STEM Clubs

She triumphed over a huge number of nominations and will attend a ceremony at The Royal Institute in London in July to collect the award. Tracey has been with the Science Team for 12 years and was promoted to senior science technician in November 2007. Her love of practical science and enthusiasm for the subject mean that she is always looking for new and innovative ways to help the teaching staff make lessons more engaging for students. She helps out in practical lessons, has introduced some rather explosive classroom demonstrations, has been involved in leading projects with the STEMNET after school club and has plans for the future development of a primary outreach project. Tracey said, "Since childhood I have had a passion for science. I was one of those kids who always wanted to know 'how things worked' and my favourite lesson at school was chemistry. "This led me toward a career in science, and I feel lucky have found a job where I can play a part in inspiring the same enthusiasm in young people." A school spokesperson added, "The Gratnells Science Technician of the Year Award is an important vehicle for giving Science Technicians the recognition they deserve. "The vital role that science technicians play in the efficient running of school Science Departments is often overlooked." Source: Eastbourne Herald

The region-wide event has been organised by the STEM Club at George Stephenson High School, Killingworth, to encourage students who are considering further study or careers in STEM subjects, as well as to celebrate the success of STEM after-school club activities. Special guests include Amanda Whittaker, described as one of Britain's most successful female racing drivers, and her Formula Ford Car, with partner Anthony Dunn, Racing Driver and GoMotorsport Development Officer. The Robert Stephenson Trust will host an exhibition of the North East's science and engineering heritage, including a Zero-Gauge Hornby Rocket Model. There'll be a F1 in Schools track where student-built model cars will be propelled at speeds of up to 25 metres per second. The three regional finalists teams from the recent F1 in Schools Challenge will also display their entries. And the Trewitley Owl Trust will display a selection of owls and birds of prey. Head teacher at George Stephenson High School, Ian Wilkinson, said: "Today is an opportunity to celebrate and reward those students who get involved in STEM activities and show commitment by working lunchtimes, evenings, weekends and holidays. It is a real privilege to see young people who are so enthusiastic about after-school STEM activities, and the ideas for most of our projects come from the students themselves." Cllr George Westwater, Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Learning, added: "It is really important for us to support local and national initiatives to interest young people in STEM subjects and this event will hopefully inspire our students, and students from across the region, to consider pursuing further studies and future careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths." The event is supported by STEM Outreach at Newcastle College. STEM Outreach coordinates over 300 volunteers (STEM Ambassadors) across Tyne and Wear. STEM Ambassadors support schools by giving career talks, delivering workshops and demonstrations and leading discussions about the relevance of STEM knowledge and skills in our lives. STEM Outreach also broker E&E (curriculum enhancement and enrichment) to schools, providing teachers with a single point of contact for a wide array of enrichment opportunities to raise pupils' enthusiasm and understanding of science, technology, engineering and maths. The event has been funded by the DCSF and STEMNET. Source: North Tyneside Council/STEMNET

A perfect way to celebrate everything that your club has achieved so far this year. Suitable for STEM club members in Years 7, 8 and 9 10am - 3pm at Shelley College, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. For more information about the event itself, email lumbd@shelleycollege.org or telephone the school on 01484 868777. !! To book your place, please sign up at www.stemclubs.net/news-events/celebration, or send your request to jo.smyth@stemnet.org.uk Click here to download a flyer for this event (57 KB)

This STEM Challenge provides an opportunity for any Key Stage 3 student from any school to be a part of London 2012. The challenge should amount to no more than eight hours of work, from which students create a ten minute presentation. Students may work in teams of up to six. !! Design a new glove for adidas and be part of London 2012! In this challenge, adidas is asking students to design a *new glove* for _one_ of the following Olympic and Paralympic sports: - *Canoeing* - *Rowing* - *Sailing* The challenge is supported by adidas, the official kit supplier to the British Olympic Authority, and so your design could help a Canoeing, Rowing or Sailing athlete in their quest for Olympic or Paralympic success. At Athens 2004, five of the gold medals that Team GB won were decided by a combined time of less than one second. So, it’s not just a case of _every *second* counts_ It’s a case of _every *one hundredth of a second* counts_! Top sports equipment can help althletes perfrom at their best. Could your glove become an innovation that makes the difference between missing out on the podium and the glory of gold? !! About the STEM Challenges The STEM Challenges are being managed by the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network (STEMNET) in association with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and are funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). www.stemnet.org.uk

Robotics and Programming

You'll be amazed a how much STEM goes on right on your doorstep, just come along to the Big Bang fair in your region to find out more. The Big Bang regional fairs offer an eclectic mix of STEM competitions, student and club showcases, talks, displays and much, much more. The activities will enthuse and engage students and teachers alike. You can take part in the Big Bang regional fair by bringing your club along to showcase and celebrate what they've been up to, or as a visiting group. If your club takes part in CREST or Young Engineers, or you know of a student working on a project that could be eligible for the National Science & Engineering Competition, then your regional Big Bang fair is the location for the regional finals. You've got to be in it to win it! For more information, follow the links below: East of England Big Bang East Midlands Big Bang London Big Bang North East Big Bang North West Big Bang South East Big Bang South West Big Bang West Midlands Big Bang Yorkshire & The Humber Big Bang Northern Ireland Big Bang Scotland Big Bang Wales Big Bang

