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Tag: Science Education
The COVID aware class room
Ask any teacher or technician what Gratnells are best known for, and most will say ‘the school tray’.
Discover why Gratnells line of storage is a must for any classroom during the pandemic.
The Gratnells name is synonymous with school storage solutions.
But, did you know they have also produced a medical range for over 40 years?
At the time, with COVID infection rates still high, Gratnells educational furniture had also been made available to the health and social care sectors.
Thanks to the antimicrobial additive used in their medical range.
Read on to find out…..
Free Resources & Home Labs for University Physics
PASCO have produced quick data collection videos and PASCO Capstone data files to support educators seeking remote lab opportunities. Each college-level lab covers content required by universities and does not require any lab equipment. Students watch a short video showing the data collection part of the lab, then perform the analysis using the data provided in the PASCO Capstone file. The associated student lab handout guides them and is available for free download. Educators have free access to each lab’s teacher guide after creating an educator account.
Below is the current list of free Physics labs and videos that support remote learning:
Free Access to PASCO Capstone Software
For Physics educators transitioning to remote teaching and home labs, we suggest utilising PASCO Capstone’s free 6-month trial. If your university is already using Capstone, then you have global rights to share your license key with students for home installation.
Capstone Lab Workbooks
Lecturers can use Capstone Lab Workbooks to collect data, then share their workbook and data with students for independent analysis. We recommend sharing a quick video of the data being collected to give students context for their data analysis and post-lab questions. You can check out PASCO’s prepared Capstone Workbooks with sample data here.
Curriculum: Free Access to Essential Physics 3rd Edition
To support educators and students as they transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 university closures, we are granting free access to the Essential Physics 3rd Edition Student eBook and Teacher eResources for the remainder of the 2020 academic year. The Student eBook includes a full year of curriculum that can be used for AP, IB, and algebra-based Physics courses. Access the eBook here using the access code below.
Essential Physics 3rd Edition Student Access Code
NGSS58653-EP3-SB-0720-M5UJJ
To receive access to the Teacher eResources for Essential Physics 3rd Edition, please fill out this form. After receiving a code, you will be able to access the Teacher Resources here.
Free Secondary School Science Resources for Remote Teaching and Learning
Both SciChem and PASCO are committed to doing all that we can to help the science education community. In these uncertain times of school closures and remote learning, we want to ensure that all students and teachers continue to build their science skills and have access to the content they need.
We have been contacted by many educators searching for resources as they navigate the rapidly changing learning environment and transition to online labs. In response, we are delighted to announce that PASCO is extending free resources to support the continuation of science learning despite school closures. PASCO is offering these home science tools free of charge for the remainder of this school year:
- Free access to Essential Physics and Essential Chemistry curriculum eBooks
- Distance Learning Labs and teacher resources in the PASCO digital Experiment Library
- 6 month free access to Capstone and SPARKvue software.
Free Essential Physics & Essential Chemistry
PASCO is giving schools free access to the digital versions of Essential Physics 3rd Edition and Essential Chemistry curriculum for the remainder of the 2020 school year. Access the eBooks here using the access codes below.
Essential Physics 3rd Edition Student Access Code
NGSS58653-EP3-SB-0720-M5UJJ
Essential Chemistry Student Access Code
NGSS58653-EC1-SB-0720-25XBT
To access the Teacher eResources for these texts, please fill out this form. After receiving a code, you will be able to access the eResources here.
Free Labs for Physics, Chemistry & Biology
The PASCO Experiment Library contains hundreds of prepared labs and activities that can be downloaded and shared with students for free.
- Create an account on pasco.com to verify that you are an educator
- Select from our current list of free labs and videos that support remote learning
- Share those activities with your students as they learn from home. Your students will not need an account; they can access the student materials directly, or you can upload the materials to your school’s LMS or Google Classroom.
Free Access to Software
PASCO are extending the trial periods for PASCO Capstone and SPARKvue software on Windows and Mac to last through the end of this school year. Both softwares allow users to create, modify, and share home labs with an authentic laboratory feel. These licenses allow students to install Capstone and SPARKvue on their home computers. SPARKvue is also available for a free download on Chromebooks, iPads, and Android devices. You can also install SPARKvue for free on your mobile devices.
Download PASCO Capstone
Download SPARKvue
PASCO Scientific Debuts the //code.Node, a Game Changer for STEM Education
Last week, PASCO Scientific announced the debut of the //code.Node, a first-of-its-kind product that will allow students to collect real-time data using code.
