SATURDAY 4th NOVEMBER 11am – 2pm
BROUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL, East Fettes Avenue
Tag: learning
Lord Provost opens Garden of Remembrance
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
Lament as our world renowned Music School faces closure
“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
Building up to the Big Bang
- The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair announces registrations now open for next year’s event
- Event will include thrilling theatre shows, live science demonstrations, hands on workshops and career advice from across the fields of marine biology, robotics, coding, aerospace, healthcare, engineering, environmental sciences, and more
- The UK’s most talented young scientists and engineers will be showcasing the projects that got them to the national finals
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 science of rock and roll! The rock music milkshake maker
The epic guitar riffs just as capable of mixing you a delicious drink as any kitchen utensil are identified using sound energy …
- Stirring invention by The Big Bang Fair (www.thebigbangfair.co.uk) marked registrations opening
- Scientists* identified that classic shredding tunes from Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon worked best for mixing drinks
- The Rock Music Milkshake Mixer will be on display at The Big Bang Fair 2018 where guests will have the opportunity to pick up the axe and mix a milkshake for themselves
- Schools across the country can request to have the RM3 sent to them for a unique way to demonstrate the science of cymatics **
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 pupils complete SESAP education programme
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
FM Reading Challenge to be piloted in secondary schools
A scheme to encourage literacy and a love of reading in young people is being expanded to secondary schools across Scotland. The First Minister’s Reading Challenge will now be piloted up to S3 in six schools across Scotland.
Earlier this year the First Minister announced that the scheme was being rolled out to all primary school children, following a trial year among P4-P7. More than three quarters of all local authority primary schools in Scotland signed up to the First Minister’s Challenge in the first year of it being introduced when it was offered to older primary school children.
Research shows reading for pleasure drops off as young people reach secondary school and the expansion of the scheme is designed to ensure young adults continue to enjoy reading long after they have left primary school.
Speaking during a visit to one of the pilot schools, St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School yesterday, the First Minister said: “I am incredibly proud of the success the First Minister’s Reading Challenge has had in nurturing a love of reading for pleasure amongScotland’s young people which is why this expansion to secondary schools is so exciting.
“I am determined to ensure we continue to promote reading as one of life’s greatest pleasures – and that young people reap the benefits of the resulting educational attainment that can be achieved.”
Michael Wilkie, Literacy Coordinator from St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to be part of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge. Reading has been such an important aspect of our plans for raising attainment in the last few years, and this exciting initiative will be the drive to expand reading for pleasure across the entire school community.
“Plans are already in progress to engage parents to help their children be the best readers they can be, to support staff across the curriculum to confidently teach and assess reading, and to give pupils as many opportunities as possible to pick up a book and get reading. With an active and enthusiastic literacy committee and pupils who thrive on reading, we are certainly up for the challenge.’
Marc Lambert, CEO at Scottish Book Trust, which runs the programme, added:”This expansion of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge builds on the huge success of its first year and opens up the joy of reading for pleasure to all primary children. The secondary school pilot will focus on a key age group, among whom reading for pleasure can tail off due to the pressures on time that come with high school.
“The Reading Challenge will focus attention on this, giving pupils more opportunities to share and celebrate what they love reading, delve deeper into writing and discover different ways to enjoy books.”
University of Edinburgh has places for disadvantaged students
The University of Edinburgh has entered Clearing to help bright students from disadvantaged areas in Scotland secure a place to study. Continue reading University of Edinburgh has places for disadvantaged students
Local language school is Whats On 4 Kids Awards finalist
Local language franchise named as finalist in prestigious awards
Giselle Dominguez, whose Lingotot business in based in North Edinburgh, is celebrating being named as a finalist in four categories in the 11th National Whats On 4 Kids Awards.
These prestigious awards are intended to reward innovation, raise standards and generate awareness of family activities and those individual experts involved who make such a difference to so many young families.
Whats On 4 Kids says: “ Every nominee deserves to be congratulated on getting this far in the UK’s leading and longest established awards for the sector. It’s been an exceptional year with voting very fierce across all of the categories right up to the end, so thank you to everyone for being part of the action!”
Lingotot is a multi-award winning languages program being delivered to over 12,000 children across the UK each week. Their interactive learning format aims to introduce preschool and primary aged children to languages, while instilling confidence and developing an enjoyment for languages.
Giselle Dominguez, of Lingotot Edinburgh says “I am absolutely delighted that Lingotot has been named as a finalist in an outstanding four categories and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for me! I really love what I do and it’s a fantastic feeling to have Lingotot’s hard work recognised.”
The final results will be announced during a live ceremony, hosted by NatWest, in October.
Edinburgh Napier links-up with University of the Third Age
Retired and semi-retired individuals in Edinburgh with a passion for learning are set to benefit from a new agreement that will see them able to participate in University research projects. Edinburgh Napier University has signed a partnership agreement with University of the Third Age (U3A) as a commitment to supporting the life-long learning passions of its members in the city. Continue reading Edinburgh Napier links-up with University of the Third Age