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Teacher Scientist Network (TSN)

Telephone +44(0)1603 450304, Fax +44(0)1603 450045, Email ts.network@bbsrc.ac.uk, www.tsn.org.ukCoordinator: Dr. Phil Smith, MBE Chairman: Prof. Keith Roberts

TSN is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 4556366. Registered charity no. 1096208Registered office: John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UH

Newsletter of the Teacher Scientist Network No. 29 Summer 2010

TSNews

Dates for your diary ....

June-July2010-EPOCASpitzbergenexperiment-followonline 14thJuly-TSNPrimaryPizza&Puddingevening 28thSept-TSNAnnualMeeting2010 3/4thNov-NNUHschoolsoutreachevent

KIT CLUB NEWS !

InformationaboutALLTSNkitsatwww.tsn.org.uk,underKitClub,orcontacttsn.kits@bbsrc.ac.uk-

emailisourpreferredmethodofkitbooking.AlternativelytelephoneCarolHinceon01603450619,

(Wednesday-Fridayinc.)

Introducing the EcoBox

Anexcitingnewresource, theEcobox,willbeavailable for schools toborrowfromSeptember 2010. We have produced four of these kits, in partnership with NorfolkCityCouncil,NorfolkCountyCouncilandNorwich21,withthehelpofgrantsfromCUEEastandNorfolkClimateChangePanel.Theyaredesignedtopromoteteachingand learning about Sustainable Living in secondary schools, using a cross-curricularapproach.The activities in the kit are suitable foruse in science, geography, english,citizenshipandPElessonsandabookletofsuggestionsforfurthercross-curricularlinksis included.Abrief summaryof thekitcontents isgivenbelow– furtherdetailswillappearontheTSNwebsitesoon.

• 10setsof‘GlobalSteps’cards–asimplegamethatenablesstudentstoestimatetheirpersonalecologicalfootprint.

• ‘Where’stheImpact’-acardgameinwhichstudentsinvestigatehowmuchlandandenergyisusedtomakeconsumergoodsbyanalysingthedifferentstagesoftheproductioncycle.

• 30EcosaverPowerMeters–easy-touse-devicesthatallowstudentstochecktheenergyconsumptionofeverydayelectricalappliances.

• ‘5-A-Day : How Far Away?’ – a resource to help students think about theenvironmentalimpactofthefoodtheyandtheirfamiliesbuyandeat.

• 30Pedometersandasetofassociatedactivitysheets.• ‘HittingtheHeadlines’–anactivitybasedonphotographsandcuttingsfrom

recentEDParticlesrelateddirectlyandindirectlytoclimatechange.• 2wirelessEnergyMonitorsforreal-timerecordingofelectricityconsumption.• 10 CABE Green Day Booklets with suggestions for a fully cross-curricular

approachtoteachingaboutsustainability.• DVD ‘Designs That Hold Water’ – an introduction to SUDS (sustainable

urbandrainagesystems).Muchmoreinterestingthanitsounds!• ComprehensiveTeachers’Notesandadditionalactivitiesonourwebsite.

TheresourceshavebeenpilotedinanumberofNorwichcityschoolsandhavebeenverywellreceived.ManyteacherscommentedontheexcellentworkproducedbystudentsinresponsetotheEcoboxactivities.Pleasepassonthisinformationtocolleaguesinotherdepartmentswhomayalsobeinterestedinusingthekitandthenbookearlytoavoiddisappointment!

TSN now one-stop STEM shop - for all links with real-life STEM

EPOCA’soceanacidificationexperimentsinthearcticarewellunder-way,withsci-entistsinNyAlesundinSpitzbergeneagertosharetheirexperienceswithschools.You&yourstudentscanfollowtheirscientificadventureuntilmid-Julyathttp://epocaarc-tic2010.wordpress.com

FindoutmoreaboutauniquecooperationbetweenGreenpeaceandascientificre-searchinstitute(MPI,Jena).WatchGreen-peace’s4minutemovieintroducingOceanAcidificationandshowingtheEsperanzainstallingthe‘mesocosms’athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phyqIbBsUP4

AttheendoflastyearTSNtookovertheNorfolkcontracttodelivertheSTEMAmbassadorsprogrammeonbehalfofSTEMNET.SonowwearelookingtoworkwithANYONEwhohasabackgroundinScience,Technology,EngineeringorMaths(STEM).WehadpreviouslylimitedourselvestoScienceandMathsgivenourbaseattheJohnInnesCentrewithintheNorwichResearchPark(itselfalife-sciencehub).

