| School name: | Scoraig 5-14 School |  |
| School/college address: | Scoraig
Dundonnell Wester Ross Highland IV23 2RE Scotland | |
| School phone number: | 01854 633386 | |
| Lead school: | Scoraig 5-14 School | |
| Partner schools: | Ullapool High School | |
| Number of pupils in school(s) - male: | 9 | |
| Number of pupils in school(s) - female: | 9 | |
| Number of staff in school(s): | 3 | |
| Name | Position (e.g. Headteacher, parent, etc.) | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Dave Sherratt | Headteacher | Scoraig School |
| Mr Topher Dawson | Teacher (maths and engineering) | Ullapool High |
| Mr Richard Davy | Post grad student | University St Andrews and Toronto |
| Mr Hugh Piggot | Parent | Scoraig Wind Electric |
| Mr William Hawkins | Parent | Scoraig Scallop Farm |
The key skills, strengths and roles of each team member are: (200 words)
Dave Sherratt
Will coordinate the project and the learning of pupils at Scoraig School.
Topher Dawson
Is a mathematician, engineer and boat-builder and will advise the team and coordinate the Ullapool contribution.
Richard Davy
Is studying wave mechanics in space for his PhD. He has recently been involved with the NASA Mars space probe. Richard's key role is in mathematical modelling of wave energy.
Hugh Piggot
Runs a small wind turbine business and has practical construction and manufacture skills.
William Hawkins
Another mathematian with additional advice on moorings and marine structures.
Topic area of proposal: Physical Processes - Waves (including light and sound)
Briefly, the aim of our proposal is: (50 words)
We will investigate the potential for reducing wave amplitude in sea water using used car tyres to absorb and dissipate energy. The project will investigate the efficacy of different matrix designs in a range of sea conditions.
Pupil type to benefit: All
Age range to benefit from proposal: 3-11
Learning outcomes from our proposal: (50 words)
Pupils will learn about energy transfer, observation and measurement and the design and reporting of an investigation. They will learn about the usefulness of applied science. They will work as a team and collaborate with another school.
Our reasons for developing this particular proposal: (100 words)
Scoraig is a remote and isolated peninsula, accessible only by sea or long hill walk. Tiny communities living on the coast are only able to launch boats on infrequent calm days. The pupils have consulted with these communities and drawn designs for a wave-calming barricade. They have constructed and tested a first design and are continuing to collect data from this.
Detailed description of our proposal: (300 words)
• Scoraig 5-14 School in association with Ullapool High School will design and test 2D and 3D used car tyre matrices that are based on mathematical models. The matrices will be used to examine the effects of design on wave amplitude in sea water.
• Matrices will be anchored to the seabed and floated on or near the water surface. The test site is directly below the school in the sea loch. The matrices will be orientated towards the prevailing SW winds. Measurements of wave amplitude will be taken by the children on a daily basis. Data will show amplitude change in different weather, tidal and sea conditions.
• Six matrices will be tested in a paired cross-over design. This will give additional comparative data and a fairer test.
• Successful designs will be considered for real use on the peninsula.
Outline of how our team would implement our proposal over a period of not more than 24 weeks: (300 words, bulleted lists accepted)
Weeks 1-2
• Completed designs are constructed and moved to the test site.
Week 3
• Two adjoining moorings will be made by a diver to securely fix anchors.
Weeks 4-6
• Two matrices (A and B) are secured and measurements taken at 1.15 pm for 5 days each week.
Weeks 7-9
• This is repeated for matrices C and D.
Weeks 10-12
• This is repeated for matrices E and F.
Week 13
• Preliminary analysis of data and selection of three successful designs for further tests.
• Presentation of project at Ullapool High and evaluative check by Ullapool High.
Weeks 14-16
• Measurements taken for two of the three most effective matrices.
Weeks 17-20
• This is repeated for the third successful design and the most effective design from weeks 14-16.
Weeks 21-22
• Analysis of data.
Week 23-24
• Writing and submission of report.
The monitoring procedures we will use during the project are: (200 words, bulleted lists accepted)
• The team will be coordinated throughout by Dave Sherratt.
• Monitoring meetings will take place with local members of the team in weeks 1, 13, 21 and 23.
• Other team members who are unavailable to meet will communicate by e-mail.
• Staff and pupils from Scoraig and Ullapool High School will meet in week 13 to examine procedures and corroborate test accuracy.
• Checks for the security of the system will be made by Hugh Piggot each time the matrices are changed.
The evaluation procedures we will use at the end of the 25 weeks to check the effectiveness of our project are: (200 words, bulleted lists accepted)
• Team members will collaborate on the data gathering and analysis.
• Both schools will collaborate on the fairness of test and accuracy of measurment.
• The team leader will ensure the consistency of data collection and will create a cross-curricular topic that will meet science, maths, English and technology learning targets for all pupils at Scoraig School.
• Evaluations will report the findings of this study and will consider the implications for further investigation and the application of the findings for remote coastal communities.
• The evaluation will also consider the learning gains of children at Scoraig School in terms of science, maths and social skills.
Itemised costs of putting your proposal into practice within a maximum budget of £5,000 or equivalent in Euros:
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