Schools Affiliate Scheme - benefits of membership
The Schools Affiliate Scheme was set up in 1999 and aims to:
- Provide support and resources to enhance and enrich the teaching of the materials, minerals and mining related topics in the 11 to 19 curriculum.
- Provide teachers with the knowledge and understanding necessary to teach these topics with confidence and enthusiasm.
- Provide links to members, organisations and universities who can provide additional support.
These aims are fulfilled by providing members with a range of benefits relevant to the science, design & technology and geology curriculum. These are as below.
Benefits
Members receive a new resource each year of membership. These are designed to link in with the curriculum and help you bring the subject matter to life. Previous resources have included books, posters and samples covering a range of topics such as smart materials, bridges and sustainability.
Schools joining the Scheme or renewing their membership during the 2010-2011 academic year will receive a book on the subject of Nanotechnology. The book is a comprehensive guide covering the history of the subject, nanotechnology in nature, processing materials on the nanoscale and current and future applications of nanotechnology.
Members receive three copies of a Scheme-specific newsletter three times a year. The publication is designed to keep members up to date with relevant information about courses for students and teachers, resources, competitions, resource box and visit availability and technical articles on topics linked to the curriculum.
The main newsletter is accompanied by a Minerals and Mining supplement aimed at geology teachers.
Members are able to download back copies and articles from the newsletter from the members-only area of the SAS website.
Resource box
Members have access to a box containing a range of samples which will enhance the teaching of the materials aspects of the curriculum. Members may borrow a box for a maximum of one week in order to show the materials to as large an audience as possible. The box contains a wide range of artefacts including examples of materials used in aerospace, medicine and sport. It includes metals, polymers, ceramics and composites and a number of examples of smart materials.
The artefacts are supported by information cards, notes for teachers, Power Point presentations and curriculum links which are also available to download from the members-only area of the website. In addition a briefing day will be run once a term for members planning to borrow a box.
Every month members receive our journal Materials World, which features articles on research at the forefront of technology. Members also have online access to other Institute publications including Packaging Professional, Clay Technology and Wood Focus magazines and a range of refereed journals.
Conferences for teachers
The Institute runs conferences specifically for teachers on relevant areas of the curriculum. These whole day events are designed to boost your knowledge and understanding of a range of topics and give you ideas for classroom activities. These events are free for any teacher from a member school to attend and previous events have covered topics such as smart materials, nanotechnology and fundamentals of materials science.
The next event will take place during the 2011-2012 academic year and will be on materials in sport.
Conferences for students
These are designed to bring to life the minerals and mining topics in the geology curriculum. Teachers are invited to bring along their AS and A2 students to listen to a range of presentations related to the curriculum and meet people working in the fields of applied geology. Conferences are run on a regional level at venues throughout the UK.
Members-only web content
Members are issued with a PIN to access the members’ area of the SAS website which contains a wealth of information to assist teachers. The information available includes back issues of newsletters and technical articles, previous resources, PowerPoint presentations on a range of topics, curriculum links to materials, minerals and mining topics, information about the resource box (including dates available for booking), conference proceedings, a list of speakers, links to other organisations and resources and a discussion forum.
Members have access to our Materials Information service which provides comprehensive technical advice relating to materials, minerals and mining.
The Institute has around 60 local societies dotted around the UK. Members are invited to attend their open lecture programme where you can meet members from local industry and expand your knowledge. Many groups are very keen to get involved with schools in their area and a number put on special events for schools.
For more information about what is going on in your area visit the local society pages.
List of speakers
Members have access to a list of speakers that are willing to come in to school to work with you and your students. The speakers are able to give presentations on a range of topics and all are CRB checked and registered as STEM Ambassadors. Members can make contact with speakers through the website.
Visit to school
A visit to your school by a member of Institute staff is available as an optional extra to SAS membership, incurring an additional charge of £150 for one session of up to an hour and a half or £200 for two sessions of up to an hour and a half each.
These sessions are suitable as a general STEM enrichment activity or to give an insight into a particular area of the curriculum a number of different presentations are available.
Application form/Queries
Frequently asked questions
Membership of the Schools Affiliate Scheme costs just £30 for a full twelve months from the date of application.
If you would like to join the Schools Affiliate Scheme simply download and print one of the application forms from the How to Join page and send your completed form with your cheque (made payable to The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining) or purchase order to the address given.
If you have any queries regarding membership please email diane.aston@iom3.org
Membership of the Scheme is open to anyone teaching a relevant subject in the 11 to 19 education sector. Our membership is mainly made up from science (physics and chemistry) and design technology teachers with a few members from engineering and geology departments too. Membership is split between state and independent secondary schools, sixth form colleges and FE colleges.
What do members say about the Scheme?
We are very keen to find out what our members think about the Scheme and the resources that we provide. We send all members a satisfaction questionnaire at the time of renewal asking whether they have made use of the resources and whether they would recommend the Scheme.
For the 2009-2010 academic year overall 76% of members said that they thought the Scheme offered good value for money and that they would recommend it to other schools.
How can I sponsor my local school?
If you would like to sponsor your local school the best place to start would be to contact the school through either the Head of Science or the Head of Technology and ask whether they would be interested in your support. You can download information about the Scheme and an application form to take into school with you.
If they would like to take up your offer please get them to complete the application form and then send this with your payment. The resources will then be sent directly to the member of staff on the form. If you would like to make this an ongoing arrangement please make sure that you also attach a note giving your name and contact details so that we know who to get in touch with at the time of renewal.
How can I get my school sponsored?
Members are sponsored by a variety of organisations. It would be worth you contacting companies or Institute Local Societies to find out if they would be willing to sponsor your membership.
We have a limited hardship fund to existing members that are struggling to secure funding at the time of renewal. Use of this fund is at the discretion of the Education Team.