Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme http://uas.ac.uk We would like to take this opportunity to circulate this newsletter to update you on our current situation. We are pleased to report that despite our very severe financial difficulties UAS is very much alive and kicking and even though we are running in a reduced and mainly reactive mode of operation we are still growing and continuing to recruit and welcome new departments to UAS http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=266 In our previous newsletter we outlined the financial difficulties currently being experienced by UAS and we asked for suggestions about potential sources of funding. We would like to thank everyone who responded with ideas but it is with great disappointment that we must inform you that to date we have not had any success with our funding bids and unless we can quickly secure additional funding our organisation will close down at the end of August 2009. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=265 UAS continues to grow and we are now getting very close to the day when over 1000 students per year will be going into schools on UAS modules. It isn't long ago that we announced our 100th UAS department, and now we have 127 departments signed up with several more expected in the very near future. For a full list of the 127 UAS departments http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=264 UAS continues to grow and we are pleased to welcome the Department of Chemistry at the Imperial College London, the Department of Pharmacy and Chemistry at the University of Kingston, the Department of Food Biosciences at the University of Reading, the School of Mathematical Sciences from University College Dublin and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Greenwich as our most recent recruits. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=263 The new academic year sees continued growth in the number of departments offering a UAS module bringing the total number at present to 103 departments from 40 universities throughout the UK. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=262 We would like to thank everyone involved with a UAS module this year and we hope that the experience of participating in the scheme has been both enjoyable and rewarding for all concerned. The 89 departments that ran a UAS module this year sent 600 undergraduates into schools throughout the UK. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=261 We are very pleased to report that the RSC, through its Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Sector (BMCS), will give £40,000 over two years to support the Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme. The aim of the funding project is to work in collaboration with the Royal Society of Chemistry to increase the number of chemistry departments offering the UAS module within their degree curriculum. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=260 UAS nationally has been reorganized and Brian Lockwood has taken over as Administrative Manager and he has responsibility for the day-to-day running and operation of UAS. Brian will be ensuring that all departments are supported, particularly those running UAS for the first time. We would ask those departments planning on participating in UAS this year to return sign-up letters to Brian as soon as possible. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=259 It has been another successful year for UAS with around 400 students going out into over 260 schools and colleges across the country from Durham down to Plymouth. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=256 We welcome the comments of the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week and his commitment to give £18 million to support school science teaching and learning. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=252 UAS talk to graduates and their employers about how the scheme has prepared them for the world of graduate employment... http://www.uas.ac.uk//news.php?id=251 Dave Roscoe, from the Dept of Applied Mathematics, Sheffield University, is running UAS for the first time this year. Here he explains what his experience of adopting UAS has been... http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=250 UAS is supported by a number of professional bodies and all of those involved - academic staff, teachers and undergraduates. Here's what our supporters have to say about UAS... http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=219 A series of four regional conferences was held in Sheffield, Bristol, London and Birmingham for academic staff wanting to find out more about UAS. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=246 The scheme started in 2002 with 28 undergraduates in 4 university departments and has grown substantially in a short period of time; in 2004/5 over 170 undergraduates from 30 departments went into classrooms up and down the country, from Hull to Plymouth. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=226 We have had a very busy time over the past few months and are delighted to report that the new academic year sees 54 STEM departments running UAS modules - the greatest number ever since its launch in 2002. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=239 The Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme (UAS) has just launched its vibrant new look with the production of a new Information Pack which is being sent to Universities across the country as part of its latest recruitment drive. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=234 The 3rd Annual Conference of the Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme was held on Wednesday 15th June at The Institute of Electrical Engineering, Midlands Engineering Centre in Birmingham... http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=218 Articles on UAS by Professor Ray d'Inverno of the School of Mathematics and Dr Paul Cooper, Teaching and Learning Co-ordinator of the School of Humanities - University of Southampton http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=237 The Undergraduate Ambassador Scheme recently held its third annual conference at the Midlands Engineering Centre in the heart of Birmingham City Centre. Over 45 delegates attended the event, including representatives from university departments who are already running the scheme across the UK plus those who are either about to start or are considering participating in the scheme in the future. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=238 Article which focuses on teaching experiences of three UAS students. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=221 The New Year sees over 180 undergraduate ambassadors going out into schools compared with 87 last year; a figure set to rise as some departments are still in the process of selecting undergraduates to go out later in the semester. For the first time we have undergraduates going into primary and junior schools as well as secondary schools and colleges. http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=147 http://www.uas.ac.uk//news_story.php?id=164 THES article on the launch of UAS ... http://www.uas.ac.uk//news.php?id=224