January

2016


Welcome to the January issue of the Sparxx monthly newsletter! 

A happy new year to all our Sparxx!  We hope you have lots of great things planned for 2016 - it looks like its going to be a fantastic year with lots of amazing competitions like the Young Innovator Awards and The National Science + Engineering Competition. If you have some news or an event planned that you think other Sparxx may be interested in please do drop us a line at [email protected].

Our first book reviews of 2016 are by two insightful book reviewers, Andreea Font who reviews Cosmonauts and Bhavika Vanik reviewing One Child.  

We have a new guest blogger this month: in addition to writing a book review, Andreea Font has also written the Sparxx Blog. Andreea is an astrophysicist at Liverpool Johns Moore University and her subject matter for this blog is the first British astronaut Helen Sharman. This ties in nicely with Tim Peake's trip into space and the Cosmonauts Exhibition at the Science Museum. Read Andreea's blog here

Our Sparxx of the Month for January is the inspirational Helen Cavill, winner of the 2015 WES Prize at the IET's Young Women Engineer Awards. Helen is a Process Improvement Engineer at M&H Plastics and has some useful advice for anyone considering a career in engineering. Read the full interview here.

Sparxx of the Month
Helen Cavill

Our January Sparxx of the Month is Helen Cavill.

We interviewed Helen following her winning of the WES Prize at the IET's Young Woman Engineer Awards in 2015. Helen describes her job as being an 'engineering detective' and is a real inspiration. Read the full interview here.

"Embrace any differences between yourself and other people... and use them to make you a better engineer"
Competitions 

Young Innovator Awards 2016


Set up by Harper Adams University, this competition asks for robot designs. Robots have come a long way, what could robots do for us in the future? Robots currently produce cars, help in the home and support farmers in the field.

But what problems could robots solve?

Come up with a winning idea and you could win �500 cash!

Young Innovator is designed for ages 11-19 and is open to individual entries or entries via your school, college or club. For more information visit the Young Innovator Awards Website

DEADLINE: Friday 8th April 2016

National Science + Engineering Competition



The National Science + Engineering Competition is open to all 11-18 year olds living in the UK and in full-time education. The Competition rewards students who have achieved excellence in a science, technology, engineering and maths project.

Competition entry is one of two ways:
  • Heats: Projects showcase their work at heats held at selected Big Bang Near Me Fairs from January - October
  • Online: Projects enter a written or film entry between July and 31st October 2016
DEADLINE: Monday 31st October 2016 


The Solar Challenge
Open to all Schools, Colleges, Universities and
Company Apprentice Schemes

This challenge, brought to you by the RSA East of England Fellowship combines the excitement of sport with the rigours of science and technology. It is underlined by the many practical roles that drones play. 

Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of pupils and students are invited to, and challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and fly a solar powered model aeroplane that will perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. 

It's as close to "real-world engineering" as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors are able to lend their time and talents to guide teams.

Teams must be represented at the Gala Dinner to discuss their projects with RSA Fellows and their guests. For more information visit the website, contact [email protected], or telephone him on 01702 710988.

All aircraft must be available to race in June 2016 and in September when the awards will be presented.

The TeenTech Awards

The TeenTech Awards invite young people ages 11-16 and 17-18 to develop their own ideas to make life 'better, simpler or easier'. 
 
Register here for a Teacher information Pack. Do alert teachers in your network. 
 
Winners in each of the categories receive �1000 and are invited to Buckingham Palace. Students are supported by mentors and 'innovation sessions' throughout a process which is valuable to every student who enters, not just those who reach the final at The Royal Society. TeenTech have also produced some downloadable research resources which will be useful for the TeenTech Awards and all project based work.
 
DEADLINE: Tuesday 15th March 2016
 
Biology Challenge
 
The Royal Society of Biology's online Biology Challenge competition in March, is open to all school students who were born between 1st September 2000 and 31st August 2002. The registration deadline is 27th February 2016. If you know any 13-15 year olds whose schools have not entered previously please do ask their teachers to visit the RSB website Biology Challenge page for more information.

