Members' Blogs

Have you opened the windows on your STEM Community advent calendars yet!? If not don't worry, we know it's been a very busy time - remember you can still go back and open windows from December 1st onwards! We've got primary and secondary calendars for you - and some of the fantastic highlights hiding behind the primary windows so far include a 20% discount on one of our CPD courses, an Explorify Christmas competition and much more. Right up until Christmas Eve, there will be a new window for you to open every day. As long as you promise not to tell anyone, we can give you a sneak peek...keep an eye out for more course discount codes, competitions and free fun ...
@Ellie Caple and @Rebekah Edwards are evidence advocates at Tudor Grange Research School - this article originally appeared h ere . We live in a world where scientific literacy has never been more important: a social media rich world, awash with fake news and unsubstantiated opinions. Being able to access scientific literature, critically evaluate scientific concepts and form reasoned opinions is not an aspiration for our young people; it is a basic requirement for flourishing lives. How else would they be able to make an informed decision about, say, whether to have a vaccination? This journey begins in primary school, and the EEF’s new Primary Science ...
Now is the perfect time for you to liven up your damp, dreary commute by listening to our STEM Insights Podcast! The latest episode is a really topical one featuring a fascinating discussion on the EEF's recent guidance report into improving primary science . In the episode, our primary science lead Tanya Shields is joined by two special guests from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) - Katie Luxton and Grace Coker - to discuss the report and how teachers can use its recommendations to make a real impact in the classroom. This one is Episode 4 of Series 2 - and we've got loads of episodes to catch up on featuring senior leaders chatting about all ...
Good morning! Thank you to everyone who took part in our annual STEM Community members survey. I'm pleased to say the results have shot up this year with extremely positive feedback about the new design and changes to the way digest emails work. Thanks also for loads of really constructive feedback on other ways we could improve the community to make your experience as good as we can. I will be working over the coming months on a 'You said, we did' campaign to make sure your views and ideas are incoroprated into the platform wherever possible (there are some actual platform restrictions which I cannot alter). Once again, from everyone at STEM Community Towers, ...
The ERA Foundation has opened 2024 David Clark Prize nominations. The prize recognises exceptional STEM educators in the UK who have gone above and beyond to inspire students to pursue engineering careers. This year, two David Clark Prizes will be awarded: one prize to a primary school teacher and one to a secondary school, college or UTC teacher. Winners will receive a £3,000 personal award and £12,000 for their school to promote engineering over the next three years. The educator will provide input on utilising these school funds. The prize assesses vision for their student’s education, creativity in engaging students, and success in ...
Science has been a designated core subject in the national curriculum alongside Mathematics and English since the Education Reform Act of 1988. As such, science education remains absolutely vital for all young people. There’s a general consensus that good science education involves pupils learning a body of knowledge relating to the products and practices of science. By learning about the products of science (such as atoms, electrons and cells) pupils are able to explain the material world and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about the world around them. Within science, pupils learn how scientific knowledge becomes established through scientific ...
Teachers and Year 12 students are invited to enter the exciting new competition: "From Curiosity to Cosmos: What Lights Up Your Love of Physics?". Encourage your students, in teams of up to three, to unleash their creativity and showcase "What Lights Up Their Love of Physics“, through a 3-minute video entry. Engage your students with topics that spark their curiosity, from exploring Net Zero solutions to the dynamic physics behind gaming, saving lives through medical imaging, and the future of space exploration. There are amazing prizes to be won! The top 10 finalist teams will be invited for an overnight visit at Merton College, Oxford, where the ...
The snow has arrived and its a very clear crisp morning here at STEM Community HQ, the perfect time to launch our STEM Community advent calendar and annual chemist-tree and foraged wreath competition! Advent Calendars are back and the jokes are even worse!!! Each year since launch we have run a STEM Community adent calendar and this year is no exception. This year the gifts behind the doors are bigger and better than ever before! We have discount codes for courses, we have free access to training sessions, resources and free access to revision platforms and more. Each day we will open another door for you to explore what's on offer. (Yes there ...
We welcome the publication of the EEF’s long-awaited report on Improving Primary Science. Science is a core subject, alongside English and Math ematic s – although in my opinion it doesn’t enjoy the same focus in most settings. Until now, primary practitioners hav e only been able to refer to secondary guidance, which is based on secondary research and h as limited transferability to the primary se tting. Having a document that focuses on good primary science and how it can be achieved can only be a good thing . As with all EEF guides, the report is evidence based, easy to read and comes ...
This weekend saw outstanding educators honoured in a glittering ceremony at the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards. A huge congratulations to the Award winners and nominees - and a big shout out to these Community members who picked up Awards at the event!! @Kate Harrison from Fishtoft Academy, Silver Winner, Teacher of the Year in a Primary School @Melanie Hall from Chase High School, Silver Winner, Digital Innovator of the Year @Aine MCGREEGHAN from South Eastern Regional College, Silver Winner, FE Lecturer of the Year Well done guys! Find out everything about the event - which is known as the 'teaching Oscars' - here. Entries are ...

