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From www.wcgs.org.uk Science College
15th June 2007
Wallington County Grammar School and Rolls-Royce join forces to create the scientists of tomorrow
Rolls-Royce plc, a world-leading provider of power systems and services, has announced the award winners in the third year of the Rolls-Royce Science Prize, its flagship education programme in the UK and the Republic of Ireland designed to recognise and reward excellence in science teaching.The prize invites teams of teachers to submit inspiring science-teaching proposals that address a specific need in their school or college by the end of February each year.
Wallington County Grammar School is among the group of 50 Special Merit Award Winners in 2007. The team has been awarded £1,000 for their project.
Wallington County Grammar School has planned a 'green' project to be launched in September 2007, in which they seek to measure and raise awareness about environmental issues. They believe that small local changes can impact on global problems and hope to engage pupils of wcgs as well as those of neighbouring schools and members of the wider community.
“We will develop an ‘outdoor classroom’ focusing on increasing biodiversity and providing protected habitats for invertebrates including the Stag beetle, prevalent locally. A new greenhouse will be built to support the propagation of new plants and the teaching of curricular and extra-curricular aspects as an integral part of the wildlife garden. “As a Specialist Science College and ASE hub we aspire to be a model of good practice and are committed to raising environmental awareness.” Dr. Spencer. It is led by Dr. Cathy Spencer, Head of Biology at Wallington.
Sir John Rose, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce, said: “What we are trying to do through the Science Prize initiative is to underline the point that, in today’s world, science really matters. Science in its widest sense is at the very heart of everything Rolls-Royce does.
Dr Derek Bell, Chief Executive of the Association for Science Education, said: "We know that there are many creative and inspiring teachers who have great ideas for teaching science but who often feel hampered by a lack of resources. The Rolls-Royce Science Prize offers them a great chance to win valuable financial support - and to gain wider recognition for the excellent work they are doing."
Each year nine finalists are chosen by a panel of judges and receive £5,000 each to implement their idea over six months. The overall winning team win £15,000 for their science department, along with a day out with the Red Arrows. There is a £10,000 prize for the runner-up. There are also 50 Special Merit Awards of £1,000 each for projects that the judges consider to be excellent ideas.
Applications for next year’s Rolls-Royce Science Prize can be submitted via the website at www.rolls-royce.com/scienceprize.
1. Rolls-Royce undertakes a wide range of educational support activities with schools and further education establishments in an effort to help improve the quality of education at all levels. This is part of a broader effort to improve the environment and well being of the communities in which it operates.
2. Each year Rolls-Royce gives £120,000 to teams entering the Science Prize. Teachers can review all the entries via the company website at www.rolls-royce.com/scienceprize.
3. The Rolls-Royce Science Prize was launched in July 2004 and is open to every school and college in the UK and Republic of Ireland with pupils aged from 3 to 19 years. Annual awards are presented to teams of adults, led by practising teachers, who can create inspiring and sustainable teaching proposals that address a specific need in their school or college.
4. The Science Prize programme was developed in consultation with practising teachers and science education advisors in the UK and Republic of Ireland. It has received support from over 25 of the country’s leading education and science-related professional organisations.
5. It is highly recommended that teachers register their interest to enter the Rolls-Royce Science Prize, as they will be sent a series of updates, reminders and guidelines for entering before the deadline for entries on February 29th 2008. 6. For further details and images, visit www.rolls-royce.com/scienceprize
7. Rolls-Royce employs 38,000 people worldwide, including 7,500 scientists and engineers. Last year the company spent £30 million on the education and training of its employees, recruiting 170 graduates and 180 apprentices in the UK alone.
8. Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
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