Members' Blogs

Sponsored Content: Energising Futures Hundreds of teachers are now using the free online Green Skills Unlocked course to increase their confidence in teaching green skills and preparing their students for a career in this crucial sector – so don’t miss out! Green Skills Unlocked is a key part of bp’s Energising Futures programme which is designed to increase young people’s enjoyment and awareness of STEM. By 2030, there are set to be 2 million green jobs in the UK – so it’s absolutely critical that young people are made aware of the many rewarding and exciting career opportunities in this growing and vital STEM sector. Here, Anna ...
The past week has been buzzing with impactful education news, spanning crucial updates from policies to classroom practices. Here’s your STEM-focused summary of the latest stories and how they might shape the future of teaching. The Battle over Tuition Fees and Financial Realities Sky News reports that the recent decision to increase university tuition fees has sparked a heated debate. The Education Secretary defended the hike, emphasizing its necessity to maintain the quality of higher education. This comes as concerns mount over the accessibility of higher education for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds ( Sky News ). On the funding front, ...
Welcome to My First Blog on STEM Education for EAL Learners! Hello, everyone! I’m Jo, a passionate educator with a background in language teaching and a keen interest in STEM education. With more than 20 years of experience in the classroom, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges EAL learners face as they navigate complex scientific concepts. I believe that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their language background, and I am committed to finding effective strategies to help bridge the gap in STEM education. I'm excited to share my very first blog post with you here , focusing on the intersection of STEM education ...
We are trying something new... AGAIN! This time its a series of AI hacks, very quick 1-2minute AI Hacks hosted by @Alex More Senior Leader at Shaftsbury School. In this example Alex uses ChatGPT to convert hand written observation noes into a text document in seconds. Do you have any AI hacks? Why not drop them in the comments below! You can check out the full catalogue of CPD Bites here: https://community.stem.org.uk/browse/cpd-drops
Hello, STEM educators! This week’s blog brings you the latest on policies, funding adjustments, and insightful discussions that could impact your classrooms. Here’s a roundup of recent stories that will keep you informed and inspired in your teaching journey. Budget 2024 and Education Funding From Tes Magazine , there’s notable movement on budget allocations with £1.4 billion allocated for school rebuilding efforts . Read more on Tes about the implications of this funding on school facilities, especially in underfunded STEM environments. Union leaders, however, emphasize that this investment may still fall short of the overall needs of the ...
In schools, the new buzz word is AI. From the students to the teachers, everyone seems to be talking about it, and in some cases, talking with it. The term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ has almost become synonymous with change. I find teachers are divided between the promise of what this new technology brings to the classroom, but also what it takes away. Looking ahead to the upcoming STEM Community live event on November 7, I'll be joining host (STEM Community Manager Tim Bradbury) to talk about AI, exploring its potential to reduce teacher workload and the inherent challenges it poses to learning. I'm thrilled to be joined by Cihan Ozalevli, Chief Learning ...
In the ever-evolving world of STEM education, this past week has seen a range of critical updates, challenges, and reflections from across the UK. Whether you are an educator, leader, or policymaker, staying up to date with the latest trends and issues is essential for fostering an environment where students can thrive. Below is a detailed look at the most impactful news stories published from 16th to 22nd October 2024, aimed at helping STEM teachers navigate this shifting landscape. 1. ‘Severely Absent’ School Children Surge Since Pandemic A report by Sky News revealed that the number of "severely absent" children in UK schools is now 160% higher than ...
We’re excited to share that STEM Dorado, a bi-monthly e-magazine designed to ignite curiosity in young minds, is now available through the STEM Community! In partnership with STEM Dorado, we’re proud to bring this fantastic educational resource directly to our members. Created by Dr. Alina, a Cancer Biologist from London, the magazine is tailored for children aged 5-13 and aims to advance science communication and outreach. Each issue is packed with engaging articles, hands-on activities, experiments, and inspiring interviews with experts, all designed to encourage children to explore the exciting world of science. Whether it's learning about the mysteries ...
This week our CPD Drop comes in the form of our second STEM Community Live Powering Up Passions: Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers Tim is joined by: Dr. Hilary Levers , CEO of EngineeringUK Severine Trouillet , CEO of STEM Learning In this session, we’ll discuss: Women and girls in engineering and the gender disparity in engineering careers How you can get involved in Tomorrow's Engineers Week , along with FREE classroom resources across STEM subjects (including quick wins you can use right away!) The importance of integrating career insights into education and the support available to help you do ...
Unwrap the Magic of the Technicians' Christmas Cracker Event! Get ready to add a festive sparkle to your professional development at our annual Technicians' Christmas Cracker Event , taking place on Thursday, December 12, 2024 , at the National STEM Learning Centre. This one-day extravaganza is designed specifically for technicians, bringing together a variety of hands-on workshops, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities to help you enhance your skills and celebrate the holiday season in style. What’s in Store? The day kicks off with a warm welcome from Helen Rose, setting the stage for an exciting day of learning and collaboration. From ...
