Friday, 22 November 2013

Dr Who's 50th Google doodle!

Love todays Doodle (OK I'm a geek, but then you knew that when you visited this blog...)


Wednesday, 13 November 2013

Big Bang Fair School Science competition

Of interest to School Science teachers...?


The Big Bang Access All Areas
Don't miss out - there's still time to enter our competition!

Share science, technology, engineering or maths related facts with your class for a chance to win amazing QI prizes! (Including a signed pic of Stephen Fry and Alan Davies, tickets to see a live recording of the TV show - and many more!)

For more information and some facts to help get you started, check out: http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/interesting

Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Mission X Train Like An Astronaut - Free programme for Schools - Deadline for Registration December 1 2013

May be of interest to schools seeking science/health enrichment activities:

Registration for the Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut 2014 programme is
now open! Budding young astronauts aged 8 to 12 from across the UK are
invited to take part in this international challenge and undertake
activities focusing on fitness and nutrition.  More details on how to
register are on
www.bis.gov.uk/ukspaceagency/discover-and-learn/mission-x-in-the-uk

The <http://www.bis.gov.uk/ukspaceagency/discover-and-learn/mission-x-in-the-uk>
Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut programme developed by the partners of
the International Space Station (ISS) uses astronaut training to teach how
good diet and exercise play an important role in human performance in space
and on the Earth. The programme is free and the activities can be used by
individuals, schools or community groups and are accompanied by
<http://www.bis.gov.uk/ukspaceagency/discover-and-learn/mission-x-in-the-uk/
training-resources
> student and educator guides.

The deadline for schools to sign up is 1 December 2013 and the international
challenge will start on 13 January 2014. Registration forms can be found on
the
<http://www.bis.gov.uk/ukspaceagency/discover-and-learn/mission-x-in-the-uk/
mission-x-2014
> Mission X 2014 UK webpage.

13,000 UK students from over 115 British schools have already taken part in
Mission X challenges since the programme started in 2011. Students have had
the opportunity to take part in live link-ups with the International Space
Station; visit the European Space Agency (ESA)'s science and technology
facilities,  visit the European Space Agency (ESA)'s science and technology
facility (ESTEC); learn alongside astronauts, space scientists, fitness and
nutrition specialists; work alongside universities; link up with other
schools internationally; and find out about life in space. The programme is
supported by British ESA astronaut Tim Peake and his fellow ESA astronauts
Andre Kuipers and Paolo Nespoli. It has also received support from NASA
astronaut Piers Sellers and private astronauts Richard Garriott and Per
Wimmer.

Jeremy Curtis, Head of Education at the UK Space Agency noted:

"The UK Space Agency is enabling children to access astronaut training and
nutrition regimes and learn about the science behind them. The children
taking part will also learn about space and could be the space explorers of
the future."

Tim Peake commented:

"Being fit and healthy is a key requirement for future astronauts.
Spaceflight can be physically demanding and part of my job is to train hard
so that I'm always ready to go into space. It's much easier to exercise on
Earth than in microgravity! The real mission is to encourage kids today to
exercise and eat a healthy diet, and astronaut training exercises are an
exciting, fun way to do it."

Please share this with your schools and local organisations who might be
interested in taking part.

Heather MacRae

Mission X Programme Manager

T 0781 5768699

T 01279 817370

Check out the Mission X Websites on  http://www.trainlikeanastronaut.org
<http://www.trainlikeanastronaut.org/>  and
http://www.bis.gov.uk/ukspaceagency/discover-and-learn/mission-x-in-the-uk

Like Mission X on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/trainastronaut

Follow Mission X on twitter @trainastronaut and tweet about Mission X using
#MXUK

Thursday, 7 November 2013

Mathematics E&E Grants Scheme 2013/14

Mathematics E&E Grants Scheme 2013/14

The grants scheme, administered by the Royal Institution (Ri,www.rigb.org<http://www.rigb.org>) and generously supported by the Clothworkers' Foundation, is an exciting opportunity to have a mathematics enrichment and enhancement (E&E) activity at your school and help integrate E&E in school practice.

This may be of interest to schools wanting a maths enrichment activity:

We are offering grants of up to £500 for eligible state-funded schools or academies in the UK to have a mathematics activity from the STEM Directories (www.stemdirectories.org.uk<http://www.stemdirectories.org.uk>) in 2013/14.

Please ensure you check the eligibility criteria and guidance on making an application in the grant terms, available on the STEM Directories website.  The scheme is very popular and there are a limited number of grants available. If you need assistance with your application, check the grant terms first as we have outlined what you should include.

Round two is now open for applications and will close on Monday 2 December at 5pm.

For full terms, eligibility criteria, extensive support and to apply, visit the STEM Directories website: www.stemdirectories.org.uk<http://www.stemdirectories.org.uk>.

Samantha Durbin
Clothworkers' Associate in Mathematics (Secondary)

Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS
e. sdurbin@ri.ac.ukahooker@ri.ac.uk>
t. 020 7670 2915

www.rigb.org
www.richannel.org<http://www.richannel.org>