Students around the world are captivated by coding activities. Whether they’re encoding a robot, light, or system, they are excited and engaged. The //code.Node brings that coding excitement to data collection using wireless sensors and visual feedback to teach coding skills that produce analysis-ready data,
said Richard Briscoe, President and CEO of PASCO Scientific.
The //code.Node is a revolutionary device that uses Blockly, sensors, and feedback to teach students coding skills and data literacy. The pocket-size coding solution includes encodable sensors for light, motion, sound, and magnetic fields, as well as a speaker, RGB light, and a 5×5 LED array. Using PASCO software and the //code.Node, students can create custom experiments that range from simple data collection to advanced, measurement-based sensory feedback. As they execute their code, students collect real-time data and visual feedback that helps them improve with each activity.
Coding activities are a highly effective tool for student engagement, but they rarely satisfy both ISTE and local standards. The //code.Node is the first educational solution to demonstrate how coding relates to data collection and analysis. It’s no longer about simply learning to code; it’s about coding to learn,
said Briscoe.
The //code.Node is a preview of PASCO’s 2020 focus, Code to Learn. Learn to Code. The company recently integrated Blockly into both SPARKvue and Capstone to provide learners with an expansive yet intuitive coding platform. Students can develop their coding skills by encoding any of PASCO’s wireless sensors, testing code in real time, and analyzing their collected data.
PASCO Scientific will release a series of //code.Node labs to assist school learners in developing future preparedness for code-derived data collection. The //code.Node will make its public debut later this month at Bett Show 2020 in London, and will begin shipping in April 2020.
Winners of Our Microscope Challenge Competition Announced
Our home counties territory manager, Gillian Jurdon, recently hosted a microscope challenge for entrants to submit images of something interesting under a microscope. The top prize for the winning entry was a BMS037 microscope and a £25 SciChem voucher, with runners up receiving a microslide viewer or a £10 voucher.
The judges have selected their winner and runners up, and their submissions are below!
Winner: The Oratory School, Woodcote
Bee sting by the science club at The Oratory School, Woodcote.
Runner-Up: Altwood Church of England School, Maidenhead
Wood Wasp’s egg inside its ovipositor by Altwood Church of England School.
Runner-Up: Cambourne Village College
Coloured tissue by the science club at Cambourne Village College.
Runner-Up: Westbourne Academy
Thermochromic paper by Westbourne Academy.
Special Mention: Waterbeach Community Primary School
Painting of an onion cell by Edward, a year 6 student at Waterbeach Community Primary School who has Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Newest West Bromwich Academy Opens for the First Time
A brand-new multi-academy trust secondary school opened its doors for the first time this month, and we were delighted to play our part in helping the school prepare for its grand opening.
West Bromwich Collegiate Academy opened to 175 year 7 pupils on Wednesday 4th September 2019. Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust will run the school, who have a proven track record of outstanding Oftsed inspections for schools in Smethwick, Sandwell and the wider Black Country area.
The academy is three storeys tall with 15 classrooms, a large dining hall, a library, and even includes a suite for pupils with disabilities and special educational needs. Each year, another set of pupils will enrol until it reaches its capacity of 750, with the academy hosting an open evening for years 5 and 6 pupils last week.
Although the academy already includes dedicated science rooms, a second phase of construction is slated to begin in July 2020 which will expand the academy for its future intake of pupils and includes plans for a fully-fledged science department. This expansion will open September 2021.
The academy’s staff worked tirelessly over the summer to prepare for opening, and we were delighted to help play our part in supporting the science team in their preparations.
We were asked by the academy to provide consultation and offer advice on what will work best for their setup. This included supplying their furniture and racking, as well as fully stocking the prep room ready for this year’s science lessons.
As the science classrooms don’t have a gas supply, these cartridge burners are an ideal alternative to Bunsen burners for the academy.
Sara Burns, our Territory Manager for the Midlands and North Wales, was on hand every step of the way to support the academy.
Talking about the academy opening, Sara said: It’s satisfying being able to take on a project like this and see it through from start to finish, supporting the development of a brand new school which will serve the community for many years to come.
This human skeleton model was just one of many products we stocked the prep room with.
As a new academy they had to start from scratch, so it was also exciting being able to take a look at their entire setup and supply them with equipment for all aspects of their science education,
Sara added.
We’re looking forward to seeing how West Bromwich Collegiate Academy progresses and to supporting their science education needs throughout the future.
Senior Science Technician in Bristol Wins Top Prize for Her Technician Tip
You might remember that back in March we ran a competition asking science technicians across the country to share their top technician tips and tricks for the prep room which help them stay organised and ahead of the game.
