NEWSLETTER October 2014

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1 Subscribe Share Past Issues Translate RSS In this newsletter you will find links to exciting projects, competitions, events, resources, funding and more! NEWSLETTER October 2014 There are lots of new project resources for clubs and themed weeks to celebrate in October. Get ready for British Science Week (formerly National Science & Engineering Week) by applying for your Kick Start Grant, applications close on 14th November Have you joined our new Twitter Feed follow us for the very latest news between newsletters. Don't forget to ask us for STEM Ambassadors to help support your enrichment activities. STEMNET_UOB

2 12th-18th October Here are a few ideas to mark Biology week Poster Competition for Secondary Schools A chance for year 7 to 13 school students to win a prize in the West Midlands branch Biology Week poster competition (view some of the winners from last year). For full details here event page. You can also download the poster to advertise the competition. This year the categories are: Years 7 to 9: Obesity or The importance of honey bees Years 10 to 11: Hormones & health or Antibiotic resistance Years 12 to 13: Why do we age? or Genetically modified crops The closing date for receipt of entries is 1st November 2014 and an awards presentation for winners and runners up will be held at Aston University on Saturday 22nd November The Physiological Society are running a bake off competition. For more info. World Space Week Is an international celebration of all things SPACE and focuses on science and technology and its role in the past, present and future of mankind. Why not plan a space themed activity or event in the classroom or club. Explore the brand new Women In Space resource or visit an attraction National Space Centre or Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum; book some spaced themed outreach or Borrow Moon Rocks from the STFC. New European Space Agency Videos To mark the successful launch of European Space Agency's (ESA) final ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) to rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS), ESA has released five new teaching films, aimed at an international A-Level student audience or equivalent. The films are available here.

3 If you d like a STEM Ambassador to visit your school, we can see if some are available. This can include a judge for a cake competition (or another competition) who can then talk to your students about what they do. School Biology Teacher of the Year Award Do you know an amazing teacher of biology who deserves recognition? Why not nominate them for an award to recognise their talent and skill? Details are available on the Society of Biology s website: Society of Biology West Midlands Branch Annual Charter Lecture For A Level students, teachers and guests, 7.15pm for 7.30pm start on Tuesday 11th November 2014: Our lecture this year, on Stem Cells, is to The Skills Show 13th - 15th November 2014 The UK's largest free skills and careers event is back at the NEC in November. It's an amazing opportunity for young people to get hands on experiences that inspire them to explore further education, skills and Apprenticeships. Find out more and book Resources/ideas for science, design and technology, engineering and maths clubs BP Ultimate STEM

4 be delivered by Professor Jonathan Frampton of Birmingham Medical School. Professor Frampton is a leading figure in this field, a member of the steering committee on stem cell research and application, and an engaging speaker. The lecture is free, sponsored by the Society of Biology, and will enhance your and your students' understanding of this important and topical subject. All are welcome. Prior booking is essential. Venue is easily accessible by public transport, and free parking will be available in university car parks after 6pm. For more information visit the website Challenge BP has launched the Ultimate STEM challenge, a new competition in partnership with the Science Museum and STEMNET. The challenge invites students aged across the UK to put their STEM skills to the test to tackle realworld problems and compete for some exciting prizes! Enter by 16 January Visit Birmingham Central Hub Meeting Monday 6th October 4pm-6pm hosted by Birmingham City University (BCU), Millennium Point, B4 7XG. Hub Leader: Duncan Maidens, BCU, Senior Academic, School of Computing, Telecommunications and Networking. CAS Master Teacher Trainer Third meeting of the new Birmingham The Talent 2030 National Engineering Competition for Girls For the second year the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) is running the Talent 2030 National Engineering Competition for Girls. The competition is free to enter and, for the chance to win 1000, invites girls aged to submit their ideas for How can engineers solve the challenges of the 21st century?, giving them the opportunity to explore engineering as well

5 Central Hub Get up to speed with the new Computing Curricula and share ideas with local schools. Help run the hub and provide direction on what is needed to overcome the challenges of the New Computing Curriculum. To get the latest news join the CAS community. as winning some fantastic prizes. The competition, sponsored by Rolls-Royce and EDF Energy, will run from Monday 29 th September until Friday 19 th December and prizes will be awarded at the Big Bang Fair in March 2015 for more information see the Talent 2030 website: British Science Week KICK START GRANTS For 2015 and beyond, National Science & Engineering Week (NSEW) will become British Science Week (13th-22nd March 2015). The British Science Association offers grants to certain schools and organisations to help fund British Science Week events and activities. More info here GRANT APPLICATIONS THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GLASS SELLERS OF LONDON CHARITY FUND Funding available for your STEM Club They have a charitable arm which issues grants of up to 1,000 for a STEM Mini Project. Your project needs to focus on the technological uses of glass. One of our schools has just been awarded a grant to purchase a greenhouse and carry out experiments linked to photosynthesis. Previously they have funded work with telescope lens or

6 CLOSE 14th November 2014 these grants go quickly so get ready to submit your application. About STEMNET STEMNET is a national organisation funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which creates opportunities to inspire young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). projects looking at the properties of glass for example. There is no submission deadline applications can be made at anytime. Get your creativity going, get in touch with us with any questions and for an application form. stemambassadors@contacts.bham.ac.uk What we do! We offer FREE impartial advice and support to secondary schools in Birmingham & Solihull from curriculum enhancement through to careers support. We also manage the STEM Ambassador Programme; they are professionals from STEM backgrounds who volunteer their time for FREE as inspiring role models for young people. They can contribute both to regular lessons or participate in extracurricular activities such as STEM Clubs, careers days and collapsed timetable days. The STEM Ambassadors Programme is nationally coordinated by STEMNET and here at the STEM Centre we have over 500 STEM Ambassadors New resources from Royal Academy of Engineering The Academy s curriculum resources provide longer learning activities for use in a STEM club, for a STEM challenge day or to enhance and add context to the curriculum. Developed primarily to engage Key Stage 3 with STEM subjects, such as D&T, ICT, science and mathematics, they give students the opportunity to learn by investigating big questions and working in an engineering context. Free to download new

7 volunteers registered with us, ready, willing and able to support you. to see the range of ambassadors we have visit STEMnetworking. resource Deployable structures which allow the learning of maths within the engineering context of deployable structures. Coding BBC Birmingham Do you have students who are good at coding did you know BBC Birmingham hosts a regular coding club for under 18s on the last Saturday of every month, 1-4pm in the BBC Public Space at The Mailbox, Birmingham, B1 1AY. Youngsters can work on their own projects, or join in with group activities. All welcome. For more information or to register, codingbrum@bbc.co.uk Note: Coders aged 13 and under need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian/nominated adult. forward to a friend

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