STEM Education Centre E-bulletin: March 2014

Welcome to the March e-bulletin from the ’s STEM Education Centre. It is designed to provide you with information about STEM-related events, resources, news and updates that may be of interest to you and your colleagues. STEM Policy and Practice News Budget 2014: Institute to lead big data research

A £42m Alan Turing Institute is to be founded to ensure that Britain leads the way in big data and algorithm research, George Osborne has announced.

Drawing on the name of the British mathematician who led code-breaking work at Bletchley Park during the World War II, the institute is intended to help British companies by bringing together expertise and experience in tackling problems requiring huge computational power.

Turing’s work led to the cracking of the German "Enigma" codes, which used highly compl ex encryption, is believed to have saved hundreds or even thousands of lives. He later formed a number of theories that underpin modern computing, and formalised the idea of algorithms – sequences of instructions – for a computer.

This announcement marks further official rehabilitation of a scientist who many see as having been treated badly by the British government after his work during the war. Turing, who was gay, was convicted of indecency in March 1952, and lost his security clearance with GCHQ, the successor to Bletchley Park. He killed himself in June 1954. Only after a series of public campaigns was he given an official pardon by the UK government in December 2013.

Public Attitudes to Science (PAS) 2014

Public Attitudes to Science (PAS) 2014 is the fifth in a series of studies looking at attitudes to science, scientists and science policy among the UK public. Ipsos MORI conducted the study in partnership with the British Science Association, on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

The study shows that the UK public are as enthusiastic about science as they ever have been, with attitudes to science having come a long way over the past 25 years: - More now agree that “ it is important to know about science in my daily life ” (72% agree, versus 57% in 1988). - People are now more comfortable about the pace of change – just a third (34%, versus 49% in 1988) now agree that “ science makes people’s lives change too fast ”. - By the same token, people hold scientists and engineers in high regard. Nine-in-ten think that scientists (90%) and engineers (88%) make a valuable contribution to society and both are viewed on balance as creative, interesting and open-minded people.

Ultimately, PAS 2014 strongly underlines the importance of engaging the public with science, to address people’s concerns and deal with any misconceptions. Half (51%) still say they hear and see too little about science.

For further information, please visit the ipsos mori website: http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/Public-Attitudes-to-Science- 2014.aspx

Reflecting on the findings Dr Ellie Cosgrave offers her perspective ‘ Engineering: For someone like me?’ in this British Science Association blog: http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/blog/engineering-someone-me

As nominations open for £1m Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, there is a call for the parents of girls to look at engineering differently

Whilst launching the call for nominations for the QEPrize, the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation chairman, Lord Browne of Madingley, called on parents to take a fresh look at engineering, and to encourage both their sons and daughters to consider it as an exciting and rewarding profession.

Lord Browne: “From large-scale infrastructure to medical technology, engineers’ achievements transform every aspect of our daily lives. Our research shows that parents are reluctant for their daughters to enter the field of engineering, believing that other subjects offer them better opportunities.”

Recent research conducted by the QEPrize shows the engineering still suffers from an image problem – especially among the parents of girls. Despite the fact that the UK needs 1 million more engineers by 2020, the QEPrize survey found that parents of girls aged between 5 and 18 are still inclined to encourage their daughters to study subjects other than engineering and science. 73% of mums and dads said they believed that other subjects offer better career opportunities for girls.

A summary of the research is available here: http://createthefuture.qeprize.org/Survey-Deck.pdf

The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering is a £1 million global awar d which celebrates the engineers responsible for a ground-breaking innovation in engineering that has been of global benefit to humanity.

The closing date for nominations is Monday, 14 th July 2014. Further details are available here: http://qeprize.org/nominate/

Michael Grove joins the sigma Directorate team

The Directors of the sigma maths network are delighted to announce that Michael Grove, Director of the STEM Education Centre at the University of Birmingha m, has agreed to work with sigma as an Associate Director. Michael brings with him an extensive understanding of the MSOR and wider STEM arenas. He was the Director of the National HE STEM Programme, where his responsibilities included its overall strategic direction at a national policy level. Prior to this, Michael was Assistant Director of the HEA’s MSOR Subject Centre.

His role will focus on assisting with some key work packages, including the regional postgraduate tutor training workshops, as well as the preparation and implementation of a high level sector needs analysis. In addition, Michael will continue to be a proactive national champion of mathematics and statistics support activity and of sigma. sigma Director, Professor Duncan Lawson said “ We are thrilled that Michael has agreed to be involved with the latest sigma project. Alongside his experience, he brings energy, enthusiasm and dynamism to everything he does and he will help to ensure successful outcomes for sigma’s current work. ” Michael said " I am delighted to accept this role with sigma. The national sigma Network was established through the National HE STEM Programme, and seeing the network not only sustained but also continuing to develop and grow reaffirms our decision to work with sigma in the early days of the Programme. I benefitted greatly from sigma's support when developing the University of Birmingham Mathematics Support Centre and I am delighted to be able to help others in a similar way ."

