Dear STEM Teachers,
2015 is turning out to be a bumper year for STEM! There is a lot going on in the next few months, with plenty of activities planned in and out of school to raise aspirations and pupil engagement with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. If you would like more information about anything on this list, or to get some advice about STEM in your school thenget in touch!
If you are curious as to what schools are requesting from STEM Ambassadors, why not take a look at our current list of STEM Ambassador opportunities. You’ll see listed all the opportunities currently being advertised to STEM Ambassadors across Bristol, Bath and beyond. Want to see your school on that list?Get in touch- it would be great to talk this through with you.
In this newsletter:
STEM Placements
STEM Conferences and Teacher CPD
STEM Activities & Resources
STEM-themed Trips
STEM Competitions
STEM Placements
Get In2Science at the University of BathIn2Science can help find research lab placements at the University of Bath for AS science students who are predicted grades A-C, who wish to go to University to study a STEM subject and are from low socio-economic backgrounds. The placements last for 2 weeks and are fully funded, with the students getting £50 per week to assist with transport and food costs. If you have any students who you feel would benefit from this opportunity, please direct them to the online application form at Applications need to be submitted by the start of May. If you would like a poster to put up around school, then get in touch.
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STEM Conferences and Teacher CPD
Bristol Green Capital 2015 – Inspiring Science Teaching Conference, 27th June 2015, At-Bristol. This conference will bring together science teachers and Bristol experts in sustainability research and industry. As well as being a free conference, supported by Bristol City Council, Science Learning Network South West and the Odgen Trust, there are also family passes available for At-Bristol Science Centre, but numbers are limited so to book on, go to
Stimulating Physics South West CPD Day – Friday 19thJune, Plymouth, free.Annual CPD day featuring a mix of practical workshops, talks and networking. Refreshments and lunch provided. Suitable for those new to physics teaching, technicians, trainees and experienced physics teachers. Book online at
Design and Make the Future – Saturday 16thMay, York, £25. Annual event for design and technology and engineering teachers. Exhibition area, keynote speakers and workshops to help you develop your curriculum. Book online at
Get in touch to tell us about the STEM CPD happening at your school – we’re always happy to pop along and talk about STEM if there’s a chance!
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STEM Activities & Resources
Engineering Week 2015, 6-11th July 2015Professionals and academics from the world of engineering have joined with the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Institution of Structural Engineers to celebrate the world of engineering. To promote engineering and STEM subjects they will be providing free workshops and activities to any school in the Bristol and Bath area between 6th – 11th July. To browse the list of workshops on offer, get in touch!
Erathostenes 2015 - Students from all over the world are invited to join the Erathostenes project and measure the circumference of the Earth. The measurements will take place between 14th and 25th September 2015, reproducing the experiments and calculations of the ancient Greek Eratosthenes, the first person to measure the circumference of the Earth. For more information and to register your school, visit
I’m a Scientist / I’m an Engineer, Get Me Out of Here! – This hugely popular free activity will be back for more online interaction between pupils and scientists and engineers in June and November. To find out more and register your class visit or
ESERO-UK Tim Peake Grant Scheme -grants of between £500 and £1000 are available for innovative projects to celebrate British ESA astronaut Tim Peake’s mission to the International Space Station. Activities which involve the whole school and the local community are encouraged and can cover a wide range of subjects. For more information, visit Pleaseget in touch with us if you would like to talk through a potential application.
Women in Engineering Day - 23rd June 2015 – To raise the profile of engineering as a career for all, why not put on an IET Faraday DIY Challenge? Visit for more information, and to access more support and resources for the day then get in touch ASAP!
Bristol Fairtrade Network - The network can support schools throughout the year in achieving Fairtrade status. There is also the chance for your school to have a free session on Friday 3rd July from two young people aged 11 and 14 from KuapaKokoo cocoa growing communities in Ghana. The ‘Kuapa Kids’ can do presentations based around photos of their everyday lives and the impact of Fairtrade on their communities. Their chaperones are educational professionals who can guide your class through discussions and activities. To book please contact Elaine Ashley:
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STEM-themed Trips
Biology Field and Lab Taster Days with the University of Bristol – KS3 and Year 12 can try out some field work and spend some time in the lab with the School of Biosciences. The days are free of charge, but you will need to arrange your own transport. For more information and dates please get in touch.
Imagineering at Royal Bath & West Show– 27th – 30th May 2015. The Royal Bath & West Show is England's biggest celebration of rural life and the country’s only 4 day royal show. Attendees can enjoys a feast of STEM in the Imagineering Fair, so if you are planning a trip to the show, make time for Imagineering!
Science for Schools, Cheltenham Science Festival -2-5th June 2015. As well as the huge programme of events at the Festival, there is also the schools programme where you can sign up your school for workshops led by top scientists and engineers. Workshops are aimed at KS3, for more info:
Big Bang Fair South West, Exeter University – 25th June 2015
Featuring explosive theatre shows and engaging, immersive activities, the Fair is more than just a great day out! It’s an opportunity to meet some of the South West’s leading STEM professionals and discover how school subjects can lead to fantastic careers. Plus, if your students have a STEM project they would like to enter for the National Science + Engineering Competition then bring it along - all for free! To register, visit
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STEM Competitions
Hft Personalised Design Challenge –Hft and the Bristol and Bath Science Park are launching a competition for students in Yr 9-12 to come up with Personalised Technology solutions to help people in Bristol with disabilities. The students would be looking at real problems that Hft have been unable to solve so far. There will be 2 workshops at BBSP in the Autumn Term to support the students and the winning entry will receive £1000 in vouchers to spend on technical kits for the school. Get in touchfor more info.
Bristol2015 - My Green City programme (Architecture Centre) – As part of the Architecture’s Programme for Bristol Green Capital 2015, they will be launching a design competition on the 1st May. This is an opportunity for your students to pitch their ideas for a sustainable city to a panel of industry experts. For more info and to register your interest:
Mars Balloon - Test anything that humans or robots couldsomeday be doing on Mars! Fill a capsule with an experiment which will travel by balloon to 30km above the Earth’s surface - a place where conditions of gas pressure, temperature and radiation are very similar to the surface of Mars. Deadline for the delivery of experiments is 12th June 2015. See to register.
My Digital Rights - Who is watching us when we're online? Should governments monitor our movements on the Web? Should trolling be made illegal? Do we need a new bill of rights to protect the future of the internet? Join The British Library and schools from the UK and around the world to create a Magna Carta for the digital age. Deadline for clause submission is 1stJune 2015. See more at
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That’s all for this term!
Best wishes,
Ellie