SPACE ACADEMY CAREERS EVENT ... KS 4

The Space Academy is holding two careers events for high flying Year 10 students, with the potential to study STEM subjects at A-level, on 28th June and 5th July at the National Space Centre in Leicester.

Students will have the opportunity to listen to experts from exciting sectors of the space and aerospace industry:

• EADS Astrium - company developing the ExoMars Rover due to reach the Martian surface in 2016
• Rolls-Royce - leading jet engine manufacturers in the world
• RAF Flyingdales - the RAF base which tracked the satellite collision earlier this year
• University of Leicester - one of the UK's top Universities for space related research
• National Physical Laboratory - world leading centre of excellence in measurement standards, science and technology.

They will also experience the National Space Centre's award winning 'full dome' show, 'We Are Astronomers' as part of the day.

The events are FREE, however a £50 deposit is required to secure a booking which will be returned on attendance. For further information, or to make a booking, please contact Dr Sarah Hill on 0116 258 2125 or sarahh@spacecentre.co.uk

STEM GIRLS ... KS 3, 4 & 5

Phil Brown, (the East Midlands British Science Association Regional Officer) has launched STEM Girls, a website which answers questions from young women who are interested in careers in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM).

The site aims to provide a forum for young women and girls to discover the vast potential of non-sterotypical jobs available to them in currently male dominated fields. The questions can come from young women, careers teachers and advisors, Connexions, University careers officers and parents.

The answers are provided by female scientists, engineers and other professionals with direct experience of working in STEM areas.

The site may be useful for those students who are conducting STEM based projects or research, or even to discover the different career options on offer.

Visit the forum at www.stemgirls.co.uk

IOP SUMMER PHYSICS COURSE ... KS 3, 4 & 5

This three-day inspirational residential course for practicing physics teachers will be based at the University of Sheffield's, Physics & Astronomy department. The course programme will include: various talks on topics such as the LHC, neutrinos, black holes and nanotechnology; a visit to Kelham Island Museum; and, hands-on workshops on Physics and Toys, IOP's Ashfield Music Festival activity and seismology-based practicals.

Subsidised by the Institute of Physics and co-sponsored by the Armourers and Brasiers Company, the lecture component of the programme is devised to update participants on innovations in physics, both pure and applied, and in curriculum matters.

'Hands-on' workshops afford teachers opportunities to try new equipment, develop IT skills, learn experimental techniques, try out novel investigations whilst engaging with alternative teaching and learning strategies.

For further information, visit www.iop.org/update or contact Manchi Chung on 020 7470 4820 or email manchi.chung@iop.org

PRACTICAL ACTION RESOURCES ... KS 3,4 & 5

Practical Action is an international development agency working with poor communities to help them choose and use technology to improve their lives today and for generations to come.

The Education team have produced STEM resources focusing on sustainability, renewable energy and climate change within a global context.

Resources range from free renewable energy posters; the wind power challenge, a stimulating 'hands-on' and 'brains-on' activity; videos showing the effects of climate change in developing countries; word searches and a 'top ten reasons why renewable energy is cool'!!

The site also hosts a design and technology database with a wealth of material to support teaching in all focus areas www.practicalaction.org.uk/education

STEM AMBASSADOR ACTIVITIES ...

STEM Ambassadors are supporting the Becket School with a STEM Engineering Day on 30th June.

The Ambassadors will lead and provide exciting, informative and interactive workshops to Year 7 students at the school.

STEM Ambassadors play a vital role in supporting schools and teachers by providing opportunities to enhance the curriculum.

If you wish to request Ambassador support for activities taking place in your school, or would like further information on Ambassadors or Enrichment and Enhancement activities, please email stempoint@neba.org.uk or telephone Jacqui Aram, Stempoint Co-ordinator on 01623 404 345.