Amazing
Things
2013-2014
Recognising and Celebrating Achievement
in West Dunbartonshire
Recognising and Celebrating Achievement in West Dunbartonshire
Dear Head Teacher/Head of Centre
Building on the success of last year’s Amazing Things Awards, Laura Mason, Head of Service, is inviting
applications from all Schools, Early Education and Childcare Centres and Partner Agencies delivering
projects both within and outwith schools, for this year’s Prestigious Amazing Things Achievement
Awards.
Schools/establishments can enter group projects in one or more of the following categories:
Ethos and life of the school/community
Children and young people are encouraged to
contribute to the life and work of the schools and
exercise their responsibility as members of the
community.
For Example: Rights Respecting Schools, Eco
Schools, Pupil Council, Community Projects,
Enterprising Activities, Charity Work, Pupil Voice
Etc
Interdisciplinary learning
Learning that provides relevant challenges and
enjoyable experiences in a stimulating context
For Example: One-Off Projects, Longer Course
Of Study Planned Around A Clear Purpose, Mixed
Stage Learning, Partnership Working, Creativity,
Sustainability, Enterprise, Citizenship, Connection
Between Different Areas Of Learning Etc
Curriculum areas and subjects
Delivery of the learning in the curriculum in a
creative and imaginative way to encourage deep
sustained learning which meets the needs of
children and young people.
For Example: Use Of Partners In The Delivery Of
The Curriculum, Employer Engagement, Active
And Cooperative Approach To Learning,
Glow/ICT To Enhance Learning, Outdoor
Learning, Assessment Is For Learning, Creativity
Across The Curriculum Etc
Opportunities for personal achievement
A range of achievements in and beyond the
classroom that helps build children and young
people’s sense of satisfaction and helps to build
motivation, resilience and confidence
For Example: Opportunities For Leadership
Within/Outwith The School, Accredited
Achievement (e.g. John Muir, DoE, Mark Scott,
Tall Ships Etc), Links With Voluntary
Organisation/Trusts, Pupil Voice, Innovative Ways
To Capture And Celebrate Achievement,
Innovative Timetabling, Personalisation And
Choice Etc
There will be major prizes and national recognition for all winning establishments. This year there will
be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize for each sector (early years, primary and secondary/partners) and an overall
Amazing Things winner! All shorlisted schools will be invited to attend the Amazing Things
“Recognising and Celebrating Achievement in West Dunbartonshire” Award Ceremony on Thursday 5th
June 2014 in Bet Butler Stadium (Dumbarton Football Club).
Amazing Things Achievement Awards Application Form
Name of School/Establishment:
Contact Name:
Vale of Leven Academy
Fiona Panelli
Which of the following categories best describes your entry?
Ethos and life of the school and community
Curriculum areas and subjects
Interdisciplinary learning
Opportunities for personal achievement
Please tick 


The description of activities should be completed by the children and young people involved.
Has there been a business or partner agency which has been particularly supportive of this
project? If you would like to nominate them for a special Recognition Award, please give their
details.
Business/Partner Agency: Institute of Physics
Business/Partner Agency Contact: Ronna Montgomery
Please return the completed Application Form NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY 7TH MAY 2014
to Ashley MacIntyre.
No application will be considered after the closing date.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01389 737316
Post: Council Offices, Garshake Road, Dumbarton, G82 3PU
Shortlisted schools will be notified by Friday 9th May 2014.
Amazing Things Achievement Awards Application Form
In NO MORE THAN 500 words please describe your project (pictures can be attached if you feel they
would support your application):
Introduction
The Girls into Physics event was held in the Vale of Leven Academy on Thursday 23rd January 2014. This
event was held in response to the publication of the research project, ‘It’s Different for Girls’ by the
Institute of Physics in 2012 and the government placing an increasing emphasis on the role of Science &
Technology in the UK economy. It is important to respond to the increasing number of Science-related
job vacancies which cannot be filled with UK residents due to skill shortages. There is a clear need to
address these issues and inform / support young people throughout their education, boost their
confidence in their ability and encourage them not to set limits due to misconceptions.
Evidence suggests that the success in increasing the numbers of girls choosing Physics, is difficult to
sustain unless interventions put in place go beyond the classroom and become part of a wider
programme.
The Event
The Girls into Physics event, hosted 130 girls in S3-S6 from West Dunbartonshire, Argyll & Bute,
Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Scottish Government funded schools. It was the first
event of its kind in the West of Scotland. The senior girls were involved in organising the event and
were group leaders on the day.
The event was a whole day event which was informative and enjoyable with lots of different workshops
to take part in. The workshops were run by the different universities and companies and were all
enjoyable, a few of my our favourites were the ice cream making with liquid nitrogen, the rocket
making, the sound station and the space station (are we alone the universe?)
There were many enthusiastic guest speakers which came to talk about their careers, which was very
interesting, including a speaker from the Science admissions team at Glasgow University and a lecturer
leading a research team at Strathclyde University. I particularly found the video call from Amber Gell
who is a rocket scientist, leading the Orion project with NASA, was thought provoking, as I was unaware
of how many possibilities and opportunities there is to be involved with space exploration, even in the
UK.
We found the day very informative and opened my eyes to all the possibilities and careers there are
from a physics and engineering point of view.
All participants were asked to complete an evaluation and the outcome was very positive. Some of the
comments, such as, “I don’t already study physics but this has influenced me to pick it,” demonstrated
that this event was effective in invoking thought.
Tegan McKay, S4, VOLA
Amazing Things Achievement Awards Application Form
Continuation sheet: