HABITATS - hope & phytophotodermatitis

Yesterday I met up with two primary colleagues who are keen to explore their local habitats and possibly engage with an Indian school to make habitat comparisons. Loads of enthusiasm and interest but they need help and time.
They are so lucky to have woodland and seashore close to the school and the possibility of looking at a local stream too.

I told them about two organisation which produce good resources:_

Nature Detectives
http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/

OPAL
http://www.opalexplorenature.org/

I'm hoping that I'll be able to get involved with them and put the area, literally on the map through one or more of the OPAL surveys. At the moment this area of the country is largely devoid of results (see right).

Also today I downloaded Plant Tracker onto my iPod. In this initiative, the University of Bristol and the Environment Agency, are monitoring invasive plant species. One, Giant Hogweed, I've spotted not far from where I live and people are frightened by it because it can cause phytophotodermatitis. I used to have a dead one in my classroom!

I mentioned the ASE in an earlier blog and they are seeking primary teachers to respond to their survey of "schools practical work" in Science. Please try to complete the survey (ends 28th Sept) to help them make informed representations on your behalf to the government.

The survey link is :- http://www.snapsurveys.com/swh/surveylogin.asp?k=134633376632

Thomas the Tank Engine

I've never been to Seven Stories. I visit Newcastle regularly but never get round to it. A couple of people, knowing my love of both books and Science, have suggested I try to get involved with them. Over the summer I made an effort to come up with some ideas that might be of interest and top of the list was Thomas the Tank Engine - using these stories to engage children with Science.





I won't bore you with the details but the Science involved went like this:-

Energy change : chemical to heat to movement

Physical change : water to steam

Chemical change : coal + oxygen ---> ash + carbon dioxide + ENERGY

Friction : useful and nuisance
            : data-logging - runaway trains down ramps
                                - streamlining 

Control : switching tracks
            : points
            : signals

Communication : sound (whistles) and signals

Bridges

I haven't been in touch with them as they are no longer looking for help. 
Their web address is :-

http://www.sevenstories.org.uk/



TOOT! TOOT!

Habitats & Mind-mapping

As my scientific background was mostly in ecology, I really look forward to doing any topic that involves habitats and living things. When I was recently asked by a school about Habitats, I had just been evaluating Simple Minds for the iPad. Being an app, it has far fewer features that Inspiration or Openmind but still proved to be a useful tool. Here's a screenshot:-

and another of just one section.

This shows how pupils can use IT to present their work. Practical work could also encompass field work using digital cameras for photos and videos, as well as video-microscopes. I haven't worked out what data-logging could be done but have a vague idea about investigating streamlining. 

It will be a great starting-off point when I talk to the staff this week. 

If you're not up on mind-mapping, it can be a tremendous help in organising your thoughts on anything. I remember using it to help my GCSE Science students a number of years ago and for myself, when applying for Head of Science posts. I recently picked up a cheap copy of Mind Maps for Kids by Tony Buzan (the guru). I still much prefer coloured pencils and paper but have found software version very useful.

Roald Dahl Day

Roald Dahl Day is on the 13th Sept. A chance to reacquaint yourself and your children with this brilliant author, either by reading one of his books or watching a film adaptation. 

http://www.roalddahlday.info/

Quentin Blake is the most famous illustrator of Dahl's books and he has helped set up an organisation to preserve the illustrator's legacy. I went to an exhibition of some of his work at The Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle a couple of weeks ago. It is on until the 14th of October.

http://www.houseofillustration.org.uk/

I get regular newsletters from LoveReading4Kids. This month's featured writer is Jeanne Willis who I don't know and who writes for very young children. The illustrator of the month is Michael Foreman who is unbelievably prolific (try collecting all of his books!) and who's book One World I have often used to introduce environmental issues. One of the pages could be the beach at Redcar with industry in the background.

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/genre/iom/Illustrator-of-the-Month.htm

I'd also like to plug the reissue of Coraline by Neil Gaiman with illustrations by my favourite illustrator Chris Riddell. Chris's original artwork is for sale, and although a bit pricey, it is well worth a look at The Illustration Cupboard website:-


http://www.illustrationcupboard.com/default_flash.aspx




Neil Gaiman is an ilustrator himself and I was lucky enough to buy one of his illustrations for the Richard Dawkins book, The Magic of Reality. The work I have is an illustration of a Native North American Indian view of the origins of life. Maybe I'll get round to doing a bit on Dawkins and his attempts to get evolution into primary schools. I'd like to get involved in that.

Finally, in my ANIMATION blog, I forgot to mention the Wallace & Gromit Animation Soundtrack Competition for young children. Get the details from:-


http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/teachers/wallaceandgromit/

Animation

Almost everyone loves animations. They go back a hundred years. Making an animation can address many teaching and learning areas in a fun way, exploiting IT. 

I've listed below some of the software that I've used or am about to evaluate. Some is free but most costs.

PC 
     - 2Simple 2Animate 
     - Adobe Photoshop 
     - Animation Shop
     - Digital Blue
     - Pivot Stick Figure (free)
     - PowerPoint 
     - Scratch (free)

Mac
     - I Can Animate 

iPod/iPad (Lite versions are usually limited but free)
     - I Can Animate 
     - Flip Boom Lite
     - Flip It Lite
     - Animation Lite
     - Animation HD
     - Stop Animator
     - Stop Motion

Android (sorry haven't explored apps yet)

Materials used in animation range from pencil and paper through plasticine to toy figures (e.g. Lego and Playmobil)

I'm only going to provide one link to an animation (which has had over 32 million hits) that you might not have seen:_

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdUUx5FdySs

....and recommend you look out The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore as recent excellent examples.

Finally, if you'd like more depth, please feel free to email me.

In the post today

Just a quickie.
The postman brought the latest copy of Primary Science Review (no 124) which I've just been blogging about. It's subtitled Pattern Seeking and is all about Science and Maths. 

He also brought the latest issue of The Phoenix comic. Now at Issue 35 and featuring The Pirates of Pangea on the cover. 
Animation is next I promise.

ASE etc

I sat down to write about the ASE (Association for Science Education), Science teaching and Science teachers. I was going to praise The Primary Science Review as an exemplary journal. I was going to include the Institutes of Biology and Physics and The Chemistry Society for all their good work liaising with the government on behalf of teachers. I was going to praise all the wonderful, caring teachers that I've met. I was going to call on my experience as research worker, Head of Science, privileged teacher of primary children, lover of IT and my iPad.

Why? Because membership of the ASE is falling. 

We seem to have lost touch with teachers.

So? I haven't a clue how to help. Life and Society move on and maybe something new is needed, though what I don't know. I'm not even sure I want to be part of the debate anymore.

Bravo if you've waded through this. I promise no repetitions in future- just thoughts and resources. Next time - Animation.