STEM Knowledge Networks


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DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MONDAY 10 JANUARY

The National STEM Centre, in partnership with the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), is keen to encourage teachers of mathematics in schools and colleges to form STEM Knowledge Networks (STEM KNs).

Funding of up to £2,000 may be available to support the development of a network. Please note that this funding is only available to maintained schools and colleges in England.

STEM Knowledge Networks must:

  • have a specific area of interest;
  • have an underlying focus on sharing STEM curriculum knowledge and pedagogy;
  • involve reflection on teachers' professional practice during the lifetime of the project;
  • involve colleagues from across STEM subject areas.

The network may be within a single school, college or other training provider institution or be drawn from several establishments. STEM Knowledge Networks will be supported through regular contact with the National STEM Centre and the Regional Coordinator for the NCETM.

Themes

The National STEM Centre and the NCETM have identified a list of focus areas for STEM KNs to help you identify an appropriate project for your school or college:

  • 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 different experiences of learners in different STEM subjects
  • exploring the STEM experiences of learners at primary and secondary level
  • exploring the role of specific mathematics skills (e.g. algebra, data handling) in Science, Technology and Engineering
  • the use of the National STEM Centre resource collections to support collaborative STEM teaching and learning
  • using ICT to encourage collaboration between STEM subjects
  • exploring the impact of STEM events/clubs on teachers' practice in the classroom

What does applying for funding involve?

Schools and colleges setting up a STEM KN may be eligible to apply for funding of up to £2,000.

If you apply for funding you must be prepared, collectively, to do the following:

  • engage in practitioner research or teacher enquiry into one of the key topic areas;
  • commit to a programme of activity over a period of at least one term;
  • use a structured approach to group activity within your network;
  • submit a report of your activity;
  • be willing to send at least one member of the network to a dissemination event and actively engage in other opportunities to share your experiences;
  • share your report and any resources developed during the project online through the National STEM Centre eLibrary and the NCETM portal.

Please note that no more than 20% of the funding should be spent on resources.

Applying for funding

Please apply using the form on the left (click 'open' when prompted to do so) by Monday 10th January to l.showan@nationalstemcentre.org.uk.

For more information about the STEM Knowledge Networks please contact l.showan@nationalstemcentre.org.uk, you can also find more information in the guidance document on the left-hand side of this page.



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