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STEM Opportunities 9.1

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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!


 

Connect Physics

Connect  Physics is a set of three workshops for Key Stage 3 science students which answer the questions:

  • What is physics?
  • Why do physics?
  • How do we do physics?

The workshops 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, through physics, find out about careers that  are possible through studying physics and get a chance to develop their skills using the scientific method and peer-review process through an open-ended problem with no presented final solution. Each workshop fits into a 45 to 60 minute science lessons and are suitable for students of all science abilities. Ideally the workshops would be delivered one a term, across the year, to the same students.

Suitable for KS3. Three one hour workshops. 

To learn more and book, please contact Ms Erin McNeil, Physics Outreach Officer, at e.mcneill@leeds.ac.uk.

 

 

 

 


Biology Week roadshow

From the 8th-12th of October, we’re coming to you for Biology week 2018! We have sessions to bring into your classrooms, delivered by our researchers, to bring various aspects of Biology to life. Sessions available are:

  • Origami organelles (KS2)
  • Avoiding Attack (KS2)
  • Virtual Reality Inside Our Science (KS3)
  • How Do We Use DNA? (KS4 and 5)

You can read more details about each one here.

We have limited capacity to deliver but will do our best with all requests until the week is full. Contact stem@leeds.ac.uk to request a session.


Yr 12 Chemistry Analysis Workshops

Between 2-4pm on the 21st November.

Researchers in Chemistry will explain some of the analytical techniques they use and why, before giving you the chance to try a few for yourself. This will be an opportunity to speak to chemistry students informally as well as experience undergraduate level lab work; identifying painkillers using infra-red spectroscopy, melting point analysis and thin layer chromatography.

For more information and how to book visit:  https://www.stem.leeds.ac.uk/chemistry/analysisworkshops/


The book stacking problem - KS3 Maths Workshop

Limited availability to come into school.

In this session we will investigate the following question: How far can we make a tower of books overhang? Working in groups the students will carry out an experiment to find the answer. The pattern we find is surprisingly related to the mathematics that describes musical overtones - the harmonic numbers!

Limited availability (Mon, Tue, Fri of autumn term) to come into schools for 1 hour workshop for Y8 or Y9.

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


 

Classifying Platonic Solids - KS5 Maths Workshop

Limited availability to come into school.

In this session we will look at the ‘Platonic Solids’ which have fascinated mathematicians for thousands of years. We will see how this ancient area of geometry is still remarkably relevant to modern research and the students will be guided through a proof that constructs all possible platonic solids.

Limited availability (Mon, Tue, Fri of autumn term) to come into schools for 1 hour workshop.

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


The Bolton Lecture on Astrophysics 2018

The formation of stars: a journey through cosmic time.

Wednesday November 28th 5:30 - 6:30 at the University of Leeds.

For more information and booking, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bolton-lecture-on-astrophysics-2018-tickets-49809606875

This is a free and public lecture primarily aimed at year 11 - 13 students. However, it will be of interest to anyone with an interest in Astrophysics.


Medicine – Not Just About Medics

KS4 day on campus. Teachers may request up to 10 places.

Monday 17th December from 9:45-3:15.

The subject of Medicine interests many students, however they won’t all become doctors. Bring your school group along to this interactive day to learn more about how STEM degrees can link to the field of Medicine, and why STEM is important for medical advancement. Students will get involved in hands-on practicals, from Chemistry, Physics, Food Science, Health, Engineering, Mathematics, Health and Biosciences.

For booking and more information, please visit https://www.stem.leeds.ac.uk/mnjam/

For enquiries, please contact the STEM@Leeds Team at STEM@leeds.ac.uk


Physics Taster Day

Open to Year 12 and 13 pupils studying both Maths and Physics at A-Level.

Wednesday 21st November from 09:45 - 14:30.

This is a great opportunity for students studying both Maths and Physics at A-level to experience university life and see what it’s like to study in higher education. Students must have permission from their teachers to attend the event.

Applications are now open. For more information and to book please visit https://www.stem.leeds.ac.uk/physics/tasterday/


Chemistry Taster Days

Open to Year 11 or 12 pupils studying (or planning to study) Chemistry A Level.

Wednesday 19th December from 09:45 - 14:45.

Are you currently in year 11 or 12 with an interest in studying chemistry at the next level? Join us for a taster day where you will experience life as an undergraduate chemist by carrying out practical experiments in our teaching labs, exploring the campus and speaking to current staff and students in the School of Chemistry.

Applications are now open. For more information and to book, please visit https://www.stem.leeds.ac.uk/chemistry/tasterday/


The Platonic Solids’ Lesser Known Cousins

Meeting of the Yorkshire Branch of the Mathematical Association. Suitable for adults with an interest in Mathematics.

Saturday 20th October 2018, 2pm for 2:30pm.

The Platonic solids need no introduction. But what makes these five shapes so special? They are the only polyhedra satisfying the following conditions: every face is a regular polygon, every face is identical to every other, every edge is identical to every other, every corner is identical to every other, and finally the shape is convex (roughly, it contains no holes or spikes). In this session, we will investigate some of the less famous (but no less beautiful!) shapes that arise when we relax or amend these conditions. The session will also showcase three of the speaker’s current favourite things: a children’s construction toy (Magformers), a piece of software (Robert Webb’s Stella 4D), and a rare book (Adventures Among The Toroids by Bonnie Stewart).

For more information, please visit https://www.stem.leeds.ac.uk/events/the-platonic-solids-lesser-known-cousins/


RSC Lecture for Schools

'Seeing the invisible'

Prof Andy Beeby (Durham University)

Suitable for Year 10 - Year 12 pupils.

Tuesday 18th December 2018, 11.00-12.00 or 13.30-14.30.

School of Chemistry, University of Leeds.

We take vision for granted, but beyond the limits of the visible spectrum there lies a wealth of spectral information waiting to be discovered.  Some creatures already know about this - for example cats, dogs and many insects can see ultra-violet, and snakes detect their prey using infra-red light.  We are slowly catching up - we have instruments and cameras that can detect this radiation, allowing us to visualise the wonders of the invisible world and to exploit it for a wide range of tasks.  The lecture will use a range of demonstrations showing the effects and applicants of the electromagnetic spectrum from the ultra-violet to the infra-red.

To book please contact Louise Crabtree.