DEADLINE: Saturday 27th February 2016
 
 
Your Life's Formula 100 Competition

Could you invent the future?

Brilliant ideas sometimes stem from an abstract, isolated thought but most often they come from trying to solve a specific problem.

The Your Life Formula 100 Competition is now open for entries,  so if you're 11-16 and have great ideas, why not consider entering? Entering is easy, you just need to submit a 30-60 second video answering a simple question: What would you invent and why?

The winning entry in each category will win you an iPad and �1000 for your school, plus more exciting prizes to be announced.

To find out more about the competition click here. Lesson plans and supporting materials are available to download.
 
DEADLINE: Sunday 10th April 2016
 
Competition Winners
 
The 2015 Schools Aerospace Challenge 

The winners of the 2015 Schools Aerospace Challenge were Team Nimbus from Latymer Upper School, London and the runners up Oakington Massive 2524 (Oakington) Sqn ATC and Team Levitate from St Paul's School, London.

 

 

For 2016 - this year's challenge is to design a hypersonic Transport Aircraft. 
 
The competition is open to all students aged 16-18 years old. The chosen top teams are invited to attend a week long summer school at Cranfield University and the winners receive a �5000 cash prize. 
 
For full details and to register please go to the Aerospace Challenge website.

Did you know...?

There's a fridge that runs without electricity - SERIOUSLY?!
 
As around a third of the world population still lacks access to electricity, a fridge that works without power is incredible, especially in hot, dry countries such as in Africa. Using masses of creativity and a lot of science, a company called  MittiCool designed a fridge that works without electricity and keeps food cold.
To read more about how these amazing fridges really work in super-hot countries click here.


You shouldn't feel bad about your science fails - there'll always be someone doing theirs BIGGER!

For example, did you know that Penicillin was a 'lucky find' by Alexander Fleming because he was your typical mad scientist and discovered it by being untidy?

Also, when scientist and researcher Winthrop Kellogg researched bringing up a baby chimp alongside his young son to see what effect it would have on the chimp, his son started behaving more like the chimp (backfire!) so he had to end the experiment early.

For more crazy scientists and epic fails read on here.


There are some really cool science jobs you don't even know about!

Jerry Husak researches the effects of exercise in animals. Now that might not sound impressive in itself but if you should know that he doesn't just test humans - he gets his lizard 'athletes' to run faster by prodding them gently in the tail or back leg with a paintbrush!

Working with running lizards might sound a bit wacky, but we also think it's quite cool. There are so many jobs that you wouldn't even know about out there, so please just keep exploring! For more on Jerry's story, click here.


 
The Extraordinaires Design Studio


The Extraordinaires Design Studio is the creative thinking game for problem solvers aged between 8 and 108. If you've ever wondered what it's like to invent a music player for a robot, a remote control for a pirate, or cooking utensil for a vampire teen, this is definitely the game for you. Each set includes dozens of design challenges. To try this out for yourself, visit the website here.

I'm an Engineer Get me out of here!

I'm an Engineer Get me out of here! is a free online event where school students meet and interact with engineers. It's an X Factor-style competition between engineers, where the students are the judges.
 
Students challenge the engineers over fast-paced online live CHATs. They ASK the engineers anything they want, and VOTE for their favourite engineer to win a prize of �500 to communicate their work with the public.
 
 
 
And calling all biomedical engineers out there... I'm an Engineer needs you! Why not get school students excited about biomedical engineering by taking part in the Wellcome Trust-funded Surgery Zone running between 7th-18th March.
 
I'm an Engineer develops your communication skills, gives you a fresh perspective on your work, and helps you find out what young people really think about engineering and science. And because everything happens online, you can do all this without leaving your desk.
 
In the event, you answer questions from students, and engage directly with them in live text-based chats, alongside four fellow engineers. Students then vote for their favourite engineer to win the zone, who receives �500 to use for further public engagement.
 
