STEM Opportunities 9.3
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!
Leeds Festival of Science Schools Programme out now!
Our 2019 festival is now open to bookings online. Check out the festival programme here. Once more the festival is packed with activities for Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 5 and teachers involving science, maths, engineering and geography. Some of which give the opportunity to bring students onto campus to help them understand what a university is and the opportunities it provides. Other activities are “roadshows” which can be brought into schools, or events held in local museums.
Browse our programme and complete the online request form by Friday 1 February to request activities. Send your requests in early, as we begin allocating places at the start of January.
View programme and book online at www.leeds.ac.uk/festivalofscience.
RSC Lecture for Schools
'Seeing the invisible' with 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.
The FunMaths Resources
The University of Leeds is a hub for the FunMaths Roadshow. These excellent resources, developed by the Liverpool Mathematical Society, have proved popular for all age-groups across the UK. The puzzles promote mathematical thinking, discussion and problem-solving and provide a great basis for an engaging workshop. For more information about how to run a roadshow and borrow the resources for your school read on.
Suitable for KS2 to KS5 pupils.
Institute of Physics Lecture Series
The IOP is offering a series of free lectures this autumn at the University of Leeds. Talks are suitable for members of the general public with an interest in Physics, teachers and young students of Physics in KS4 and KS5. Please click on the links below for more information.
- Wednesday 14th November - Physics of moving cells and applications to cancer with Dr Rhoda Hawkins.
- Wednesday 21st November - Ripples of Gravity, Flashes of Light: the Dawn of Multi-Messenger Astronomy with Prof Martin Hendry MBE.
- Tuesday 4th December - Medieval Science and Lessons for the Science-Religion Question Today with Prof Tom McLeish.
All talks start at 7.oopm
Free tea, coffee and biscuits from 6:30pm
University of Leeds, Michael Sadler Building, Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre
The book stacking problem - KS3 Maths Workshop
Last chance to book before the holidays!
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.
Physics Sixth Form Conference
Thursday 20th December from 10:00 - 14:00.
Teachers are able to book places for their classes, but pupils are also encouraged to book on individually to attend the event.
The purpose this event is for Year 11, 12 and 13 students to hear about the new and exciting areas of research happening at the University of Leeds, and the opportunities available to both pre-university and undergraduate students to not just learn physics, but DO physics.
For more information and the booking forms please visit: https://www.stem.leeds.ac.uk/physics/sixthformconference/
Classifying Platonic Solids - KS5 Maths Workshop
Last chance to book before the holidays!
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.
Enriching the teaching of A level statistics - A Study Day for Teachers
Saturday 9th March 2019 11am – 3pm, University of Leeds
Enjoy 'Some Statistical Starters' session from Stella Dudzic - MEI before a networking lunch and an afternoon session Darren Macey of Cambridge Mathematics looking at 'Statistical software and simulation in the classroom'.
For more details and to register for the study day please e-mail Alan (A.Slomson@leeds.ac.uk). Registration fee £30 (includes lunch).
This event is held in collaboration with the Yorkshire Branch of the Mathematical Association.