I am thrilled to announce the winners of our STEM Summer Resource Splash competition! Over the past few months, we've enjoyed reviewing the resources shared by community members. From innovative lesson plans and hands-on activities to practical digital tools and experimental guides, the entries highlighted the creativity and passion our members have for STEM education/teaching. You can see all of the entries here: https://community.stem.org.uk/discussion/competition-stem-summer-resource-splash
Congratulations to all who participated!
Resource: Computer Science and Climate Change
Description of Impact:
This 4-lesson unit on measuring carbon in trees integrates computer science, trigonometry, and climate science to engage students in a hands-on exploration of the climate crisis. Through real-world data collection and analysis, students learn to calculate the amount of carbon stored in trees, connecting mathematics and programming to environmental science. The resource not only facilitates coding for a social good but also encourages discussions around the ethical responsibilities of scientists. One Year 12 student commented, βIf I am able to calculate the amount of carbon and weight of trees, I could use this to set up a climate-friendly timber business,β showcasing the resource's real-world impact and potential.
Prize: Please contact me directly on t.bradbury@stem.org.uk to arrange your visit. FYI the York Christmas Markets and lights kick off on the 14th Nov https://visityork.org/christmas
Resource: A level Chemistry Cranium (plus biology on Mary's request)
Description of Impact:
This A-level chemistry revision game, inspired by the board game Cranium, uses creative and interactive activities to make exam preparation engaging and enjoyable. Students collaborate in small groups to answer questions and move around the board. The game encourages teamwork, fosters meaningful discussions, and helps clarify misconceptions, providing a refreshing alternative to traditional revision methods. Itβs a fun and effective way to reinforce key concepts before study leave.
Prize: STEM Community goody bag featuring a notepad, mug, and more! Please contact me with a delivery address (ideally school for ease of delivery) t.bradbury@stem.org.uk
Resource: A level Computer Science Resources
Description of Impact:
This comprehensive guide to building a basic Python application using PyQt5 and Qt Designer has transformed the learning experience for A Level Computer Science students. Designed to support the OCR coursework component, it covers essential programming concepts like object-oriented programming, SQL integration, and defensive programming, along with seven step-by-step projects. The guide has enabled students to become independent learners, confidently tackling complex problems and developing practical coding skills. Teachers have reported improved engagement, with students working autonomously and achieving coding proficiency beyond expectations. It serves as a valuable resource for schools and colleges looking to implement Python in their curriculum or as a reference for cover lessons led by non-specialists.
Prize: STEM Community goody bag featuring a notepad, mug, and more! Please contact me with a delivery address (ideally school for ease of delivery) t.bradbury@stem.org.uk
Resource: Google slides of nearly 100 ideas for teaching magnetism and electromagnetism from KS3 through to A-Level
Description of Impact:
This Google Slides pack offers a curated collection of teaching ideas for magnetism and electromagnetism, designed for various key stages and activity types. With clear visual cues indicating age appropriateness and implementation difficulty, it serves as a quick reference for educators looking to diversify their lesson plans. The resource has enhanced the contributorβs own teaching and has been widely shared among the teaching community, benefiting both experienced teachers seeking fresh ideas and those in need of additional support. It continues to evolve as new activities are added, making it a dynamic tool for STEM educators.
This resource resonated the most with our community members, gathering the highest number of votes! It is a testament to how collaboration and shared knowledge can create meaningful change. As a token of appreciation, they will receive a STEM Community notepad and mug. Please contact me with a delivery address (ideally school for ease of delivery) t.bradbury@stem.org.uk
π A Big Thank You to Our Community π
Thanks to everyone who participated, voted, and supported the competition. We look forward to seeing even more great ideas and resources in the future!
Stay tuned for our next community competition!!!
#STEMResourceSplash #STEMCommunity