They were invited to the National Space Centre in Leicester to meet the famous NASA astronaut, who became the tenth and youngest man to walk on the moon in 1972. In addition the students participated in workshops linked to space exploration, astronomy and physics. The students were chosen because of their schools’ links with the STEM Clubs Network. Charlie Duke gave an inspiring talk to the students and teachers about his experiences and answered their questions about science and space. Students worked on experiments linked to space exploration, assisted by over 25 STEM Ambassadors from local businesses such as Rolls Royce, e.ON Engineering, and the BBC. Experiments included programming rover robots to drive on a replicated Martian surface that is currently used by UK Space Industry leader Astrium to test their multi-million pound ExoMars robot prior to its journey to Mars in 2016. STEM Ambassadors are professionals using STEM skills who volunteer as inspiring role models for young people. There are over 19,000 STEM Ambassadors across the UK and they are free for schools to access.

*Great opportunity to win an all-expenses paid trip to Lausanne for you and your students *Inspire your students through real challenges related to London 2012 *Opportunity to showcase your school to a national audience STEMNET is making it even easier for you to enter. We’re extending the deadline for you to enter the free of charge STEM Challenges competition to 31 January 2010. All you need do is simply register here. We have a wealth of resources online that will get you up and running immediately. Visit the STEM Challenges website (www.stemchallenges.net) for more information and to access the resources.

The scheme offers up to *£3000* to support teachers, scientists and engineers in working together to inspire young people. Fantastic projects can be created by partnerships like these, allowing teachers to increase their scientific knowledge and giving scientists and engineers the chance to develop their communication skills and engage with enquiring young minds. Perhaps most importantly, these projects give school students a taste of science and engineering today, and their relevance for society. The latest round of the Partnership Grants scheme is now open and the *closing date is 5 March 2010*. There are new guidelines and a revised application form for this round, so make sure you visit the Royal Society's Parnership Grant information pages at http://royalsociety.org/partnership.

To be published later in the year the full page article will reach all four corners of the globe. Full story & update as soon as we get the information. Check the blog for info re: the project. http://www.bideford.devon.sch.uk/blogs/skate

At the moment we are examining how feasible it would be to send a human to Mars. We will be looking at how we could grow food in huge biodomes, travel around on Mars rovers and protect ourselves from the Sun's harmful UV radiation.

* Air Show photgraphs

On Wednesday 11th November students at Tanfield School Specialist College of Science and Engineering took part in a tree planting ceremony which was organised in conjugation with National Tree Planting Week. This event was attended by the regional coordinator for STEMNET (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network), the chair of governors, the head teacher, senior members of staff and parents and grandparents of the students. The event was funded with a generous donation from Mrs Warren who is a parent of one of the students. The tree planting was the initial phase of a much larger project, which is to develop an outdoor classroom. The outdoor classroom will be used by Science and Engineering students at Tanfield to develop their practical skills and to share data collected in the field with our overseas partners in Ghana and Mauritius. The event ended with the serving of freshly made soup and home-made bread (made using the herbs grown in our herb garden). A fantastic time was had by all.

We are currently working on building and installing solar panels around the school to provide hot water. We are also aiming to build and install one or more wind turbines to provide electricity. Eventually we hope to connect these to a central "Hub" that can display how much how much energy we are producing. Any data we collect can be used in lessons and will posted here on our STEMNET profile page. We hope that in doing this we are able to learn about and understand how much of an impact we can have by using sustainable sources of power. Check back soon to see how we are getting on!

On the first evening two indoor balloon flights took place with Emily Lynch and Cecelia Kidson coming in first place with a very stable and completely vertical flight. In second place was Aleksandra Nykowska and Sophie Pike with a giant but less stable balloon. The final flights aren't over and the competeion continues. New challengers are welcome

