1-7 March 2014
Saturday
One small step.
The first ever Higher Apprenticeship in space engineering was announced in England. The stellar qualification has been developed by Loughborough College, the National Space Academy and the University of Leicester.
Sunday
Living the dream
Lupita Nyong’o won the best supporting actress Oscar for her role in 12 Years a Slave. Accepting her award, she said: “No matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid.” Inspiration for an assembly, perhaps?
Monday
Smash hit
World Tennis Day, which aims to promote participation in the sport among young people, was marked in 62 nations. New York, London and Hong Kong hosted “showdown” matches between famous players.
Tuesday
Window on the world
The Local Heroes, Global Impact: World Citizen and World Educator Awards were held in the US. Noah Zeichner, from Chief Sealth International High School, was commended for giving his students a global perspective.
Wednesday
40 days and 40 nights
If colleagues are becoming increasingly grumpy, it may be because they’ve given up one of their favourite things for Lent - be it coffee, chocolate or cake. The fast started on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days.
Thursday
The Dude abides
Dudeists - followers of a religion inspired by the character of The Dude from The Big Lebowski - celebrated the Day of the Dude. Central tenets of the religion include going with the flow and taking it easy.
Friday
From `me’ to `we’
Prince Harry, singer Ellie Goulding and former US vice-president Al Gore are taking to the stage for the UK’s first We Day, streaming live on TES Connect. The campaign aims to encourage young people to be active citizens.
8-14 March 2014
Saturday
On thin ice
If you were impressed by the Winter Olympics, prepare to be stunned as the Paralympics start in Sochi, Russia. Despite the athletes’ best efforts, however, tension in Ukraine is likely to overshadow the event.
Sunday
Middle East Feast
It’s Teachers’ Day, or Eid Al Moalim, in Lebanon, when all the fine work that educators do every single day of the year in the Middle Eastern state is celebrated. Well, it’s always nice to be appreciated.
Monday
Ministerial Grilling
Elizabeth Truss, England’s junior education minister, will be appearing live on TES Connect to take teachers’ questions about the new national curriculum for primary and secondary maths.
Tuesday
Fukushima three years on
On the third anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan, high radiation levels still prevent thousands of people from returning to their homes near the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Wednesday
Raking over the coals
Today is the 30th anniversary of the national miners’ strike in Britain, called in response to planned pit closures. The long and messy dispute challenged then prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s leadership.
Thursday
Let’s hear it for herschel
No tittering at the back, please: the first recorded sighting of Uranus by Sir William Herschel took place on this day in 1781. The planet was named after the ancient Greek deity by fellow astronomer Johann Bode.
Friday
A diet of Pi
Number-lovers will come together to celebrate Pi Day, which honours the mathematical constant and its presence in our lives. Expect people to grin smugly while reciting the number to 3 million digits.
