New bill will give more power to Head Teachers
Consultation on a bill to introduce radical reforms to the education system has opened. Education Secretary John Swinney launched the consultation at the Royal High School in Barnton today. Continue reading Swinney launches education consultation at Royal High School
Play spotlights the integration of health and social care
Student nurses are to perform a play about one woman’s experience of falling through cracks in care to highlight the importance of health and social care integration. Mad, Bad, Invisible tells the story of Anne, a young woman living through a mental health crisis, as she tries – and fails – to get the help she needs from a range of services. Continue reading Mad, Bad, Invisible: “a story that desperately needs to be told”
SATURDAY 4th NOVEMBER 11am – 2pm
BROUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL, East Fettes Avenue
Following reports that the City of Edinburgh Music School faces an uncertain future, Deidre Brock MP has written to the Council’s Education Committee calling for a rethink and assurances that the specialist service will remain open. The school is based in Flora Stevenson Primary and in Broughton High, in Deidre’s Edinburgh North and Leith constituency. Continue reading Deirdre Brock: “City of Edinburgh Music School must stay open”
Poppyscotland Learning Competition launched
Frank Ross, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, led a special group of wreath-layers at the annual Opening Ceremony of the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance, at the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens yesterday. Continue reading Lord Provost opens Garden of Remembrance
“It is unacceptable for families whose worlds have been turned upside by discovering overnight that their school may disappear. It is crucial that parents’ and pupils’ voices are heard before any decisions are taken.” – Green Cllr Clare Miller
Edinburgh’s Green MSPs and councillors have reacted angrily to a proposal by the SNP-Labour-run city council to close the renowned City of Edinburgh Music School based at Broughton HIgh School. Continue reading Lament as our world renowned Music School faces closure
The Chief Executive of award-winning youth charity Young Scot has received an honorary degree from Edinburgh Napier University. Louise Macdonald is ‘thrilled’ to receive the honour and pledged to continue to play her part in breaking down barriers to participation in education. Continue reading Young Scot chief receives honorary degree
The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair, the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK returns to the NEC Birmingham next year. Continue reading Building up to the Big Bang
The epic guitar riffs just as capable of mixing you a delicious drink as any kitchen utensil are identified using sound energy …
The Big Bang Fair challenged a team of inventors, scientists and musicians to make a delicious beverage with music. The result was the world’s first ever milkshakes mixed entirely with sound energy from live music!
The music-made beverages were not the result of mellow pop tunes by Justin Bieber or Ed Sheeran however, but the raw power of rock music. Indeed, during the unusual experiment, the team found they would have the greatest success in their musically moving milkshake endeavours by turning to powerful guitar riffs from stadium bands Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon and even Blink-182.
So how is it possible to make these delicious shakes solely through the power of sound energy? With a standard electric guitar and a somewhat less standard madcap contraption that was one-part guitar amplifier and one-part kitchen blender, that’s how.
Bringing together the worlds of education, science, music and kitchenware in a way never seen before, The Rock Music Milkshake Mixer (or the RM3 for short) has been created to mark registrations opening for The Big Bang Fair 2018. The Big Bang Fair is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK. For more information visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk
Beth Elgood, Director of Communications at EngineeringUK, who organise The Big Bang Fair, said: “Going into its tenth year in 2018 The Big Bang Fair continues to be a great source of STEM inspiration for young people, representing an amazing opportunity for young visitors, their teachers and parents to get hands-on with a wide range of activities, workshops and shows. With this in mind, we’re delighted to unveil the unique Rock Music Milkshake Mixer prototype today, which is sure to be another popular interactive exhibit at this year’s show.”
So how does the RM3 work? First pour powdered milkshake and milk into the jug and screw the top on tight. Next, plug in an axe (that’s a guitar), ready your plectrum and start playing some crunching riffs at max volume (ideally volume 11).
Now marvel as cymatics (that’s the visualisation of sound through a physical medium – in this case milkshake) allows you to witness the hard rock sound waves, emitted from the speaker, coming into contact with the milkshake mixture and vigorously vibrating it. Soon enough, you’ll have a deliciously thick drink, made entirely through the power of sound energy.
Year 7 students at Westminster Academy in London were the first to try the revolutionary new prototype earlier this week, where it was officially launched by The Blowfish, the world’s only heavy metal marine biologist.
The Blowfish commented: “Metal music and science are two of my biggest passions, so when I was offered the chance to launch the Rock Music Milkshake Mixer, it was an absolute no-brainer. I’m a big believer in finding new and innovative ways to get kids excited about science and the world around them. What better way of achieving that than by harnessing the epic power of rock music to make a tasty, delectable treat?”
The RM3 will be on display, and free for guests to try out at The Big Bang Fair 2018, which is due to take place at the NEC in Birmingham in March next year. For more information visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk
Two hundred school pupils from across Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Borders are celebrating after completing a pioneering academies programme to boost their education and employment prospects. Continue reading Two hundred pupils complete SESAP education programme
