Welcome to the latest STEM newsletter for Secondary Schools and FE Colleges  in Wales from your local STEM Ambassador Delivery Partner.  

STEM Learning  are also delighted to let you know that we have entered into an exciting new chapter for the STEM Ambassadors programme, following continued funding by UK Research and Innovation.

From October, the STEM Ambassadors network across the country will look a little different. The Hubs will be replaced by STEM Ambassador Partners who will have a slightly different role, so if you have any questions or need help, please contact STEM Learning at stem-ambassadors@stem.org.uk or contact your STEM Ambassadors Partner which was your STEM Ambassador Hub. Don't worry, See Science will still be available to help you with your requests for support from our Ambassadors.

From October, STEM Learning will be hosting a range of support sessions helping you to understand how our volunteers can enrich the STEM curriculum and support careers education. Find out how to access support from our 28,000 volunteers, you can engage with them in many ways, either create a request for support, browse the activities they offer or look our for our nationally coordinated STEM Ambassador engagement activities. 

STEM Learning are delighted to be creating new opportunities for young people to engage with localised high-impact and STEM research and innovation initiatives by connecting with relatable role models. Please look out for updates in our newsletters and the STEM Ambassadors Community.

In the meantime, we have hundreds of existing offers of local support from our volunteers you can access now from your dashboard on our website. Just sign into your account and browse 'offers' on the menu on the left-hand side. don't forget theat the British Science Asscocaiton Grants close today.

On a more local level if anybody needs any help or support  then please get in touch with  hayley.pincott@see-science.co.uk.


See Science  have a facebook page where we will also be sharing lots of new ideas regularly - please like or follow the page.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if we can support the teaching of STEM subjects.


Best wishes
The STEM Ambassador Partner Wales
@See Science 

Latest STEM news and updates

Innovation Wales

On Monday, October 9th, Cerian Angharad and Llinos Misra from See Science were proud to be part of the team of judges at this year’s WJEC Innovation Awards at Swalec Stadium, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

 

This prestigious event is a showcase exhibition and competition for the most innovative project work at GCSE, AS and A Level in Design & Technology. 

 

For this annual event, WJEC moderators and teachers in Design and Technology nominated projects for inclusion in the exhibition and 80 of the most innovative A2, AS and GCSE projects were exhibited. The judges spent time assessing each exhibit before selecting 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize winners at A level, AS Level and GCSE level and choosing an overall Innovation Awards winner. Individual prizes were also awarded for the project displaying the most potential for Intellectual Property protection, the best Science content and for the project displaying the greatest creativity. 

 

Congratulations to all whose work was part of the exhibition. All exhibited projects are eligible for a Silver or Gold CREST Award. 

 

Innovation Award winners will be announced at a special event at the Senedd in December.

Read more here

Welsh Physics Teachers Conference in Brecon 

With a  total attendance of over 200 teachers, technicians and colleagues the  Brecon Welsh Physics Teachers Conference Conference  was as sucessful as ever. There were presentations on ‘The Stars in the Milky Way’ ‘Semiconductors now and the future’ as well as a choice of six technician and ten teacher workshops to choose from.
 

Meanwhile on Super Science  Saturday families were entertained and educated by Sir Isaac Newton (reincarnated for the day by Professor Mike Edmunds, President of the Royal Astronomical Society as well as a performance from south west Wales based physics teacher Ed Male, who once again morphed into ‘Harry Potter’ with some amazing and theatrical practical demos. The previous day he had shared his secrets with teacher-colleagues so expect an outbreak of Hogwarts-related practical work later this term!
 
The day finished with Bristol teacher David Williams showing us the effects of liquid nitrogen, including the amazing sight of liquid oxygen, being paramagnetic, held in place between some powerful neodymium magnets.
 
Quote of the day? Griff, aged 6, telling his mum “I want to do Physics when I grow up, can I have some books about it for my birthday?” I think we’ve recruited at least one more future scientist!

Events in Wales 

Live Screening-Royal Institution Christmas Lecture
The truth behind AI- Merthyr College - 12 December 
The College Merthyr Tydfil  Ynysfach, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, CF48 1AR
12 December 2023 5.30pm
 

We’re delighted to announce See Science are the only livestream hosts  in Wales for this year’s CHRISTMAS LECTURES from the Royal Institution. Running for almost 200 years, the CHRISTMAS LECTURES were started by Michael Faraday to inspire and engage young people with science, and this year Professor Mike Wooldridge will be exploring the truth behind Artificial Intelligence (AI), the most rapidly evolving field of science.

This event is perfect for secondary school pupils. Children and people of all ages can come and watch the magic of the Lectures unfold in real time as they’re filmed in front of an audience in the Ri’s Theatre in London. They’ll have the chance to get involved with hands-on activities, and be the first to learn the truth about AI.
 

Not since the World-Wide Web emerged 30 years ago has a new technology promised to change our world so fundamentally and so swiftly as AI does. Today’s AI tools such as ChatGPT and AlphaGo are just a hint of what is to come. The future of AI is going to be quite a journey, and the 2023 CHRISTMAS LECTURES to be broadcast on BBC Four and iPlayer in late December, will give us a guided tour.

Across the series Michael will be joined by some major figures from the AI world, including scientists from the world’s leading AI companies. He will also introduce a range of robot friends, who will demonstrate what robots today can do – and what they can’t. Perhaps he may even surprise the audience with some Deep Fake guests who are not quite what they seem.
Tickets are limited. To register your interest in attending this event in Merthyr College with the STEM Ambassador Partner please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/live-screening-royal-institution-christmas-lecture-the-truth-behind-ai-tickets-752393568417

Read more here
STEM into Christmas
STEM Into Christmas. Monday 20 November 4pm. Online

Looking for some STEM ideals to share with your learners in the lead up to Christmas. Seen some suggestions on social media but unsure where to find the kit.