We’re delighted to announce that Sharen Cordy RSciTech, Senior Science Technician at Orchard School in Bristol, was chosen as the lucky winner of our competition for her tip on microscale diffusion of potassium permanganate crystals! Her prize was a science day out for two in August at the National Space Centre, plus dinner and a hotel stay in Leicester.
We caught up with Sharon afterwards to see if she enjoyed the prize and she had this to say:
“Once I’d submitted my prep room tip I’d totally forgotten about the competition, so when SciChem rang me to tell me I was the winner I was really surprised!
I asked my friend Elaine if she would like to go with me (much to my husband’s dismay!), and once we’d worked out a date, we decided to add on an extra night at the hotel.
The day arrived and we set off, stopping in Coventry for a spa session and afternoon tea, which was a great start to our road trip!
We drove on a bit further to Leicester. We were booked into the Ramada which was in central Leicester. The hotel was great—just what we needed! Once we were settled in, we headed out for a bit of retail therapy and some drinks, and to work out the best way to get to the National Space Centre the next day.
The following morning we headed out by bus to the National Space Centre, which was a quick journey and there was no queue to get in. Once inside there was so much to see! The exhibits were great and there was lots of interactive stuff to do. We had a planetarium show which was really good.
When we came out of the show it had gotten busy! There was lots of information about Tim Peake’s mission to the International Space Station, which was brilliant as we both have an interest in this.
The best part of the day was spent there, and I’d highly recommended anyone to visit. It’s so hard to have a favourite part of it, as it was all fantastic!
Part of my prize was a dinner which was booked at Zizzi—we had a fab meal and then headed out for a bit afterwards to enjoy the night.
I want to give a massive thanks to SciChem for selecting me as a winner, we both had an amazing time!”
The competition was run for #TECHOGNITION 2019, a week-long event celebrating the unsung heroes of science departments in schools across the country.
Sharen’s competition-winning tip was for microscale diffusion of potassium permanganate crystals:
Laminated sheets with a 2p-sized circle with a line down the middle. Tiny circle to the left. Students fill the large circle with cold water using a pipette. Place one crystal in the tiny circle. Using the pipette, push the crystal to the edge of the droplet—do not agitate the droplet—start the stop clock. Time how long it takes for the purple colour to reach the line. Repeat steps 1–4 with warm water.
From Recovery to Discovery… Meet Our Champ!
“I’ve learned some great life lessons. If I set my mind to something, I can accomplish anything.”
Back in February of 2018 our Scotland Account Coordinator, Lynsey Christie, competed in the Eastern District Division of powerlifting and won! She then decided she would try the next step and go after the Scottish Championship. She was delighted when on Sunday 12th of August 2018 she became Scotland’s Masters Champion in the 84+ M1 category taking not only the gold, but three new Scottish records in Back Squat, Deadlift and 400Kg final total lifted!
With three chances to lift in each discipline, she finished with 152.5Kg Back Squat, 75Kg Bench Press, and 172.5Kg Deadlift. Plus, with eight other strong women in Lynsey’s category, it was not an easy competition, but with the sport is becoming more and more popular amongst women and continuing to grow each year, it’s not surprising.
“I have always liked to take up hobbies that are not quite the norm, just to challenge myself and powerlifting was one of these challenges. How heavy you can lift is a personal challenge and it requires lots of training and plugging away each night in the gym, working on your technique and binging up those numbers week-by-week, kilo by kilo. It gives you a sense of achievement that your hard work has paid off when you stand on that platform and pull out your personal bests.” Lynsey explained.
Her achievement in winning the championships is made more special by the story behind it. Her previous sport was mixed martial arts and boxing and she was becoming quite an accomplished dressage horse rider. But seven years ago that was all brought to a stop when she got diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, and it was soon discovered to have spread up through her right arm. It led to operations that, unfortunately, to remove the tumours, they had to cut nerves and tendons in her arm, leaving her with the uncertainty if she ever would have use of it again, let alone compete in anything!
Following recovery from rigorous treatment of chemo and radiotherapy, and never to be defeated by a challenge, she took up the mission of her own rehab to get use of her arm back again. Her first challenge was getting her fingers moving; once she got these in motion there was no stopping her!
It was straight off to the pool using water resistance to move her hand and wrist, once that was done, she went onto weights, working on holding weights, then seeing how long she could hold them for and then increasing the weight of them. The deep concentration she had to endure trying to flex her fingers, wiggle her thumb and move her wrist was all instrumental in helping her towards the goal of weightlifting.
The rigors of cancer treatment meant her body could no longer do the same sports as she used to, things were harder, recovery was slower and everything hurt. The other downside to the regime of chemo is that it attacks joints and bones, weakening them. The skeleton on its own is weak, but building muscle around your frame like scaffolding and then putting this under tension, means that things that weren’t stable before became solid and bones strengthen.
