SLP Newsletters

June 2020
As we gradually move into new ways of teaching, with a number of colleagues now starting to deliver socially distanced face-to-face lessons, our SLP has been working hard to ensure that, for those still able to take advantage of remote CPD at this time, we continue to offer a wide range of training and also continue to promote wider opportunities and support for all teachers across the region.

We are offering further opportunities to access our popular Metacognition and Stretch & Challenge sessions this month and are also pleased to announce our new Preparing for OFSTED bespoke CPD, with two sessions ready to book now.

Don't forget that, in addition to these, STEM Learning continue to offer a comprehensive national programme of remote CPD for primary, secondary and FE, together with a library of home learning activities and resources for parents, all free of charge.

As always, please don't hesitate to get in touch if there is anything you'd like to discuss in terms of CPD or support for your school: e.emmerton@setsa.info

With very best wishes,

Emma Emmerton
Project Officer
Southend, Essex & Thurrock Science Learning Partnership

Primary CPD

As part of the wider STEM Learning national offer to schools (above), our SLP is currently hosting the following primary CPD:

Teaching Upper Key Stage 2 Science

Starting 18 June (RX004 / A04)
https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/468744/teaching-upper-key-stage-2-science

Starting 3 Jul 20 (RX004 / A05)
https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/469865/teaching-upper-key-stage-2-science

Starting 20 Jul 20 (RX004 / A06)
https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/469886/teaching-upper-key-stage-2-science

5 online sessions, 3 gap tasks between sessions)

Cost: Currently FREE to maintained schools

About the course

Get ready to return to the classroom by gaining the tools and confidence to plan and enable effective learning for your pupils. You will explore ways to bring the KS2 curriculum to life through practical ideas and discussion tasks, as well as how to effectively develop a strategy for dealing with common misconceptions.

Outcomes

You will be able to:

create a manageable approach to teaching science in upper KS2
identify and address gaps in children’s science knowledge, skills & understanding
plan practical approaches to teaching upper KS2 science
be aware of some common misconceptions and consider strategies for dealing with them

Book now and you will be automatically registered for the scheduled sessions for the course. Remote CPD courses have live, facilitator-led sessions and are not available for instant access. Please refer to the schedule of dates published for each course instance.

Bespoke secondary CPD

NEW: Preparing your department to meet the new OFSTED framework

2 dates and times are available:

07 July 2020 15:00-17:00
https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/473011/preparing-your-department-meet-new-ofsted-framework

09 July 2020 10:00-12:00
https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/473012/preparing-your-department-meet-new-ofsted-framework

Cost: £20 per person for maintained schools.

About the course

This new bespoke course explores the new OFSTED inspection framework and focuses upon creating an effective curriculum.

Learning outcomes:
•   gain a better understanding of the new OFSTED inspection framework
•   explore why curriculum is now a key focus
•   developing your vision for science learning
•   explore what constitutes effective curriculum design and its implementation

Metacognition and self-regulated learning in science RH298 / E15

22 June 2020 10:00-12:00

Booking link: https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/471258/metacognition-self-regulated-learning-science

Cost: Currently FREE to maintained schools

About the course

The course is divided into 3 sections:

What is metacognition?
- explain what metacognition and self-regulated learning skills are and why they are important
- identify some key barriers to building metacognitive skills
- understand the roles and interplay of knowledge, planning, monitoring and evaluation in building metacognitive approaches to solving problems

Developing metacognition through challenge and talk
- understand how challenge can motivate or demotivate learners
- discover how to promote and develop metacognitive talk in science

Developing a culture for self-regulated learning
- explore further strategies which support the development of metacognition and self-regulated learning
- plan to develop a culture for self-regulated learning in science

Stretch & Challenge of pupils in science RH298 / E16

24 June 2020 10:00-12:00

Booking link: https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/471262/stretch-challenge-science

Cost: Currently FREE to maintained schools

About the course

This bespoke course explores the nature of Stretch and Challenge in the classroom and will support you to design a curriculum that embeds Stretch and Challenge into all lessons.

Learning outcomes:

gain a better understanding of what Stretch and Challenge means
have a clearer view of what Stretch and Challenge might look like in your classroom
take away several tried-and-tested ideas to use in your classrooms
understand how to develop an over-arching science curriculum strategy that ensures Stretch and Challenge becomes a natural part of all Teaching and Learning.

Other news and opportunities

Have you discovered The STEM Hub website yet?

Based at Canterbury Christ Church University, The STEM Hub supports the agenda for ensuring a good supply of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians in the UK. They provide all schools and colleges in the South East region with free impartial advice and guidance on a wide range of STEM Enrichment and Engagement (E&E) activities, helping them to identify which opportunities can best inspire their young people in STEM.

