Briefings > Outreach - schools

Outreach - schools One of ECRR's aims is to encourage science education at all levels. The work of ECRR member organisations cover most of the secondary school science-related curricula including: biology; biotechnology; chemistry; engineering; geography; geology; human biology; mathematics; and physics. If you are a schoolteacher and wish to learn more about how we can help then please make contact with the relevant ECRR organisation via the hyperlinked references provided. Science Outreach - By Subject Curriculum subject Offered by ECRR member (Click on name for further info) Biology: UoE HWU StAN STIR NAP UHI SAC SNH RBGE NMS RSPB SCRI CEH MORE ROSL HRSU FRS SASA UMBS Biotechnology: UoE HWU StAN STIR NAP UHI SAC RBGE NMS RSPB SCRI CEH MORE ROSL HRSU FRS SASA Chemistry: UoE HWU StAN STIR UHI SAC NMS RSPB SCRI CEH BGS MORE ROSL HRSU FRS SASA Engineering: UoE HWU STIR NAP UHI NMS Geography: UoE STIR UHI SAC SNH NMS RSPB SCRI CEH BGS FRS SASA Geology: UoE SNH RBGE NMS BGS Human biology: UoE StAN NAP NMS RSPB SCRI MORE ROSL HRSU Mathematics: UoE HWU StAN STIR NAP UHI NMS RSPB ROSL Physics: UoE HWU StAN UHI NMS CEH BGS FRS Science: UoE HWU StAN STIR NAP UHI SAC SNH RBGE NMS RSPB SCRI CEH BGS MORE ROSL HRSU FRS SASA UMBS Science Outreach - By Activity Activity Offered by ECRR member (Click on name for further info) Hosting school visits: UoE HWU StAN STIR UHI SAC RBGE NMS RSPB SCRI CEH BGS MORE ROSL HRSU SASA UMBS Roadshows, presentations, science festivals: UoE HWU StAN STIR NAP UHI SAC RBGE NMS RSPB BGS MORE ROSL HRSU SASA UMBS Curriculum resources: UoE UHI SNH RBGE NMS RSPB SCRI CEH BGS CPD for teachers: UoE StAN UHI RBGE SCRI HRSU SASA ROSL Nuffield science bursary host: UoE StAN STIR NAP UHI SAC RBGE NMS SCRI CEH MORE ROSL BGS Science Outreach - ECRR members' contributions to national programmes Nuffield Foundation Science Bursaries for Schools - helps post-16 science students to take part in science-based projects, lasting 4-6 weeks, in universities or research institutions, during the summer holidays. Currently thirteen ECRR member organisations host students. British Association for the Advancement of Science CREST Scheme - an awards scheme for project work in science and technology aimed at 11-19 year-olds. Current ECRR affiliates include Edinburgh University, Heriot-Watt University, BGS and the National Museums of Scotland. Researchers-in-Residence - brings together researchers, young people and teachers via placements in secondary schools across the UK. Researchers from Edinburgh University and the MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit are among those contributing. STEM Ambassadors - promote their skills to young learners, and inform them about career opportunities in science, technology, engineering & mathematics. Eleven ECRR member organisations are currently involved as sponsors. Edinburgh International Science Festival - an educational charity which organises Edinburgh's annual two-week Science Festival. Most ECRR member organisations contribute to the Science Festival. Scottish Earth Science Education Forum (SESEF) - an association of educators and scientists promoting an understanding of planet Earth in Scottish schools and colleges Edinburgh Beltane - The aim is to encourage and support researchers in communicating with those whom their work will affect. The Edinburgh Beltane Beacon is led by Edinburgh University and involves a number of ECRR organisations. Science Outreach - ECRR members' initiatives and contact point for schools University of Edinburgh Schools liaison contact : Student Recruitment & Admissions . Initiatives : SCI-FUN - takes students and staff to run science workshops in schools throughout Scotland. Also hosts visits for primary and early secondary-year students. SIBE - Scottish Initiative for Biotechnology Education, supports teachers with school workshops, bioethical discussions, science exhibits and science communication training. Pathways to the Professions - encourages progression into professional courses such as veterinary medicine by under-represented school students. Educated Pass - targets boys, particularly from under-represented groups, through their sports clubs and coaches to generate a commitment to education. Lothians Equal Access Programme for Schools - promotes higher education amongst young people whose school careers have been affected by adverse economic or social circumstances. LEAPS involves all HE institutions in the Lothians. Kickstart - a week-long summer school focussing on skills needed to succeed in school, college and university. The summer school is run in cooperation with Edinburgh Napier University and SAC. -> back Heriot-Watt University Schools liaison contact : Recruitment & Admissions Service. Initiatives : Girls Get SET (Science, Engineering, Technology) - a week-long residential programme in March for S3 girls. The aim of the project is to encourage girls to study