Science Village at the National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd - 

Welsh School of Architecture Progression step 2, 3 and 4 Project

Cardiff University is collaborating with schools in Wales to deliver hands-on pupil-led activities that explore concepts related to comfort and sustainability in schools. In the workshops, pupils discuss climate change, sustainability in buildings and propose ways to promote comfortable classrooms in energy efficient ways. Pupils use scientific instruments to take measurements of temperature, lighting, ventilation. They discuss the data of their own classrooms, linking how they feel to the measurements and suggest ideas to improve classrooms’ comfort & ventilation in energy efficient ways. Pupils also create drawings, interpret building data and digital models to discuss and learn about comfort and energy efficient buildings. 

These activities are tailored to Progression steps 2, 3 and 4 and contribute to different areas of learning in the Curriculum for Wales: Mathematics and Numeracy, Science and Technology, Communication (Languages, Literacy and Communication). Other areas such as Expressive Arts, Health and Well-being and Humanities are indirectly applied. Learning resources used in the workshops are available in English and Welsh languages.

The Cardiff University team will be collaborating with new schools in 2024/25 to deliver learning activities that encourage pupils to gather and interpret scientific data; apply creative methods;  and propose sustainable actions in their own schools.  The team is also looking for schools interested in collaborating on research focused on indoor environment, comfort and energy use of schools to help schools to promote comfortable classrooms in energy efficient ways. If your school is interested in taking part, please contact Dr Gabriela Zapata-Lancaster (project lead), Senior Lecturer at the Welsh School of Architecture at ZapataG@cardiff.ac.uk.
 

‘Kids have been made aware of the energy that is used within the school and how they can help lower energy use with an opportunity to take measurements for real purposes. The data they gathered is very useful for students to learn about statistics and explain why data changes during the day and in different seasons.’

Teacher Progression step 3

moderated mentoring platform, so mentors & mentees do not need to be online at the same time. The next session runs from 7 October to 16 December. STEM Ambassadors can sign up to be mentors here. Teachers and young people can sign up via the mentoring page here. Registrations close 30 September.  

 
Join the British Science Association's (BSA) Engage Teacher Network to apply for funding to support delivery of practical science in your school, access free resources and the annual conference, and be first to hear about exclusive offers.  Engage is a community of teachers in schools in challenging circumstances who want to transform access to relevant and meaningful science work for all children and young people, especially those who are most often underrepresented in science. It’s a group where teachers come together to share ideas, access resources and support, and apply for grants – and it’s completely free.
 
Engage equips teachers with the tools and inspiration to provide exciting, hands-on opportunities through science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for students to gain the skills and confidence they need to flourish at school, at work and in life.
 
Engage is run by the BSA and managed through the charity’s flagship CREST Awards education scheme, with support from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
https://www.crestawards.org/engage/
 

The Annual Welsh Physics Teachers Conference
A Blended Approach - Monday 30 September - Friday 4 October 2024

For all teachers of Physics... join the Welsh Physics Teachers Conference Brecon 2024. A fabulous free week of presentations and workshops for teachers, technicians and PGCE students with opportunities to network with colleagues.

We offer online workshops, shows and presentations between 5.00pm and 8.00pm each evening Monday – Wednesday including 'Smartphones as dataloggers', 'Grappling with Graphs', 'The physics of food' and 'Green skills unlocked'.

Register at  bit.ly/Brecon24

Swansea Science Festival 2024 - Saturday 26th October & Sunday 27th October 2024 10am - 4pm.

Swansea University in partnership with the National Waterfront Museum is very excited to announce the return of the Swansea Science Festival for 2024, the largest festival of its kind in Wales!

Our highly anticipated family weekend will be held at the National Waterfront Museum on Saturday 26th October & Sunday 27th October 2024 10am - 4pm. And look out for further events the following week with our 'Science Festival Extras'. We are back with some special guests and a wide range of activities and events; there is something for everyone to enjoy! Get ready to join us as we take your minds on a journey of discovery. With exhibits and interactive activities along with sensational shows and hands-on science activities for all ages and levels of knowledge, you will experience science as never before!

