Teachers to benefit from A9 Dualling programme
The module, which has been accredited under the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) will help teachers involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects to help raise awareness about the A9 Dualling programme in the areas of engineering, ecology, geology and sustainability.
The tutors for the module will be staff currently working on the A9 Dualling programme.
A new Academy9 Glow blog which also went live today will feature extensive material on the A9 Dualling programme for use by both teachers and pupils.
Speaking during a visit to Inverness College UHI, who credit rated the module and, along with Perth College, are working with Transport Scotland on the Academy9 programme, Economy Secretary Keith Brown said:
“Since I launched the Academy9 educational initiative in August 2015, over 1,800 pupils from 21 primary schools and over 550 secondary school pupils from four high schools along the A9 corridor have been involved in a wide programme of events and activities.
“This is providing them the opportunity to learn more about our ambitious A9 Dualling programme, apply mathematical, scientific and design aspects of the scheme to their schoolwork, and secure future training and job opportunities.
“Now we have developed an exciting new training module for teachers delivered by the professionals who are designing the A9 Dualling programme. The first group of eleven teachers based in schools along the A9 corridor have started work today on the module and we hope to roll this out to others over the next few years.
“At the same time, we are launching a new Academy9 website as part of the Glow blog platform which is packed with learning tools for both teachers and pupils including video logs from staff working on the A9 Dualling programme.
“The work to dual the A9 is moving on apace with the first section between Kincraig and Dalraddy due to be completed this summer and preferred routes now identified for nearly half the route and more expected to be identified this year.
“Along with the design and engineering works, today’s announcements related to our Academy9 programme are testament to the many exciting benefits the A9 Dualling programme is delivering for local communities and schools along the route.”
Diane Rawlinson, Principal and Chief Executive at Inverness College UHI, added:
“We are delighted to be working with Transport Scotland on the Academy9 education programme, including the development of this module. The dualling of the A9 is a major infrastructure project which will bring significant improvements and economic benefits to people living along the A9 corridor and the wider Highland community.
“Offering this module as well as resources such as the Academy9 website will help increase awareness about the work involved throughout the ten-year programme as well as the range of skills required to deliver it successfully. It also encourages thinking about the complexities of the decision making process while working on a major Highland transport route and ensures educators can pass on their learning to colleagues and young people in their care.”
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
1. The new SCQF Academy9 module is entitled “A9 Dualling – an introduction for educational practitioners” and has been designed to raise awareness of teachers, classroom assistants and other educational practitioners about the conversation to dual the A9. The unit develops the candidates knowledge and understanding of the rationale for dualling, its objectives and its benefits; allows investigation into some of the job roles of the professionals working on the programme; encourages candidates to appreciate the complexities of the decision making around the dualling and asks them to share that knowledge and understanding with others.
2. Glow is the Scottish Schools National Intranet. The Academy9 Glow Blog provides background information to the dualling programme, a video overview of the programme, teaching and study resources and data coming from the dualling work and a series of Vlogs from staff working on the programme giving information on their job. Link to the blog http://glo.li/2cF5XRh
3. The site will continue to develop over the life of the programme to provide a record of how the dualling evolved and a lasting legacy.
4. Details of the A9 Dualling programme can be found at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/project/a9-dualling-perth-inverness