e-Newsletter
Awards of Science & Maths Excellence 2011 - 2012
Don’t forget you can submit your intention to apply for an Award of Science and Maths Excellence from 9th January until 23rd March 2012. Start logging your activities now in your log book or why not send us in details of your blog or website page!
All log books must be submitted by Friday, 27th April 2012.
Teacher Features - do you have an activity to contribute?
Engineers Week 2012 - 'Connecting our Lives'
Engineers Week 2012 will take place from 27th February to 4th March 2012.
Engineers Week is a week long programme of nationwide events with the aim of celebrating the world of engineering in Ireland. The aim of the week is to create a positive awareness and spark enthusiasm about the engineering profession in people of all ages with little or no engineering background. Schools are invited to host their own events for Engineers week and to book events through our website www.engineersweek.ie which will be open for bookings in January 2012.
Engineer Visits to Primary Schools
STEPS have enthusiastic volunteers who are available to visit primary schools to speak about engineering. Please contact info@steps.ie to register your interest in a volunteer visit during 2011/2012. Visits are organised subject to volunteer availability.
Discover Primary Science and Maths on Facebook
We are posting regular updates and some great videos to our Discover Primary Science and Maths Facebook page, so come and Like us!
Carbon Detectives Competition
Carbon Detectives Competition now open- Closing date: 24th February 2012
Already taking steps to reduce your school's Carbon Footprint in Ireland? Want to receive recognition with a chance to win some fantastic prizes? Why not enter the Carbon Detectives competition today!
All school activities aimed at reducing your school's carbon footprint could count towards your competition entry! Don't worry if you're not yet registered – it's not too late to sign up!
There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs:
- 1st Prize - €500 worth of energy, transport and organic gardening equipment for schools
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2nd prize - €250 worth of energy, transport and organic gardening equipment for schools
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3rd prize - Solar Power Car Kits for 5 Runners Up
Visit the Carbon Detectives website to register for free and enter the competition!
WhizzKids Discover IT Primary Science Programme
Whizzkids Training operates Ireland's largest and most popular technology training programmes for primary and post primary students. Offering innovative, interactive workshops, over 10,000 children have now enjoyed the experience of participating in our programmes.
Taking part in Whizzkids will count as Step 2 for the Discover Primary Science and Maths Award of Science and Maths Excellence.
Our presentations are designed to encourage children to think about technology and its impact on everyday life.
Presentations:
- To Infinity and Beyond - Tracing the humble beginnings of the computer, through its meteoric rise to date and on to where it might take us in 20 years time.
- Tech it or Leave IT – How technology has enhanced our lives both as a work and a creative tool.
- The Global Village - How ICT has impacted on the way our world operates today.
Interactive Workshops:
- Programming - Create your own screensavers and video games using Scratch programming.
- Digital Storytelling - Create your own visual stories and animations.
- Stop Motion Videos - This hugely popular technique turns inanimate objects into stars of the show. (All props provided).
- Movie Making - Learn how to turn your edit into a finished piece.
- Internet Safety - Safe surfing.
Other topics available on request.
Using their mobile unit of laptops, cameras and digital equipment, Whizzkids Training can deliver 1 hour workshops in any location irrespective of your existing IT infrastructure. They are most suitable for 3rd – 6th classes. Their presentations can accommodate large groups and including Q&A will also last one hour.
Contact
Phone Derval on 061 339178
Email info@whizzkids.ie
Visit www.whizzkids.ie
Lichens of Ireland
Lichens of Ireland: first ever book on Ireland's Lichen Flora
A high quality A5 sized book with flexible water proof cover. This book describes 258 lichens found in Ireland including species in Atlantic woodlands (Killarney & Glengariff) and hazel woods, the Burren open limestone and Rocky seashores. All descriptions are semi scientific (accurate but using accessible language) with high quality photographs (all photographed in Ireland over the last 3 years) and up-to-date vice county distribution maps. Also covers lichen anatomy and terms (essential for identification), lichen ecology with particular attention to substrates and the value of lichens in our habitats.
This is the perfect introductory book to Ireland's rich lichen flora.
Available from Collinspress.ie or Amazon.co.uk.
or contact paul@lichens.ie
Cost €20, including postage.
www.lichens.ie
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