Dear Ambassadors

Welcome to 2022 and the new Term for STEM Ambassador activities. As you know there have been many successful engagements with schools aleady, with some schools now in a position to offer ‘in person’ attendance by STEM Ambassadors.
Online offers continue to enable all Ambassadors the opportunity to remain ‘active’.

Remember it is vital to the Programme that you record activities or if you wish, forward details to ambasssadors@see-science.co.uk Your HUB can assist by recording activities

Community and non school activities

Many Ambassadors forget to record the all important non school or community events. 
They can amount to many hours of support. 
Record these by ticking the box ‘community non school’ activity (don’t record these as students)
These include:

  • Cadets; Brownies; Cubs; Scouts and Guides
  • Public and family events
  • Home educators 
  • Festivals


If in doubt contact ambassadors@see-science.co.uk
 
We want to reach far and wide and these are key to raising STEM awareness in the community include with parents or guardians of young people.

Sian 

CONTENTS

News
 

STEM Ambassador opportunities
 

 
 

LATEST STEM NEWS
 

‘The Great Give Away’ – a £20k Christmas special from the DVLA STEM team

The DVLA Code challenge is an annual feature of STEM events for schools in Wales. From early success with primary schools competition the challenge has now expanded to include primary, secondary and FE College categories. 

In 2021 ‘The Great Give Away’ offered a total of £20,000 in prizes for schools in a prize draw and lucky dip.

The DVLA STEM Ambassador team transitioned the event finals online in 2021 as the event could not be run at the RDLC centre in Swansea due to current Covid regulations.

90 schools joined the live streamed event on 7th December. Hosted by BBC news presenter Sian Lloyd, the audience were treated to a lively overview of past entries, video interviews with past winners and the brilliant themed coding programmes that pupils created over the years.

Congratulations to Blaen Baglan; Montgomery; Blaenrhondda; Narberth; Llanishen; Oakleigh; Alun High; Elfed; Glyncoed; Rhosddu; Clase– some of the many primary and secondary schools who received from £750 up to £2000 in prize monies to purchase IT resources for their schools.

Over the past 7 years the DVLA have donated >£200,000 to schools in Wales.
 

St Joseph’s RC with Nanotechnology session 

Steve Conlon covering nanotechnology in general, and how it is important in health, energy and environment.
Using a mixed format of short talks, vidoes, quizzes and hands on practical Steve and his students cover a range of topics where nanotechnology impacts. 
Instantaneous DNA analysis in NCI covers the crime scene (not that the students will have seen that show). But I will try bring up a mini-DNA sequencer.

Teacher Fay Cosgrove pupils are studying space and requested how nanotechnology is used in space. 

Their current topic was crime scene investigation and mysteries in general, where crime scene applications for nanotechnology. Having visited the space centre in Houston several times and discussing with space scientists the application of nano in space was familiar to Steve!
 
 


Jim Langley Wild Landfill project with teachers

Jim Langley of Nature’s Work is part of a multi agency project ‘Wild Landfill’  a
multi-agency project to begin the rewild the post industrial landscape of Anglesey and Gwynedd.
The project of Converting 4 brownfield waste landfill sites into multiple benefit post industrial nature incorporating all aspects of Sustainable Management of Natural Resources into its brief. 
 

Jim’s role will be to lead the outreach and outdoor learning framework of the project. 
regeneration areas meeting many WG/NRW legislative and SMNR policy drivers 
On January 26th Jim delivered a webinar for local primary and secondary school teachers. The session described the many opportunities on offer including school visits and workshops, site visits, resources all connected to key outcomes for the new curriculum in Wales.

Chris Jeynes STEM coaching 

Chris’ daughter is a music and drama teacher. The local primary school Garnteg Primary was eager to have a lesson on science with practical elements. 
Having a STEM Ambassador in the family was ideal to help deliver a lesson for Yr 5 pupils
Lesson focus was electricity, power stations renewable energy etc.


By loaning a Van der Graaff and small electrical kit from the Cardiff office, Chris was able to training his daughter and develop a lesson plan for her to deliver the session.
 

‘The children were very engaged for a sustained period with observing and exploring the apparatus which was used as part of a science lesson. 

The children learned about electrons,  electricity,  conductors,  fossil fuels and wind power.  The lesson was observed by the deputy head teacher (maths specialist) who was impressed with how the resources helped the children to connect with key scientific concepts.  She also said that the equipment was exactly what was needed to deliver the new Welsh curriculum and effectively fulfilled the pedagogical concept of authentic contexts. 

The lesson was extended to the next day due to child interest in the subject.  Several children expressed how much they loved science.’
 

STEM Ambassador opportunities
 

For all Wales Ambassadors
 

I'm a Scientist, Get me out of here offers pandemic-proof enrichment options for your STEM Ambassadors. Live Chats are online, so they're perfect for reaching more remote schools.
 
