Welcome to the latest STEM newsletter  for STEM Ambassadors in Wales  from your local STEM Ambassador Hub. 
We welcome all  offers from STEM Ambassadors to help with any enrichment opportunities - please contact us directly to discuss your individual needs.

May we take this opportunity to thank you for the time you have volunteered. Please make sure you remember to log all your activities including the preparation time that has gone into organising and arranging those activities. For those STEM Ambassadors who are still going through the registration process then please remember to complete your online induction and your DBS check.

If anybody needs any help or support with this then please get in touch hayley.pincott@see-science.co.uk.

See Science are still keen to offer as many enrichment opportunities as possible to learners acorss Wales.  Please ensure that  colleagues who are registered with STEM Learning have ticked the box to receive newsletters in their preferences in order to receive the See Science newsletter in the future using the link https://www.stem.org.uk/user/register and then opt to receive the newsletter in preferences.

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 Team
@See Science

Latest STEM news and updates
The Merthyr Meet. Saturday 11 March 10.00 - 13.00. Merthyr College

Discovering, Deconstructing and Decolonising the New Curriculum for Wales  Suitable for both primary and secondary teachers as well as PGCE students. Free event - tea/coffee provided. Keynote speaker : Lilian Martin UWTSD.

Workshops from Rebecca Laye - RSC; Gary Williams and Anthony Reeves - IOP; Kulvinder Johal - PSTT; Jodie Lockett Llanwern High School; Stephanie Bevan -  God and the Big Bang; Karen Newby Jones. - ESTYN.
STEM Ambassadors are invited to help with the workshops and bookings.

More information and  booking link here.

Read more

Cardiff Science Festival

Saturday 18th February saw the return of Cardiff Science Festival and this year's aim was to expand the festival out into various community hubs. The organisers said this year they wanted the festival to be based on STEAMM, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Maths & Medicine and we saw new STEM Ambassadors take part running newly developed activities through to experienced STEM Ambassadors delivery some favourite activities to get the communities of Cardiff engaged and enthused about STEAMM. However, the hubs attracted visitors from further afield than the local community with some families from Cwmbran attending a local hub in Riverside, Cardiff. See Science were there as the local STEM Ambassador hub which saw us deliver some science busking activities.

The magnets were a very popular activity to see if all metals were magnetic, we also had a hand boiler which helped us to explain heat and air pressure, the magic bunnies had people feeling dizzy but a great way to explain how some optical illusions work and lastly we used an energy ball to see if we could make a human circuit with our visitors.

To those STEM Ambassadors that gave their time as either a volunteer or if you ran an event as part of the festival then please don’t forget to log the activity and remember to include all your preparation time.

To those STEM Ambassadors whose DBS has expired then please get in touch with the hub and we can help you to get this updated so that you are an approved STEM Ambassador with an up-to-date DBS certificate. There are some STEM Ambassadors whose DBS is due to expire in the next few months, please keep a look out for reminder emails, please check your junk/spam folder, as you will need to action these emails in order to maintain your approved STEM Ambassador status.

Other news

New STEM Ambassador employer logo

Thank you to everyone who has downloaded our new STEM Ambassador Volunteer logo - almost one thousand of you! We are also pleased to inform our STEM employers that we also have a new logo to help you communicate your involvement in the STEM Ambassador programme. Please contact employers@stem.org.uk for a copy of our logo and guidelines.

Online STEM Ambassador Training 

Have you joined our STEM Ambassador Community Training Hub? If not then sign up to access online courses available to support your volunteering as a STEM Ambassador. The first four courses listed will help you plan, deliver and evaluate your STEM Ambassador activities, the courses. If you would like any further support or have any questions, pop along to the STEM Ambassadors: Help and Support group or you can seek advice from your local STEM Ambassador Hub.

Read more

What did the flower decide to study in college? STEM!

Do you work in the world of horticulture? We currently do not have enough volunteers in the sector, meaning young people are missing out on understanding about your world, and seeing it as a possibility for their career! National Careers Week is upcoming, if you work in the world of plants we would be grateful if you could update your profile or if you know anyone who does please encourage them to sign up! Update your profile


Love to Volunteer? share your idea…

We always love to hear what you have been doing as a STEM volunteer - from reading STEM themed children’s books to a primary class to supporting an afterschool science club, your insight into the world of STEM is invaluable to teachers. We’d love to hear what you enjoy doing in schools and to share your ideas on our Showcase and good practice workspace on our STEM Ambassador Community. Don't forget to login first!
 

