Eurobachelor label to come via the RSC 

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), in an agreement with the European Chemistry Thematic Network Association (ECTNA), will be licensed to label HE chemistry degree programmes in both the UK and Ireland, the latter in collaboration with the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland, with the ECTNA's Eurobachelor label. The chemistry Eurobachelor label supports the goals of the pan-European Bologna Process, ie  the reform of the structures of HE degree programmes so that a common framework of comparable and recognisable degrees in the chemical sciences across Europe by 2010 (see page 2 of this issue). 

Following the recent completion of the ECTNA's pilot project, 20 institutions in 11 countries, including Nottingham Trent University in the UK and Dublin City University in Ireland, have been awarded the label for a total of 30 degree programmes. In future, a UK or Irish university that wants to apply for the label on its chemistry degree programme can apply through the RSC. The RSC will evaluate the degree programme against criteria set out by the ECTNA and its labelling committee.   

ECTNA is currently working on a masters level project to develop a chemistry Euromaster label. When completed it is likely that the RSC and other European partners will also seek licences to award this second label.   

For further information on the Eurobachelor label in the UK contact Dr David Barr, the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Showcase Science opens  to all sixthformers 

The sixthform biennial national conference, Showcase science, is being held this year on Thursday 15 March at Oundle School, Northants. Every sixthformer studying science, and their teachers, can participate in the event by registering on the website in advance and watching the live webcast on the day. Students will be giving verbal presentations side-by-side with leading luminaries in the scientific field. Paul Clark, head of science and technology at Oundle School, said that he expected many tens of thousands to participate through the live webcast which will be beamed into classrooms around the country.
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Course dates for non-specialist chemistry teachers  

January sees the roll-out of the new national training programme designed to provide science teachers who are not chemistry specialists with the confidence, flair and enthusiasm to teach chemistry at KS3 or KS4 (see Educ. Chem., 2006, 43 (5), 119). The first course will be run at the Science Learning Centre West Midlands on 18-19 January, followed by another at the Science Learning Centre North East on 24-25 January. These two-day residential courses of initial teacher training form the first part of the programme's four-day course. The courses will be delivered by experienced chemistry teachers, trained by the RSC. For further information, a full list of courses and to make a booking visit the RSC website or contact Dr Maria Pack, RSC national project manager.

Video material for teachers of chemistry 

Included with this issue of Education in Chemistry  are two DVDs. We are assured by the manufacturers of the discs that they are compatible with '99 per cent of home DVD players'. Any problems are likely to be because of old or damaged machines. The discs will also play on computers with DVD drives and suitable playing software. The discs can be played using Windows Media Player. If you have any problems, it is worth checking that you have the latest version, a copy of which can be downloaded from the Microsoft website. Another suitable media player is Real Player which is also available to download for free.

New web-based teaching resources from the RSC 

January 2007 sees the launch of two new major web-based resources from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) that will significantly increase the teaching and learning resources available to UK teachers and their students and to others around the world. 

Curriculum-linked material 

This website brings together the RSC's resources in electronic form together with links to useful websites from around the world. The site is distinct from the RSC's Learnnet  website in that it has an enhanced search facility.  

Searches can be made via the various curricula of the UK or the International Baccalaureate, or by area of chemistry, or by free text. The curriculum search breaks down into individual teaching units or topics and provides resources that include experiments, demonstrations, worksheets, databases, videos, animations etc  - all of which can be downloaded and used free of charge. 

Experimental links 

This site presents the combined experimental and demonstration resources produced by the RSC, the Nuffield Foundation and the Salters' Institute. Older material has been rewritten and safety information updated by CLEAPSS.  

There are several categories of search to reflect the fact that a particular experiment or demonstration could be used to exemplify a variety of chemical principles at different learning levels. For example, the reaction of transition metal ions with the oxalate ion could be used to exemplify transition metal redox chemistry, rate of reaction, or catalysis at GCSE- or A-level.  

Over the coming months more experiments will be added. The RSC is also willing to include teachers' experiments so if you would like to share your novel experiment or demonstration that's proven to work please send it to Dr Kay Stephenson, assistant manager, schools and colleges, the Royal Society of Chemistry.

National meeting for chemistry teachers 

The Royal Society of Chemistry's (RSC) annual meeting for chemistry teachers in England will take place on Saturday 10 February 2007 at Aston University. The day's programme will include a talk from Professor David Leigh of the University of Edinburgh on the 'magic' of molecular machines and developments in nanoscience. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in workshops on the How Science Works element of the science curriculum, new contexts for teaching chemistry, and materials to challenge gifted and talented chemistry students. The meeting will conclude with a demonstration-lecture from Dr Peter Douglas of the University of Wales, Swansea on photochemistry.  

The event costs £20 plus VAT for RSC members and £40 plus VAT for non-members. For further information and to register for the event contact Lorraine Hart at the RSC.