Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre
Jayne Quoiani, Science Outreach Centre Officer, tells us about a new facility available to schools in Scotland.
The BeeSpi V (Figure 1) is a relatively inexpensive, self contained light gate and time-speed unit made by the NaRiKa Corporation of Japan. Usually when we review a device like this our biggest challenge would be to test the accuracy of the timer. Here, we had an additional issue. How do you actually pronounce BeeSpi V? We decided on “Bee Spy Vee”, though some asked whether the final letter was a V or a nu.
Carbon dioxide and global warming
We have but one planet, and both the physical and economic processes that are driving climate change have enormous inertia. If a big ocean liner were steaming into dense fog in polar seas, only a fool would maintain full speed on the basis that the technicians were still discussing the distance to the first big iceberg.
SSERC professional learning courses
Our professional development courses range from twilight events, day-courses through to residential meetings lasting up to 6 days in total. Our curriculum coverage spans both primary and secondary sectors and we offer events for teachers as part of their career long professional learning, newly qualified teachers and technicians. Many of our events receive funding from the ENTHUSE awards scheme or the Scottish Government.
Catalase activity in immobilised yeast – an update
In 2017 SSERC was approached by SQA to produce two resource packs in support of National 5 Biology investigations. We have recently published details of these resource packs and copies can be downloaded from the SSERC website.
Compressors and the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations
“Our CDT department has a compressor. I’ve heard that the science department has to have its pressure systems tested every year. Is it the same with compressors?” This enquiry was recently emailed to SSERC following our article on the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) that we published in Bulletin 259. We reckoned that the sender would not be alone in wanting to know the answer.