And finally….. Male, Mad and Muddleheaded: The portrayal of academics in children’s books is shockingly narrow

Academics in children’s books tend to be elderly men called Professor SomethingDumb. Why does this matter? presents the findings from her two-year research on the representation of academics and argues these portrayals should be challenged. You can read more on this LSE blog: http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2014/02/14/academics-in-childrens- picture-books/

Call for Abstracts CETL-MSOR Conference 2014: Mathematics and Statistics Teaching, Learning and Support: Real, Virtual, Mobile

8th - 9th September 2014, Cardiff University

In 2009, sigma explored the growing use of technology in mathematics support[i]. Five years on, technology has advanced and new ways of exploiting it are emerging (for instance MOOCs, mobile apps, flipped classrooms). We are entering a period of educational experiment and disruptive innovation. This year’s conference will explore ways in which learning, teaching and support in Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research (MSOR) in Higher Education are being shaped by the opportunities arising through a more connected world.

The principal themes of the conference will be: - Technology-enhanced learning and teaching - Back to basics! The lasting value of face-to-face interaction - Offering mathematics and statistics support through technology - Harnessing the power of social media for improving student engagement - Whither (wither!) the traditional lecture – evolving your teaching to keep pace with a more connected world Authors are invited to submit abstracts of no more than 500 words which explore the themes of the conference. Interesting reports on issues relating to the wider teaching and learning of MSOR that do not fit directly with the themes will also be considered.

The submission form is available to download from the sigma Network website: http://www.sigma-network.ac.uk/?attachment_id=1184

Completed forms should be submitted to [email protected] . The deadline for receipt of abstracts is Friday , 6th June 2014 . All abstracts submissions will be acknowledged and we aim to notify you of acceptance by Friday , 11th July 2014 . If you have any queries or experience any difficulties submitting your abstract, please contact Moira Petrie by emailing [email protected] .

For conference details and updates follow @CETLMSOR2014, remembering to use the hashtag #CETLMSOR14 or sign up to the SIGMA-NETWORK JISCMAIL list: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=SIGMA-NETWORK

[i] Lawson, D.A., Carpenter, S., and Croft, A.C. (2009) ‘Mathematics support: real, virtual and mobile’, International Journal of Technology in Mathematics Education 15(2).

Variety in Chemistry Education & Physics Higher Education Conference 2014 28-29 August 2014, Durham University

This combined conference offers an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and sharing of practice in relation to learning and teaching in chemistry and physics in higher education. It also provides a forum for the dissemination of research into pedagogy and innovative learning.

The deadline for abstract submission is Friday, 20 June 2014 .

Conference registration closes on Friday, 1 August 2014 .

For further information, please visit the Conference website: http://community.dur.ac.uk/vice.phec/

Events Technology Enhanced Teaching & Learning: Seminar Series Wednesday Afternoons: 1300 – 1400

The development of new technologies has led to changes in the way in which universities deliver teaching and has impacted upon how students learn, their skills and their expectations of higher education study. However, teaching with technology is not only about being familiar with the latest approaches, it is about understanding how the most appropriate tools can be naturally incorporated within your teaching when and where it makes sense to do so. Further, while technological innovation is now widespread within higher education, the evidence base as to its impact upon enhancing student learning remains open to question.

Technology Enhanced Teaching and Learning is a new seminar series launched by the University of Birmingham as part of the ‘ Transforming Teaching Delivery’ strand of Curriculum Review, and invites those using educational technologies and software (for example Canvas) to discuss how it is shaping and impacting upon teaching and learning within higher education. The seminars will focus upon the pedagogical practices and approaches rather than the ‘technical’ aspects of implementation, and provide an opportunity for participants to not only explore best practices for using technology to enhance higher education teaching and learning, but also to explore their impact upon student learning and course design and delivery. They will look at the benefits of using technology, as well as potential ‘stumbling blocks’ and how these may be successfully overcome.

This seminar series has been designed so that it will be of interest to anyone currently innovating with new technologies in their teaching or wishing to explore ideas for the implementation of new approaches. They provide the opportunity to meet with other ‘like- minded’ individuals from across the University so that we can share effective practices, approaches and experiences for the benefit of all staff and students.