There are 2 new areas on the website that teachers, parents and carers might find useful:

STEM@home
Support young people, parents and teachers in the South East with ideas and links for great STEM@Home activities. Resources are themed - the latest theme is ENVIRONMENT, next theme will be MATERIALS (Chemistry) - and these provide ideas for home-related learning. There are suggested questions and ideas within the materials, and video input from Local STEM Ambassadors.

Ambassadors@Work
Showcasing the important role that STEM Ambassadors undertake in providing inspiration for future careers. Here you and your students can explore STEM career profiles (Archaeologists, Computer Engineers, Clinical Scientists and more) to find out what it takes to work in a range of STEM related careers, and download STEM Sessions - a series of Podcasts from students working in industry, such as Kathryn Coldham, a PhD student currently based at the world famous Large Hadron Collider at CERN!

https://www.thestemhub.org.uk/

Free Remote STEM Club CPD workshops for schools in the East of England

The information below is provided from SETPOINT Herts - an educational charity inspiring young people about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) working in partnership with local industry.

For young people, STEM Clubs can engage and enthuse them about STEM subjects, increase awareness of career opportunities and help them to acquire new skills. Each course below consists of 2 one-hour webinars plus a gap task:

Getting started - STEM club workshop
New to STEM Clubs? Learn how to set up and grow your club over the first 18 months. The workshop aim is to assist schools to start and sustain STEM subject clubs through their first 18 months. It will provide valuable information that will support and guide club leaders.

Location: Virtual, Zoom Remote delivery - GB001 A02
Dates: 18 June and 02 July
Time: 6.00 - 7.00pm
Fee: No charge for state-maintained schools
To Book: Go to www.stem.org.uk/cpd and search for course code GB001A02

OR

Location: Virtual, Zoom Remote delivery - GF001 A02
Dates: 28 July and 30 July
Time: 9.30am - 10.30am
Fee: No charge for state-maintained schools
To Book: Go to www.stem.org.uk/cpd and search for course code GF001A02

How to be successful and thriving - STEM club workshop
This workshop is for STEM Club leaders who have been running a club for a while and want to help their club to flourish into the foreseeable future. It looks at different ways of running a STEM club, what a thriving and successful Club is like, how to maintain interest in the young people who attend, how to enhance the STEM experience and maximise the impact on the students attending the club whilst keeping running a club manageable in your workload.

Location: Virtual, Zoom Remote delivery - GF002 A01
Dates: 01 July and 09 July
Time: 6.00 - 7.00pm
Fee: No charge for state-maintained schools
To Book: Go to www.stem.org.uk/cpd and search for course code GF002A01

OR

Location: Virtual, Zoom Remote delivery - GB002 A01
Dates: 29 July and 31 July
Time: 9.30am - 10.30am
Fee: No charge for state-maintained schools
To Book: Go to www.stem.org.uk/cpd and search for course code GB002A01

Contact training@burytrust.org for more information or booking queries - Flyer is here.

Escape to Space!
As we’re all spending more time inside at the moment, SETPOINT Herts and the planetarium presenters at Starlight STEM decided it would be great to send children on a SPACE MISSION, so they have teamed up to offer a competition that’s out of this world...

Download the flyer for more information

As always, if there is anything we can do to support your school, MAT or network group with remote CPD, planning for face to face training in the future, bespoke support or accessing resources and opportunities, please get in touch with us at e.emmerton@setsa.info

May 2020

MAY 2020

As we move into another lockdown month, our SLP team have been working hard to ensure that, for those that are able to take advantage of CPD at this time, we continue to offer a wide range of remote training and also promote wider opportunities across the region.

As always, please don't hesitate to get in touch if there is anything you'd like to discuss in terms of CPD or support for your school: e.emmerton@setsa.info

With very best wishes,

Emma Emmerton
Project Officer
Southend, Essex & Thurrock Science Learning Partnership

Support from STEM Learning for teachers and parents

STEM Learning is pleased to offer a comprehensive national programme of home teaching and home learning support for teachers and parents that can be accessed free of charge.

If you are looking to continue your professional development with our new remote CPD, or a full programme of online CPD, we are here to support you over the coming months.

You can find high quality resources for the remote teaching of STEM subjects for every age group on our website, and support parents by sharing our home learning activities, including remote lessons and a ‘Parent Survival guide for Home Learning’.

Bespoke secondary sessions from Southend, Essex & Thurrock SLP

In addition to the above national offer from STEM, over the past few weeks our SLP have been working with facilitators to adapt some of the face-to-face sessions to run remotely for our secondary schools over this term. The following sessions are available to book now:

RP350 Metacognition and self-regulated learning in science
RP349 Stretch and challenge of pupils in science

These sessions will be delivered live via the Adobe Connect app. Participants will also join a course group on the STEM Learning website where they will be able to access quick guides to get started and a space to discuss ideas with others and also upload any gap tasks or resources to share.

