Enhancement and enrichment

Bringing real world context and applications of STEM into schools and colleges

'Extra-curricular activities can play an important role in enthusing young people and demonstrating the exciting opportunities that studying science can open up.'

(Lord Sainsbury in Race to the top 'A Review of Government's Science and Innovation Policies, October 2007)

British Science Association, Engineering UK and the Royal Academy of Engineering, are lead organisations in the enhancement and enrichment of STEM. Together with STEMNET, these Lead Organisations work with a large number of other providers to ensure that all schools and colleges have better access to information on the activities available to them, and how these activities may benefit their students.

Enhancing and enriching the teaching of science across the curriculum
National lead organisation: British Science Association

The British Science Association seeks to enable people from all walks of life to access science, engage with it and feel a sense of ownership about its direction. They do this by connecting science with people: promoting openness about science in society and affirming science as a prime cultural force through engaging and inspiring adults and young people directly with science and technology, and their implications.

Contact: Roland Jackson
Chief Executive
www.britishscienceassociation.org

Enhancing and enriching the teaching of T&E across the curriculum
National lead organisation: EngineeringUK

An independent, not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to promote the vital contribution that engineers, and engineering and technology, make to our society. EngineeringUK also aims to inspire people at all levels to pursue careers in engineering and technology. Two of their flagship projects are Tomorrow's Engineers and The Big Bang Fair.

Tomorrow's Engineers - provides funding, communications, evaluation and administrative support to organisations to help deliver high-quality extra-curricular engineering activities, training and careers information to targeted schools and communities across the UK.
The Big Bang Fair - Launched in 2009, The Big Bang: UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair is the UK’s biggest single celebration of science and engineering for young people and aims to celebrate and inspire them.

Contact: Paul Jackson, Chief Executive
www.engineeringuk.com

STEM Directories

STEM Enhancement & Enrichment helps teachers and lecturers add another dimension to teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Supportive schemes and activities available to schools and colleges include: professionals from business or industry with a science or engineering background who will work with students in school; STEM Clubs; careers events; STEM Challenge days; students working on STEM projects in or beyond the classroom; employer visits; students earning recognition awards.

The STEM Directories provides schools, colleges, employers and others interested in supporting STEM with an online listing of E&E activities. Each activity entry includes curriculum links, to help teachers and lecturers ensure that the impact of an E&E experience can be sustained.

"These STEM Directories are absolutely brilliant. I've read them all cover to cover- it's amazing how much information about activities and events there is."

STEMNET

STEMNET supports schools and colleges in selecting appropriate STEM E&E with free of charge advice through its regional and local networks. To find your local contact visit the STEMNET website.

STEMNET can also help by providing support on STEM Clubs and STEM Ambassadors - professionals working in STEM fields who are willing to support you and your students free of charge. For more information visit:

"Year Nine did CREST Megastar for the first time last year. I wanted them to do this to try to improve their practical skills. Nine out of the fifteen pupils improved by one sub level of progress in their practical skills. We entered the year 11s for a bronze award in the summer term. Eleven out of fourteen from this group showed progress of one sub level. For both year groups their practical & investigative skills would not be anywhere near this if it wasn't for working on this award. The CREST award actually fits well with the Government's PLTS."

[Teacher, Barbara Priestman Special School and Technology College]

"The Ambassador who visited our after-school Science & Engineering Club worked in the water treatment industry. He made our pupils understand that there is a huge range of possible careers within engineering and that bridge-building is not the only thing engineers do!"

[Teacher, Coloma Catholic High School for Girls]

"STEM Enhancement & Enrichment really has made a difference in our school. We now love getting involved in STEM activities, as it really does bring the curriculum alive in a very different and complementary way to our classroom teaching. The STEM Club that we have also now established at the school gives opportunities to many more of our girls who would not normally get involved in these subjects. The enrichment activities and the clubs certainly have raised the profile of the STEM subjects across the school, and I believe, have influenced many of the girls? subject choices and perceptions about their future careers in a very positive way."

[Andy Day, Science Teacher, Manchester Creative and Media Academy]