Studying the Scottish Science Baccalaureate at Forth Valley College Lynn Borthwick

1. Studying the Scottish Science Baccalaureate at Forth Valley College Lynn Borthwick

2. First Year Milestones • June ‘09 • Launch event with the education minister • Induction event to introduce students to the library, labs and computers • Session on managing projects by Biotechnology project manager

3. Milestones • August/September ’09 • Submission of proposal by students for project • Project management computing training for students to construct a Gantt chart • Session on proceeding to planning stage of project

4. Milestones • November- May • Visit for life science students to centre for regenerative medicine • Students meet Anne Glover (Chief government scientific advisor) • Students are given the opportunity to visit the Parliament and question politicians on current scientific issues

5. Milestones • November- May • Visit for all students to the science centre sponsored by SQA • Students hear Heather Reid give motivational speech, and are given training on science communication

6. Success • Students have been given autonomy to choose projects which interest them • Opportunities have been given to students to meet top scientists from different areas • Students meet pupils from other schools and are given a taste of what this will be like at university • Preparation for the world of work and further and higher education is given • Students have been given training in project management software and science communication

7. Challenges • Distance issues: some schools are geographically far away and students cannot attend on a regular basis • Communication with schools has not been easy- this could be overcome by each school nominating a Bacc ‘champion’ • Students struggling with motivation and the responsibility of managing their own project

8. 2009/10 Selected Projects • Alcohol hand wash gels • Stem cell research • Vitamin content of imported and home grown foods • Biodiesel manufacture • Carbon Capture Technology • Anti-ageing creams

9. Second Year Milestones • Launch event in June with presentations from completing students • June workshops on broad contexts and getting started • Students working on proposal ideas over summer • Retention of most participating schools and new schools on board

10. 2nd Year Improvements • August - Deadlines agreed by staff and posted on Moodle before students return. • Move target dates to complete all stages by end Jan 11 • Agreed contact links with schools – one lecturer per school, one lecturer per student

11. 2nd Year Improvements • Soft skills support staff part of team – SWOT analysis • Suggested workshops proposed to pupils: • independent working / problem solving • Research Skills • Planning Skills • Networking Skills • Presentation Skills • Self Evaluation

12. Project Ideas 2010/11 • Impact of cosmetics on teenage skin • Mental health issues for teenagers • Aerofoils history and future developments • Gender specific toys’ impact on child development • Artificial Intelligence