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STEM Opportunities 10.6

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STEM Opportunities Newsletter
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STEM Opportunities is our monthly newsletter for teachers which details upcoming events and information that may be of interest.

Check out our most recent issue below and subscribe here to receive future issues!


KS4 Sustainability STEM Taster Day

Thursday 2 April 2020 at University of Leeds

Explore STEM: A Sustainable Future

Are your students worried about the future of our planet? Why not give them the opportunity to visit the University of Leeds and find out how Science can help to create a more sustainable future.

Join us for the day to discover more about university, STEM subjects and where they could take you. Hear from current students about what it’s like to study at Leeds and take part in 3 STEM workshops around the theme of sustainability, where we will demonstrate how science can provide answers for a sustainable future.

How to apply:

Deadlines for applications: Friday 28 February 2020

Apply online: KS4 STEM day application form

Further information: Further information can be found on our Explore STEM: A Sustainable Future page


Pop Maths Quiz

Saturday 14 March 2020 - 11am -1pm at University of Leeds
Target audience: Suitable for years 7 & 8

Not registered your team yet?  There is still space for more teams to compete in our annual Pop Maths Quiz at the University of Leeds.  Pupils compete in teams of up to 6 in this pub quiz style maths competition.  Maximum of two teams per school.  Teams should be accompanied on the day by a responsible adult.

Further information:

For further information visit www.stem.leeds.ac.uk/popmaths.
Please let us know if you are interested as quickly as possible as the event is fast approaching.


Biology Practical Assessment Days, Key Stage 5 (Free)

25 February 2020 - 1-3pm at University of Leeds
12 May 2020 - 10-3pm at University of Leeds
13 May 2020- 10-3pm at University of Leeds
Faculty of Biological Sciences

Target audience: For year 12 students studying Biology at Post 16.

Students are invited to visit the Faculty of Biological Sciences and take part in a Microbiology and Molecular Biology practical activity in specialist labs. In addition to meeting Undergraduate students and a campus tour, students will evaluate the effect of antibiotics on bacterial growth, and carry out gel electrophoresis for the separation of DNA or protein.

This event is designed to align to the required practical activities specified by several A-level examination boards, and will be led/assessed by you, the teacher, and supported by Dr Chris Randall, lecturer in Microbiology at the University of Leeds.

Students will need to bring a packed lunch. Materials and resources will be provided.

How to apply:

Applications for the February session are now closed. Please apply below for the May events. 

Apply online: Biological Practical Assessment Days application form

Further information: For more information please contact STEM Outreach Lead Officer, Natalie Duffield-Moore – n.duffield-moore@leeds.ac.uk

Places are offered on a first come first served basis and students are required to be studying Biology at Post 16.

This event is open to teachers to book on behalf of school groups (min 15 students per school and max 45).


Chemistry A-Level Practical Days

Monday 29 June - Thursday 2 July 2020 at University of Leeds
Target audience: Year 12 students studying A-Level Chemistry

Bookings are now open for our A Level practical days, with a choice of organic or physical chemistry practicals. Find out where chemistry can lead and spend the day in our teaching labs with staff and students from the School of Chemistry.

How to apply:  

Further information: For further information and to book, please visit our Chemistry Practical Days Page


STEM Summer Schools 2020

Target audience: The Summer Schools are for Year 12 students studying Biology (Biological Sciences Summer School),  Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths (Food Science Summer School) or Mathematics (Mathematics Summer School) at A-Level. 

Want to find out more about a subject and life at university while meeting new people, then the STEM summer schools could be for you. This year we have summer schools covering Mathematics, Food Science and Biological Sciences. For detailed information about the individual residentials please visit our Summer School page and click the link to the one that interests you.

STEM Summer School Page 

Further information:

Food Science Summer School Wednesday 1 July - Friday 3 July 2020 at University of Leeds 

Applications are now open for the Food Science Summer School: Food Science Summer School Application Form

Deadline for applications: Sunday May 17 2020

Mathematics Summer School Wednesday 1 July -Friday 3 July 2020 at University of Leeds

Applications are now open for the Mathematics Summer School: Mathematics Summer School Application Form

Deadline for applications: Friday 1 May 2020

Biological Sciences Summer School Tuesday 14 July - Wednesday 15 July 2020 at University of Leeds

Applications are now open for the Biological Sciences Summer School: Biological Sciences Summer School Application Form 

Deadline for applications: Tuesday 28 April 2020


Engineering Enhanced Tour (Free)

Availability from 20 April - 10 July 2020 - 9:15am- 12pm
Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences
The following dates are not available due to exams taking place; 18 May – 5 June 2020.

