'Driving Success through STEM' conference - West Midlands
Regional STEM event - West Midlands
24 March 2011, in partnership with Jaguar Land Rover
Senior leaders from schools and colleges across the West Midlands participated in this event, where presentations and workshops facilitated by local speakers stimulated discussion throughout the afternoon. This page provides the presentations, together with a summary of participants' feedback on priorities from their school or college regarding STEM, and the key messages they were taking away from the event.
Available presentations may be downloaded from the bottom of this page.
Presentations and workshops
Why STEM? Jenifer Burden, Director, National STEM Centre
Employer's viewpoint Jo Lopes, Jaguar Land Rover Head of Technical Excellence
Head to head Claire Evans, Headteacher, Wednesfield High School Specialist Engineering College Wendy Stevens, Assistant Principal, Birmingham Metropolitan College
Professional Development in STEM Education - Making a Difference Jo Flynn, Director, Science Learning Centre West Midlands
Supporting teaching & learning though subject-specific professional development for all teachers of Mathematics Tim Stirrup, Director for Communications, NCETM
Engaging with STEM Careers Jenifer Burden, Director, National STEM Centre
What are participants' priorities for STEM?
Get a STEM careers office / virtual office / resource for pupils; once STEM is up and running, link to another successful local STEM school
More student interaction of STEM activities as well as continuing to raise attainment in STEM subjects and raise the profile of STEM across the school
Making more links with local industry / companies, combined with an increased use of STEM Ambassadors to open pupils' eyes to STEM as a career
CPD for staff - increase their awareness and knowledge of local and national STEM support
What key messages from the event do particpants view as most important?
That pupils need to be exposed to STEM steadily and regularly
The importance of working collaboratively with other departments
The demand for STEM graduates, and degree spaces and the potential benefits of STEM as a future career
Use of STEM enrichment activities / organisations - e.g. STEM Ambassadors, National STEM Centre etc.
How can schools and colleges best inform students about STEM-related careers and progression routes?
Embed STEM within lessons and improve links with industries and ambassadors
Providing information to parents, as well as feeding down to students through teaching - two-pronged approach
Enrichment activities - e.g. STEM Ambassadors, local speakers, STEM fairs, STEM clubs, interviews with science professionals, tying in to regional / national STEM events
Engagement with practical projects in partnership with local businesses