Science News
2014 RDS Primary Science Fair
Well done to all schools who participated in the 2014 RDS Primary Science Fair!
A total of 120 schools participated in the 2014 RDS Primary Science Fair at the BTYS Exhibition with over one third of exhibiting schools entering for the first time. The judges found that there had been a great improvement in the projects in 2014 with a strong focus by teams on the question they set out to investigate. Pupils’ also displayed impressive abilities in communicating their projects to both the judges and the public. Participants who gained an awareness of the scientific process by building models to test their theories and plotting graphs showing their results also demonstrated great teamwork skills. We look forward to welcoming another 120 schools to the RDS in 2015!
For those of you beginning a new investigation before the summer, or as part of your Award for Science and Maths Excellence, don’t forget to use the ‘RDS Primary Science Fair Class Project Planning Questions’ as a tool to help plan and communicate your work. The tool encourages children and teachers to ask key questions as they work through an investigation and focuses on the development of core skills which are relevant across many areas of the primary school curriculum.
For more information about how the RDS encourages the development of science and mathematical skills in primary school aged children, please visit www.rds.ie/science.
NanoWOW! – Inspiring future scientists
Did you know that Ireland is ranked 6th in the world for nanoscience research and 8th for Materials Science research? AMBER, the Science Foundation Ireland funded research centre based at the CRANN Institute, Trinity College Dublin, have recently developed “NanoWOW”; a series of lesson plans to introduce these exciting fields of science to Primary schools.
Nanoscience is the science of the very small. It impacts virtually every industry from computer chips to sports equipment to medical diagnostics. The aim of the NanoWOW pack is to inspire children at this early age to view science in a positive light and encourage take-up of these subjects at second level. NanoWOW encourages children to think like scientists, with practical activities requiring them to do their own research.
There are nine lessons in the NanoWOW pack - three core lessons and six optional lessons. The lessons in the pack are designed to promote science as a fun yet developmental and tentative subject. Lessons in the resource pack include: Introduction to Nanoscience, Scale, Properties, NanoWOWs, Exploring nano images, Nano and Nature and a lesson on the super material graphene. Each lesson has teachers’ notes, Powerpoints, links to videos and further reading. The lessons are designed for teachers who have no experience of nano or materials science.
NanoWOW was officially launched during Science Week 2013 and since then has been distributed to over 200 teachers throughout the country. Feedback so far has been very positive:
“I found the 'NanoWOW' lesson pack to be extremely practical and easy to use. I would highly recommend the pack to any primary school teacher. I found the lessons to be ideal for the teacher who isn't the most confident teaching science in the classroom. The web links, lesson ideas, curriculum links and lesson activities make 'NanoWOW' a wonderful addition to any school science programme. Nanoscience is a cutting edge, practical science, ubiquitous in modern society and the nanoWOW series of lessons provide a great opportunity for Irish children learn in an engaging way about this crucial industry. All lessons are conveniently curriculum linked for ease of planning.”- Joe O’Reilly Holy Trinity SNS, Donaghmede, Dublin 13.
Contact
eilis.mcgrath@tcd.ie
http://crann.tcd.ie/
Registrations now open for National Scratch Competition 2014
Aspiring young software developers can now enter the 2014 ICS Scratch competition that aims to get primary and secondary school students involved in software development by using the Scratch programming language. The competition is run by the Irish Computer Society and supported by Lero.
In operation since 2010, the National Scratch Competition has established itself among both teachers and students as a leading platform and showcase for Ireland's aspiring digital creators.
How to enter:
- Create a project at http://scratch.mit.edu/
- Register your interest now on our website www.ics.ie/scratch
- Submit your entries by 7th March 2014
- National Finals take place on Friday 2nd of May 2014 - Dublin Castle
For more information and to Download a PDF Postcard visit www.ics.ie/scratch And remember, Scratch is perfect for step 5 of your Award of Science and Maths Excellence!
Light a beacon for climate change
During the BT Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition, the European Commission Representation in Ireland, in collaboration with The Festival of Curiosity, kick started an exciting campaign to light the first beacon for climate change in Europe.
People were invited to have their say on their vision of the future, and to create and inspire our community to take action and play their part in the global effort on climate change.
You too can have your say!
Add YOUR message to the beacon (including any news about events that take place at your school to combat climate change) by posting messages on our Facebook page and tell us about your vision of a world you like with a climate you like. Don't forget to tag your photos with the name & location of your school as there will also be an interactive map of Europe displayed on our website which will light a beacon in the location of your school/event(s).
Visit our Website www.lightabeacon.eu to find out the five simple steps YOU can do at home to help combat climate change and learn about how the European Union is funding research projects that are tackling climate change.
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