SET courses. The project is lead by Heriot-Watt University in partnership with Edinburgh University, Napier University and QMUC. -> back St Andrews University Schools liaison contact : School Projects & Initiatives. Initiatives : First Chances Project - Schools select 10 of their best S3 students who attend a residential session at the University and over the next year each student completes a project report with the help of a student mentor on a topic in sustainable development or health. Space School @ St Andrews - Primary schools are invited to select P6 pupils to attend six Saturday classes in Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy, Biology, Computer Science, Geosciences, Psychology and Chemistry, using a space theme which dovetails with the national Curriculum for Excellence. Sutton Trust Summer School - For S5 pupils with academic potential but from a disadvantaged background to encourage them to apply for competitive courses and universities. Pupils live in a hall of residence for a week and attend lectures, laboratories and tutorials in two subject areas. Teachers Together Conference - Encourages links between schools and higher education to ensure that relevant, accurate and timely guidance is given to pupils when preparing to study at university. Scottish Wider Access Partnership - develops access courses and is chaired by St Andrews University. -> back University of Stirling Schools liaison contact : Undergraduate Admissions Office. Initiatives : Study in Scotland Group (SUCROS) is a consortium representing seven HEIs. The aim is to promote the benefits of Scottish higher education and provide impartial advice on the opportunities available at each of the member institutions. -> back Edinburgh Napier University Schools liaison contact : HE Advisers' Guide. -> back UHI Millennium Institute Schools liaison contact : Local College . Initiatives : Organises and contributes to science festivals across the Highlands and Islands region, arranges for staff to take their science expertise to school audiences and for pupils to undertake visits to UHI research units. In collaboration with local partners develops and delivers annual programmes of school activities promoting careers in science. Offers CPD for teachers both online and face-to-face. -> back SAC Schools liaison contact : Parents and Teachers. Initiatives : Geography for schools - a website aimed at those studying geography to a higher or advanced level at school or college. -> back Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Schools liaison contact : Science in Society or email Dr Susan Owen, CEH Edinburgh Initiatives : School students interested in gaining work experience should contact the Science & Society representative at the research site closest to their home. -> back British Geological Survey Schools liaison contact : BGS Science & Society . Initiatives : Popular geology - information on earthquakes, fossils, volcanoes, British geology and climate change. Educational resources an "ask-about-geology" service, interactive geological maps and timeline, the BGS timechart,the UK Schools Seismology Project and more. -> back Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Schools liaison contact : Schools Education Service Initiatives : Primary Schools Programme - covers environmental sciences, geography and biology. Secondary Schools Programme - involving biology and geography themes. Schools Outreach Programme - includes Rainforest Roadshow and Flora Celtica Roadshow, Gaelic Week and Benmore Garden Schools Week. -> back National Museums of Scotland Schools liaison contact : NMS schools programme Initiatives : CPD courses for teachers Teachers' resources The Access & Outreach Team encourages wider access to Museum resources with projects throughout Scotland. -> back Roslin Institute Schools liaison contact : Scientific Administrator (Communications) . Initiatives : Occasionally the Rosiln Institute has work experience placements for students in 5th year and above. -> back Forest Research Schools liaison contact : Woodlands for Learning. Initiatives : Forest Education Initiative - Scotland - aims to increase understanding of local and global importance of trees. Tree Trunk online - wide range of learning resources to support the national curricula. -> back Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Schools liaison contact : Education in Scotland. Initiatives : Field teaching - RSPB field teachers lead school visits to nature reserves throughout Scotland. Bird-friendly schools - encouraging schools to find out more about birds in and around the school. Wild Square - young people monitoring their local area to discover the plants and animals that live there. RSPB Kids - website with curricula-linked activities. -> back Scottish Natural Heritage Schools liaison contact : Resources for teaching. Initiatives : Activities for your class - activities and resources about nature for primary and