Science and the Assembly 2022

Designed to foster close relations with the Welsh Parliament and the Welsh Government, Science and the Senedd is organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry, on behalf of, and in cooperation with, the Welsh science and engineering community.

The theme for 2022 was Building our Future: Research and Innovation in Wales.

See Science hosted a stand at the event and it was a pleasure to listen to several of the speakers  who are also STEM Ambassadors including  Eleanor Furness and Nia Roberts.

Eleanor Furness is a microbiology PhD student at Aberystwyth University. Her project, funded by an AberDoc university scholarship, focuses on the cold-adaption strategies of microbes in cryospheric regions. She uses a combination of metagenomic and genomic sequencing with bioinformatic analysis and lab-based physiological investigation to examine the mechanisms behind cold-adaption. Eleanor is also an associate lecturer at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences in Aberystwyth University, where she completed both her MPhil and Bachelor's degrees. She is a Microbiology Society Champion and STEM ambassador and has previously worked as as a Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) panelist for the Office for Stu
 

Nia is an innovation consultant based in Llandudno, North Wales. A farmer's daughter from Anglesey, Nia graduated in Physics from the University of Manchester before becoming a Patent Examiner at the European Patent Office in the Netherlands. Returning to the UK, she joined the IP department of a science-based multinational, qualifying as a UK and European Patent Attorney and eventually managing the IP function.  She then returned with her family to North Wales, initially working as an IP consultant before joining the Innovation Team at the Welsh Government. Her most recent role was working for the former Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales, Professor Peter Halligan, as part of the Welsh Government Office for Science.

Nia is a European Patent Attorney, a Chartered Physicist and a Member of the Institute of Physics, sitting on the IoP Wales Committee. She is also a member of the EPSRC Strategic Advisory Network and a STEM Ambassador. Nia is bilingual in Welsh and English and fluent in several other European languages as well as having Level 1 British Sign Language.

Details of all the other speakers who took part in the day can be found at https://www.rsc.org/events/detail/73600/science-and-the-senedd-gwyddoniaeth-a-r-senedd-2022

STEM Learning Awards 2022

The Regional STEM Learning Awards took place in Techniquest Cardiff Bay on Wednesday evening 25th May - congratulations all the teachers who were nominated. 

High quality teaching is key to developing the next generation of STEM professionals and STEM Learning is keen to recognise the educators that go above and beyond to support students pursuing STEM subjects. CPD is an important part of this development and teachers who have undertaken CPD at the National STEM Learning Centre in York or with  our partners in  Wales  are all eligible to apply for these awards. These winners will then be invited to a National Celebration Event in June for the STEM Learning Teaching Awards and in November for the STEM Inspiration Awards.
Excellence in Teaching – Primary – Highly Commended – Chloe Burdett
Chloe has been responsible for building areal STEM Hub at Rougemont School with pupils throughout the schools ENTHUSE< EXCITED and in AWE and WONDER of STEM subjects both in the curriculum and in the plethora of extended projects like F! in Schools, Engineering Clubs, 1^st Lego League and many more!
Excellence in Teaching – Primary – Winner – Matthew Howells , Ysgol Y Graig Primary School
Matthew says that high quality CPD has made him the best teacher he can be. Post courses he has become more confident to try out new things in and outside the classroom and the courses have given him the drive and passion to create a learning environment that si inspiring, enthusiastic and creates memories. As a result his pupils have been involved in space projects with Cardiff Uni, environmental Projects with Keep Wales Tidy, The Woodland Trust and the River rust. Throughout the year he organises activities in schools as part of special STEM events – Earth Hour, Fair Trade Fortnight, RSPB Big Schools Birdwatch, Safer Internet Day, World health Day and of course Science Week
Excellence in Teaching – secondary – Dr Daniel Jones Monmouth School for boys
Dan is Head of Physics at the school. He is passionate about Physics and is an active IOP member . He uses Twitter to promote Physics and has 6,000 followers. During lockdown he set up a site with online resources to support teachers that has been used by 1,000 physics teachers worldwide,
He runs the Monmouthshire Science Initiative – a sector leading programme that takes students well beyond the Ab level curriculum. Runs an Astronomy Club at school to which he invites the local community and pupils  from local schools.
Excellence in School Leadership – Highly Commended – Claire Coombes- All Saint VA Primary School
Claire says she has really enjoyed the CPD she has done that has been organised by Techniquest as part of its CPD contract with STEM Learning. The courses have developed not only her classroom teaching but also in her role as subject leader. Claire has taken her learning and has set up training sessions with fellow teachers and she also encourages others to book on to courses- it is rare to have a course without a teacher from this school attending. The CPD gave her confidence to apply for the school to have the Science Quality Award and this was achieved earlier this year.
Excellence in School Leadership- Paula Vaughan , Pendoylan Primary School
Paula is passionate about ensuring the teachers in her school are the best they can be and to this end it is very unusual not to have a teacher from Pendoylan booked on to courses Techniquest organises. Paula set up whole cluster STEM CPD and so her influence has had an impact on CPD not only in her school but the other 5 in the cluster. This has meant that teachers from these schools also feature on most courses Techniquest organises. The courses have helped to prepare the teachers for the introduction of the new Curriculum for Wales.

