Teachers and Advisers
The following are available to Teachers and Advisers through the University of St Andrews
Teachers Together Conference
Information about the 2012 Teachers Together Conference will be posted here shortly. In the meantime if you would like more information about any of our schools projects or you would like advice and guidance about any aspect of applying to university then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
The conference has become a key event in bringing together teachers from all sectors of education and been the catalyst for forming long lasting partnerships.
Teachers Together 2010 focused on delivering the Curriculum for Excellence through ‘partnership working’ with the view that through working together we can provide the best possible environment for teachers to teach, and pupils/students to learn.
Due to the diversity amongst the attending delegates, a wide choice of activities have been offered to include:
- Department Visits
- Space School @ St Andrews (Primary)
- MUSA - 'Open Top Bus Tour'(St Andrews) (Primary and Secondary)
- Science Transition: 'News and Views'(Primary and Secondary)
- Living Locally, Thinking Globally (Primary and Secondary)
- Science Camp (Primary)
- Guidance Information
Department visits
This has included demonstrations and discussions and a chance to share good paractice that benefit all. Some departments have been open to delegates from both primary and secondary and others only applicable to a single sector approach. These areas are marked P-Primary and S-Secondary.
| Biology: News and Views(P/S) | Chemistry(P/S) |
| Classics(P/S) | Computer Science(S) |
| English(S) | Geography and Geosciences(P/S) |
| History(S) | International Relations(S) |
| Physics(P/S) | Philosophy(P/S) |
| Psychology(S) | Mathematics(S) |
| Modern Languages(P/S) | Medicine(S) |
Projects
Space School @ St Andrews (Primary)
In partnership with Fife Educational Department and Skills Development Scotland, we invite schools to select P6 pupils to attend six Saturday classes and interactive Space Themed workshops in Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, Biology, Computer Science, Geosciences, Psychology and Chemistry. Pupils then attend a three Day Summer Space School where Astronauts and NASA scientists visit the Camp to help deliver a series of interactive workshops and talks.
Science Camp (Primary)
This is a residential science camp specifically aimed at Primary 6 and 7. Lasting 2 days with an over-night stay in University accomodation, pupils undertake a series of scientific activities of the following nature:
- Rock Pool Research
- Computer Programming
- Building Rockets
- Making Robots
- Learning about Marine Life
- Using Telescopes
- Space Quest
- A night in the Museum activity
Living Locally, Thinking Globally (Primary and Secondary)
An HSBC Global Education Fund supported project. The target group is upper primary and lower secondary pupils. It is envisaged that through the resources of the University and the student body that a programme will be developed with a theme of ‘Global Citizenship’ in the following areas
- Health and Wellbeing
- Enterprise
- Culture and Diversity
Science Transition: 'News and Views'(Primary and Secondary)
This is a project carried out by the University's School Of Biology, designed to engage pupils in P6 and S1 through the use of media and how science is portrayed. Access to School of Biology staff is a major part of this project which not only helps engage pupils with Science, but also aids with the transition from Primary to Secondary Schooling.
MUSA - 'Making the Most of MUSA: The Open Top Bus and other Programes for Schools'. (Primary and Secondary)
MUSA are supporting the ‘Open Top Bus Tour’ project. This was developed by Thornton Primary School in line with the Curriculum for Excellence. Pupils work through areas such as ‘People, past events and societies’, ‘People, place and environment’ and ‘People in society, economy and business’. St Andrews is the main focus for these areas of study, culminating in a visit. MUSA is a great resource and along with our other museums has many schools engagement activities. To learn more please visit the MUSA website.
Guidance information
These sessions have been led by our Student Recruitment and Admissions Unit along with Admissions Officers from our Academic Schools. The intention being that at the end of these workshops both delegates and University staff are much more informed about the education system in which pupils/students are engaged.
Feedback from previous participants
"Excellent course I felt re-energised and look forward to passing info back to my school. The UCAS/Personal Statement stuff was very relevant and will be valuable for my prospective university candidates".
"This has been a wonderful experience and opportunity to find out more about what my pupils can expect when they apply to university and how I can best prepare them."
"It has also drastically changed my views of St Andrews. The support systems for students that I have found are in place will be very reassuring for my pupils. All in all it has been very informative and enjoyable."
"This conference gave me a totally new perspective on the University of St Andrews . I am not sure how you could make it better as it was excellent. Next time include a list of delegates in the conference pack."
"Learned loads both as a teacher and as a parent, will pass on much of this both to departmental teaching staff and guidance staff. Very enjoyable and informative."
"The best conference I have attended. I had a wonderful experience where my thoughts and opinions have been challenged and my horizons have been widened. This will help me to do the same for each of my pupils. At the end of the day they are the most important part and they all deserve to have the best advice and education."
"I have been inspired by this conference, which will make a big difference to what I do. Many of your speakers were inspiring."
Continuing Professional Development in Philosophy for Teachers - Distance Learning Programme
Philosophy classes online
Four online Philosophy modules have been designed by subject specialists from the Department of Philosophy to support and develop the teaching of Higher and Intermediate 2 Philosophy in Scottish Schools. The modules, taught by distance learning, are delivered at undergraduate levels 1 and 2 (SCQF Levels 7/8). This means that on completion of the four modules, any GTCS registered teacher will be able to deliver confidently and knowledgably the Intermediate 2 and Higher Philosophy curriculum. Whether you want to learn about Philosophy for the first time, build on existing knowledge or simply earn CPD hours, these modules are for you. You can take them one at a time or fast track your study over just two semesters.
For more information, please go to: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/philosophy/pops/teachers.html