Archives: Courses

Laboratory Science

In order to cut down the face to face course to 2 days – to save you both time and money – we have decided that some of the activities we had previously covered in the course at SSERC can be successfully done online.

In this course, cou will find lessons on Risk assessment, Labelling and Storing Chemicals, Weighing and measuring and making up solutions. These latter include some practical activities but it is not mandatory for you to do these).

Chemistry Assignments for N5 & Higher

For the 2023-24 session, SQA confirmed that the Practical Assignments were returning and that there had been no significant changes to the Assessment Task documents.

These documents outline the processes to take place in centres delivering the N5 and Higher Chemistry. The link for the documents are available here. (N5) (Higher)

This course will include input from the SQA, delivered at one of our face to face sessions along with details of 6 experiments that SSERC feels can be easily and successfully used in National 5 or Higher Assignments

The Understanding Standards website contains candidate assignment scripts, with marker commentaries. These are a fantastic way to develop an understanding of what is required for candidates to access the available marks. The National 5 page is here and the Higher one here.

Close up of a titration

Physics Optical Radiation

Welcome to the physics Learndash Optical Radiation Self-Study Course

Aim

The aim of this course is to familiarise you with SSERC’s guidance on optical radiation. This will enable you to risk assess activities that use visible, ultraviolet and infrared light.

Tutor

The tutor for this course is Norman Bethune (Norman.Bethune@sserc.scot, telephone 01383626070)

Resources

The resources for this course are:

  • SSERC’s Learndash guide to optical radiation – this document covers the hazards of optical radiation and the control measures you can put in place to make the risk acceptable. It is essential reading for the course.
  • SSERC’s guide to practical physics – this document has guidance on common items of physics equipment and their uses. It is not solely about optical radiation but a number of relevant experimental set-ups are covered. It is not essential to study these practicals but it is likely to be helpful.
  • Self-check quizzes – the quizzes will help you to evaluate your own understanding as you progress through the course. Most of the questions are multiple choice but a few require boxes to be ticked or filled in. You are not required to send your responses to SSERC, though your course tutor will be happy to discuss your answers.
  • Answer to quizzes
  • This course guide. Overleaf, the course is broken down into a series of study activities, interspersed with the self-check quizzes mentioned above.

Assignment and certification

Once you have worked your way through the reading tasks and the quizzes, plan and carry out an activity using one of the following types of optical radiation:

  • Laser
  • UV lamp or LED
  • Blue ‘Lumiled’ type LED

Write a brief description of what you did. Describe the purpose of the experiment or demonstration. Include either a diagram or photograph of the set-up or a link to a video clip you made. Describe any control measures you put in place. Send it to your tutor by email. A scan of a hand-written document is fine. Your tutor may get back to you with suggestions for improvements. A satisfactory assignment and an evaluation of the course are all that SSERC requires in order to award you a certificate of successful completion.

 

Should you experience any issues or simply require clarification on any point please contact Norman.Bethune@sserc.scot

 

Health and Safety for Students

Welcome to this online, self-study course on the basics of Health and Safety.

By the end of this course, you should have a better idea of the responsibilities both you and your employer have and hopefully will feel more confident about what you are and aren’t allowed to do.

Remember – if you are in any doubt, just contact us at SSERC and we will help.

Sorry! You are not logged in!

Microbiology for the Classroom

Welcome to our online course to support your microbiological techniques in the classroom.

In this course we will cover the following:

This course will support your microbiological practice in school but does not replace face-to-face training that can be gained through SSERC courses.  For hands-on training, we include elements on microbiological work across many of our PL courses, including “Support for Advanced Higher Biology”, “Safety in Microbiology Level 3″ (for technicians” and our probationer course. See the SSERC Professional Learning calendar.

So, let’s get started with “What are Micro-organisms?”

Maths Week Scotland SSERC & SAiS Early/First Level Maths

If you already have a SSERC Online learning account and your password details, please click the blue ‘log in to enrol’ button above.

Forgotten Your Password: if you have an existing account but have forgotten your password, please click here to reset your password before enrolling.

