e-Newsletter
This year is the 10th year of DPSM and we look forward to sharing news and updates with you throughout 2013-2014.
In this edition we profile of some of the inspirational schools that have achieved nine Awards of Science and Maths Excellence and read their top tips for successful science.
Have you been inspired by the Discover Primary Science and Maths programme? Please email primaryscience@sfi.ie if you have a story to share.
Awards of Science & Maths Excellence - Remember to register for 2014
If you haven't registered for the Award of Science and Maths Excellence for 2014, there’s still time! Start by submitting your intention to apply for an award by Friday, 21st March 2014. After this date we will send you an application form which contains a specific application number for your school. Logs must be received by Friday, 16th May. Please do not send the Logs before Monday 11th May as storage is an issue for us.
Check out the five steps to achieving the award below and make sure to download details of how the awards will work this year.
- Step 1 - Participate in the Greenwave project
- Step 2 - Complete a minimum of two hands-on activities, at least one relating to the Energy and Forces strand and at least one relating to the Materials strand. Please also show clearly how you integrated maths into these activities.
- Step 3 - Visit a DPSM Centre or invite a scientist/engineer into your school.
- Step 4 - Attend or hold a science event.
- Step 5 - Provide evidence of the children using digital technology in the classroom (other than Greenwave or an activity in previous Steps 1-4).
Great news on our CPD workshops!
A very big thank you for the enthusiastic reaction to our CPD workshops! At this point over 4000 teachers from 280 schools have participated.
Looking for a Summer Course?
We plan to run the popular ESERO Ireland/DPSM 'Maths - it is Rocket Science!' summer course again this year in CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory, Cork; Dunsink Observatory, Dublin (with a visit to Armagh Planetarium) and Birr Castle in Offaly from July 1st - 5th.
The course looks at teaching science and maths through the theme of space, a topic that excites and fascinates children and adults alike and we have received fantastic feedback from participating teachers in previous years. There are also plans for a new course specifically for teachers of infant and junior classes. If you’re interested in attending one of our summer courses or need further information please e-mail stephanie.oneill@sfi.ie.
Greenwave
We're glad to see that Spring is on the way and we hope you and your class are taking part in Greenwave 2014. Last year over 500 schools joined in by observing and reporting weather and common species in their local area and monitoring the progress of the 'green wave' of spring across Ireland and schools are already submitting observations of Frogspawn and Primrose to the Greenwave website.
Remember, taking part in Greenwave counts as Step 1 of the Awards of Science and Maths Excellence 2014. Make sure to use the Spotter's Guides on the website to help you identify the species and submit the specific information required.
Greenwave Photo Competition
There will be a photography competition for Greenwave 2014. Six digital cameras will be won by the schools that submit the best photo for each of the six Greenwave species. Winning photos may be used on the 2015 wall planner. All photos submitted through the website may be used by SFI for PR purposes across traditional and/or social media channels.
Winning entries will be selected from the Greenwave photo gallery. Good luck!
Need Awards Inspiration?
As well as inspiring stories from five amazing schools that have achieved nine awards, here's an update from Ghaelscoil Bhaile Munna where Fionnuala and her students are applying for the Award for the first time.
Dia daoibh ó Ghaelscoil Bhaile Munna!
Is mise múinteoir Fionnuala agus oibrím mar mhúinteoir acmhainne le daltaí ó Naíonáin Mhóra, Rang a 3 agus Rang a 4 inár nGaelscoil bheag álainn ar Bhóthar Choultraí.
I got the idea of applying for the Discover Primary Science and Maths awards after conducting lots of Science experiments with my pupils from Senior Infants, as part of our resource programme (favourite activities so far have been making an exploding volcano, and creating the phases of the moon with Oreo cookies!!)
We had such fun that I started to think 'Why not get some more classes involved?' So right now I'm teaching my pupils from 3rd and 4th class how to programme in Scratch, and next week we're all going to start recording the weather and logging our findings on the Greenwave website. Gaelscoil Bhaile Munna is very excited to be applying for the DPSM award for the very first time - watch this space!
Discover Primary Science and Maths on Facebook and Twitter
We are posting regular updates and some great videos to our Discover Primary Science and Maths Facebook page and Twitter account, so come and Like us!
Can you help Balla National School?
Balla National School have been asking us if we know of any schools that are using a digital weather station? Let @balla_ns know!
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