Welcome to this week’s education news digest, where we explore the latest developments impacting schools and education in the UK. While our focus is STEM-related, many of these stories offer significant insights for all educators. Mobile-Free Schools Law Takes Centre Stage The push for mobile-free schools gained momentum this week with Labour MP Jeremy Clyne introducing legislation to make the ban compulsory across all state schools in England. The plan aims to combat distractions and improve student focus, while critics argue it might infringe on student autonomy. Whether or not this law passes, it's clear that the debate around technology in classrooms ...
Building Strong Foundations in the Early Years: A Practical Guide for Primary Teachers The early years of school are some of the most crucial for young learners, shaping not only their academic journey but also their well-being and future success. The latest Ofsted report, "Strong Foundations in the First Years of School," published this week, offers invaluable insights into how we can make the most of this pivotal stage. Here’s how you can use these findings to enhance your teaching practices, particularly with the help of fantastic STEM resources like Explorify. Why Early Education is Essential The report underlines the importance of high-quality early ...
If you're anything like me—a resource magpie—you'll know the thrill of discovering a shiny new resource. You "steal" it, stash it away, and wait for the perfect opportunity to swoop in and use it. For science teachers, this habit of collecting valuable teaching tools is almost second nature. We’re always on the lookout for resources that spark curiosity and deepen understanding, whether we teach primary or secondary students. A few years ago, I was shown Explorify while supporting feeder schools with science teaching. It immediately struck me as a fantastic resource—but clearly designed with a primary audience in mind. So, naturally, I tucked it away for ...
IT'S A THROWBACK!!! This week we take another look at the effective demonstration. In this short CPD bite (3minute) the facilitator (who looks vaguely familiar) explores two different approaches to performing a demonstration - with and without the use of an additional adult in the room. The first approach is teacher solo, and the second is using an additional adult (in this case a technician) to undertake the demonstration allowing the teacher to focus on students learning and questioning. If you are fairly new to starting out on your teaching journey this is a great way to build up your practical questioning and behaviour management toolkit before taking ...
Welcome to our weekly STEM education news roundup! This week’s blog will dive into some of the top stories from across the education sector, bringing you up to speed on the latest developments in schools, policies, and innovations that could impact your STEM teaching. We’ve sifted through the key news sites to bring you stories that matter, with a particular focus on the perspectives shared by Schools Week. Read on for insights, analysis, and a reflection section to help you contextualise these updates in your teaching practice. 1. Oracy as the ‘Fourth R’: A New Era for Communication in Education Schools Week highlighted the Oracy Commission’s recent report, ...
Tuesday 15 October, 11:00am – 11.30am An exclusive Live Lesson featuring Gladiators, Phantom and Dynamite, as they compete head-to-head in a fun design and technology lesson for primary schools. The Live Lesson marks the launch of a new Gladiators and BBC micro:bit competition which calls on 7-11-year-olds to design a fitness gadget. Mwaksy Mudenda and Emma-Louise Amanshia host the lesson from inside a top-secret Gladiators training camp and explore what the genius BBC micro:bit pocket-sized computer can do. Two teams of young designers are tasked with coming up with a micro:bit powered invention to help the Gladiators win the ultimate Live ...
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! 🏆 Winner: @Michael Jones Resource: Computer Science and Climate Change Description of Impact: This ...
Lately, there’s been a lot of concern about the decline of hands-on science activities in schools. Scientists like Brian Cox and Maggie Aderin-Pocock, speaking for the Royal Society, have raised the alarm that reducing practical science could cause students to feel disconnected from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects. This hands-on engagement is crucial for inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and problem solvers. (See TES article here: https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/drop-in-science-practicals-detrimental-warn-brian-cox-maggie-aderin-pocock) But simply bringing back more practical experiments ...
This past week has seen some major headlines in education, but none perhaps as impactful as the ongoing discussions about reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system. With Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson hinting at broader SEND reforms, this topic is one that STEM teachers should be paying close attention to. These changes could reshape how SEND students are supported in classrooms, particularly in core subjects like science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). How these reforms unfold may determine the future of inclusivity in education for years to come. In addition to this critical development, we have also seen ...
One powerful way to enhance your student’s educational journey and help them consider their next steps is by getting them involved in STEM Learning’s online mentoring programme. Here's why this initiative is a game-changer for your students: STEM Learning’s online mentoring programme connects students with mentors who are passionate about their fields. These mentors provide personalized guidance, helping students navigate their academic and career paths. This one-on-one interaction allows students to gain insights into real-world applications of STEM subjects, making their learning experience more relevant and engaging. As well ...