Improving Young People's Engagement with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
This paper, published to coincide with Science and Engineering Week 2013, presents evidence from research carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) to explore how to encourage further engagement in, and take-up of, STEM subjects. It discusses why STEM education is important and looks at how policymakers,…
Supporting Scotland's STEM Education and Culture: Second Report
This report, published by the Science and Engineering Education Advisory Group in January 2012, addresses many of the challenges and opportunities arising in implementation of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) as it affects the delivery of STEM education and engagement. It examines the ways in which STEM education may…
Second Report of the Independent Review of Teachers' Standards
This report sets out the recommendations of an independent Review of Teachers’ Standards, chaired by Sally Coates. The review was launched by the Secretary of State in March 2011 with a remit to review the existing framework of professional standards for teachers. The Review Group comprises excellent teachers, head teachers…
Ready to Grow: Business Priorities for Education and Skills
This is the third education and skills survey published by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The survey provides an authoritative barometer of business opinion on key education and skills issues. It was conducted in February 2010, with responses received from 694 employers, collectively employing over 2.4 million people,…
STEM Careers Review 2010
This review of STEM careers, led by John Holman, was funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation in February 2010. The review covered provision of STEM careers education, information, advice and guidance in England. The report focused on secondary and further education, but recommended the need to commence careers related work from…
Global Grant-Making: a Review of UK Foundations' Funding for International Development
This report published by the Nuffield Foundation in January 2012 provides an up-to-date picture of the scale of UK foundation resources devoted to international development. It also identifies how these resources are distributed across region and need, and how foundations approach international funding activities. Commissioned…
Evaluation of the Wellcome Trust Camden STEM Initiative
This report, published in March 2012 by the National Foundation for Educational Research, presents the findings of an evaluation of the Wellcome Trust’s Camden Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Initiative which provided funding to eight Camden schools to develop interdisciplinary projects. Projects…
Subject Choice In STEM: Factors Influencing Young People (Aged 14-19) in Education
The Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Coordinating Centre (EPPICentre) was commissioned by the Wellcome Trust to undertake this systematic review of research about subject choice. The main aim of the review was to examine the factors that influence the STEM subject choices of young people (14-19 years) in education…
Hunting and Gathering for Ideas
This resource describes an outdoor activity which can be used to introduce students to the concept of biomimicry. Janine Benyus, founder of the Biomimicry 3.8 Institute, explains how systematically observing nature and then emulating it can lead to innovative and sustainable technologies and designs. She describes how to conduct…
Shelter for the World
This resource pack introduces the concepts of shelter and shelter deprivation around the world to students in Key Stage Two. It highlights the challenges people face in their daily lives when their homes do not provide adequate shelter. It linked to the curriculum areas of design and technology, geography and PSHE and promotes thinking…
Mechanisms: Robot Building
From the Centre for Science Education, the RA3 project aims to bring parents together with their children and teachers to explore the worlds of science and technology. These activities use 'mechanical kangaroo' or 'mechanical horse' model robot kits. These kits allow children and parents to explore mechanisms…
Construction - Build It!