This opened the gateway to Powerlifting. The more she learned in the gym, the more she found herself being drawn down the path to see what she could do and learning that when she has a goal, like a competition, it gives her more focus to push herself forward. What set out as a mission to move her fingers became an adventure where she’s met some great people, had some fantastic experiences, and made personal achievements.
“I’ve learned some great life lessons. If I set my mind to something, I can accomplish anything.” Lynsey told us, “It doesn’t matter what anyone else does, the only person you are in competition with is yourself.”
And she has proven that she can do anything – as a cancer survivor, with a right arm that can pull a 172.5Kg deadlift, as a Scottish Champion and as a record holder!
17 Prep Room Tips to Help You Stay Organised as Shared by Science Technicians
Ranging from general science know-how to perfecting your skills, these science technicians prep room tips will help you make the most out of everyday science apparatus and save you precious time.
1. Microscale Diffusion of Potassium Permanganate Crystals
Laminated sheets with a 2p-sized circle with a line down the middle. Tiny circle to the left. Students fill the large circle with cold water using a pipette. Place one crystal in the tiny circle. Using the pipette, push the crystal to the edge of the droplet—do not agitate the droplet—start the stop clock. Time how long it takes for the purple colour to reach the line. Repeat steps 1–4 with warm water.
— Winning tip for our #TECHOGNITION competition winner, Sharen Cordy, Orchard School
2. Tired of Losing Crocodile Clips?
We’ve made crocodile clip leads by soldering one end of the lead to a crocodile clip. We have barely lost any crocodile clips since!
— Rebecca Quinton, Tring School
3. Keep Chemicals Organised
Colour code the tops of dropper bottles for chemicals so they’re easy to sort out at the end of lessons.
— Leslie Aspey, The Maelor School
4. The Power of Colour Coding
We have laminated lab request sheets (colour coded for different days) so we can write on them then wipe off later—the teachers can also write comments or feedback too.
— Andrea Beal, Highdown School and Sixth Form
5. Nichrome Wire Hack
When filing syringes with sand water and air to show solids, liquids and gases under pressure, use a piece of nichrome wire down the side of the plunger to release all the air, then pull the wire out leaving no air inside.
— Kate Bright, Overton Grange School
6. Remove Permanent Marker Stains
Use a dry wipe marker to remove permanent marker from petri dishes you’ve already marked for pouring agar. Wipe with paper towel. Works a treat!
— Lisa McMillan, West College
7. Chromatography
Use 1% sodium chloride solution to separate food dyes in chromatography.
— Emma Pringle, King Edwards VI High School
8. Get Clearer Results with 1% Salt Solution
Running felt tip chromatography (or any ink chromatography) with 1% salt solution gives much better separation and clearer results.
— Chris Hardie, Kingston Grammar School
9. Say Goodbye to Cross-Contamination
Attach a test tube to the side of reagent bottles with a rubber band and put a pipette in the tube. This is great for preventing cross-contamination of chemicals in lessons.
— Lynn Hill, Malmesbury School
10. Keep Crocodile Clips Tangle-free and Organised
Use wire coat hangers to keep 4mm wires with crocodile clips in order. Label the coat hanger using a sticky label with the length of the wire, and clip the wires to the bottom part of the coat hanger to easily keep different length wires together.
— Andrew Davy, John Whitgift Academy
11. Remove Stubborn Stains
To clean the red stain out of test tubes after positive Benedict’s reagent tests, place them in the dishwasher the right way up, so they collect the water. Then, wash them again the normal way up—this seems to remove 99% of the red staining.
— Karen Fox, King James’ School
12. Cell Division Like a Pro
For excellent cell division when doing the root tip garlic practical, add 8 drops of baby bio to 500ml of water a few days beforehand.
— Sharon Coling, Bilton School
13. Washing Up Liquid Hack
Use a cork borer and some washing up liquid to help insert thermometers into bungs.
— April Layzell, Aylesford School
14. Storage Hack
Buy multi-section craft boxes to store Locktronics equipment. Easy to count back in and minimises breakages.
— Margaret Haran, Congleton High School
15. Another Use for a Compression Spring
Use a compression spring as a drying stand for microscope slides.
— Glynis Powell, Saltash.net Community School
16. Keep a Photo Library
Make a photo library of practical setups. This will help enable you to set up difficult practicals or those which are only done annually—particularly physics.
— Victoria Wootton, Stafford Grammar School
17. And Finally…
Use washing up liquid as a lubricant for bungs and tubing!
— Kate Moore, Worth School