Engineers can apply to take part until Monday 1st February here. It only takes a one sentence description of your work. For an insight into the event, read what biomedical engineer Lizzie Kapasa thought of her experience here.
 
If you have any questions, contact [email protected] or call 01225 326892.


January
From 10/12/2015
Powering the Future

Powering the Future is a new �1.5m exhibition occupying half of Floor 2 of the Science Mall in the Glasgow Science Centre, the exhibition will shine a spotlight on one of the biggest challenges facing modern society- the future of our energy supply.

Through a series of over 60 interactive exhibits, it will get you thinking about how we can meet increasing energy demand. Energy that needs to be reliable, not overly expensive and doesn't impact too much on the environment.

From feeling the force of wind in a hurricane booth, piloting an underwater ROV and generating power in a dance-off, visitors will learn about ways we can harness energy and recognise the benefits and limits of different sources. From how energy is generated, to how it is transformed, stored and transmitted, you can discover what happens behind your power switch. 
Find out more.



February 
01/02/2016 - 05/02/2016
National STEM Clubs Week
To celebrate 2016 National STEM Clubs Week STEMNET is holding a photo competition with the following categories:
  • Most unusual type of STEM Club
  • Best use of a STEM Ambassador in a STEM Club
  • Most original STEM Clubs Activity
Winners will receive a �200 voucher for their STEM Clubs! Interested in taking part? Find out more information here!
here!


10/12/2016
Leonardo Da Vinci: The Mechanics of Genius

Tickets are now on sale for this exhibition at the Science Museum in London which opens on 10th February 2016. The exhibition takes the machines that Leonardo drew and recreates them into three dimensional models including weapons, diving apparatus and flying machines. 

For more information and to book, visit the Science Museum website.


 
18/02/2016
Curiosity Hub @ Brighton Science Festival: Bring Lego Animals to Life! (Lego WeDo Robotics Workshops)

The Curiosity Hub is excited to be back at the Brighton Science Festival for 2016! Children will use Lego WeDo kits to assemble a 'wild animal' robot, then learn how to program the robot to move and make sounds using simple computer software!
Location: Brighton, East Sussex
Recommended ages: 6-9
To sign up click here.



20/03/2016
Curiosity Hub @ Brighton Science Festival: Minecraft Dinosaur Dig! (Minecraft EDU Workshops)

The Curiosity Hub is excited to be back at the Brighton Science Festival for 2016! Delve into palaeontology with Minecraft EDU! Children will work together inside a Minecraft world to carefully uncover a fossil - what will be revealed?!
Location: Brighton, East Sussex
Recommended ages: 7+
For more details/to sign up click here


22/02/2016 -  04/03/2016
The Royal Society of Chemistry Event - Celebrating Diversity in Science

In a special exhibition to mark our 175th anniversary this year, we're highlighting the stories of 175 inspirational individuals - our 175 faces of chemistry. Each story features someone involved in the chemical sciences and together they represent diversity in the broadest sense; role models and champions for an inclusive culture and a diverse future generation of scientists.

The exhibition is open to everyone and runs from 22nd February to 4th March at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, weekdays 10am to 4pm.



23/02/2016
2016 everywoman Forum: Advancing Women in Technology

On Tuesday 23rd February you can hear from international leaders at the helm of milllion pound businesses, career development specialists, through to entrepreneurs whose innovation has moved the industry forward.

Speakers include: Emer Timmons, President of BT Global Services UK; Jacqueline de Rojas, a Vice President and General Manager at Citrix Systems UK and techUK's President, and many more aspirational leaders in the industry. The event was fully sold out last year, so get your tickets now.


25/02/2016
Girl Day
Girl Day is a movement that shows girls how creative engineering is and how engineers are changing our world. As an engineer or engineering student, you are a powerful role model. In just a single visit you could inspire girls to pursue engineering. Now isn't that worth a go?
 
Get started today:
Watch role models in action.
Get trained to lead activities.
Use powerful and effective messages.
Review the planning guide.