A new initiative to inspire the next generation of British scientists and engineers was launched today (Monday 12 October) on the Olympic Park in London. All secondary schools in the UK are being urged to take part in a series of ten STEM Challenges which encourage pupils to explore the challenges involved in delivering the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and tackle them using science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills. The STEM Challenge programme is the first to be launched in the practical learning arm of Get Set, the London 2012 education programme. Co-ordinated by STEMNET on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited (LOCOG), each of the ten STEM Challenges will take approximately one school term to complete and will focus on the behind-the-scenes activities that are making the London 2012 Games happen. The first challenge focuses on construction and has been set by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the body building the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games. It is linked to the big build of the London 2012 handball arena which will boast a range of sustainable design features including 80 light tubes and retractable seating to offer a flexible facility after the Games. Construction of the distinctive copper-clad venue started this summer and the foundations are already nearing completion. The second STEM challenge will be set by London 2012 Tier 1 partner adidas and will involve the design of an item of sportswear. To celebrate the launch of the STEM Challenges, teenagers from Barking Abbey School’s STEM Club saw the Olympic Park big build first hand and met the team in charge of designing and building the handball arena on a tour of the construction site. Matthew Tosh, STEMNET’s STEM Clubs Network Manager, said: "The STEM Challenges can be completed either in the classroom or as part of an after-school STEM Club. They will get students thinking about the real-life issues that the STEM professionals behind the scenes of the 2012 Games face on a daily basis and also give young people across the country a chance to connect with the Olympic and Paralympic Games between now and 2012. "The aim is for students to experience STEM skills in practice and understand that science and technology doesn’t just happen in the classroom but is a hugely important and enthralling sector to be involved in. STEMNET hopes that initiatives like the STEM Challenges will help to inspire the next generation of great British STEM professionals." Alex Brooks, the Design & Technology teacher from Barking Abbey School who accompanied the pupils on their Olympic Park visit and runs the school’s after-school STEM Club, says: "If our students weren’t excited about taking part in the STEM Challenges before today they certainly are now! It’s been great for them to see the impressive amount of work going on at the Olympic Park and really beneficial for them to make the connection between what’s happening here and what they are learning about in class. Hopefully taking part in all this will make them realise that STEM careers are not only important but extremely exciting as well." Nick Fuller, Head of Education at LOCOG, said: "When London won the right to host the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, we made a clear promise to use the power of the 2012 Games to inspire young people. Through Get Set we are able to inspire young people in the broadest possible sense and today’s launch offers practical learning opportunities for young people to get their teeth into a range of real life tasks related to the 2012 Games. "We are so impressed with the STEM Challenge programme that we have awarded it the London 2012 Inspire mark." Colin Naish, ODA project sponsor for Handball, said: "This is a great opportunity for the future generation of engineers to be inspired by the Olympic Park big build, which is the largest regeneration project in Europe. It builds on our extensive programme of engaging young people across the UK in this exciting project. "The handball arena is a distinctive and sustainable venue that will create a great atmosphere for the games and flexible sports facilities in legacy." The STEM Challenges are open to any school or college in England to enter and the first challenge is open for entries from today. All schools in the UK can register for access to the resources and take part. Schools can find out more about the challenges by visiting www.stemchallenges.net for more information. The closing date for schools to submit their entries for the first STEM Challenge is 11 December. Each school will then be judged when a STEM Ambassador visits their school between 5 and 15 January. Once the judging process is complete, the regional finalists will be announced on 19 January and then a winner for each region will be chosen through an online vote held between 1-5 February. The national final of the nine regional finalists will be held at The Big Bang Fair on 11-13 March, at which the overall winning team will win a tour of the Olympic Park and a trip to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Here we are gathered outside the space centre having just been photographed with Charlie Duke.

Alex Brooks, the Design & Technology teacher from Barking Abbey School who accompanied the pupils on their Olympic Park visit and runs the school’s after-school STEM Club, says: "If our students weren’t excited about taking part in the STEM Challenges before today they certainly are now! It’s been great for them to see the impressive amount of work going on at the Olympic Park and really beneficial for them to make the connection between what’s happening here and what they are learning about in class. Hopefully taking part in all this will make them realise that STEM careers are not only important but extremely exciting as well." Matthew Tosh, STEMNET’s STEM Clubs Network Manager, said: "The STEM Challenges can be completed either in the classroom or as part of an after-school STEM Club. They will get students thinking about the real-life issues that the STEM professionals behind the scenes of the 2012 Games face on a daily basis and also give young people across the country a chance to connect with the Olympic and Paralympic Games between now and 2012. "The aim is for students to experience STEM skills in practice and understand that science and technology doesn’t just happen in the classroom but is a hugely important and enthralling sector to be involved in. STEMNET hopes that initiatives like the STEM Challenges will help to inspire the next generation of great British STEM professionals." The pupils will all be taking part in the STEM Challenges and found the visit to the Olympic Park to be a fascinating experience. As one girl said: "It's amazing to see the real Olympic Park being built. I can't believe we've actually been on site." A site visit is just one of the prizes on offer to the top three winning teams in the first STEM Challenge.

The show brought us funny noise-making machinery, jumping water, jumping pie tins and even making stunt barbie's hair stand on end with static electricity! Current TASA members also got an opportunity to meet with Ian and try out some of the activities he demonstated in the show.

Raise an order, visit Internet, fill basket, get invoice, write out purchase order, convert sterling to euros, get bank address, confirm invoice, cross reference account numbers, Centre VAT registration, permissions from senior managment, permissions from county council, confiirm order, confirm payment method, confirm intention, confirm address, consider additional cost, .....it has added years to me!