Nexxus Scotland

Information for Schools/Teachers 

Nexxus would like to facilitate the enrichment of the curriculum in science and biology, and to promote careers in the life science related fields. This page signposts a number of useful organisations.

Technology and Science Alliance (TSA)

The Technology and Science Alliance (TSA) is a West of Scotland organisation that aims to organise and promote science and engineering activities that will stimulate interest in science and engineering among school pupils. It provides support for science teachers through the organisation of science shows, competitions, presentations by young scientists and engineers and by arranging for scientists and engineers to visit schools.

It is responsible for operating the two SETPOINTS based in the West of Scotland and aims to provide a one-stop-shop for science teachers seeking information about science education activities. It also organises the training of young scientists (mainly University undergraduate and postgraduate students) for the Science and Engineering Scheme (SEAS)

There is an advisory group drawn from the four local Universities, the two Science Centres, Careers Scotland and interested local organisations and employers.

The TSA aspires to extend its activities through collaboration with the Universities, FE colleges, the Science Centres, the Association for Science Education and Local Authority Education Departments to provide more direct support for science teachers in the preparation of new materials for teaching, in continuing professional development for teachers and seeking widening participation of school pupils in science and engineering courses in Further and higher Education.

See Setpoint for further information.             

Glasgow Science Centre

Glasgow Science Centre is an independent Scottish charity dedicated to raising awareness of science and technology.   It is a treasure trove of scientific education and entertainment.   The science mall is home to three floors with hundreds of interactive exhibits, a dedicated science show theatre and the ScottishPower Planetarium where you can learn about the wonders of the night sky under the glittering dome.   Glasgow Science Centre also features Scotland's only IMAX cinema and Glasgow Tower, the only tower in the world to rotate 360 degrees from the ground up.

What makes Glasgow Science Centre magical though, is the opportunity to interact with science.   From watching a brain boggling demonstration to taking part in a fun workshop or simply chatting with one of their science communicators - they make science accessible. 

Atoms Club

The Atoms Club is a free online educational resource designed to encourage children's interest in science.   Children can log-on to to learn all about science aided by colourful characters, games, competitions and fun expirements.

The Atoms Club is brought to life by the 4 "Atoms" - Maximo, Eco, Spook and Jet.   They introduce science through interactive games, creative activities, competitions, home experiments and explain common science conundrums.   They also star in their own cartoon science lessons based around their individual superpowers.

The Atoms Club was created by the four Scottish Science Centres, Glasgow Science Centre, Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, Sensation Science Centre in Dundee and Satrosphere Science Centre in Aberdeen in partnership with the Scottish Executive.   The Club is fully interactive with feedback from children helping to decide future content and links in with the science centres' activities. 

Cafe Scientifique

Cafe Scientifique run by Professor Mandy MacLean (Professor, University of Glasgow) and Vanessa Collingridge (TV presenter and University of Glasgow postgraduate student) has been introducing the Glasgow public to scientists from all disciplines for some time now.  

Short talks in simple language followed by lively debate are held in the Victorian Bar of the Tron Theatre in Glasgow at 7 pm on the first Monday of the month.   For details of forthcoming events see Cafe Scientifique Glasgow.   (NB as the Bar is not operational during these events, children are welcome if accompanied by an adult).

Generation Science Club

The Generation Science Club was launched in 2001 to provide the vital funds needed to enable the Generation Science Schools Touring Programme to take its innovative shows out to schoolchildren across Scotland.   The Generation Science Schools Touring Programme forms part of the highly successful Edinburgh Science Festival.  

The programme aims to fire the imagination of children by appealing to their natural sense of wonder and curiousity about the world around them.   The shows amaze children and bring science alive; they begin to see the relevance and inspire them with the knowledge and confidence that science and technology is something that they can understand, enjoy and do well.

For more information about the club call 0131 558 7666.