STEM Ambassador events in Wales


Have you volunteered to help at an  Energy Quest workshop yet? All state funded schools in the UK are eligible to receive at least 1 Energy Quest workshop and eligible schools can receive as many as 8! Funded by Shell, over the last six years EngineeringUK has developed Energy Quest into a well-received programme, reaching 215,000 young people through 3,150 sessions in 1,460 UK schools

Energy Quest is a free two-hour workshop aimed at KS3 pupils. During the challenge, students encounter a range of engineers as they uncover the skills engineers possess and the way energy plays an important role in all our lives. Where possible we bring a local engineer with us to tell pupils about their career path.

More information here or get in touch with Llinos at llinos.misra@see-science.co.uk if you can help

I’m a Scientist - Research and Innovation Zones upcoming in May!

Do you work in the fields of Research and Innovation?
 

This May, there will be an I’m a Scientist  zone dedicated towards Research and Innovation, and we are looking for Ambassadors from those fields to sign up to join in with these conversations. We are hosting a Got Time To Give Webinar for this on the 23rd March 2023 where you can join us to find out more. Please follow the link below to register your interest and get involved! The I’m a Scientist  programme, allows young people to connect with Scientists on a fully safeguarded, text-based forum to answer all the weird and wonderful questions that spring to mind about different fields of Science. There are multiple chats a day that are available to join, so it can be completely flexible to match your schedules.

Read more
British Science Week 2023 10 - 19 March

British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths run by the British Science Association (who also run CREST Awards). The Week takes places this year on 10-19 March.

The activity packs are a free resource provided by the British Science Association, full of activities based around the theme of ‘Connections’, designed to be run in nurseries, schools and at home. 

There are three packs, each catering for different age groups, so there’s something for everyone! The Early Years pack has activities for the littlest learners – under 5s. The Primary pack is for ages 5-11, and the Secondary pack is designed for young people aged up to 14. These age groups are of course just guidelines, and the activities can be adapted depending on the age group you’re working with. 

Activity packs and all details here.

Read more
Mars Day. Tuesday 7 March

Mars (Day) will land on 7 March 2023. Flight plans are being drawn up for this exciting day of virtual talks and sessions from ESA, UK Space Agency and international guests.

Join thousands for this exciting free virtual event adventure for everyone, presented by the UK Space Education Office (ESERO-UK) at STEM Learning and in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency.

The last mission to Mars (Day) flew with an audience crew of over 100,000 as schools and everyone zoomed in for an array of live link-ups, talks and careers discussions from national and international space VIPs.
 

Volunteering Opportunities in  Wales

 Green Power Goblin Event

he annual South Wales Goblin Greenpower race for primary school pupils (9-11yrs - School years 5-6) will be take place on the 22nd of April at Renishaw, Miskin. 
Deadline for entries is the 22nd March. https://www.greenpower.co.uk/events/reinshaw-miskin
 
The Goblin race day is a full day of fun involving drag, slalom and sprint events.  There are additional awards to be won at the event which count towards team’s overall score.  Teams submit a portfolio documenting their Goblin build journey, and other related activities such as deciding on team name, raising sponsorship and funding, designing bodywork and car testing.  Along with the portfolio award, children can win greenest bodywork, best bodywork, best presented team, and Spirit of Greenpower.   The charity Greenpower Education Trust (www.greenpower.co.uk) uses electric car building, designing, and racing to inspire students (9-25yrs) to take up STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects in school. 

If your school is interested in finding out more about Greenpower Goblin cars, please contact ciara.doyle@siemens-energy.com
If you are a STEM ambassador and would like to register your interest for volunteering to support a school building a car or on the race day, please contact SEE Science or ciara.doyle@siemens-energy.com

Read more

Cardiff Careers Fair

The Cardiff Careers Fair takes place on Friday 24th March, at Principality Stadium from 10am-2pm. You can meet local and national employers face-to-face, and apply directly for hundreds of vacancies. The Cardiff Careers Fair is open to anyone and everyone - there is always such a wide variety of employers exhibiting, meaning that there are opportunities for individuals of all ages and all levels of experience.

Typically, you can expect exhibitors at the Cardiff Careers Fair to be from various sectors such as: Finance, Education, Sales and Marketing, Motoring, Human Resources, IT, Healthcare, Tourism, Healthcare, Commercial Real Estate, Biochemistry, Electronics, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Social Work, Events Management, Retail, Job Boards, Supermarkets, Banking and Pharmaceutical.