Metacognition and self-regulated learning in science

Available session dates & times:

14 May 2020 15:00-17:00
https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/469555/metacognition-and-self-regulated-learning-science

20 May 2020 10:00-12:00
https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/469557/metacognition-and-self-regulated-learning-science

Cost: Currently FREE to maintained schools

About the course

The course is divided into 3 sections:

What is metacognition?
- explain what metacognition and self-regulated learning skills are and why they are important
- identify some key barriers to building metacognitive skills
- understand the roles and interplay of knowledge, planning, monitoring and evaluation in building metacognitive approaches to solving problems

Developing metacognition through challenge and talk
- understand how challenge can motivate or demotivate learners
- discover how to promote and develop metacognitive talk in science

Developing a culture for self-regulated learning
- explore further strategies which support the development of metacognition and self-regulated learning
- plan to develop a culture for self-regulated learning in science

Stretch & Challenge of pupils in science

Available session dates & times:

18 May 2020 10:00-12:00
https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/469812/stretch-challenge-science

22 May 2020 15:00-17:00
https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/469813/stretch-challenge-science

Cost: Currently FREE to maintained schools

About the course

This bespoke course explores the nature of Stretch and Challenge in the classroom and will support you to design a curriculum that embeds Stretch and Challenge into all lessons.

Learning outcomes:
- gain a better understanding of what Stretch and Challenge means
- have a clearer view of what Stretch and Challenge might look like in your classroom
- take away several tried-and-tested ideas to use in your classrooms
- understand how to develop an over-arching science curriculum strategy that ensures Stretch and Challenge becomes a natural part of all Teaching and Learning.

Both of the courses above will last for 2 hours. At the end of each section, independent tasks will be presented for participants to complete.
Completed tasks can be uploaded onto the STEM group page to share with others.

Latest news from the STEM Ambassador Hub

There are still a number of sessions left to run on the FREE "The Only Way is Science" 2020 School of Life webinar series being run by the University of Essex this month:

May 11 – 3:00 PM
SARS-CoV-2: Anatomy of a killer - Dr Stathis Giotis

May 14 – 3:00 PM
Biotechnology and Climate Change - Dr Ulrike Bechtold

May 18 – 3:00 PM
Cancer: A slippery fish - Dr Greg Brooke

May 19 – 3:00 PM
Drug repurposing strategies for COVID-19 - Dr Filippo Prischi

May 26 – 3:00 PM
The Limits of Life on Earth and Beyond - Dr Terence McGenity

May 28 – 3:00 PM
Cancer: A slippery fish - Dr Greg Brooke

Register for free: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/102911174092

For more information, contact fprischi@essex.ac.uk

Virtual work experience opportunity

Leading UK construction and regeneration group Morgan Sindall are opening an office in Chelmsford and have announced that they will be offering virtual WEX.

Please follow the link below for more information on this project - if interested parties mention they have heard about it via Morgan Sindall then hopefully they will become part of the MS cohort.

https://www.scapegroup.co.uk/learning-in-lockdown

STEM-based lessons from Anglian Water

As part of our ongoing work with schools across the Anglian Water region, we’re pleased to be able to tell you about our response to Covid-9.

We are offering a suite of 12 STEM-based lessons online that can be accessed by your children at home at no charge.

Water is essential to all life. The aim of the lessons is to help pupils think about water; how it is vital to life; what we need it for; where it comes from and how we can all use water wisely.

The lessons will (for the most part) follow a similar format:

- Short introductory video/ talk or information sharing
- Short investigation
- Long challenge or activity (These have been designed so the children can access the activity with limited or no input from carers and guardians)

If your students have any questions or would like further information from an expert we can be contacted via Education@anglianwater.co.uk

We are aware that not all families will have the IT available to access these lessons. The lessons have therefore been created with alternatives to the videos and can be printed out as packs to be delivered to relevant households.

https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/in-the-community/schools/learning-at-home/

April 2020

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April 2020

On behalf of the Southend, Essex & Thurrock SLP team I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

The priority for all of us right now is to keep safe and to keep moving forward with providing education in schools, as best we can, with the hope that the unprecedented levels of innovation and creative problem-solving being demonstrated by teachers and educators will form a legacy of outstanding support and learning for their students in the future.

From a science perspective it has never been more vital to encourage children’s learning in science and STEM subjects. This is why we as a Science Learning Partnership want to ensure we are helping frontline teachers and technicians to access the learning and support they need to engage, inspire and support their students.

With this in mind, please find below some links that might be useful to you, now and over the coming weeks:

Online CPD for teachers
Bespoke Online CPD & Support from the SLP
Additional webchat support from STEM Learning
STEM Learning online resources
Resources from other providers
Get in touch with the SLP

As always, if there is anything you need to discuss or anything we can do to help, please contact us on the link below.