Target audience: For key stage 3 & 4 (max 30 students)

Bring your class to visit University of Leeds to discover new skills and learn about a career as an Engineer. Led by Post Graduate Engineers, students will receive a tour of Engineering, take part in an interactive resource exploring careers plus a practical activity of your choice.

How to apply:

Apply online: Enhanced Tours booking form

Further information: Please note these events are limited to 3 per term and offered on a first come first served basis. Bookings must be received at least 4 weeks in advance.


Salters Festival of Chemistry

Thursday 21 May 2020 at University of Leeds
Target audience: Year 7 and or 8 students in England and Wales

A day of activities and challenges designed to inspire budding young scientists. Students will experience hands-on practical Chemistry challenges in university labs and carry out investigations ‘like a real Chemist’. Gain team working and independent problem solving skills and experience amazing chemical demonstrations. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 winning schools in each challenge, and fun prizes and certificates will be given to all participants.

How to apply:

Applications are now open at, www.saltersinstitute.co.uk/festivals/

Only £30 per team (non refundable)

Further information: If you have any questions regarding a student's specific needs, please do not hesitate to get in touch with The Salters' Institute - Festivals@salters.co.uk

Teachers: Come and meet your local RSC Education Coordinator, participate in interactive CPD opportunities and take ideas back to the classroom, whilst networking with like-minded colleagues.


Leeds Loves STEM talks

Target Audience: KS4 or KS5
Duration: 1 hour (includes two student talks)

We have recently recruited a new batch of Leeds Loves Ambassadors who are ready to give talks in 2020. Our  ambassadors will give a presentation and answer questions about their degree subjects, career paths and their experiences of studying at the University of Leeds.

These talks are a chance for your pupils to find out more about specific STEM subjects and opportunities in higher education. They allow pupils to explore some of the options available for further study and would be ideal for pupils making decisions about which subjects to study at a higher level.

Please click the link below to request a talk for your school.

For more information and to request a Leeds Loves STEM talk

Connect Physics Workshops in Schools

Target audience: Key Stage 3 students of all science abilities.

A series of three workshops delivered in schools that encourage students to think of the bigger picture through connecting different ideas, such as topics from KS3 science, the latest physics research or their everyday lives.

Further information: Please visit our Connect Physics page to learn more and book for you school.

These workshops are suitable for KS3 pupils. Up to 30 pupils per session. Three sessions delivered in series over the academic year.


New Online Course: From the Farm to You

The latest course is Food Science and Nutrition: From the Farm to You. During this course you will follow food’s fascinating journey from the farm to your body and explore new food technologies and nutrition around the world. You’ll learn how food science and nutrition will help you to understand and study the fascinating world of food.

The course is now open for enrolments and learners will be able to access the content from March 16. The course will remain open for enrolments for a period of 8 weeks.

How to apply:

Sign up here: Food Science and Nutrition: From the Farm to You sign up

Further information:

The University of Leeds provides a number of FREE quality online courses to help students make the transition to university.  These courses can be used as a classroom enrichment resource or independently by students to discover exciting subject areas presented by leading academics.

To see what other online courses are available please visit the Online Courses section of the website.


Spinal Angles, Statistics and Scoliosis

Curriculum Area: Geometry and Statistics – KS3 Mathematics
Target Audience: Mid-attaining KS3 pupils in Year 8/9

This session is a great way to show students that the maths skills they are developing are used in the real world in various professions.

The students will find out what the "Cobb angle" is and explore how to determine and measure it to understand scoliotic curve severity from spinal x-rays and analysing results for orthopaedic healthcare applications/professionals.

Limited availability Monday to Thursday in West Yorkshire.

Contact stem@leeds.ac.uk to request a session.


PWC 2020 Insight week

Vacancies for PWC's Insight week are now open. These paid week-long work experience programmes for Year 12 students are a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn more about the world of business, accounting or technology. Below is a summary of the main entry entry requirements for STEM students:

  • Digital Insight Week is a fast-track programme to the fully funded Computer Science Degrees - students need to be on track for AAA or above at A-Level or equivalent

Further information: More information and full details of the entry requirements can be found via the PWC website

The closing date for applications is Friday 14 February 2020.