Policy and the image of the child: a critical analysis of drivers and levers in English early years curriculum policy

Using a post-structuralist framework, this article seeks to analyse the ways in which English early years curriculum policy has led to different constructions of young children. Although policy is often presented as being logical and factual, policy making can also be seen as a value-laden process in which meanings are socially constructed and can therefore be deconstructed and reconstructed. In this article, I analyse the different interests that are served by curriculum policy, the intentions of policy makers and how policy levers and drivers might combine to produce potentially conflicting images of the child. I conclude that these conflicting images create tensions between policy makers’ pursuit of cost efficiency and the rights of young children in early years settings. However, post-structural analysis suggests that these are political decisions and things do not have to be this way. Those working in early years can challenge policy makers’ constructions of young children, to adopt a more ethical rights-based approach to early education

Determining the Influence of Hunter Access on Antlerless Elk B License Harvest in Select Areas of Southwest, Central and Eastern Montana

Antlerless elk hunting is a critically important tool for wildlife managers to help manage populations of elk. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) conducted a survey following the 2010 general big game hunting season to determine the effect that hunter access might have on Antlerless Elk B License utilization and associated harvest in select areas of the state where concerns have been expressed about hunting access. A mail-back survey was used to determine, the extent to which respondents were able to gain access to public and private lands to hunt antlerless elk, what types of properties respondents were able to secure permission to hunt, the extent to which respondents were able to successfully harvest antlerless elk, and respondent satisfaction with the Antlerless Elk B Licenses they received in 2010. Questionnaires were successfully mailed to a total of N = 5,297 Elk B License holders and there were a total of n = 2,954 survey respondents resulting in an overall response rate of 56 percent. Survey results revealed several key findings that have significant elk population management implications. While respondents used different hunting access or property types to varying degrees the type of property accessed played a prominent role in determining antlerless elk harvest success rates and antlerless elk harvest distribution. A majority of the survey respondents who hunted or attempted to hunt using their Antlerless Elk B License reported that they were satisfied with the license they received in 2010

Space weather impacts on ground-based energy infrastructure

It is well documented that space weather may impact electricity infrastructure. Several widespread blackouts have been observed in the past few decades and directly linked to the largest geomagnetic storms (e.g. the Hydro Qu´ebec incident in 1989). However, less is known about the impact of lower-level geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) on the health of transformers in the long term. In this study, dissolved gas data from UK power station transformers were analysed in detail in a space weather context for the first time. Dissolved gas measurements from 2010–2015 were used to look for evidence of a link between degradation of the transformer insulation and heightened levels of SYM-H and dB-dt as measured at Eskdalemuir and Hartland magnetometer stations. Firstly, case studies were examined of the most significant storms in this time period using dissolved gas analysis (DGA) methods, specifically the Low Energy Degradation Triangle (LEDT). The case studies were then augmented with a statistical survey, including Superposed Epoch Analysis (SEA) of multiple storm events. No evidence of a strong space weather impact can be found during this time period, likely due to the relatively quiet nature of the Sun during this epoch and the modernity of the transformers studied

Paths in education: how students make qualification choices at Level 3 and what influences these choices

