Upcoming Events

This page will keep you up to date with events relevant to the SPU course. Please let us know if there are any events in your area that we should advertise here.

If you would like to be included on the mailing list to be sent information about future SPU events, please email your contact details to Jo Oladejo.

Bringing Cutting Edge science into the Classroom: Astrophysics: From Hydrogen to Humans

This day course will be running on June 26th 2008 at The Science Learning Centre East of England, Bayfordbury, Hertfordshire. Aimed at secondary school teachers this course is an exciting and new development.

“Space science is an integral part of the curriculum. This course is linked to the ‘way science works’ and cutting edge research and aims to give teachers experience with a range of resources that deliver the curriculum in an engaging way.

The course will be presented by a team consisting of experienced physics teachers and research scientists from the University of Hertfordshire who will take you on a journey through time to explore some of the latest research in a range of astronomy and physics topics. These will include the Big Bang, formation of the elements (atomic and nuclear physics), electromagnetic radiation, radioactivity, energy transfers and more!”

Due to generous funding from RCUK the fee is only £30. Participants are also eligible for Impact Awards.

Thanks to generous funding from the Wellcome Trust this course is eligible for an Impact Award. Awards are for £200 to contribute towards the course fee and other costs. Please contact 01992 503498 or email slc2.eastengland@herts.ac.uk for details on how to apply. Or visit www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk/east.

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Colleagues from @Bristol have picked out the following parts of their programme which might be of interest to anyone offering SPU in the South-West (or from further afield willing to travel). More details are on their website (www.at-bristol.org.uk) or you can call their bookings team (0845 345 3344) for further information.

Fertility - Ethics, Medicine and Me
This special debate day uses the topical issue of infertility and assisted conception to explore ethics in medicine. Students will discuss topical questions such as 'Do you have the right to know your biological father?' and 'Should we be 'designing' babies?'
NC links: Citizenship; Media studies; AS Science for the public understanding
Minimum number of students: 20
Maximum number of students: 90
Duration: 10:00 - 15:00
Charge per pupil: Due to support from the Wellcome Trust, this event is currently offered free of charge.

Science and the media - NEW!
Available from Summer term 2006
Our perceptions of science and technology are often formed by their portrayal in the media. This day enables student to make their own film to explore views on a contemporary science issue. They will have the opportunity to discuss the ethical and social implications of the subject and debate the societal consequences of media representations of science.

Possible topics include fertility treatment, nanotechnology, obesity and genetics.
NC links: Citizenship; Media studies; AS Science for the public understanding
Minimum number of students: 20
Maximum number of students: 60
Duration: 10:00 - 15:00
Charge per pupil: £20

In addition, these A-level options may be of interest:

Genetic engineering
During this tailored day students have a rare chance to try out cutting-edge genetic engineering techniques using the 'Green Fluorescent Protein' gene, commonly used in research labs throughout the world. Using high-quality research equipment they will insert the gene into bacteria and purify the resultant protein. Students learn about the applications of genetic engineering and are encouraged to discuss the moral and ethical implications associated with this rapidly expanding field of biology.

• NC links: Links to A-level Biology/Human biology specifications include: plasmids as vectors, protein synthesis, marker genes, antibiotic resistance, bacterial structure and reproduction, reverse transcriptase, endonucleases, ligases.
  Minimum number of students: 20
  Maximum number of students: 28
  Duration: 10:00 - 15:00
  Charge per pupil: £20

DNA photocopying
Students isolate a piece of their own DNA, amplify it using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), then visualise it using gel electrophoresis. The social and moral implications surrounding the genetic technologies will also be discussed.

NEW - post visit materials to support extended discussion in the classroom.
Minimum number of students: 12
Maximum number of students: 28
Duration: 10:00 - 15:00
Charge per pupil: £12 (including entry to Explore or Wildwalk At-Bristol)