Better progress?

My mood has been somewhat improved by the sunnier disposition of the weather, and by a positive development since my last post.
My query about the missing £50 has now been dealt with swiftly and efficiently by the replacement to the lady I was originally in contact with. Many thanks to Georgina, the new 'lovely lady', who has not only sorted out my payment, but has also assured me that she will be in touch later in the summer to call upon my science lesson plan writing services again.
The website issues still remain, but on the up-side, I have a whole summer work-free to teach myself web design and HTML!

Slow Progress....

OK, so I knew that there would be ups and downs with the whole freelance idea. However, after a brief spurt of activity, much optimism, and a feeling of finally moving forward at something of a pace, things seem to have ground to a halt!
I'm not one to be easily beaten, so I won't let these minor problems hinder me in the long term, but there are a few aspects of my freelancing adventure which I feel are worthy of mention at this juncture...

• I am still awaiting any form of payment from one of the schools I have been working at since February (on the up side, I am now due 4 pay cheques at least as a combined lump sum..... sometime.... soon???...).
• I have not been paid the promised £50 for one of my freelance writing jobs within the stated 21 working days, and on calling the company concerned was told that the person I had been dealing with no longer worked there.
• The website I was so excited about is still nowhere near being in a state which can be used to advertise Dr D's as a professional business.
• The summer holidays are rapidly approaching, at which point, all employment within schools and colleges vanishes for six weeks.

My intention with 'Wandering Scientist' was to share the successes and failures of my freelancing adventure, and the past few weeks seem to have been on somewhat of a down-turn, but I hope that others will take note of my cautionary tales, and learn from my experiences - the morals of my stories being: 

• GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING! 
• FOLLOW UP ON ALL LATE INVOICES!
• Plan for holiday time so that you have the funds available to enjoy the down-time!

Happy science-ing!

Exciting Times!!

Well, it's been a busy couple of weeks!
My market research was incredibly helpful, with a lot of positive feedback, and a few real gems of information as to what schools in different areas and circumstances want and need. Many, many thanks to the Head Teachers and Science Co-ordinators involved!
The upshot of this, is that we are 'good to go' with marketing my freelance science activity days as a bona-fide business. As a result, the Dr D's website is now under construction, and should go live within the next few days..... Further info to follow!

Back to the Grind Stone....

Well, much as I hate to say "I told me so", my worst fears were confirmed today. I arrived early for my class to check the practical equipment, only to discover that (obviously!) most of it was missing. The class were, needless to say, not best pleased. Time is short before the end of the academic year, and I totally understand the fact the they were more than a little p***ed off! We should have been investigating the action of amylase on starch under different temperature conditions, but had no amylase. I briefly considered getting them to 'gob' into their test tubes, but modern Health and Safety regulations would have considered that a massive no-no! There must be no bodily fluids involved EVER!!!!
On the up side, my sheep skull  had its first outing today, and went down a storm in the AS-level Human Biology lesson about the origins of farming. One of my students has named it 'Jorvic', but the more well-read among the group were going for Yorick. I was very impressed when one of them actually quoted "I knew him, Horatio" rather than the bandied about "I knew him well" version. Who says that scientists can't appreciate literature!?
Anyway, my writing mojo has returned after the Easter break, and I have another 2 articles available on Suite 101, and tomorrow I have my first meeting with a prospective customer!
This is going to be a good week folks!!

Easter break coming to an end...

Well, the Easter break was less productive than I'd hoped, but my commissioned lesson plan was accepted without the need for any revisions, and  I have sent an invoice for my fee.
I'm a little apprehensive about going back to work on Tuesday, as I have to deliver a practical lesson, which somebody else has organised, and ordered the equipment for, but appears to have considered it unnecessary to actually e-mail me to let me know the specifics of what I'm meant to be teaching! Oh well, I'll get there early in the hopes of at least a bit of a heads-up, and then just wing it!
I also have an appointment next week for a MARKETING OPPORTUNITY!!!! Oh, yes, things are looking up on the Dr D's Science Days front. Fingers crossed that the feedback is at least slightly positive.... I'll keep you posted!

The Writing Frenzy Continues...

Well, I have written and sent off my first commissioned piece of work. Hopefully it will be good enough for them to pay me. Personally, I think it's a work of genius, but I suppose the client is always right? How wrong could I be though, with a lesson plan that includes making monsters.... That has to be cool (for the kids definitely, but the intention is that they learn by accident, so the teachers should be happy too!).
I've also been busy writing another article about one of my favourite series of books: The Darwin Awards. Please check out the links within the article. This series, and the website, are fantastic! For teaching evolution, you cannot get more relevant than this!

More Writing than Science-ing during the Easter Break

Besides having had a busy few weeks on the teaching front, I have been trying to pick up the pace with my writing, and am hoping to get a lot more done over the next 2 weeks while the schools and colleges are closed for Easter break.
One brilliant piece of good fortune on the writing front is that my article providing a plenary idea has attracted some attention, which has led to the offer of some bona-fide paid writing work. I've just done the first draft and, as usual, will be re-reading my efforts tomorrow to check that I haven't included any clangers!
The marketing plan is slow going! I have two appointments with schools booked in, but neither could spare me any time before the holidays. Why do teachers have to be so busy all the time?? (Don't answer that.... I know... I've been there!)