Come along and unlock the limits of your imagination! Join the fun

We would love to keep you updated with information about the festival To get access to this information and much more including science facts and competitions please sign up​ here.

How can you support your students with graphs?This session summarises the research around graph construction and interpretation, providing simple solutions for the classroom. Amanda Clegg and Karen Collins will share their ideas and expertise and guide you through simple, structured ideas to help students grapple with graphs. We will also share updates about the  translation of the book into Welsh and current research that has been undertaken in Wales.

Click here to book your place and choose the online event 
 

Top tips online for submitting Silver & Gold CREST Awards 20th September 4-5pm

During this informal online meeting, the BSA’s Education Team will provide a practical overview about how to submit project work for Silver and Gold CREST Awards.

Who should attend?

Students submitting independent project work for a Silver or Gold CREST Award or  project work undertaken as part of CREST aligned schemes and work placements (including Nuffield Research Placements)

Teachers supporting students that are planning to submit project work for Silver and Gold Awards. 

This session will aim to

• Provide an overview of the CREST Criteria; Signpost relevant documents and information; Give top tips for making the process as smooth as possible and answer any questions. To book a place go here

Explore climate issues with ESA Climate Detectives and Climate Detectives Kids

ESERO-UK invites teachers and teams of students to team up and join the ESA Climate Detectives and Climate Detectives Kids school projects. Registration is open from September each year.

ESA Climate Detectives is a competition that is open for students from the ages of 8 to 19. Teams of students, supported by their teacher, are called to make a difference by identifying a climate problem, investigating it by using available Earth Observation data or taking measurements on the ground, and then proposing a way to help reduce the problem.

Register to take part here

First Lego League 2024-2025

2024-25 FIRST LEGO League SUBMERGED season has officially begun! This season, children will learn about how and why people explore the oceans. Our discoveries beneath the ocean surface teach us how this complex ecosystem supports a healthy future for the plants and animals that live there.. We are really excited to see all of the amazing and creative ideas that we know will be produced this season.

Schools can apply for FIRST LEGO League Funding Packages. More information here

UK CanSat Competition 2025

UK CanSat Competition 2025, delivered by ESERO-UK is now open for registration!

The CanSat competition provides students aged 14+ with the opportunity to have practical experience working on a small-scale space project. They are tasked with designing and building their own simulation of a real satellite, integrated within the volume and shape of a soft drink can. 

The challenge for students is to fit all the major subsystems found in a satellite, such as power, sensors and a communication system, into this minimal volume.  Details here.

Get up to £500 support for Chemistry Week 2024

Chemistry Week 2024 is taking place 4–10 November 2024, and we invite you to celebrate chemistry and chemists throughout the whole of November 2024 under the theme chemistry is shaping the future.

You could get up to £500 in grants toward an activity to get your students thinking about how chemistry is all around us, how it can shape our future and their future career. Themes could include (but are not limited to):Clean air/water; Clean energies; Sustainability; Climate and environment; Careers in chemistry

Applications are open now and there will be 3 rounds with deadlines on 5 August, 9 September and 7 October. For more details go here

Grant applications for British Science Week 2025 will open on 17 September 2024.

Is your school keen to run events for British Science Week, but in need of a helping hand?

With the support of UK Research and Innovation, we provide Kick Start Grants to help schools in challenging circumstances organise their own activities and events during British Science Week. Usually opened in autumn, the grant scheme aims to engage children who might not otherwise choose to participate in science, and to promote cross-curricular learning. All kinds of events and activities are eligible for support!

We have made some improvements to the Kick Start Grants.

Instead of having four grants of different amounts, we’ve simplified things and there is now one grant of £400 for your school to run science activities during British Science Week. The Kick Start Grant we gave out in previous years was worth £300, so the majority of recipients will receive more money!

Who can apply and how to apply ? Find out here