'Driving Success through STEM' conference - East Midlands
Regional STEM event - East Midlands
9 November 2010, in partnership with Rolls-Royce
Senior leaders from schools and colleges across the East 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
Welcome and introduction Jenifer Burden, Director, National STEM Centre
Head to Head - Practical experiences of a STEM focus Rachel Skelton, Assistant Principal, Shirebrook Academy Jim Mutton, Principal, Loughborough College
Engaging with STEM Careers Jenifer Burden, Director, National STEM Centre
What are participants' priorities for STEM?
More investment in the "STEM brand" is needed across school, in order to find those 'vibrant' exponents to get it moving across all areas
Staff CPD is not high on the agenda, and for all the talk of learner engagement, there is often actually a real need for staff engagement in some sectors. 'Some of the fires have gone out and they need to be re-lit, but this of course takes time and money'; having valuable resource 'removed' is not always feasible
Need to make better use of STEM ambassadors, to link with a range of activities and to offer career advice and inspiration
What key messages from the event do particpants view as most important?
The importance of STEM subjects to the future prospects for the country's economy
That 'practical and engaging' does not always equal achievement. It is important to be mindful that making learning fun and engaging can lead to greater participation but we must ensure that the learners achieve at the required level and standard
Key communication and cross-collaboration between the STEM subjects is paramount
STEM subjects are innately creative - important to 'ignite the fires of enthusiasm and open minds, raise aspirations and address gender stereotyping
The importance of staff CPD and training - ensuring staff are up to speed with the current issues in STEM subjects
How can schools and colleges best inform students about STEM-related careers and progression routes?
Get out internal IAG working with STEM - advice and guidance via college or Connexions is all too often 'blinkered' and the numerous paths available are not always highlighted or explored
Direct links with employers through projects, diplomas, CKF and so on
The importance of using peers and specialists - i.e. STEM leaders, local university students, positive role models, STEM Ambassadors, informed careers advisers, external speakers etc.
Real practitioners, high quality 'tasters' e.g. at college / university and through high quality IAG materials