STEMNetworking Resource Bank
Tunnelworks
A new set of education resources for post-16 students focussing on the Thames Tideway Tunnel is launched today by Thames Water.
The updated ‘Tunnelworks’ site will build on the success of the Key Stage 3 and 4 resources launched in September 2012 and now include online lessons with a focus on science, engineering and maths for those in the 16 plus age range.
Students and teachers will have access to lessons in A-level Chemistry and Maths and Levels 2 and 3 BTEC Engineering and Construction.
The updated website is the latest in Thames Water’s educational efforts to use the real-life challenges in designing and constructing the Thames Tideway Tunnel as a basis for classroom activities which aim to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering.
Reports suggest that the UK needs to increase by 50% the number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) graduates it is creating. There are approximately 23,000 engineers graduating every year in the UK and the Royal Academy of Engineering estimates that 830,000 graduate-level STEM experts will be needed by 2020.
The resources are free, whiteboard-friendly and flexible, requiring minimum preparation time. Worksheets and teachers’ notes are also provided to make the resources simple to use.
Crucially, they aim to link together learning in the classroom with real life career opportunities.
The online materials are carefully developed to provoke the interest of students and their teachers, and to link to National Curriculum specifications.
A-level Chemistry lessons cover enthalpy changes for exothermic reactions and the Winkler test to explore stoichiometry and titrations in testing for dissolved oxygen in water. The A-level Maths lessons require students to generate and transform trigonometric graphs using a real life example from the Thames Tideway Tunnel project modelling of flow in the sewerage system.
Subjects covered in Level 2 & 3 BTEC Engineering include exercises to test the students’ knowledge and understanding of Personal Protective Equipment and Health and Safety considerations for visitors to a busy construction site. There are also a range of suggestions for students’ engineering projects– a unit covered by many colleges teaching BTEC courses in engineering.
Students can also complete an optional project as part of the CREST awards scheme, endorsed by The British Science Association. This can be used in science or after-school clubs. CREST is Britain's largest national award scheme for project work in the STEM subjects.
CREST awards are endorsed by UCAS, the university admissions service, for inclusion in students’ personal statements.
The project idea for the Gold CREST Award consists of an extensive research project through which students investigate why the number of sewage discharges into the River Thames is increasing, the effect these have on river wildlife and planning a campaign to ensure the river’s continued health.
The British Science Association’s Director of Education, Katherine Mathieson, said: “The Tunnelworks resources present a real-life scenario which has a massive impact on people in and around London, which is just the sort of investigative project based approach we encourage through the CREST Awards scheme.
“The British Science Association are pleased that the Thames Tideway Tunnel approached us to ensure their resources fit the ethos and structure of the CREST Awards and we’re excited to see their range of resources expanding.”
Since launching in 2012 the Tunnelworks site has so far attracted some 2,000 unique visitors and been used as the basis for focussed science and maths days in London schools.
The educational resources are available free of charge from www.tunnelworks.co.uk.
Resource posted by STEMNET
The first Virgin Unite / Galactic Unite lesson plans are now online.
Galactic Unite Lesson Plans are now live!
Virgin Galactic and Galactic Unite announce the first of their lesson plans and resources!
These aim to engage and inspire educators and students around Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo test flight milestones. You can now download free lesson plans, activities and resources from http://virg.in/zUehN , which are pitched at students aged 5-18. Teachers can use these to enhance technology and engineering lessons, as well as help develop aerospace career paths for students around the world. We hope this encourages many more fledgling rocket scientists out there to reach for the stars!
Stay tuned for more exciting news about Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo and our educational programs via our Galactic Unite website or Virgin Galactic website, Twitter and Facebook.
Bookmark posted by Adam Roberts
Alan Parker's personal web page
My personal website (a little out of date) where I keep access to my papers etc, and other updates.
Bookmark posted by Alan Parker
Genetic Medicine at CMFT
Clinical genetics provides a diagnostic and counselling service for individuals and families concerned about the suspected or confirmed diagnosis of a genetic disorder.
Bookmark posted by Claire Burgoyne
Why Not Chem Eng?
This website is run by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and was set up to raise awareness of chemical engineering as a whole. Some of the resources include:
- Flash Bang Demos: Instructions for simple and exciting demonstrations which can be done in the class room.
- Downloadable presentations discussing the role of the chemical engineer, general university entry requirements and information on potential earnings
Bookmark posted by Mark Taylor
Met Office Education page
A website with fun games for children, case studies for those in secondary school and resources for teachers, with lesson plan ideas.
Bookmark posted by Katy Brown
Short Entertaining Chemistry Experiments
Selection of Chemistry STEM Experiments contributed by STEM Ambassador Daniela Florescu.
Experiments include:
- Dissapearing Plastic
- Chemical Volcano
- Effervesing Egg Shell
- Chemical Aquarium
- Rainbow
Resource posted by Museum of Science & Industry
ACE Showcase 2013 - Wednesday 19th June 2013
Event Details
Date: Wednesday 19th June 2013
Time: Starting at 12pm
Location: UEL Docklands Campus, University Way, London E16 2RD
Open to: Schools, Colleges and Industry Experts
Disabled access: Yes
Admission Price: Free
Event Features
The University of East London's School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering's inaugural showcase presents an opportunity for our final year undergraduate students to exhibit their exciting and innovative projects which demonstrates their outstanding academic achievements.
The event will provide an exclusive opportunity for visitors to:
- Celebrate the outstanding achievements and projects produced by the students
- Explore our outstanding campus and facilities
- Meet current students and see how our School is dedicated to supporting them in their studies
- See how UEL offers a wealth of knowledge, innovation and experience that provides students with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and understanding of their chosen field.
- See how young minds can be inspired to go further in these subjects and break boundaries
- Meet and network with industry experts, senior lecturers and staff from other institutes
Contact Us
If you have any queries or require further information about the event then please email us at: aceshowcase@uel.ac.uk
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO OUR SCHOOL
Bookmark posted by 152566
ACE Showcase 2013 - Wednesday 19th June
Event Details
Date: Wednesday 19th June 2013
Time: Starting at 12pm
Location: UEL Docklands Campus, University Way, London E16 2RD
Open to: Schools, Colleges and Industry Experts
Disabled access: Yes
Admission Price: Free
Event Features
The University of East London's School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering's inaugural showcase presents an opportunity for our final year undergraduate students to exhibit their exciting and innovative projects which demonstrates their outstanding academic achievements.
The event will provide an exclusive opportunity for visitors to:
- Celebrate the outstanding achievements and projects produced by the students
- Explore our outstanding campus and facilities
- Meet current students and see how our School is dedicated to supporting them in their studies
- See how UEL offers a wealth of knowledge, innovation and experience that provides students with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and understanding of their chosen field.
- See how young minds can be inspired to go further in these subjects and break boundaries
- Meet and network with industry experts, senior lecturers and staff from other institutes
Contact Us
If you have any queries or require further information about the event then please email us at: aceshowcase@uel.ac.uk
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO OUR SCHOOL
Resource posted by 152566