Business Enterprise Bulletin
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
June 2015 eight issue BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN Science fun at Willowbank 2 issue eight BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN elcome to the eighth issue of the Business Enterprise Bulletin, which highlights recent enterprising events Mathletes and successes across the authority. WThese include the Interaction challenge run by leading architectural practice Keppie Design; the assemble official opening of the Morphy Richards Centre for Engineering Education by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay and all the exciting enterprise at Grange maths camp news from throughout East Ayrshire. This edition has a particular focus on STEM – Science, Technology, Enterprise and Maths and all the wonderful events taking place in our schools, in partnership with local companies, which are helping to inspire our young people. Contents Mathletes assemble at Grange maths camp 2 A sign of the times as Loudoun pupils help to regenerate Galston 3 Digital delight for St Joseph’s Academy 4 By Royal appointment 6 The inaugural Grange Maths Camp was held in March when over 60 students packed up their calculators and headed Stem celebration event 7 to Dounans Activity Centre near Aberfoyle for a weekend Pupils bag win at Young Enterprise Finals 8 of intensive Higher Maths and Advanced Higher revision. Around the schools… 9 Nine teachers from the Grange Maths Department Loudoun Academy 9 volunteered to accompany the students and provided ten 90-minute sessions of Maths across the weekend. Stem Challenge at Doon Academy 10 Small groups of between six and nine students allowed more Primary STEM Days 11 personalised support than is possible in class and this made a huge impact on students’ Mathematical skills, confidence and motivation. Cumnock Plastic Products works with local company 11 Students were provided with booklets to work through Funding confirmed to carry on success of Active Schools 12 during the sessions and had more to take home which Young MSYPs elected to represent young people 12 helped to provide greater focus for future revision. Go4SET 13 In addition to the teaching sessions and the Sunday morning exam, the Dounans staff led the group through outdoor Cumnock Academy awarded top prize in activities such as archery, radio rescue and tree climbing. INTERACTION challenge 14 There was also a fiercely contested quiz on the Friday night Science breaks the ice at Grange Academy 15 and a problem-solving task on the Saturday night where Higher Maths questions needed to be solved to uncover March was maths month at Grange Academy 16 the combination to a locked treasure chest of goodies. Pupils are making the right Knex-ions 17 And it wouldn’t have been a Grange Maths event without teacher Record levels of East Ayrshire school leavers Chris Smith cranking up the “geek” factor a notch or two. Students going in a positive direction 18 and teachers embraced their inner geek by wearing customised Math camp 2015 hoodies and t-shirts and temporary tattoos. Chemistry matters at Grange 18 Twitter was buzzing with Math Camp tweets and updates; and several High praise for Willowbank from Education Scotland 19 schools from across the UK, and beyond, have approached Mr Smith to ask for advice on how to plan their very own Math Camp adventure. Science fun at Willowbank 20 The event was such a success that the Maths Department is Fond farewell for Mr Short 23 already planning their next Camp. BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN issue eight 3 A sign of the times as Loudoun pupils help to regenerate Galston Loudoun Academy pupils have a castiron reason to be proud of their local town. As plans for the regeneration of the town’s historic buildings start to take shape, pupils are playing their part by designing innovative pictorial hanging signs for local retailers, in a competition organised by Galston Community Development Trust. Owners of buildings within the town centre are being encouraged to apply for grant funding to restore the fabric of buildings through the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), jointly funded by East Ayrshire Council and Historic Scotland. These repairs are carried out using traditional materials and methods proven to be the most effective and sympathetic way to ensure they are fit for purpose in the 21st Century. But regeneration is not merely about buildings. It is about the people who live and work in them and those who will use and look after them for generations to come. As part of the CARS project, funds have been earmarked to educate tradesmen, householders and young people in the skills needed to restore and maintain these architectural gems. For Loudoun Academy, the scheme has enabled the Technical Department to instigate a hanging sign competition. Pupils had a visit from Pete Hill of PJ Johnston and Co, a traditional forge based in Rathobyres. He specialises in traditional metalwork and bespoke sculptural pieces and spent an afternoon at the