Ian Stuart (@islayian) and I first met David Christian at the Microsoft Partners in Learning Global Education Forum in Washington DC in November 2011. David was talking about Big History and we were instantly impressed with the quality of David’s presentation, his passion for education and how the concept of Big History fitted with the principles of CfE. You can see my short write up of his talk here.
Since Washington Ian has remained in contact with David and facilitated a conversation between him and Joe Wilson, Head of New Ventures at the SQA. Ian and Joe were keen to explore how we might get Scottish Schools involved in the piolet programme for 2012/2013 before the large scale worldwide rollout in 2013/2014.
The rest as they say is history and we are excited to announce that…
Winging its way out to Directors of Education and Headteachers today was a superb opportunity for three Scottish Schools and their science & social subjects departments.
We have been invited as a Nation to participate in the pilot roll out of the Big History Project. Funded by Bill Gates directly through Bill Gates Catlyst Three. This is a superb opportunity for Scottish Schools to be part of a cutting edge, project based learning, global project - that fits very well with a Curriculum for Excellence
The SQA and The Big History Project invite applications to be part of The Big History Project and join pilot schools in Australia and USA.
In particular:
- We are looking for three secondary schools in close proximity to each other - this is stipulation from the Big History Project.
- Funding is available for two teachers from each school to attend the programme induction in Seatlle, USA between 22-25th March 2012
- These teachers will be a Science Teacher and a Social Subjects Teacher (the curriculum leaders).
- Participating schools need to deliver the Big History programme as a pilot from September 2012 to a 2nd or 3rd Year cohort and provide feedback where appropriate.
- Participating schools will also be expected to carry out a curriculum mapping exercise for the Big History Project materials to the experiences and outcomes of CfE.
- Pilot schools will gain experience of working with global partners on a new and innovative multidisciplinary curriculum.
You can find out more about the Big History Project here www.bighistoryproject.com but this short video sums it up nicely!
You can hear a message from David Christian (Founder of the Big History Project) that we recorded when he was in Glasgow a couple of weeks ago to Scottish Schools here http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/video/b/video_tcm4687443.asp
What do you need to do?
To apply for this opportunity - we need an Education Authority’s nomination of three suitable schools.
The project will meet the travel and subsistence costs associated with the programme but will not provide cover costs for the induction programme.
Applications will be screened by panel drawn from SQA, Education Scotland and The Big History Project.
Application Process
Applications should consist of one side A4 with a simple statement from each of three nominated schools on Why the Big History project appeals to them.
Attached to the application we need a name and short resume of the Science and Social Science Teacher nominated to take part in induction programme from each of the three schools. Given the tight timescale on this nominees need to hold a full British Passport.
Applications close on Monday 5th of March - successful applicants will be contacted to make travel arrangements on 7th of March .
Applications should be emailed to Liam.Priest@sqa.org.uk
Exciting stuff!
Hi! thanks for sharing this information. It is good opportunity to all teachers here in Scotland.
Posted by: Elle | February 24, 2012 at 04:40 AM
Hi. I've just discovered this project and think it is wonderful. I'm dying to know which authority was awarded the opportunity to pilot this?
Posted by: Yvonne McBlain | August 21, 2012 at 04:22 PM