WhoareSTEMAmbassadors?Ambassadorshavewiderangingbackgrounds,fromPhDstudentstoprojectleaders,fromapprenticeengineerstomedics,frompeopleworkinginthefinancialservicesindustrytothoseworkingintherenewableenergyindustry-anyonewithapassionfortheirsubjectwhowouldliketheopportunitytohelpinspireyoungpeople,andsupportteachersbyshowingreal-lifeapplicationsoftheSTEMsubjects.

STEM Ambassadors cont. 2Partnership Activities 2 Record Breaking Science Week event 3 CarboSchools Update 3 Norwich Urban Heat Experiment 3theWeather Club 3The Kit Club 4Spitzburgen Blog 4New Members 4Diary Dates 4

CONTENTS

New Members - WelcomeTeachers

Mrs. Rachael Garrod,Gt.HockhamPrimarySchoolMs. Lisa Ryans,ThorpeSt.AndrewHighSchoolMiss Marion Kerr,GlebelandCPSchool,BecclesMrs. Katie Foster,JohnGrantSchool,Caister-on-SeaMrs. Sue Chater,EdgarSewterPrimarySchoolMrs. Linda Walsh,AldburghwithDentonPrimaryMrs. Lisa Othon,Swaffham,HammondsHighSch.Mr. Richard Williams,RackheathPrimarySchoolMrs. Kim Haynes,LingwoodPrimarySchoolMrs. Lucie Harrowing,NorthDenesJnr.SchoolMrs. Chris Aitken,CantleyPrimarySchoolMr. Matthew Palmer,AdmiralsJnr.School,ThetfordMrs. Anna Oliveri,DussindalePrimarySchoolMrs. Hayley Strivens,FenParkPrimary,LowestoftMrs. Donna Eke,QueenswayJnr.School,Thetford Scientists

Dr. Mark Banfield,JohnInnesCentreDr. Shaun Stevens,UniversityofEastAngliaDr. Jie Song,JohnInnesCentreMiss Anke Arkenberg,UniversityofEastAngliaDr. Tove Jorgensen,UniversityofEastAngliaMiss Sarah Shailes,JohnInnesCentreMiss Jennifer Hodbod,UniversityofEastAngliaMr. Stuart King,JohnInnesCentreMrs. Lydia Rickett,UniversityofEastAngliaDr. Liz Lund,InstituteofFoodResearchMrs. Sara Hamouda,UniversityofEastAngliaDr. Henrik Buschmann,JohnInnesCentre

Spitzbergen Blog

http://www.stemnet.org.uk/ambassadors.cfm

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WhatdoAmbassadorsdo?AmbassadorscanbepeopleinTSNpartnerships,thisisjustonewayinwhichAmbassadorscanbe‘active’.Forthosepeoplewhowouldprefermoreoccasionalinteractionswecanhelpprovidethoseopportunitieswhetherit’shelpingatanafter-schoolSTEMclub,givingaone-offtalkorcontributingtocareersdays.

WeareverykeentohearideasfromteachersaboutwaysinwhichYOUmightuseourpoolofAmbassadors.Youprovideuswiththeopportunities,andwe’ll

providetheAmbassadors,regardlessofwhetherornotyouhaveanexisitingTSNpartnership.

Ambassadorsmaybegreatwaytostart-upaSTEM-ClubortakepartinoneoftheSTEM-challenges.FormoredetailsabouttheseinitiativesandotherssupportedbySTEMNETseetheirwebsiteormakecontactwiththe‘STEM-brokerforNorfolk’,AngelaCarpenter,whoisbasedattheUniversityofEastAnglia(angela.carpenter@uea.ac.uk)Sheiskeentoengagewithallschoolsinthecounty,andcanbrokerlinkswitharangeofSTEMEnrichmentandEnhancementopportunitiesofwhichAmbassadoractivityisjustone.

TSN Annual Meeting 2010 - JIC - Tuesday 28th September

Whatdoesthismeanforexisitingpartners?

Verylittle-TSNscientistsareurgedtoregisterasSTEMAmbassadorsontheSTEMNETwebsite....continued on p.2

Record numbers of scientists across Norfolk

>100scientists

into139 schools

from nursery to post-16

nearly all on 1 day ....

full story p.3

2 3

TSN’sCountdown439kickedNationalScienceandEngineeringWeekinNorfolkoffinfinestylebackinMarch.Bytheend,over100scientistsvisitedalmost140schoolsacrossthecountyinthecourseofthe‘week’.MuchoftheactivitywasfocussedonFriday12th

Marchbutweheardofsomepeoplewhoweremakingre-scheuledvisitsduringMay.Ahugethankyoutoallwhosupportedthishigh-profileeventandforyourcontributionsofpictures,storiesandpupil/teacher/scientistfeedback.Thishasbeencataloguedat

http://www.jic.ac.uk/media/schools/NSEW2010.Takealook-wereachednurseryagedchildreninEarlham,specialschools,almost50%ofNorfolk’s52highschoolsandmanagedtoprovidescientiststoeachandeveryoneofthe75teacherswhosentspecificrequestsinresponsetoourpre-Christmase-mailshot.We

alsoreceivedhighlypositivefeedbackintheformofthankyouletters,picturesandemails.

THANKYOUALL!-SHOULDWEDOITAGAIN??

Partnership Activity: Genetic Modification and Floral Dipping Kath Elliott (IFR) and Helen Banfill (Acle High School)

Record numbers of scientists all over Norfolk

theWeather Club

HelenaskedKathtoworkwithYear11TripleSciencestudents.TheywerestudyingtheBiotechnologyunit,whichincludesGeneticModification.Kathcameinoveraseriesof4lessonstogivethemexperienceofthetechniquesusedforGeneticModificationofplantsbasedonsomeofherresearchexperiences.Thestudentsweresetthechallengetocompare2transformationtechniquesanddecidewhichwas‘best’.-thefloraldippingtechniqueinArabidopsis andtheuseofleafdiscsofoilseedrape.

ThetechniquesinvolvedtheuseofgeneticallymodifiedAgrobacteriumsoforsafetyreasons,Kath‘replaced’thebacteriumwithsterilewater/sucrosesolutions(unknowntothestudents!).TheywentthroughtheprocessandKathtransplantedsome‘living’plantsontotheirantibioticplatesgivingtheimpressionsomehadsurvivedandwerethereforetransgenic.

Kathtookplatesof‘transformed’plantmaterialbacktothelabtogrowthemintissueculturefacilities.Unfortunately,10dayslater,theywerecoveredinfungi-somuchfortheaseptictechniqueof“grubbyY11’s!SoKathalsogavethemsomeofherdatatoana-lyseandpicturesofwhattheyshouldhavelookedlike!ForKath’sfinalvisit,immediatelyaftertheIFRChristmaslunch(talkaboutdedica-tion!!!),shetookwithherseedsthestudentshadsurfacesterilisedandplatedontoagar

plates–thestudentscountedhowmanyhadgerminatedandhowmanywereantibioticresistant.Fromthistheywereabletocalculateanefficiencypercentageforthetechniquewhichallowedthestudentstocomparethetwotechniquesintheirwriteup.

Urban Heat Island Experiment

Partnership Activity: Alfresco PCR! Giulia Morieri (JIC) and Julian Thomas, Paston College

Itwashalf-termandsoinpreparationforanalldaytheoryandpracticalclasson“PCR and electrophoresis”to50A’levelstudentsatPastonCollege,NorthWalshamthescienceteacher(Julian)proposedtestingtheexperi-mentathishouseinsteadoftheschool.Infact,itwassuchasunnydayJuliansuggesteddoingtheexperimentonthetableinhisgarden!Itseemedquiteunusualtoperformmo-lecularbiologyathomeratherthaninalab,butIthoughttomyself“Right,ifIcandoa

PCRinalab,whyshouldInotbeabletodoitoutside?”SoIsetupthePCRmachine,thepipettes,tipsandelectrophoresistankonthetableinabeautifulgardensurroundedbyverycuriouschickens!!!AllofthiswasthenfilmedtoproduceaneducationalvideoaboutPCR.WhilethePCRwasrunningweateadeliciouslasagnepreparedbyJulianandhispartner.Finallytheexperimentsworked,unbeliev-able!Itwasoneofthemostunusual,surrealandenjoyablescientificdaysofmylife!Editor’s culinary post-script, this is an Italian scientist describing a homemade English lasagne as ‘delicious’ - what a partnership!e it is not too long. Should I mention the name of the