27/02/2016
Mobile Photography Workshop

Inspired by Alec Soth's use of Instagram and photo-sharing app Snapchat, this full day workshop offers tuition on how to shoot photographs, edit images and then instantly share your best work on the Internet, all from your mobile phone. 

Participants will also be taken on a curator's guided tour of Gathered Leaves: Photographs by Alec Soth, take part in a practical assignment on street photography or portraiture and particpate in discussions on the growing importance of the mobile phone as a medium for photography. 

For more information and to book click here.


March
11/03/2016 - 20/03/2016
British Science Week


One of the highlights of the STEM calendar is always the British Science Association's Science British Science Week.

Get involved in a demo day or another school based activity. The website has more downloadable information including activity packs and grant information.

Read more here.



 
16/03/2016 - 19/03/2016
The Big Bang Fair

The Big Bang Fair is a free event for schools and families where you can enjoy a day of hands on activities, workshops and theatre shows. Its a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths.

The main event is taking place at the NEC in Birmingham, but there could be events nearer to you. Check The Big Bang Near Me fairs for more information.

School days: Wednesday 16th - Friday 18th March
Family day: Saturday 19 March
Book your ticket for The Big Bang Fair here.


For more events, check out our calendar featuring amazing events from our partners and supporters.
Book Reviews

This month we have two book reviews for you. The first - COSMONAUTS, reviewed by astrophysicist Andreea Font, celebrates the space age and links to the exhibition at the Science Museum. The other is a fiction title - One Child, reviewed by our seasoned book reviewer Bhavika Vanik.

One Child
COSMONAUTS

Blog
Helen Sharman - The World Outside Her Window

We're excited to welcome our new guest blogger this month, Andreea Font. In addition to reviewing the COSMONAUTS book, she's also written us a blog on Helen Sharman, the first Briton in Space

Video of the Month
Amazing Facts to Blow your Mind
Watch the Amazing Facts To Blow Your Mind set of videos and learn some quirky and fascinating facts. For example, did you know your body completely replaces all its cells every 10 years which means you're a completely new person (well sort of).
To see the video click here.

For more inspiring videos, check out our Videos page
And for the Educators in the Audience...

Free STEM Club challenges from the BP Educational Service

To help you celebrate the 2016 National STEM Clubs Week from 1st - 5th Feb... the BP Educational Service (BPES) is taking science out of the lab and into the real world with Where's the Science in that?, a set of new free video and interactive resources for students aged 7 to 14. This interactive teaching resource encourages young people to explore the science that can be found in everyday settings, from the park to the airport.
 
So if you're looking for an activity to deliver as part of STEM Clubs Week check out the website, which hosts a range of challenges and competitions for teachers and students to deliver in their STEM Club. All the activities are linked to the curriculum and aimed at students aged 7 to 14. Download the resources here.


Could you be the Rochester Bridge Trust's new Education Officer?

The Rochester Bridge Trust is currently looking for the perfect person to take forward their engineering education programme.

Could that person be you?

If you'd like more information click here, but don't delay, the deadline is 31st January!

Organisation of the Month

 
This month's organisation of the month is ScienceGrrl

Because science is for everyone

ScienceGrrl is a group of people who are passionate about celebrating women in science and passing on their love of science to the next generation.
 

ScienceGrrl came about after the controversial 'Science: Its a Girl Thing' campaign - which wasn't quite the image many women wanted to see of females in science. ScienceGrrl set about showing real examples of girls working in science rather than the video version, through initially producing a calendar and since then they have gone from strength to strength. You can join up and become a member for just �5 (which incidentally is about the same as a fast-food meal).

ScienceGrrl has the voice to inspire and influence a wide range of people (not just girls) by:
  • Connecting and collaborating with educators
  • Communicating and engaging with policy makers
  • Celebrating and increasing the profile of women scientists in wider culture.
So you can see why we're huge fans of ScienceGrrl and we hope you are too. If you want to read a bit more about what they do, why not go to their website?


Women's Engineering Society | Michael Faraday House | Six Hills Way | Stevenage | Herts | SG1 2AY | United Kingdom