2013/14 Session Seminar Schedule Using Video Based Feedback: Sharing Current Practice (Joe Berry) Wednesday 30 April, Glynn Rooms, CLAD Register: http://doodle.com/berry

Supporting Student use of Mobile Learning: examples of use in the Colleges of Arts and Law and Medical and Dental Sciences (John Couperthwaite & Andrew Davis) Wednesday 14 May, Glynn Rooms, CLAD Register: http://doodle.com/couperthwaitedavis

Lecture Flipping in the Medical Sciences (Prem Kumar) Wednesday 28 May, Glynn Rooms, CLAD Register: http://doodle.com/kumar

Interested in Contributing? Contributions to the Technology Enhanced Teaching and Learning seminar series are welcome at any time from anyone involved in using technology for teaching or supporting student learning.

To participate, please contact one of the seminar organisers listed on the University of Birmingham website: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/technology-enhanced-teaching-and-learning- seminars/index.aspx

Higher Education Academy’s Research and Policy Seminar/Webinar Series

The research work of the HEA aims to inspire and support effective practice in learning and teaching, influence policy and future thinking. The overall theme for the 2013-14 HEA research and policy seminar/webinar series is concerned with the impact of the shifting higher education landscape on learning and teaching.

Future events, as part of this series, include:

6 May 2014 - Examining difference, in/equity and diversity in teaching and learning , Jacqueline Stevenson, Leeds Metropolitan University and Penny-Jane Burke, University of Roehampton

10 June 2014 - Two years on: the impact of the higher education reforms on learning and teaching, and future challenges , Geoff Stoakes, Higher Education Academy

Please click on the hyperlinks above for more information on each event and to book your place.

How can we improve the feedback we give our students? Friday, 11th April 2014, University of Birmingham

The afternoon will begin with a keynote presentation by Dr Julian Archer, NIHR Career Development Fellow and Director of the Collaboration for the Advancement of Medical Education Research & Assessment (CAMERA), Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry, who has published widely on the subject of feedback. Dr Archer will consider the need to see feedback as part of a wider system taking place in a complex healthcare system; and how culture, values, beliefs, relationships, and communities within this larger system influence how we give and receive feedback.

It will also include opportunities to consider the implications of these insights in our College context and how educational technology can support the feedback process.

Register for this event at the Eventbrite website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-can-we-improve-the-feedback-we-give-or-students- a-half-away-day-tickets-11033626875?

Disciplinary Approaches to Educational Enquiry Symposium: Friday, 2 May 2014, University of Birmingham

This symposium offers participants a unique opportunity to discuss disciplinary approaches to educational enquiry with the authors of a new book ‘ Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Disciplinary Approaches to Educational Enquiry ’ published by Sage in March 2014.

The day will explore good practice approaches to undertaking enquiry into learning and teaching in higher education for staff from all academic disciplines and will explore how research methods from a range of disciplinary areas can be adapted and used in this way.

For further information and tickets, please visit the Eventbrite website: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/disciplinary-approaches-to-educational-enquiry- symposium-tickets-10615939561

Surveys for Enhancement Conference 2014

4 June 2014, The Rep Theatre, Birmingham

The annual Surveys for Enhancement Conference is for everyone interested in how feedback from students can inform improvements to experience, engagement and the quality of learning and teaching.

Previous attendees have included senior staff with strategic responsibility for learning and teaching, educational developers and researchers, quality enhancement professionals, survey and data officers, representatives from policy/sector bodies, student representatives and academic teaching staff. You can register to attend this conference, by visiting the Higher Education Academy’s website: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/events/2014/Surveys_for_Enhancement_Conference

Reminder: HE STEM Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2014: Enhancing the STEM Student Journey: 30 April – 1 May

2014, The conference will include keynote presentations, debates, individual papers, posters, and student poster competitions. Keynote speakers include Andy Field, Professor of Psychopathology at the University of Sussex, Dame Wendy Hall, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton and Nike Folayan, Chair of AFBE-UK. Also, Professor Iain Stewart of BBC Earth fame will present the award for STEM Technician of the Year.

To register your place, please visit the Higher Education Academy’s website. http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/stem-conference-2014

Sharing Information to Support STEM Educational

Enhancement:

If you have any opportunities or information relating to STEM Education activity that you would like to share with colleagues through our monthly bulletin, please contact Daryl Davies with details.

And finally:

If you have received our e-bulletin from a colleague and wish to be added to the circulation list, please contact Daryl Davies.

Deadline for contributions for next month’s newsletter is 14 th April 2014.

Contributions should be sent to [email protected]

For further enquires please contact [email protected] .