You can expect a wide variety of roles  such as Entry Level Roles, Management Roles, Apprenticeships, Graduate Roles, Franchise Opportunities, Part-Time Roles, Full-Time Roles, Flexible Working Roles, WFH Roles, CV-Advice, Career Advice, National Job Boards, and many, many more.
To find out more go to https://www.ukcareersfair.com/event/cardiff-careers-fair

Read more
Can you help at  FIRST LEGO League 2023

FIRST LEGO League deliver hands-on STEM experiences for children aged 4-16 years through our three FIRST LEGO League divisions across the UK and Ireland.

See Science are looking for STEM Ambassadors to help at events which will incluide judging and running simple STEM activities
Over 50 schools from across Wales will be taking part in First Lego League this year
Ebbw Vale - 10 March 
Pembroke Dock 18 March 
Cardiff  - Principality Stadium 24 March - through the medium of Welsh
Cardiff  - Principality Stadium 27 March Cardiff  - Principality Stadium 28 March 

for more information contact Cerian.Angharad@see-science.co.uk
 

Your locals STEM Ambassador Hub

Merthyr Tydfil College, CF48 1AR
The Merthyr Meet
11th March
Join teachers and technicians at the ASE Conference in Merthyr Tydfil Help is required with workshops or you are welcome to bring a stand to highlight your work /industry There will be opportunities to talk and network with local teachers and you are also very welcome to attend talks and workshops
To express interest contact ambassadors@see-science.co.uk or click here

Read more

Beaufort Hill Primary School, NP23 5QD
British Science Week
13th March – 17th March
Get pupils at Beaufort Hill Primary School engaged in British Science Week. The theme this year is connections however teacher Tania Price is very flexible with the topics. Teachers are looking for a visit to each class over British Science Week, therefore dates are flexible within the week
To express interest contact ambassadors@see-science.co.uk or click here

Read more

Cwmaman Primary School, CF44 6LA
Yr 4-6 Learning Day With Engineers
8th March
A general short intro/ presentation about engineering suitable for ages 7-11. Children will then be in 3 classes for practical engineering tasks. Team work would be ideal. Topic is: What makes a great leader? With great power comes great responsibility. To express interest contact ambassadors@see-science.co.uk or click here

Read more

Cardiff Muslim Primary School, CF24 4JL
British Science Week
13th March – 17th March
We would really like it if we could host some stem ambassadors for some workshops with our children. Our theme this year is 'Connections', inline with British Science Week. If you can help us with this during that week please let me know. We also have years 3&4 learning about Rainforests that half term, and yrs5&6 who are learning about the topic 'Earth & Space'. If you have anyone able to deliver anything on these topics that would be useful. This can be anytime in March."
To express interest contact ambassadors@see-science.co.uk or click here

Read more

Pentre’r Graig Primary School, SA6 6HZ
Design and Make a Getaway Car
13th March – 31st March
Our topic for this term is all about superheroes. Our topic hook is that ‘Supertato’ has been captured, and we have to rescue him. We have looked at directions using programmable devices so that we can find where he is hidden, now we need to make a getaway vehicle that can go as quick and as far as possible.
To express interest contact ambassadors@see-science.co.uk or click here

Read more

Beaufort Hill Primary School, NP23 5QD
Generation Tech Workshop
14th March
STEM Ambassadors will attend to support the delivery of a workshop which will see
students engage in various workstations, pool learning and develop a solution to the
challenge set at each station. The pupils will set up a company, design a logo and then present their idea to the rest of the class at the end of the session
To express interest contact ambassadors@see-science.co.uk or click here

Read more

Tynewydd Primary School, NP11 4QZ
British Science Week
14th March
Promote curiosity in science and enjoyment. Teacher Simon Veall is open to suggestions of workshops that STEM Ambassadors can deliver.
To express interest contact ambassadors@see-science.co.uk or click here

Read more

Coleg Y Cymoedd, CF15 7QY
SEREN Network Event
15th March
The Seren network in Rhondda Cynon Taf would love some STEM Ambassadors to engage with their Hub to help their MAT(More Able and Talented) students from across RCT. There is a session on March 15th in Coleg y Cymoedd, Nantgarw. CF15 7QY. 4.30-6.30pm. You do not need to be available for the full 2 hours. Any time during this slot is perfect. Anything you are willing to offer will be greatly appreciated. This could be talks about your career, future collaborations or a teaching session. There are laboratory facilities available, IT equipment etc. This could be a one- off support session or multiple offers throughout the year. Many of our STEM Ambassadors are former Seren Alumni so I'm sure you appreciate the support this program provides to students, and the opportunities this support produces. To express interest contact ambassadors@see-science.co.uk or click here