Expedition Iceland February 2016 (Northern lights, engineering and wonders of Iceland) - STEM study visit RC463 / A05

*** Please note that the cost of this course is £985 for the visit and an additional £210 for the training weekend making a total of £1195. ***

Study Visits to sites of STEM interest are organised to complement contemporary science. The STEM Study Visit to Iceland aims to enhance subject knowledge and understanding about applications of science and involves working with experts in the field. It will also be useful for identifying Iceland as a potential site for school visits.

This expedition has been designed to give participants the opportunity to experience an area of the natural world which has recently been at the centre of STEM relevant stories. From earthquakes to Mars training, Iceland is a destination that can bring STEM subjects to life in the classroom!

The main expedition area will be in the South Central area of Iceland, an area that is characterised by glaciers, thermal springs, volcanic ash fields and vast mountains.

We will be working with researchers from the University of Iceland who look at the engineering challenges of living in a region with seismic activity, the Icelandic Meteorological Office who study solar activity and produce accurate aurora forecasts and our own resident astronomer who will explain features of the night sky and provide subject knowledge enhancement in the field of astronomy and the aurora, which we will hope to see during the visit.

The STEM Study Visit includes a compulsory Training and Networking weekend in Rugby on the evening of Friday 15th and Saturday 16th January 2016 which participants must attend (Course Code RC219 A04). Accommodation is included for the training weekend but food is not. The training weekend will begin with an evening meal in Rugby

Organisation

The STEM Study Visit is run by the Science Learning Networks Central Consortium (University of Hertfordshire) in partnership with Bull Precision Expeditions Ltd. BPE has extensive experience in developing bespoke expeditions across the world for schools and colleges. The expedition will be supported in Iceland by a suitably qualified and experienced expedition leader.

The Expedition

The STEM Study Visit will see participants learn from research experts in Iceland through a number of lectures and presentations during the course of the visit. These will be tailored with a site visit to see some of the research in the field. The group will also visit the state-of-the art Hellisheidi geothermal power plant as well as some of the natural geological features of Iceland, such as the hot springs at Geysir and the mid-atlantic ridge at Pinvellir National Park. We will also aim to see the Northern Lights during the trip and understand the science behind them.

Each participant will also have the opportunity to design and carry out a small scale project in their own area of interest and that of their own school/college and students. Each project should tie in to the National Curriculum and where possible link to scientific research currently taking place. Some examples of projects that were undertaken in May 2014 can be found on the STEM Iceland YouTube Channel (http://goo.gl/Bj7k0 )

Science Learning Centre CPD leads and BPE's education adviser will work closely with all participants throughout the planning phase, giving advice on the type and nature of projects which could be carried out.

Training and Preparation

In order to meet the other participants, prepare for the expedition and to support the development of your science project, there will be a training weekend from the evening of Friday 15th and Saturday 16th January 2016. The expedition to Iceland itself will take place from 16th – 20th February 2016.

Accommodation for the training weekend will be given on booking. In Iceland we will be staying in youth hostels.

More Information

This course includes a compulsory Training and Networking Weekend (RC219 A04) costing £210 and 5 days in Iceland (RC463 A05) costing £985. You will receive an RCUK Bursary of £720 for the 5 days in Iceland. The total cost of the training is therefore reduced from £1195 to £475 on completion of the RCUK bursary process. In order to qualify, participants will need to be from a state funded school (including maintained schools, academies, free schools and colleges). By booking onto this section of the course you will automatically be booked onto the Training and Networking Weekend.

The course fees includes return flights from the UK to Reykjavik, (depart 16th February and return back to the UK on 20th February), insurance, accommodation and fees, expedition food and local transport. The fees does not include insurance for personal items, personal expenditure, meal on the Friday evening or Saturday breakfast of the training  weekend or final night meal in Iceland. Transport to / from the training weekend and UK airport is at the participant cost.

There is an opportunity to find out more about the expedition by contacting Wayne Jarvis on 01992 503498 or via email (w.jarvis@herts.ac.uk ).

How to book

To secure your place, participants will be required to provide a £50 deposit details will be given upon enrolment

Email: enquires@ce.slcs.ac.uk

Telephone: 01992 503498