YouareinvitedtojoinThe Great British Weather Experiment-anat-tempttorecordthearrivalofAutumnacrosstheBritishIslesusingthousandsofsimplerecordingsbyschools,thegeneralpublicandweatherobserva-tionstations.Youwillberequiredto

Wouldyouliketobepartofafunandinformativeexperimentthatsupportsyourscience,geographyorenviron-mentcurriculum?Weatherquest(www.weatherquest.co.uk),aprivateweatherforecastingcompanybasedinNorwichandwhosestaffpresenttheweatheronBBCLookEastandregionalBBCradiostations,islookingforvolunteersfor“The Big Norwich Urban Heat Island Experi-ment”.BuildingonworkbytheRoyalMeteorologicalSociety(www.metlink.org)andwithfundingfromCUEEast(www.cueeast.org),thisexperimentwillinvolveparticipantsmeasuringair

Aswecometowardstheendofthisthreeyear,EU-funded,projectIamdelightedtoreportthatFleggHighSchool,MarthamhaveinstalledtheirCO2monitorontheschoolroofalongwithaweatherstationthatcompensatesthemeterforhumid-ityandtemperatureaswellasprovidingawholeheapofmeteorologicaldata(http://www.flegg.norfolk.sch.uk/Weather/FleggHig/Flegg.htm).

SoontheatmosphericCO2levelsabovetheschoolwillbeavailableforalltoshare,compareandanalyseviatheSchoolCO2webareaofthecarboschoolswebsite,www.carboschools.orgHereyoucanalsoaccessalibraryof‘hands-on’activitiesrelatedtoCO2anditsroleinclimatechange(primarilyforKS3and4)thathavebeendevelopedbyscientistsacrossEuropeworkingcloselywiththeirlocalteachers.WeintendtoshowcaseCarboschoolsactivityatthisyearsTSNAnnualMeet-ing.AnyonewhohasusedtheseresourcesorothersorisanEcoSchoolwillbemostwelcometoshowcasetheirwork.Pleasecontactustoletusknow.Flegg High School

From front page:Thiscanbeviewedasawayofgaininganationalbadgeforwhatyoudoalready.TheSTEMNETwebsitecanalsobeusedasawayofrecordingwhatyoudoalreadyandhelpingyoukeeptrackofyourschools’engagementactivities.

ItwillNOTmeanyouhavetodoanymoreactivites-youwillstillreceivedetailsoftheseeventsbutyouareundernoobligationtotakepart.However,yourregistrationandparticipationwillhelpTSNfinancially,aswearepaidtodeliver

undetakesimpleoutdoorfieldwork,makingadailyrecordofbasicweatherobservationsincludingrainfall,temperatureandgeneralweatherconditionsbetween13/09and13/10

Toregisteryourinterest,email:Yourname,SchoolName&Address,ContactNumberandemailtoinfo@theweatherclub.org.ukFurtherdetails,www.tsn.org.uk/news.htm

CarboSchools - UK temperatureinNorwichandthesurroundingcountrysideoveraseriesofdaysintheup-comingAutumnterm.Theprojectaimsto:•demonstratethelinkbetweenairtempera-tureandwasteenergy•identifyweatherconditionswhichmagnifytheurbaneffectonairtemperature

Theexperimentwillbesupportedwithsomepublictalksintherun-upperiodandweath-erquestcanprovidedigitalthermometersforyoutocarryoutthemeasurements.Schools,clubsandthegeneralpublicwillbeinvolved,withtheopportunityforfurtherprojectsusingthecollecteddata.Toregisteryourinterestpleaseemailinfo@weatherquest.co.ukwith‘urban heat island’inthesubjectline.

thiscontract!

WewillarrangeaCRBcheckforyou(presentlyTSNpartnersareaskedtoarrangethesethroughtheirschools,iftheirschooldeemitappropriate).Fulldetailswillbesenttoyoubyemail.

TeachersYoucanrequestadditionalsupportfromSTEMAmbassadorsatanytimeBUTnowourremitclearlygoesbeyondjustsupportingyoursciencelessonsandsoas

scienceteachersreadingthis,pleasemakeyourcolleaguesinMathsandD&Tawareofwhatwecanoffer.Wewanttosupportyouandyourteaching,atthesametimecreatingasmanyopportunitiesaspossiblefor‘activeAmbassadors’.