Otherwise, if you are new to the SSERC Online learning platform, please fill in your details below.

The aims of this self-study course are to:

  • Explore activities that support early/first level numeracy and mathematics through STEM.
  • Provide practical STEM ideas​ that can be easily transferred to your setting.
  • Offer opportunities for sharing ideas with colleagues in your setting/ network.
  • Highlight the opportunities engaging with STEM Ambassadors in Scotland can bring to your setting.

Numeracy and Mathematical skills: ​

Numeracy and mathematical skills should not be taught in isolation. These skills can be developed through careful planning of learning activities, thoughtful questioning and a range of assessments.​

These activities should encourage learners to think about a range of concepts, going beyond the recall of knowledge and encouraging them to explain their thinking. 

Maths and numeracy skills are used every day; early years practitioners and first level teachers instinctively promote these skills.​

Which of these activities have you done recently?​ Please add examples into the notes section at the bottom of this page.

  • Counting forwards and backwards​.
  • Completing simple sums/ calculations​.
  • Recognising numbers and denominations of coins​.
  • Engaging with songs, books and games with counting themes​.
  • Talking about the sequence of everyday events​.
  • Weighing out ingredients for cooking​.
  • Playing matching games e.g. dominos.
  • Cutting sandwiches, fruit etc. into equal pieces.​

In this module we will offer some simple ideas to extend these skills, allowing learners to carry out investigations and reach their own conclusions.

How to complete this course

  • The course consists of 4 main sections.
  • Each main section has a selection of activities and videos for you to work through and complete.
  • Gather together the following Resources.
  • Click on the expand button (when included and visible) to access the section content.
  • Any video content must be watched in their entirety to allow progression to the next set of lessons.
  • Activities should be completed in order.
  • It is essential for you to take and save notes as you work your way through each section.
  • After completing each section you must click the orange ‘mark complete’ button.
  • Your progress will be automatically saved as you work through this self study course.
  • You should set aside around 5 hours to complete the course, including the gathering of resources and planning how to use these activities in your setting.
  • Once the course and associated evaluation form have been completed a digital certificate will be emailed out to you.
  • The course must be completed by the 30th June 2022.
  • If you have any questions or require any support during this course please contact primary@sserc.scot

The course consists of the following modules:

  • Floating and Sinking
  • The Thirsty Crow
  • Are You Happy With Your Nappy?
  • Sequence and Order

The course also provides information about Maths Week Scotland, STEM Ambassadors and our partner organisations.

 

Introduction to Safety in Microbiology

This course is a mandatory activity prior to undertaking the Safety in Microbiology Level 3 course. It will support your understanding of microbes, SSERC’s Safety in Microbiology Code of Practice, and the apparatus, materials and equipment used for microbiological work. 

Scotland is a world leader in microbiology research and in the biotechnology industry. In the 21st century, responsible citizens need to be able to evaluate scientific issues in the media, often related to micro-organisms, and to establish their own informed opinions on such matters – the global COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted this. Practical work using micro-organisms creates opportunities to enrich the learning experiences of our students, bringing the curriculum to life. It supports the development of competent practical skills with a focus on hazard awareness and risk assessment. These practical learning experiences allow learners to explore the role played by micro-organisms in biotechnology, alternative energy sources, food production, hygiene, health and waste management.  

Course Contents Information

You will see from the Contents page (and image below) below that this course has 4 lessons: 

      • What are micro-organisms? – This lesson is followed by a Quick Quiz.
      • Microbial Groups – This lesson is followed by a Quick Quiz.
      • SSERC Safety in Microbiology: Code of Practice – This lesson involves 2 topics and is followed by a Quiz Quiz.
      • Equipment, Apparatus and Materials in Microbiological Practical Work – This lesson has 3 topics.
      • Final Quiz – 10 questions. You must achieve 70% to pass the course.