Join the team from See Science as we demonstrate a variety of fun STEM activities with a Christmassy twist suitable for the primary classroom or a secondary STEM Club. You can also receive a recording of the event to share with colleagues. Share the magic of Christmas in your school!

To book a place please register below 
 
Book here

First Lego League 2024

The 2023-24 FIRST LEGO League MASTERPIECE season has officially begun! This season is all about putting the Art in to ‘STEAM’, with teams imagining and innovating new ways to create and communicate art across the globe. We are really excited to see all of the amazing and creative ideas that we know will be produced this season.

We will be  holding  4 regional events across Wales - 
Pembrokeshire
Merthyr Tudful
Ebbw Vale
Cardiff/hybrid (Welsh Medium)


To find out more about the competitions please contact cerian.angharad@see-science.co.uk
 
Register here

Chemistry at Work 

Professor Simon Bott and his team at Swansea University Chemistry Department will once again host a face to face Chemistry at Work Day for year 9 pupils on Friday, January 26th 2024, 9.30am - 2pm. The day will consist of 4 different workshops, including one with the department of Pharmacy, where pupils will have the opportunity to carry out practical activities in the department's state of the art labs.


Chemistry at Work days, coordinated by See Science, and funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry, aim to provide pupils with a better understanding and awareness of the importance of chemistry in our everyday lives and to highlight the variety of chemical science careers.

Schools are invited to bring groups of up to 30 pupils. Bursaries are available towards travel costs for eligible schools.
Contact Llinos to book a place

IOP Wales Physics Teachers' Forum.
November 9th and 30th. Online

The IOP Wales Physics Teachers' Online Forum is a fantastic opportunity to join up with other teachers of physics from across Wales and beyond to share ideas and resources.

It is really enjoyable to listen in to these sessions and you can take part as much or as little as you want.
 

The Forum is a good opportunity to find out what colleagues in other schools are doing.
 

All teachers or school technicians (in fact anybody) with an interest in Physics teaching are welcome

 
Book here
 

National Events

Chemistry Week

5th -11th November
This annual celebration of the chemical sciences coordinated by the Royal Society of Chemistry has selected the theme of 'Chemistry making the world a better place' for 2023. It is an opportunity to introduce students to the critical challenges faced by the planet and how the chemical sciences can address these. Themes could include but are not limited to clean air and water, clean energies, sustainability or climate and environment.

The activities highlighted look at:

  • the impact of plastics on the planet and possible alternatives to plastics made from fossil fuels
  • how materials can be used in a more sustainable way
  • alternative energy stores
Read more

Green Careers Week

6th-11th November
Green Careers Week aims to promote any career that helps to protect and restore the planet.

Green Careers Week has been launched by National Careers Week, with  STEM Learning and the UK Space Agency to raise awareness of green careers in every industry.

The UK government aims to reach net zero in all sectors of the economy by 2050. Net zero means the amount of greenhouse gas we take out of the environment is the same as the amount we produce. You can read more about the Net Zero Strategy.

Many jobs can make a positive impact in different ways. Any career that helps the UK work towards net zero could be considered a green career. 
Read more

Wales Climate Week. 4-8 December


Wales Climate Week provides an annual opportunity to hold a national conversation on climate change and engage a wide range of stakeholders, as well as members of the public, in important discussions that can shape government policy and influence future climate change strategies, policies and solutions. The theme for this year’s Wales Climate Week is also one of the most important questions facing our society today: – How do we tackle climate change in a fair way?

The virtual conference will be held over 5 days between 4th – 8th December to coincide with COP28, bringing together a range of climate stakeholders to consider national Government policies and regional and local delivery solutions for tackling climate change in a fair way.
Read more
 

Competitions
Big Bang Competition

Know the next space explorer or climate change hero? Got an idea that will transform people’s lives? Inspire inquisitive minds to think big, challenge facts, ask questions and invent solutions with the UK’s top annual science and engineering competition.

Young people are amazing – help them shine and change the world. 

Join the fun! (…and develop skills along the way) 

  • Build confidence and teamwork skills 
  • Solve problems 
  • Get expert feedback 
  • Celebrate and share your work

The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition is free, and is open to young people in the UK aged 11 to 18 in state-funded secondary education, who are home educated or who enter as part of a community group. 

Closing date fro entries 27 March 2024.      Details here.

Grants
Kick Start Grants for British Science Week 2024

It’s that time of year, applications for Kick Start Grants for British Science Week are now open! If you work in a school in challenging circumstances, you can apply for a grant of up to £700 depending on the sort of events you want to host and who will run it.

The BSA is excited to fund events which involve children who wouldn’t normally choose to participate in STEM activities, or involve local communities, or challenge stereotypes about what science is and who it’s for. British Science Week is truly an opportunity to get everyone involved.

Find out whether you are eligible to apply, the types of events prioritised, and how to submit your grant request. 

The deadline is 11.59 pm on Monday 6 November 2023.

Details here.

Community Grants for British Science Week 2024

Is your community group keen to run an activity during British Science Week? Can you reach people who currently don’t engage with science? If so, we might be able to help!

The Community Grants scheme is all about helping you to engage your audiences with science in ways that are tailor-made for them. Supported by UK Research and Innovation, we’re thrilled to offer grants of £500 and £1000 each year to help community groups to run their own events and activities for British Science Week, expanding the number of people who enjoy and take part in science! 

The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Monday 6 November.   Details here.
 

Your local STEM Ambassadors Partner