With very best wishes,

Emma Emmerton
Project Officer
Southend, Essex & Thurrock Science Learning Partnership

Online CPD for teachers

Online courses allow you to learn wherever and whenever alongside your teaching. You'll be supported by experienced educators to use our online courses to meet your development needs and help you maximise your students' learning. You'll access real classroom footage, discuss lessons with colleagues from around the world, and learn from leading experts in their respective fields.

Our online courses are delivered by STEM Learning and hosted by FutureLearn.
Explore the options for early career, teaching and leadership at https://www.stem.org.uk/online-cpd

In addition to the existing offer, our SLP is currently working with STEM on plans for a number of NEW online CPD sessions next term, to be delivered in real time by our expert STEM facilitators. Please keep your eyes on our Twitter feed @SET_Science for more info on how to access this.

Bespoke Online CPD & Support from the SLP

We continue to offer bespoke support to schools, either via online bespoke CPD sessions, or through mentoring. Please get in touch to discuss how we can best plan this as an online solution for your school – our facilitators can offer synchrous and asynchrous online options over a number of different platforms, e.g. Google Meet, Facebook Live, Microsoft Teams, Zoom.

If you have currently had any SLP training suspended due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, it might be possible to rearrange the session as online CPD for your staff.

Please contact e.emmerton@setsa.info for more information on next steps.

Additional webchat support from STEM Learning

Do you have questions that need answering? STEM Learning’s subject experts are available weekdays from 8:30am to 4.30pm via webchat, which you can find at the bottom right hand corner of every page on the STEM website http://stem.org.uk

STEM Learning online resources

Open-access science, technology, engineering and mathematics resources for teachers, parents and carers to support home learning: www.stem.org.uk/home-learning

In response to the school closures across the UK, STEM Learning has launched a collection of high-quality, free resources to help teachers and families continue to support children and young people’s learning from home.

The resources have been curated by our specialist team of experienced subject teachers, and cover all age ranges from 4 to 18. The science, technology, maths and computing resources will support primary, secondary and post-16 teachers to work with their students who are away from school, while the family section offers fun, quick and easy practical activities for parents and carers supporting their children’s learning at home. All activities are free to access and have answer sheets where needed. More resources will be added every week.

STEM@Home - The local STEM Hub based at Canterbury Christchurch University has curated a range of resources for primary and secondary science. The first theme Is SPACE! followed by DINOSAURS! after the spring break. Designed to support people caring for children at home as well as teachers: https://thestemhub.org.uk/index.php/stem-at-home

Resources from other providers

KS1 & KS2 free STEM resources from the IET: Home learning teaching resources and activities for 5-11 years old (Key Stage 1 and 2) including lesson plans, handouts and videos: https://education.theiet.org/key-stage-1-2-3-and-4-free-stem-resources/home-learning-resources-key-stage-1-and-2/

The Field Studies Council have teamed up with Encounter Edu to deliver Fieldwork Live. They have produced resource packs for teachers & will be running live interactive fieldwork sessions for pupils at primary, KS3 & GCSE: https://encounteredu.com/live-lessons/fsc-fieldworklive-2020

Useful site for GCSE science videos and other resources: https://freesciencelessons.co.uk

Virtual Experiments has been set up by Reading University - these are multi-dimensional nonlinear movies of real experiments & many are suitable for use in a secondary environment, e.g. reflection & refraction, photosynthesis, transpiration: https://www.reading.ac.uk/virtualexperiments/

Developed by the University of Bristol, "Let's Dissect" is a brand new teaching resource of tutorials and videos for secondary schools: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/anatomy/elearn/lets-dissect/

MyScope Explore: A virtual electron microscope simulator: http://myscope-explore.org/

OpenScience Laboratory: this great initiative features investigations based on on-screen instruments, remote access experiments and virtual scenarios using real data: https://learn5.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2

The Zooniverse: the world’s largest and most popular platform for people-powered research, from University of Oxford. Lots on there to explore! https://www.zooniverse.org/projects

Get in touch with the SLP

SLP Lead: David Struthers d.struthers@setsa.info
SLP Project Officer: Emma Emmerton e.emmerton@setsa.info

If you would prefer to have a telephone conversation, please send a single line email with your telephone number and we will call you back at a convenient time.

Find us on Twitter!
A number of useful distance learning support links are currently being retweeted through our Twitter feed to support teachers and parents with remote learning/CPD: https://twitter.com/SET_Science

Southend, Essex & Thurrock Science Learning Partnership are your regional STEM Learning hub. We work with primary, secondary and FE colleges to support and develop science teaching and help raise the profile of science. We can access funding for eligible schools, broker support with science consultants, arrange CPD, assist with STEM Ambassadors and more.