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Professional Doctorate in Education.This study is an investigation into how young people make choices between the ages of sixteen to eighteen about the qualifications they study at Level 3 and the impact these choices have on further progression. Often, the reasons for their choices tend to be obvious and straightforward and are career driven. However, what about those students who may not know about progression routes or how to make informed choices? Given the potential impact on students’ lives, it seems vital that we understand how students make their choices, and whether any aspects of the current decision-making process could be improved. There is increasing interest in the provision of information, advice and guidance focussing on how students are making choices regarding careers and progression to higher education in the United Kingdom (Diamond et al., 2014). However, to date, the majority of research into qualification choice has been focused instead on choice into Higher Education contexts or choices made about GCSE options, thus leaving a gap in literature surrounding Further Education. Since it is now compulsory for students to be in education to the age of eighteen, it is crucial to ask why research is still invisible on student choice into further education, whereas student choice into higher education has the lion’s share of the research attention (Elliot, 2016). This thesis explored the factors that influence the choices made by students who have decided to study on a Level 3 qualification, and to understand how students may go about making these choices. It has been argued that many students are poorly prepared when it comes to making the choices about the qualifications they study post-16 (Leatherwood, 2015). This study has found this is still true for young people today. A mixed methods approach was used which combined a mixture of surveys and interviews. All the research took place in a single sixth form college. At the heart of the study were the stories that students disclosed of what influenced their own qualification choices. Seventeen semi-structured interviews and fifty questionnaires were used. Five main influences and themes emerged from the research as being central to qualification choice. These were peer influence; career aspirations; parental or family influence; advice from careers advisors; media influences. In addition, an emerging theme was the potential role played by schools in shaping qualification choice. These factors played a significant role in the choice of qualifications for students, to the point where it was effectively a ‘non-choice’ for some of them. One implication from the study is that young people need both good impartial information but they also need good advice and guidance in how to use this information, rather than anything offered being seen as a ‘token gesture’. This research shows that students are making key decisions about future qualifications without seeking professional guidance. Instead, decisions are more likely to be based on hearsay from friends or social media. These decisions can be partially explained by examining the kind of career advice students receive in school: only eighteen per cent of students surveyed said that they received enough information to ‘make an informed decision’ (Palmer, 2016)

Association of physical activity metrics with indicators of cardiovascular function and control in children with and without type 1 diabetes

ObjectiveLittle is known about the role of physical activity accumulation in cardiovascular disease risk for children with type 1 diabetes. Improved insight to identify factors of influence in key health outcomes could be provided by considering the entire physical activity profile.MethodsPulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index and heart rate variability (HRV) were assessed cross‐sectionally in children with (n = 29, 12.1 ± 2.1 years) and without (n = 19, 12.1 ± 2.1 years) type 1 diabetes. Time spent sedentary and in each physical activity intensity, intensity gradient and average acceleration were derived from seven consecutive days of monitoring with wrist‐worn accelerometry. Comparison between groups and influence of physical activity accumulation on cardiovascular metrics were explored with linear mixed models.ResultsDiabetic children demonstrated a higher PWV and a greater volume of light physical activity (p < 0.01), a more negative intensity gradient (p < 0.01), a lower average acceleration and less time in bouted moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA; p < 0.05). Overall, intensity gradient was strongly correlated with average acceleration, MVPA and bouted MVPA (r2 = 0.89, r2 = 0.80, r2 = 0.79, respectively; all p < 0.05), while average acceleration was correlated with MVPA and bouted MVPA (r2 = 0.85, r2 = 0.83, respectively; p < 0.05). Accounting for disease status, intensity gradient and average acceleration were significant predictors of HRV indices (p < 0.05) and PWV (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively).ConclusionOverall, MVPA was most associated with central stiffness, highlighting the importance of meeting activity guidelines. Diabetic children demonstrated poorer cardiovascular health than their counterparts, likely attributable to a lower intensity and physical activity volume, identifying physical activity intensity as a key target for future interventions

An investigation into space weather impacts on UK power station transformers

It is well documented that space weather may impact electricity infrastructure, and several widespread blackouts have been observed in the past few decades and directly linked to the largest geomagnetic storms (e.g. the Hydro Quebec incident in 1989). However, less is known about the impact of lower-level GICs on the health of transformers in the long term. In this study, the long term impact of geomagnetic activity on 13 power station transformers in the UK was investigated. Dissolved gas measurements from 2010-2015 were used to look for evidence of a link between degradation of the transformer insulation and heightened levels of SYM-H and dB/dt as measured at Eskdalemuir magnetometer station. Firstly, case studies were examined of the most significant storms in this time period using dissolved gas analysis (DGA) methods, specifically the Low Energy Degradation Triangle (LEDT). The case studies were then augmented with a statistical survey, including Superposed Epoch Analysis (SEA) of multiple storm events. No evidence of a strong space weather impact can be found during this time period, likely owing to the relatively quiet nature of the Sun during this epoch and the modernity of the transformers studied