Exploring the ‘M’ in STEM

The aims of this self-study course are to:

  • Explore activities that support early level numeracy and mathematics through science.
  • Provide practical STEM ideas​ that can be easily transferred to your setting.
  • Offer opportunities for sharing ideas with colleagues in your setting/ network.

Numeracy and Mathematical skills: ​

Numeracy and mathematical skills should not be taught in isolation. These skills can be developed through careful planning of learning activities, thoughtful questioning and a range of assessments.​

These activities should encourage learners to think about a range of concepts, going beyond the recall of knowledge and encouraging them to explain their thinking. 

Maths and numeracy skills are used every day; early years practitioners and teachers instinctively promote these skills.​

Which of these activities have you done recently?​ Please add examples into the notes section at the bottom of this page.

  • Counting forwards and backwards​.
  • Completing simple sums/ calculations​.
  • Recognising numbers and denominations of coins​.
  • Engaging with songs, books and games with counting themes​.
  • Talking about the sequence of everyday events​.
  • Weighing out ingredients for cooking​.
  • Playing matching games e.g. dominos.
  • Cutting sandwiches, fruit etc. into equal pieces.​

In this module we will offer some simple ideas to extend these skills, allowing children to carry out investigations and reach their own conclusions.

How to complete this course

  • The course consists of 4 main sections.
  • Each main section has a selection of activities and videos for you to work through and complete.
  • Gather together the following Resources.
  • Click on the expand button (when included and visible) to access the section content.
  • Any video content must be watched in their entirety to allow progression to the next set of lessons.
  • Activities should be completed in order.
  • It is essential for you to take and save notes as you work your way through each section, progression to the next set of activities will only be accessed if the notes have been added to.
  • After completing each section you must click the orange ‘mark complete’ button.
  • Your progress will be automatically saved as you work through this self study course.
  • You should set aside around 3 hours to complete the course.
  • Once the course and associated evaluation form have been completed a digital certificate will be emailed out to you.
  • The course must be completed by the 30th June 2021.
  • If you have any questions or require any support during this course please contact primary@sserc.scot

 

Cyber Resilience and Internet Safety Programme

 

The CRIS mentor programme is a ‘train the trainer’ programme to build confidence and develop understanding of a number of issues related to cyber resilience and internet safety in the teacher community across Scotland.

Delegates will complete the online modules at their own pace and may choose to work with other teachers in the Local Authority or Regional Improvement Collaborative to support their colleagues to develop confidence in this area too.

By participating in the programme, there is an understanding that each delegate would run at least 1 training session for colleagues, either in their school or cluster.

The programme will provide delegates with resources to use to deliver this training.

(There is no need to fill in the section below if you have already registered)

 

Laying the Foundations of Computer Science

In this self study course we will consider the use of a range of physical devices as well as “unplugged” activities to explore the wealth of opportunities to develop computational thinking and key Computing Science skills. We will explore different pedagogical approaches for computer science principles, and will gain hands on experience in using resources and applications to support these principles.

Participants with gain an understanding of approaches to learning and teaching of Computing Science utilising national advice with hands-on activities to build confidence in developing Computer Science in an engaging way.

Dates: Thursday 3rd September 2020

If you have already registered for the site, redeem your course registration code in the box below.

Sorry! You are not logged in!

Welcome to Intro Physics.

This course is designed to provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to enable them to set up and operate equipment used in a physics laboratory. It is suitable for learners with limited or no knowledge of physics equipment used in secondary schools. By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding related to school physics laboratory equipment and its safe use.
  • Demonstrate understanding of how to set up physics equipment, measuring techniques and basic fault finding.

This course is aimed at school technical support staff and is SQA accredited (2 SCQF points at level 5) and is a pre-requisite  to the Intermediate Physics Course.

This course, along with other SSERC physics, chemistry and biology courses, forms part of a suite of competency based CLPL for support staff.

A PDF copy of our notes for this course can be found here.

(Right click the link and select ‘open in a new tab’ to have the document available throughout the quiz).

A PDF copy of out ‘Activities’ booklet can be found here.

The youtube playlist containing videos of all the course activities can be found here.