STEM Knowledge Network pilot (West Midlands)

The National STEM Centre, in partnership with the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), is keen to support teachers of mathematics in schools and colleges who wish to form STEM Knowledge Networks (STEM KNs). These networks or communities of professional learning can be within a single school, college or other training provider institution, or be drawn from several establishments.

A limited amount of funding is currently available to support the establishment of a pilot STEM Knowledge Network in the West Midlands.

STEM KNs must have a specific area of interest, with an underlying focus on STEM curriculum knowledge, and involve colleagues from across STEM subject areas.

'STEM curriculum knowledge' may have three dimensions:

  • Sharing subject content knowledge between teaching colleagues in STEM curriculum
    areas
  • Developing curriculum activities that effectively teach knowledge and understanding from two or more STEM subject areas
  • Embedding subject knowledge and pedagogy in practice

Themes

The National STEM Centre and the NCETM have identified a list of proposed titles and focused areas of engagement for STEM KNs as starting points:

  • Coordinating the teaching of common content areas in the STEM curriculum across a year group/key stage
  • Embedding links to STEM career opportunities within schemes of work for STEM subjects
  • Exploring the experiences of learners in different STEM subjects
  • Exploring the STEM experiences of learners at primary and secondary level
  • Exploring the role of algebra in Science, Technology and Engineering
  • Supporting gifted and talented learners in STEM subjects
  • The use of the National STEM Centre resource collections to support STEM teaching and learning
  • Exploring the impact of STEM events/clubs on teachers' practice in the classroom

The STEM Knowledge Networks are being piloted in the West Midlands from April 2010.

Please apply using attached form by Friday 26th March to enquiries@nationalstemcentre.org.uk



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