Tag: STEM

Baillie Gifford becomes Edinburgh Science Learning headline sponsor

Edinburgh-based investment management firm Baillie Gifford has become headline sponsor of Edinburgh Science Learning, the education arm of educational charity Edinburgh Science who also produces the world’s first and Europe’s biggest science festival.

To mark the occasion, Samantha Pattman, Sponsorship Manager at Baillie Gifford joined Joan Davidson, Head of Learning at Edinburgh Science at Victoria Primary School in Edinburgh where P2 pupils took part in a special preview of Generation Science workshop Bricks and Blocks: a hands-on introduction to programming.

Using laptops and simple drag-and-drop coding, pupils learn about robotics, coding and problem solving.

Joan Davidson, Head of Learning at Edinburgh Science said: “We are extremely pleased to be continuing to work with Baillie Gifford who now become the headline sponsor of Edinburgh Science Learning.

“Their invaluable support will go towards our flagship education projects, Generation Science and Careers Hive, as well as enabling more primary school children to access the Edinburgh Science Festival at City Art Centre Open Days.

“It will also help us deliver our science education projects in the local community.

“Our vision is a world where the value of STEM is recognised and celebrated, in order to achieve a brighter and more sustainable future. With 30 years of experience delivering high-quality engaging shows and workshops, we are a leader in our field, and we are thrilled to have Baillie Gifford supporting us in this ambition.”

Samantha Pattman, Baillie Gifford’s Sponsorship Manager said: “Baillie Gifford is delighted to be headline sponsor for Edinburgh Science Learning. Headquartered in Edinburgh, the firm is proud to play an active role in its community by supporting a diverse variety of projects across festivals and the arts, education and social inclusion.

“As science, technology, engineering and maths roles struggle to be filled and the breadth of STEM-related prospects grow, inspiring young people in science has never been more important.”

Edinburgh Science Learning is one of the UK’s leading science outreach providers and delivers shows, workshops and interactive activities to schools throughout the year. Generation Science is the largest primary science touring programme and over the past three decades it has reached over 1 million pupils around Scotland.

Baillie Gifford’s support of Edinburgh Science Learning will go towards:

1. Generation Science – a programme that brings unique and inspiring science lessons directly to classrooms all over Scotland with highly interactive shows and hands-on workshops. The tour visits schools across Scotland from February to June each year. This year’s offer includes 10 shows and workshops, e.g. brand-new Creative Coding which sees pupils coding their very own dancing robot or Body Builders where students are taken on a journey through our bodily systems with colourful props and hands-on demonstrations.

The spring tour of Generation Science starts on 17 February and will see trained science communicators create interactive and fun environments in nurseries and P1-P7 classrooms and gym halls all over the country. Generation Science is a vital part of the Scottish Government’s STEM strategy for its support of students’ and teachers’ science education in the local authorities.

2. Careers Hive – an immersive careers education event designed to give students in S1-S3 a new way to think about their futures. It highlights the opportunities available to those who study STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) through participatory activities, discussions with early careers STEM professionals and skills workshops. Careers Hive 2020 runs from 24–29 February at the National Museum of Scotland with a public open day on Saturday 29 February.

3. City Art Centre Open Days – on 1 and 2 April, hundreds of pupils from several Edinburgh schools will experience an exclusive preview of the Edinburgh Science Festival’s flagship family venue ahead of its opening to Festival audiences on 4 April.

With five floors to explore, this unique science playground offers several bookable workshops as well as drop-in activities, including ER where children perform a knee, abdomen or brain surgery, Ocean Constructors where they build an exploratory underwater craft or Buzz about bees, teaching all about the importance of bees to the environment and human existence.

Thanks to the support from Baillie Gifford, the Open Days initiative was introduced in 2019 and saw over 400 pupils from 8 Edinburgh schools enjoying the City Art Centre on 3 and 4 April last year.

4. Community Engagement – Edinburgh Science Learning’s projects also include bespoke workshops and activities for various age groups which are developed in close partnership with community partners across Edinburgh.

Preparing teachers for life in the classroom

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Housebuilder Supports STEM Curriculum at Pirniehall

Award-winning housebuilder Urban Union is fostering STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent among primary pupils in north Edinburgh by running a competition designed to test innovation and creativity.

The competition with Pirniehall Primary, which is located less than a mile from Urban Union and the city council’s Pennywell Living development, saw primary 4 – 7 pupils create house models from scratch using woodwork skills.

24 Pupils picked up awards for their efforts in architectural design, property layout and execution of the marketing brochure.

Ross Neilson, STEM coordinator at Pirniehall Primary School said: “Working with Urban Union on this competition has been a fantastic way to bring the lessons the children have learnt in class to life.

“Through building the wooden models of their house designs, the pupils have learned how to safely cut with saws, measure accurately and glue their structures together. They also learned how to sell these designs, creating architectural drawings and marketing materials for brochures.

“The team at Urban Union came in to give a presentation and provide further insight into the construction industry, demonstrating to pupils how the skills they are learning in class translate into working life.”

STEM is a curriculum which groups subjects science, technology, engineering and maths together, teaching them in an interdisciplinary and applied approach rather than as four separate subjects.

Lauren Jenkins, Architect at Barton Willmore said: “It has been a great experience working with the pupils of Pirniehall Primary School – the work that the children put in was incredible and some of the designs were really incredible. 

“It was a particularly special activity for me to support – while at primary school I took part in a similar workshop and the experience and learnings I took from it inspired me to go on to train to become an architect.  I hope that we’ve managed to inspire future generations of architects from the work we’ve carried out at Pirniehall.”

Neil McKay, Managing Director at Urban Union said: “At Urban Union we are always looking for ways to engage with the schools, be that through sponsorships, donations or with a more hands on approach like this competition.

“It has been rewarding to see the amazing designs of the pupils at Pirniehall Primary. Working with the school to help give context to its STEM curriculum has been a remarkable experience and one that we hope to replicate.

“Huge congratulations to all of the winners today. We have seen some amazing talent and there is certainly a bright future ahead for the pupils at Pirniehall Primary.”

Pennywell living is part of a housing-led regeneration programme being delivered through a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council and Urban Union.  It is located only two miles from Edinburgh City Centre and is in the catchment area of a number of great local primary and secondary schools.

The development is in prime position to make the most of the many shops, bars and restaurants the capital has to offer and has a wealth of useful amenities in the area, making it perfect for young professionals and families.

To find out more about the houses on offer at Pennywell Living, visit: www.urbanunionltd.co.uk/pennywell-living

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The sky’s the limit for City space firm

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He visited the Princes Street offices of the rocket developer to meet its team and learn more about its future launch plans.  Continue reading The sky’s the limit for City space firm

Putting down roots: the importance of STEM subjects to be explored

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Edinburgh Napier technician wins ‘I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here!’ competition

James Munro wins funding to put towards further STEM activities

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Lights, camera, DATA!

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