STEM Opportunities 11.2
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 updates!
To let us know more about your school circumstances and what you would like to see from us, please complete the following short survey:
https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/stem-outreach-preferences-survey
The format of our communications will be changing, you will hear about this soon. Rest assured that will still be contacting you about STEM resources and activities to benefit you and your students.
LATEST NEWS
STEM Outreach update:
We hope that you and your family are well and that you had a lovely summer break.
We appreciate that we are all in unchartered territory as we start this new academic year. We understand that the disruptions to last year will inevitably mean that there will be changes to teaching this year, and many of you will have been involved in developing new procedures over the summer to enable schools to open. We hope that the changes go as smoothly as possible for you and your students.
The STEM team and all the rest of our colleagues here in Educational Engagement are still here to support your school with outreach experiences where we can. We are developing more ways to work with you and your students digitally with a mixture of live and pre-recorded online events.
This year’s programme will be available on the STEM website. Some of our programme is still in development as we learn more about how schools will be working this year.
To let us know more about your school circumstances and what you would like to see from us, please complete the following short survey:
https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/stem-outreach-preferences-survey
Thank you.
The format of our communications will also be changing and you will hear about this soon. Rest assured that will still be contacting you about STEM resources and activities to benefit you and your students.
Engineering BTEC Masterclass Programme
Three online sessions for Year 12's
Book your class to take part in three online interactive sessions from October 2020 – June 2021 (dates of your choice). Each 60-minute session will take place online using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. You will need a large screen for all students to view. Students will gain an insight into what it is like to study engineering at University of Leeds, discover related careers and employability, plus have frequently asked questions answered by Engineering Ambassadors.
Further information:
Please complete the online enquiry form with your preferred dates: https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/engineering-btec-masterclass-online-enquiry-form
Note this programme is for students studying an engineering BTEC only with an interest in pursuing engineering at the next level. It is compulsory that the same students attend all three sessions between October 2020 - June 2021.
For more information please visit our Engineering BTEC Masterclass page.
The University of Leeds is pleased to announce a new science competition inviting students to explore the wonders of everyday fluid dynamics. Students in Year 7 – 9 are invited to submit a photograph or series of photographs (maximum 6) of their own fluid dynamics in motion through experimentation or real-world application.
Further information:
To register your school’s interest and request a Teacher’s pack visit: https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/fluids-competition-university-of-leeds-202021
For more information please visit our Fluid Dynamics Competition page.
Let’s work together: Effective collaboration in the mathematics classroom
Tuesday 13 Oct, 7 pm: Online session via Zoom.
Speaker: Ems Lord – Director of NRICH and former President of the Mathematical Association
In this workshop, Ems will share some of her favourite rich mathematical activities, exploring ways to maximise their potential for developing collaborative problem-solving skills. During the session, Ems will offer an insider’s guide to the NRICH website, including top tips for classes hoping to see their solutions published on NRICH.
Further information:
Places are limited - to request a place please complete this form.
For more information please visit our Effective collaboration in the mathematics classroom page.
Biology Teaching and Outreach Advisory Board
Calling all Biology teachers - Would you like to join a group of teachers, university academics and outreach staff to contribute to the dialogue around teaching and outreach within schools and university?
With recent disruptions to school and university education, now is the time to work together to ensure young people are given the best opportunities to succeed and aren’t unduly disadvantaged by circumstances out of their control.
We are setting up an advisory board with the aims of
- updating one another on changes and developments in school and university, including curriculum, exams and admissions
- understanding how we can support you and your students, in particular, those from Low Progression Neighbourhoods (LPN) and other under-represented groups within Higher Education
- receiving feedback and direction from teachers on our outreach programme and exploring ways of working together for the benefit of under-represented students
- sharing information and ideas around teaching biology and science at school and university to motivate students to study them further
We will meet 2 to 3 times per year via MS Teams after the school day has finished. Other than attendance at the meetings, we don’t envisage any significant extra time commitment.
Further information:
If you are interested in joining please e-mail Louise Crabtree at l.crabtree@leeds.ac.uk with details of your role, school and any other relevant information.
This opportunity is open to anyone teaching Biology, preferably with more than 2 years of teaching experience and from schools within LPN areas.
Escape from the International Space Station!
STEM Activity aimed at KS2 children
This Satellite themed STEM activity from SENSE (Centre for Satellite Data in Environmental Science) involves a series of puzzles and covers parts of the Science and Geography curriculum. It is mainly aimed at KS2 learners but may also be useful as a homework task for KS3, especially for new Year 7 classes.
Further information:
To find out more please visit the following page: https://eo-cdt.org/escape-room/
Be Curious
Saturday 10 – Friday 23 October 2020
Be Curious, the University of Leeds’ annual family-friendly research open event, moves online for 2020 with a jam-packed programme, which aims to showcase world-leading research to the wider public.
Launching on Saturday 10 October with a full day of live events, the fifth annual instalment of the hugely popular Be Curious showcase runs until Friday 23 October. With family events, fun activities, challenges, and inspiring evening talks… there’s something for everyone to enjoy! We’ll even be joined by YouTuber and BBC TV & Radio presenter Greg Foot, who’ll be taking us on a scientific journey into the deep dark ocean and telling us about his work with the Blue Planet II team. All events are free, but please note that some events require registration.
Further information:
Visit www.leeds.ac.uk/becurious to view the full programme and book your free tickets!
You can find us on Twitter (@UniLeedsEngage) and follow along by using #BeCurious20.
DIGITAL RESOURCES
Online Courses with Future Learn:
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.
Further information: To see what courses are available please visit the Online Courses section of the website.
FutureLearn Schools
FutureLearn Schools is a new initiative offering free access to hundreds of online educational resources for school students aged 13+, to continue and expand their learning. Teachers and Students will be able to access hundreds of free courses from top universities, as well as additional guidance and support such as a Coronavirus support hub from TES and support for parents and learners from Pearson.
The University of Leeds has many courses available through the initiative. Courses that may be of particular interest to STEM students and teachers include; Discovering Science: Science Writing, Ecology and Wildlife Conservation, Computer Programming for Everyone, Discovering Science: Medicinal Chemistry, Discovering Science: Global Challenges, Atmospheric Chemistry: Planets and Life Beyond Earth, Discovering Science: Chemical Products, Discovering Science: Atmospheric Chemistry, Food Science and Nutrition: From the Farm to you. There is also a course about Preparing to Learn Online at University.
Further information:
For further information and access to over a hundred should courses check out the FutureLearn website.