Institution news
Patrick Kniveton, President of the Institution, is encouraging all members to use their professional and local network to support the development of science and maths teaching. Members can make a difference by recommending two schemes, run by the Nuffield Foundation and Rolls-Royce, which aim to develop excellence and also highlight the needs of less advantaged students.
Nuffield Research Placements (NRP) provide over 1,000 Year 12 students each year the opportunity to work alongside scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians during a four-to-six-week period in their summer holidays.
NRP and the Institution are asking members of the Institution if they, and their companies, may be able to offer student placements during summer 2014.
The programme links talented students with organisations undertaking research. It is a competitive programme and applicants are among the strongest STEM students in their schools. NRP encourages applications from students who do not have a family history of higher education and those who are from lower socio-economic backgrounds; travel costs are provided and an additional bursary for those who need it.
By working with professional researchers, students gain an insight into a wide variety of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers. By providing a placement, your organisation can give someone a life-changing opportunity that could help transform them into a future scientist or engineer. In addition, NRP students will make a significant contribution to an Institution member’s company projects.
For further information, please contact Sophie Robinson: srobinson@nuffieldfoundation.org
See examples of project providers sharing their experience of hosting a Nuffield student: www.nuffieldfoundation.org/project-providers
Great students have great teachers. The Rolls-Royce Science Prize is an annual awards programme that helps teachers implement science teaching ideas in their schools and colleges. The prize recognises and rewards excellence in science across the full spectrum of teaching, from special education needs to high ability pupils. It also promotes innovative and sustainable strategies for teaching science which address a specific need in the schools or colleges and at the same time contributes to teachers’ continuing professional development. New for 2014, Rolls-Royce is extending the Science Prize to include entries which demonstrate that maths is integral to everyday work and life, and in particular to science.
There is a total of £120,000 in prizes to be won. The competition is now open for entries from teachers, teaching assistants and technicians; the deadline for entries is 26 May.
See www.rolls-royce.com/scienceprize for further details.