BioArtAttack 3D 2023

Get creative and submit an entry into the BioArtAttack 3D 2023 competition! Your entry could be any type of 3D artwork from models to sculptures, even massive BioArtAttack 3D designs taking inspiration from the smallest or the largest parts of the living world. Submit a photograph of your 3D BioArtAttack online and visit the Royal Society of Biology's website for further information. The deadline for entries is 16 th January 2024 .
Do you know an amazing school biology teacher who deserves an award? Students and students’ parents or guardians, and schools’ governors, science technicians, or members of their management team can now suggest a teacher for the Royal Society of Biology’s School Biology Teacher of the Year Award. Visit the Royal Society of Biology’s website for further information. Teachers in the UK can also contact Dr Amanda Hardy to discuss ideas or to suggest a teacher to nominate themselves or a colleague by 24 th January 2024 .
In September 2023, the Mathematical Futures Board of The Royal Society’s Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME) launched ‘A new approach to mathematics and data education’ - a discussion paper that makes the case for a new approach to mathematical education. The paper suggested that current mathematics education should be replaced by Mathematics and Data Education (MDE) that will 'equip future citizens with the capabilities, skills, adaptability, and resilience they need to thrive in a world where mathematics and data play increasingly important roles in everyone’s lives’. Here are the ...
Are you keen to find out what STEM Learning does? If so, our 2023-2024 Impact Report is the perfect quick guide to our news, achievements and plans... read it here! After a foreword from our Chief Executive Séverine Trouillet outlining how far we've come and the challenges remaining, you'll read all about how the collaborations with our amazing partners make such a difference to young people's education in the UK. You'll be able to review our impact at a national and local level, check out our individual impact too, view key statistics and find out how your business can join us to deliver even more impact - and boost your employees and business too. The ...
The digital sector is one of the most important and diverse sectors in the UK, contributing to the economy, society, and innovation. However, it also faces significant challenges such as the skills gap, the demand for new technologies and the impact of the pandemic. Earlier this year we wrote about the impact of the digital skills gap and how STEM Learning are supporting teachers and young people to improve their computing and digital skills, particularly through the work of the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). A recent report by NCFE , an educational charity and awarding organisation, provides some valuable insights and recommendations ...
The Big Bang Competition is open for entries! Inspire students to work together, problem solve and get creative with science, engineering and technology. New for this year, celebrate your students’ inner innovator with brand-new technology prizes, supported by Siemens. Entries will close on 27 March at 5pm so you’ve got plenty of time to start a project! Find out more about The Competition and how to enter online. Unleash their inner innovator Know the next space explorer or climate change hero? Have your students got an idea that will transform people’s lives? Young people can explore any topic in the field ...
Does all practical work need to have a real-life context? With all the logistical and safety considerations around practical work, it is all too easy for our goal as a teacher to focus solely on all students completing the practical and clearing up by the end of the lesson. Time spent both before and after the practical is crucial for students to be able to see a point to what they are doing in the lesson. As well as improving practical skills and demonstrating the scientific method, practical work should help students to understand the theory and link to their prior knowledge. If we can find a way to relate the subject matter to their everyday life then they ...
Research tells us that feedback, whether written or oral, has the potential to really improve the progress students make in their learning. Feedback can also support teachers to learn along with their students, by providing evidence of how well the curriculum, and the way it is taught, is facilitating the students’ learning. As such, feedback is at the heart of learning and a valued part of the educational experience. However, all feedbacks are not made equal. Feedback, as we have highlighted during the online Feedback for Learning course can be just as effective when delivered verbally, and there are some simple ways to improve feedback without ...
Ada Lovelace Day is an international celebration acknowledging the achievements of women in STEM all around the world. The event was founded in 2009 due to a concern that women in the tech industry were invisible and has since aimed towards encouraging women and girls to pursue careers in STEM. The inspiration for Ada Lovelace Day also stemmed from research carried out by psychologist Penelope Lockwood, which found that women needed to see female role models more than men needed to see male role models. But instead of just highlighting the achievements and impact of just one, or a few privileged women in the industry, it's important to continue to make ...
WE ARE RECRUITING... Are you ambitious about developing the next stage of your career as an influential science educator and thought leader? We're looking for two science subject specialists (Early years and primary; Secondary and post-16) with knowledge of the current education landscape to identify and nurture science education talent across our Network. Role highlights: ⭐ Work with influencers across the education sector to ensure our CPD offer remains relevant to need and complimentary to other support ⭐ Pilot and explore how technology can improve STEM teaching and learning ⭐ Provide informed and supportive challenge to STEM Learning’s ...