school talking through the design process and showing how the plans were then forged into a final product. He will be working with the pupils as they plan and create the signs. Local businesses have been encouraged to apply for the competition as part of their CARS applications. They will be working with the pupils as they design signs for their premises. The final designs will be exhibited later in the summer before the winners are chosen by a judging panel and produced by the pupils. Already the pupils have been visiting businesses such as Lotus Crystals, Robert Neil Ironmongers and Murdoch Construction, speaking to the owners and getting some ideas for their designs. All involved are very excited at the idea that these signs will enhance the town, with a fusion of a traditional art-form and modern ideas, and Pete Hill hopes, for some pupils, the project will perhaps stimulate a lifelong interest and future career in traditional ironwork. 4 issue eight BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN Digital delight for St Joseph’s Academy A new iPad for Learning initiative was launched at Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council said: “We’re fully St Joseph’s Academy in Kilmarnock recently by the committed to providing a superb, fit for purpose education for all our Right Reverend Willie Nolan, Bishop of Galloway. pupils and, using technology such as iPads for every pupil today, is one way we can help students develop an advantage in tomorrow’s world. In 2011, St. Joseph’s Academy bid for 170 iPads as part “These days almost all young people use tablets and mobile devices of their Business Enterprise and Skills Centre in 2011 and from a very early age and by the time they are in school, using these is these have been successfully used in the school. second nature and, in most cases, it is an integral part of their lives. The school is now piloting the full implementation of iPads “This initiative is geared to capturing that enthusiasm and keeping across the whole school, with one per child and teacher. pupils’ attention by aligning our educational delivery with how the Pupils and staff are allowed to take them home, meaning learning is now new mobile generation wants to learn and communicate.” an ‘anytime, anywhere’ experience using thousands of apps and interactive The iPads open up a host of new learning opportunities in the tools to promote independence, personal responsibility and creativity. school, with lessons available to view online, after school hours, The iPads also link to the school’s Virtual Learning Environment or assignments and projects being submitted from home. which contains a wide range of work from different departments, In addition, video recording, picture taking and the ability including video lessons and self-assessment tools. to quickly and easily annotate work adds a different dimension to homework and teacher’s notes. BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN issue eight 5 Head Teacher Ben Davis explained the benefits: “In art, for example, abstract or difficult concepts can be explained visually. Artist’s work, their inspiration, life and times they worked in can be viewed online, almost instantly. “In French and German, word pronunciation can be heard, the use of verbs and grammar can be illustrated and the social networking aspect of all this brings pupils together to share ideas, solve problems and create a ‘can-do’ environment in the classroom – that’s invaluable for a teacher and helps accelerate learning. “In addition, iPads turn on in seconds, which now means every single pupil can be online and researching in minutes, rather than rummaging in bags, looking for pens, pencils, or text books. “The battery lasts all day, it has two cameras and the screen is the perfect size for viewing/ working, group collaboration, or even just holding the iPad up to show others your work. It’s incredibly versatile.” 6 issue eight BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN ByRoyal appointment His Royal Highness The Duke of Rothesay, President, the Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust officially opened the Morphy Richards Engineering Education Centre on Tuesday 28 April at Dumfries House. HRH met with representatives from Morphy Richards and other local Working in partnership with organisations such as Scottish Power, engineering industry representatives, as well as P6 and P7 pupils from UTC Aerospace Systems and Electronics Company Selex-ES, the New Cumnock Primary who are making use of the new facilities. programmes are designed to help schools deliver STEM-based activities The Morphy Richards Centre for Engineering Education provides while offering opportunities to highlight the valued and exciting future experiential indoor and outdoor learning for Primary and early career prospects in these areas and in particular within engineering. Secondary school students, aimed to help inspire and engage young The centre is also used by key STEM providers such as ‘Young Engineers people in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).