From the Centre for Science Education, the RA3 project aims to bring parents together with their children and teachers to explore the worlds of science and technology. The aim of this activity is to help children and parents think about the area they live in and how it could be improved. They work together to design and make new…
Green Fairgrounds
The RA3 project, provided by the Centre for Science Education, aims to bring parents together with their children and teachers to explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering and maths. This investigation helps to develop an awareness of green power by designing and making a new fairground ride which is self-powered.…
Aviation Development
Produced by Innovate Educate and Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, these materials allow primary children to consider the science and technology behind the development of flying machines. This encourages the investigation of forces and movement as well as looking at how products can be evaluated. There are five activities and each…
Aircraft Structures
Produced by Innovate Educate and Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, these materials allow students to investigate forces, motion and the use of resistant materials to make structures. There are four activities which can be used in sequence or individually. Helium balloons and lift Students look at the development of flying machines…
Google in Education: a New and Open World for Learning
Produced by Google, this document looks at the company's involvement in supporting education. It illustrates the range of Google's education activities and resources. It also aims to illustrate how Google tools can support learning in a range of curriculum areas including science, technology, engineering and mathematics…
Taste (Key Stage Two)
From the Chilled Food Association, this resource helps children to think about how they taste food and find out about the work of a taste scientist. The materials are aimed at STEM ambassadors or company personnel giving a talk in a primary school. However, they can be adapted for use by teachers in the classroom. The materials…
New Product Development (Key Stage Two)
From the Chilled Food Association, this resource helps children to think about the development of a new food product. The materials are aimed at STEM ambassadors but they can readily be adapted for use by teachers in the classroom. The materials consist of a lesson plan, stimulus materials and suggested activities. These activities…
Food Hygiene (Key Stage Two)
From the Chilled Food Association, this resource helps children to think about hygiene and in particular the importance of washing hands. The materials are aimed at STEM ambassadors but are readily adapted for use by teachers in the classroom. The materials consist of a lesson plan, stimulus materials and suggested activities.…
Spaceflight History: Early Space Suits
Produced by FootageVault, using original NASA video, these clips show developments in early space suit design. The clips show how suits were tested for mobility and shows details of the joints that needed to be both flexible and airtight. They can be used to illustrate how engineers tackled the problems of making a space suit…
Building Bonanza
From the Science Museum, this interactive game is a good way to engage students in thinking about the materials, and other factors, needed to make a more sustainable house of the future. Students are given choices over things such as building materials, heating, lighting, construction and insulation. This gives students an opportunity…
5/5- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Interactive resource
100 Small Things to Make a Difference
This brightly illustrated poster, from Practical Action, encourages students to think carefully about the effects of waste on the environment. It gives lots of ideas for ways to reduce the harmful effects of waste, showing that everyone can make a difference, and includes links to useful websites. It separates the issue into the…
Future Morph Careers Quest
Future Morph Careers Quest was developed for students attending one of the the Big Bang science fairs. In the activity, students question exhibitors about aspects of their work and how they had chosen their particular career. Whilst developed for a an exhibition context, the resources can suggest questions for students to consider…
STEM Fairs: Guidance and Tools
These guidance resources are provided by the British Science Association, with support from Intel Education. They give guidance that includes both attending a STEM fair and running an event. There are three sections: Getting started • Comparing festivals - a checklist to help identify potential fairs for students to visit. •…
STEM Fairs: Introduction
These materials are provided by the British Science Association and supported by Intel. They aim to give an overview of the types of activities that happen at STEM fairs. The guide is useful in preparing students when visiting a fair. It also covers some of the key points to consider when organising, hosting or exhibiting at a STEM…
Squashed Tomato Challenge
This Practical Action resource presents a fun hands-on and brains-on challenge for Key Stages Two to Five. The problem: In Nepal many farmers living on the mountainside grow fruit and vegetables, including tomatoes. To earn a living they need to sell these at the local market. The problem is getting to market involves a long,…
- 3/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Activity sheet
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Activity Case Study 7: Caron Malone
This STEMNET activity case study describes the many activities that STEM Ambassador Caron Malone has been involved with. These include designing and making 'intelligent clothing' with primary school children, a Smart Energy workshop and careers day talks. Caron is particularly keen to involve more girls in STEM careers. Caron…
Wider Implications of Shopping
Produced by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) this activity aims to encourage students to consider the wider environmental, social and economic implications of shopping. It can be conducted in small groups as an introduction to sustainability.
Cool Creations: Design a Tower
This practical resource from BP Educational Service provides an opportunity for children at Key Stage Two to learn about science through a design and technology project. Students have to design a tower, aiming to make the tallest tower they can from a sheet of A4 paper. They are given an introductory slideshow to start the project…
Investigating the Hardness of Materials
This activity, from BLOODHOUND SCC, allows students to explore ways to measure the hardness of surfaces. It can lead on to further discussion such as considering the influence of surfaces in sports like tennis, rugby and netball. The activity is useful for developing investigative and measurement skills and representing data graphically…
Balloon Powered Car
An interactive activity from BLOODHOUND SCC in which students build their own balloon-powered car and then explore ways to make it go faster and further. Building a balloon-powered rocket car provides opportunities for investigation, team work and developing design skills. As well as focusing on science and technology, the activity…
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Experiment
Chatterboxes
BLOODHOUND SSC chatterboxes are an innovative resource that will inspire and motivate science teaching and learning in the classroom. They are an excellent way to raise standards throughout Key Stage Two and impact on students' attainments. In this fun and interactive activity, students cut and fold paper to make the chatterbox.…
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