into Science
Ullapool pupils win technology challenge
A winning team: KiS tablet wins Wick High School students a trip to Microsoft in Seatlle
Celebration for Caithness STEM Ambassador scheme
Thurso High School Team Roadrunner win Scottish Greenpower Formula24 final!
Wick primary school pupils win Scottish K'nex competition in Dundee
Find out what's happening in the World of STEM
STEM News Online
STEM Events
Science Festivals
Caithness Science Festival: 15th-19th March in Wick and Thurso. The festival is organised by the Committee Science03.
Hebridean SciTech Festival: 18th-20th March in Stornoway. They are currently working on the website, in the meantime you can contact Majella Fergus on majellafergus@btinternet.com or read this article.
Festival of the Sea: 21st-31st May. The Marine Science Festival will take place in and around Oban. Phone Helen McNeil for more details on 01631 559430.
Inverness Science Festival will offer events throughout the month of June. They are preparing the website, which will be live soon at www.monsterfest.com
Orkney Science Festival: 2nd-8th September
Shetland Science Fair: has no website but you can contact Stephen on stephenrenwick@shetland.gov.uk for more information.
Are you looking for information about the Science Festivals in the area? Either use the events search on the left or read more at the bottom of this page in our dedicated Festival Section!
