STEM Days
Teachers feedback
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Easy to organise, they’re inspiring and fun for everyone taking part. Groups can range from 35 - 60 students (depending on time and available work space). Students work together in small teams on design and make projects to improve their creative thinking and problem solving skills.
For students in the process of choosing Key Stage 4 options, these STEM day activities are especially geared to run as a complement to the National Curriculum in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
We work with teachers to decide on the most suitable project work for your students. The activities are varied and range from designing, testing and marketing various products to learning about rockets, food technology, and bridges.All activities are put into an engineering context by providing a scenario at the start of the design and make part of the STEM Day. Students are then encouraged to write down what they think engineering is and discuss this with their friends before feeding back to the rest of the team.
An appropriate number of teachers are required to supervise students, enabling the LEP fieldworker(s) and our LEP student ambassadors to concentrate on running an inspiring, fun and informative session.
Where possible a Science and Engineering Ambassador can be provided both to support the work on the day and give the students the opportunity to meet an engineer involved in this type of work.
How much time is required?
Half-day (3 hours) and full-day (5 hours) options are available. Times are flexible to suit normal school hours.
How many students can participate?
We work with a range of students in a session, depending on the size of the rooms or space available in school.
What will the students do?
Following introductory sessions to introduce engineering, team building and creativity, students will carry out design and make activities. We offer a range of projects designed to link to or enhance areas of the science and technology syllabus. We will work with you to decide on the most suitable project work for your students. A brief description of the projects we offer is included below.
Where do we use role models?
Where possible we endeavour to support sessions with LEP Student Ambassadors who are students studying Science or Engineering at LSBU or other London universities. They help the LEP team run and organise activities and act as role models. Where possible, we try to ensure that we have both male and female ambassadors assisting during sessions. We also use our Science and Engineering Ambassadors, professionals from STEM industries who act as experts, judge challenges and deliver day in the life presentations or careers talks.
How do STEM days relate to the National Curriculum?
STEM days support the aim of the National Curriculum and schools agenda by linking the curriculum to the wider world demonstrating that whatever is being taught in the classroom has direct relevance within the world of work.
STEM activities can be used to enable schools to help embed personal learning and thinking skills across the curriculum through highlighting opportunities to practice and apply skills.
STEM activities will help schools fulfill the outcomes of the Every Child Matters agenda through:
- Providing opportunities to engage in collaborative problem-solving activities and using discussion to generate creative, practical, cost-effective solutions that are relevant and fit for purpose
- Designing products that contribute positively to the community/environment; analysing, evaluating and communicating their findings
- Learning about the relationship between science, society and the future of the world
- Consideration of ethical and moral issues and global sustainability
The LEP benefits learners by:
- Providing information about future career and Higher Education/Further Education options
- Encouraging personal development including time management, team work, problem solving and social skills
- Promoting creativity and enterprise skills
The LEP benefits schools by:
- Enhancing the curriculum and broadening options
- Assisting with meeting requirements for achieving Specialist status in Engineering, Science, Technology, Business and Enterprise
- Contributing towards enhancing the reputation of the school
The LEP benefits teachers by:
- Providing ideas, projects and skills to transfer to the classroom
- Contributing to a continuing professional development programme
- Providing recognition (both internal and external)