Zones last 4 weeks, and run throughout term-time. Scientists can choose to take part at the times which suit their schedule, so they can commit as much or as little time as they like.

To get involved sign up at https://imascientist.org.uk/scientists/

 
 

Go on a Maths Adventure online via Zoom
Dates of choice all at 12.45pm – 1.00pm

Thursday 24th February
Tuesday 8th March
Thursday 17th March   

Do you have an activity on any Maths topic to share with Teachers and Ambassadors? Or can you offer a short talk on how Maths is used in your STEM career.

 
 

Mars Day: Space Sector Ambassadors information session
23rd February 12.30pm – 1.00pm


Techniquest is hosting a twilight session for teachers to assist them in activities exploring Mars with their pupils. This will be on Mars Day 14th March.

The twilight session would be greatly enhanced by a STEM Ambassador/s talk on their sector – how your industry or career is linked to space. Many industries are not obviously as ‘Space related’ They are holding an information session to gauge interest and address queries.
 

Inspiring the disadvantaged student: Discover the Mullany Fund programme


The Mullany Fund Charity, based, in Swansea, engages with disadvantaged young people aged 14-19 in South Wales to promote and encourage ambition, ability and effort in STEM career choice. 　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

  • The E-Mentor programme 
  • Virtual Work Experience

Using a safe and secure platform, STEM Ambassadors provide tailored advice and guidance based on themes of support selected by registered students.

Several Ambassadors have already made a huge impact through this programme, changing lives and aspirations.
 
https://themullanyfund.org/en/mentors/
 

South and West Wales
 

The World as a Stage
Light, Sound Electricity 
The Human Body

Flexible Dates 

Henllys Church in Wales School,
Cwmbran,
NP44 6JA 

Teacher Mark Yendle’s pupils years 3 to 6 will be studying several curriculum topics. If you can offer support for any of these please let me know

 
 

Friend or Foe: STEM topics for the new curriculum
Osbaston CIW Primary School
Monmouth
NP25 3AX
 
Virtual visit or in person

Teachers Caroline and Catherine will be leading a range of topics looking at applications of STEM in a cross curricular experience

Could you assist with either:
Electricity topics
Energy and Power (solar, wind, hydro,)
Extreme weather

Romans:
Pompeii and volcanos
Engineering
Structures
 
 

Wales Valleys Engineering project: meeting the Engineer STEM Ambassadors 
Flexible dates 

Anita Shaw is leading the WVEP project connecting primary and secondary schools in the Valley local authorities with Engineering careers.

Anita is seeking young engineers from diverse backgrounds to engage with 3 easy activities online

 

Rhiwbina Riverkings Beavers 

Space, Experiment and Health and Fitness badges
Spring term 
Scouts Hall
Cardiff CF14 2FJ
 
Could you help with a session on either Space, Experiments or Health and Fitness? 
 

STEM Equity webinars: STEM Ambassador session online:
2nd March 2022: 
9.30-11.30


In 2022 we are delighted that Prof Louise Archer & Dr Spela Godec will be delivering a session on The Equity Compass. The webinar will explore how we can help address some of the youth equity issues in STEM education.
For an intro to the Equity Compass, you can watch the following 2-minute video.

2 March 2022: 9.30-11.30 - Activity link for STEM Ambassadors
 



Science Week Haverfordwest High
Renewables, Sustainability and Low Carbon: day of choice from March 14th – 16th
Portfield Avenue,
Haverfordwest,
SA61 1EQ 


The event is seeking STEM ambassadors currently working in Renewable energy or other low carbon industries / businesses. 10 classes from year 8 in Haverfordwest High will attend over a 3 day period. 
Travel cost and lunch provided.
 



Science Week Haverfordwest High
Renewables, Sustainability and Low Carbon: day of choice  March 14th – 16th

Haverfordwest,
SA61 1EQ 


The event is seeking STEM ambassadors currently working in Renewable energy or other low carbon industries / businesses. 10 classes from year 8 in Haverfordwest High will attend over a 3 day period. 
Travel cost and lunch provided.
 


STEM Fortnight 
14th – 25th March
Pantysgallog Primary School

Deputy Head Craig is seeking for any STEM Ambassadors who may be able to offer STEM themed workshops / experiences for their pupils


Techniquest Science Weekends 
12th / 13th or 19th/20th March 2022 

Stuart St
Cardiff 
CF10 5BW

Techniquest have a full programme for the public and schools to celebrate Science Week
They are keen to host STEM Ambassadors to support the celebration
 

Mock Interviews 

8th or 9th or 10th March 
Bishopston School 
Swansea

 STEM Ambassadors act as Interviewers to equip young people with valuable information, hints and experience of how to conduct themselves during an interview situation.  
 
 

North Wales 
 

Mock Interviews and Interview Skills workshops Wrexham 

17th March Ysgol Grango (year 9)

STEM Ambassadors act as Interviewers to equip young people with valuable information, hints and experience of how to conduct themselves during an interview situation.