All About STEM EVENTS

The workshops aim is to assist schools to start and sustain STEM subject clubs through their first 18 months. Providing valuable information that will support and guide club leaders.

The workshop is open to secondary schools, Sixth Form and FE colleges across England with KS3, KS4 and KS5 provision.

The workshop includes practical activities, opportunities to network and the sharing of best practice. The workshop explores the following topics:

-defining what a STEM Club is and what makes it successful and thriving

-how to gain support from senior leadership, colleagues and other departments

-scrutinising the benefits and impact of clubs, how they enrich the curriculum and enhance student learning

-how to maximise club leaders skill sets and support best practice in the classroom

-where to find support: STEM Ambassadors, parents, colleagues, older students, local industry etc

-where to look for funding and resources and how to ask

-planning your club, needs analysis and methodology; how long, how often, when and where, which age group, how many students etc

-how to advertise and market the club to students and colleagues

-exploring ideas for first activities and longer term projects

-top tips on how to reward students and maintain attendance

-stretching student capabilities, promoting essential skills and knowledge of potential careers

-monitoring success and gathering evidence

Club leaders will gain inspiration, ideas and practical tips for developing their club, as well as an understanding of the importance of STEM Clubs and an appreciation of the vital role the STEM Club leader has in supporting and enthusing students.

The workshop is open to secondary schools, Sixth Form and FE colleges across England with KS3, KS4 and KS5 provision.

The workshop includes practical activities, opportunities to network and the sharing of best practice. The workshop explores the following topics:

-consider the definition of  a ‘Thriving and Successful’ club and the STEM Clubs criteria

-how to maintain interest with senior leadership, parents, local industry, community, students and how club leader skills can translate into the classroom

-promoting best practice through support networks and collaboration

-how to enhance student engagement by creating opportunities for responsibility and looking at ways to enhance essential skills and raise careers awareness

-understanding the benefits of impact, student evaluation and recognition schemes and how to gather evidence

-identifying challenges, competitions, projects and activities that engage student interest and how to plan activities, adapt projects and avoid potential pitfalls

-adding extra benefit through trips and visitors

-identifying funding sources and grants available nationally, regionally and locally; and exploring how to apply for grants and understand what information organisations are seeking

-generating opportunities, ideas or projects that could produce funding

-seeking materials and resources and how to approach local companies

The workshop will promote opportunities for club leaders to learn how to incorporate and enhance careers knowledge and build skills for students within club sessions. Club leaders will become confident in their understanding and use of STEM Ambassadors, Science Capital, Gatsby Careers Benchmarks, Essential Skills and the Skills Builder Framework. The workshop is open to secondary schools, Sixth Form and FE colleges across England with KS3, KS4 and KS5 provision.

Designed as a 2.5 hour session, the workshop includes hands on practical activities, opportunities to network and explores the following topics:

– understanding the value that thriving and successful clubs bring to a school

– current club practice to promote careers, employability and essential skills

– why essential employability skills are important and the role clubs can play

– reviewing the Science Capital approach and how it can be used to raise student awareness of skills and careers knowledge

– identifying essential skills and the methodology of the Skills Builder Framework

– understanding the role and value of STEM Ambassadors and STEM Ambassador Hubs and how to engage with STEM Ambassadors

– reviewing the Gatsby Career Benchmarks and how STEM Clubs can assist in addressing the skills shortage

– embedding Careers and Essential Skills in club activities and projects to maximise value with short, medium and long term goals

– how clubs can reward and add value to students demonstrating excellence in skill sets

– what additional support is available, websites, organisations, STEM Clubs resources