HEFCE reports on SIVS

The Higher Education Funding Council for England's (HEFCE) £350 m programme to support strategically important and vulnerable subjects (SIVS) - which includes chemistry and supports the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)-led initiative Chemistry for our future (CFOF) - has been given the green light in a report published in October by HEFCE's chief executive's SIVS advisory group. 

The group reviewed the policy framework that guides HEFCE's approach towards SIVS and concluded that it is the Government's role to designate subjects as being strategically important and HEFCE's role to consider whether such subjects are vulnerable and the interventions necessary to address this. Of note the group welcomed the progress made in the demand for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, and finds that 'chemistry is growing following a period of stabilisation and some earlier decline', citing the CFOF initiative as playing its part in this success. 

The full report, Strategically important and vulnerable subjects, can be found at website below.

Olympiad support booklet 

The Royal Society of Chemistry education department has published a Chemistry Olympiad support booklet, aimed at teachers of gifted and talented post-16 chemistry students. The booklet, which accompanies this issue of Education in Chemistry, can be used as a teaching tool, or by students themselves as a self-study guide. It takes you, step-by-step, through a number of questions from past UK Chemistry Olympiad competitions. Each question challenges students' skills and understanding in chemistry, testing their ability to solve problems and apply their knowledge. 

Boston prize for top scoring students 

Six students will travel to Boston, US this December after winning a place in a competition organised through the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)-Shire partnership. During the three-day trip, they will visit the Shire Human Genetic Therapies site, tour around the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Campus and explore the city. The competition was open to the highest achievers in this year's A-level and Scottish Higher exams. The winning students are Pria Suchak (Brighton and Hove High School, east Sussex), Isobel Braithwaite (St Paul's Girls' School, London), Finneas Catling (Yale College of Wrexham, Cheshire), Alison Davies (The High School of Glasgow, Glasgow), Christie Noble (Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen) and Sinead Corbet (Williamwood High School, Glasgow). 

Diploma developments 

Teachers can keep abreast of developments relating to the Science Diploma by registering their interest via the QCA website below.

Grants for schools to celebrate science in 2009

The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is inviting UK schools to apply to its small grants scheme for money to help fund events and activities for their students celebrating National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW), which runs from 6-15 March 2009.  

Launched in 2007 and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), the scheme aims to provide exciting and engaging science experiences to students who would ordinarily be unable to take part in the week's programme of events. Schools eligible for funding are those with either a high proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds or from ethnic minority communities, small schools based in remote or rural locations, and schools that have low attainment in science and technology. 

The deadline for applications is 28 November 2008. For further information on the grant scheme and how to apply contact Jenny Beard at the BA (Tel: 020-7019 4937; e-mail: nsew@the-ba.net) or visit the BA website Below.

Advice on transporting chemicals on the road  

Guidelines on the transport of chemicals produced by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the CLEAPSS and the Scottish Schools Equipment Research Centre (SSERC) are available to download from the RSC website Below. The advice will be of use to teachers and demonstrators who travel to venues in their local region or nationally to put on demonstration lectures or other hands-on activities designed to stimulate interest in chemistry among young people and the public.  

The document, Transporting chemicals for lecture demonstrations & similar purposes, provides 13 simple rules for demonstrators to follow when transporting their chemistry kits. By following these rules demonstrators will be acting in accordance with the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), implemented in the UK via the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations (the Carriage Regulations) - legislation which is aimed at commercial loads.  

The guidelines highlight exemptions to the ADR as well as chemicals and equipment classed as special cases (ie fireworks and explosives, gas cylinders, liquid nitrogen and radioactive materials). Demonstrators are also reminded to check that they have correct vehicle insurance cover for their activities.