Aberystwyth Robotics Week. 18 - 24 June. Aberystwyth Bandstand

We are returning to our original seaside location of Aberystwyth Bandstand this year!

This event is a public showcasing of robots from, but not limited to, research, outreach, student and staff hobbyists, and educators.

We will also have guest exhibits from local companies and groups.

There's so much to do and see:

• Beachlab
• Workshops
• Activities
• Crafts.                         Details here.

The Great Science Share for Schools EVENT - Celebration Day 14 June ONLINE 10.30am-11.30am 

Climate Change: It’s over to you now! It’s time to Take Action.

What will you explore, examine and make an impact on in your local area? How can you help address the Climate Emergency? 

Take part in the Great Science Share for Schools in Wales ONLINE - bring a question to ask our panel of experts on Climate Change and take part in the Global Experiment - "Take Charge" in your own classroom (resources will be provided).

Schools are also encouraged to share a short activity based on the theme of Climate Change  during the event but this is optional.  Book here or contact cerian.angharad@see-science.co.uk for more details.

Join us at the Chocolate House to celebrate the end of a school year and to find out more about chocolate making. - an ideal end of term topic to include in the new curriculum. We will hear about how the Elizabeth set up the Chocolate House and developed the business and  look at how truffles are made and decorated. Elizabeth will also share details of the workshops htat are availabel for pupils and how this could be incorporated into your teaching in the classroom. An ideal opportunity to network in Chocolate heaven!
To book go to here

ESA Teach with Space Online Conference 2022. Tuesday to Thursday 5-7 July. Online

Register now for ESA Online Space Teacher Conference.  

Appropriate for both Primary and Secondary teachers, the conference will offer a very rich programme: you will get inspired by space experts, go through educational activities that make use of space science and technology as a context and powerful enabler for your teaching, meet your national ESEROs, and network with your peers. This will be also an opportunity for you to learn more about planetary exploration, the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope, Artificial Intelligence, and investigate how to monitor Earth from above, among other amazing activities.  

Applications are open until 15 June 2022 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Details here.

Get involved in the Great Science Share for Schools. Celebration Day - 14 June

An annual campaign to inspire young people to share their scientific questions with new audiences.

The Great Science Share for Schools is the award-winning campaign that invites 5-14 year olds to share their own scientific questions and investigations, to raise the profile of science in schools and communities, and to be inspired into science and engineering. 

Themed activities and lessons are brought to teachers and educators, to inspire you to ask, investigate and share scientific questions you’re curious about. 

This year’s campaign theme is Climate Action and links to the issues discussed in the world global COP26 conference in November 2021, leading up to the campaign celebration on 14th June 2022.

Register any time for access to resources and news!

Registration and details here.

To coincide with World Oceans Day, we’d like to invite you to celebrate our one shared ocean and explore the impact oceans have on our everyday lives. Click here  to find engaging resources to help young people learn more about oceans, the unique role they play in supporting all life on our planet, and the issues threatening these unique habitats and the wildlife within them. 

The Great Bug Hunt 2022

Encourage your pupils to get outside to learn more about living things and their habitats and to use the outdoor classroom – with our fabulous competition. Simply identify a local habitat, get your pupils to explore and discover the minibeasts (bugs) that live there, draw them and record their findings – it’s that easy!

And you could win (among other things!), a bug day in your school! Jackfield Infant School in Stoke on Trent was the 2021 winner,  and the children there had a wonderful day, provided by our partners, the Royal Entomological Society, finding out more about the insects and bugs that they found. The best part was holding the leaf insects and getting up close to bumblebees!

To help you on your bug hunting way, and to give you lots of ideas, join the NFU for a live lesson on 15 March to learn all about minibeasts, their habitats and the important jobs they do.

Closing date 10 June.  Details here.

IMechE Vision of the Future Competition

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is celebrating its’ 175th anniversary this year and its Nuclear Power Committee has organised this competition to celebrate the benefits of engineering. Engineers have built our past but will also shape the future.The past history of the IMechE has seen flight progressfrom a short hop off the ground to flights to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Transport has evolved from the pace of the horse to driverless vehicles. Consider the key challenges and opportunities facing society today such as food and farming, transport, housing, energy and renewables, climate change, manufacturing, shopping habits, healthcare and medicine, communications, space exploration and social media.

What do you think the future world will look like? What exciting opportunities lie ahead for engineers to design and build? 

Choose one of the above themes or an alternative theme of your choice and provide us your vision by any of the following methods. Enter as an individual or as a group (maximum 5 team members).

• A drawing or painting by hand and 1 page written description
• A digital painting or poster and 1 page written description
• A video (5 minutes maximum) and 1 page written description

Age categories from 5 to 24 years old.

Closing date for entries, Friday 28 October.

Details here.

Engineering Education Grant Scheme

The Engineering Education Grant Scheme (EEGS) supports UK-based educational projects which increase engineering knowledge, improve wider engineering literacy and bring about a better understanding of the role of the engineer, and the contribution engineering makes to society, among young people aged 4-19. Any UK project aiming to promote a better understanding of engineering, inspire young people to study STEM subjects or raise awareness of engineering and technology-based careers could be funded.

Any organisation or individuals delivering UK-based educational activities, including schools, youth groups, IET or IMechE members and STEM organisations can apply. 

Details here.