secondary schools. Find out about Scotland's nature and SNH - information and data to help you learn about Scotland's nature and landscape. Taking learning outdoors - to help you experience nature beyond the classroom. Other support and advice - more links and contacts to support learning about nature. -> back Moredun Research Institute Schools liaison contact : Moredun Research Institute - email joanne.watts@moredun.org.uk Initiatives : The Education Group produces interactive displays aimed at encouraging more curiosity about science. Moredun scientists contribute to the STEM Ambassadors scheme. Occasionally Moredun has work experience placements for students in 5th year and above. -> back Scottish Crop Research Institute Schools liaison contact : Science for Learning Initiatives : The Living Field - includes down-loadable resources for schools on learning about plants, soils, fungi, insects, worms, bacteria, vertebrates and invertebrates. "You choose the news" - players produce a TV news item about an environmental issue by selecting from a series of short video clips. When complete players are told how balanced has been their news clip. Weather station data - local weather data for Invergowrie on-line. Exhibtions & Festivals - exhibits at events across Scotland. -> back Science & Advice for Scottish Agricuture Schools liaison contact : About SASA Initiatives : Science and Plants for Schools - SASA supplies ELISA kits to schools along with advice on their use. -> back University Marine Biological Station Millport Schools liaison contact : UMBSM website - email tom.stevenson@millport.gla.ac.uk Initiatives : Scientists visit local schools with interactive displays to encourage interest in marine science. UMBS offers occasional work experience placements. Hosting schools for residential field courses -> back MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit Schools liaison contact : Teachers & Pupils . Initiatives : Research Scientists Schools Initiative - Experiments to try in school that are related to Scottish 5-14 Environmental Studies curriculum. Research Scientists Schools Initiative - Visits by young scientists to talk about career paths in science. HRSU staff take laboratory workshops to the Edinburgh International Science Festival in April each year. -> back Other Science Outreach Links ASE - Association for Science Education An organisation for the promotion of excellence in science teaching and learning. ASE - Association for Science Education Scotland The ASE in Scotland. STEMNET A consortium of more than 100 member organisations that seeks to stimulate the interests of young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and in pursuing careers in these subjects. It promotes its mission through a UK-wide network of local STEMPOINTs. Science and Engineering Ambassadors (SEA) are enthusiastic volunteers who are employed to work with schools and colleges. STEM Scotland There are four regional STEMPOINTS in Scotland, covering the West, East, Greater Glasgow and the North of Scotland. Aims of STEMPOINTS include: providing a 'one-stop-shop' for information on STEM; encouraging cooperation in organisation of events; promoting publicity on successes for students and teachers. British Association for the Advancement of Science Information on a host of initiatives including award schemes, science fairs, discovery days, and educator days. British Association for the Advancement of Science CREST Scheme Awards scheme for project work in science and technology aimed at 11-19 year-olds. Encourages students to develop their scientific curiosity, problem-solving and communication skills. ISE5-14 - Improving Science Education 5-14 Supporting teachers of environmental studies in Scotland. SSERC - Scottish Schools Equipment Research Centre A resource for those seeking information on science teaching. LT Scotland - Learning & Teaching Scotland Online Service Provides resources and advice for teachers and others involved in education. Science Live Guide to science presenters and outeach science shows. Science Learning Centres Professional development in science teaching. Planet Science Information, ideas and classroom resources for primary and secondary school teachers. Research Councils UK Science in Schools A variety of activities, resources and grant schemes which are available for teachers and others delivering science, technology, engineering and maths in schools. Researchers in Residence Provide researchers with the opportunity to develop and use effective communication, management and teamwork skills by working with young people. Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) works with teachers to promote plant science & molecular biology as key curriculum areas. Science One Stop A reference point for primary and secondary school science teachers organised by the Association for Science Education. BBC Schools Many online learning resources for the national curriculum.