Members' Blogs

Climate Change Education-are you confident as a teacher and do you think we are making the right steps in education?

By Kate Sutton posted 5 days ago
This infographic, linking to UNESCO studies (that are current/very recent) highlights the preparedness (or lack of) across various countries and the feeling amongst teachers, relating to delivering Climate Change education in the classroom. It makes for interesting- and worrying- reading. Actions are on the horizon in the UK, including the 'Sustainability and Climate Change' white paper 2023 and increasing support from industry and business. What is your opinion? Are you seeing Climate change education in school and do you feel we are preparing our future adults for the climate challenge ahead? Click on the link to access the referenced article (Teacher Magazine-Hughes, ...

Weekly news round up: 10/09/24

By Tim Bradbury posted 5 days ago
STEM in Focus: Education Developments from September 2024 Returning to Normal After COVID: Still a Long Road Ahead A report on TES highlights the ongoing challenges schools face in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report warns that while many believe the sector has largely recovered, hidden problems such as deteriorating student behaviour, learning gaps, and teacher burnout persist. For STEM teachers, this means the return to normalcy may not be as smooth as anticipated, and understanding students' emotional and psychological needs is key to rebuilding effective learning environments. Reflection : How can we adapt STEM lessons to better accommodate ...

Is an understanding of the arts essential to building infrastructure? Arts competition with £500 prize

By Elizabeth Hooper posted 11 days ago
The Institution of Civil Engineers aims to use art to engage the next generation of engineers by running this arts competition, closing date 12 th September 2024. The competition hopes to spark creativity in younger people, helping them to harness the power of art to understand the relationship between people, nature and infrastructure . Competition entries should focus on theming their entry around creating a nature- and people-positive world, with a focus on infrastructure . The categories are: Poetry Songs (with or without instruments) Photography One-minute short film Painting, drawing or collage in 2D (excluding digital ...

Weekly news round up: 3/9/2024

By Tim Bradbury posted 12 days ago
WELCOME BACK! As we step into a new academic year, the landscape of education continues to evolve, bringing fresh challenges and opportunities for educators across the UK. Between 27th August and 2nd September 2024, several significant developments occurred, particularly in the areas of STEM and broader educational policy. This blog provides an overview of the most important news stories from this period, highlighting what they mean for teachers of STEM subjects and offering reflections on how these developments might influence your teaching practice. 1. Ofsted Scraps Single-Word School Ratings The big news this week is the government's decision to scrap ...

Improved outcomes for young people through subject-specific teacher professional development

By Dave Gibbs posted 13 days ago
Education is the key to children building the best life they can whatever their background, and the quality of teaching is the most significant school-based factor influencing educational outcomes. STEM Learning welcomes the government’s commitment to recruiting 6500 new specialist teachers, and to retaining and upskilling the current workforce, making a world-class education available to every child in the UK and breaking down barriers to opportunity.   More than half of all new teachers of science and maths leave within 5 years and in STEM (especially physics and computer science) there are relatively few teachers with relevant post A level ...

STEM Community competition winner attends Farnborough International Airshow

By Lily Mason posted 18 days ago
This summer, we launched a very exciting competition, where your classroom displays “took flight” and landed centre stage on the STEM Community. Entrants stood the chance of winning tickets to the world-renowned Farnborough International Airshow at the exclusive Dassault Systemes Chalet. The Farnborough International Airshow is attended by some of the biggest names in the aerospace, aviation and defence industry, providing opportunities to network, build new connections, engage with thought leaders and, ultimately, pioneer change. When looking through the classroom displays, our judges were looking for clarity, a clear flow of ideas, and creativity. ...

Weekly news round up: 27/08/24

By Tim Bradbury posted 19 days ago
Welcome to this week's roundup of educational news, focused on the latest developments from the STEM and broader education sectors. In this blog, we’ll highlight key news stories published between 21st and 28th August 2024 , from GCSE results to educational policy changes. Whether you're a STEM teacher, school leader, or involved in further education, these stories provide insights into the issues shaping the educational landscape. Let's dive in. 1. GCSE Results 2024: A Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels Source : BBC Education Publication Date : 22nd August 2024 This year's GCSE results showed a notable return to pre-COVID standards, with a decrease ...

Weekly news round up: 20/08/24

By Tim Bradbury posted 26 days ago
This week in the world of STEM education, we've seen a variety of stories that reflect both progress and challenges across schools, further education, and university sectors. As UK educators prepare for the new academic year, several news stories have surfaced that will likely shape policies and classroom practices. This blog provides an overview of the most important news stories from the past week relevant to teachers of STEM subjects. Let’s dive in. 1. GCSE and A-Level Results Dominate Headlines With exam results being the focal point of discussion this week, a number of articles from multiple outlets have focused on the outcomes of GCSEs and A-levels. ...

Competitions to celebrate fungi: including UK Fungus day on 5 October 2024 and MISAC 2025

By Mary Howell posted 14-08-2024
Fungi connect is an activity to help children and young people understand biodiversity and the role of fungi in the environment. It aims to encourage cross curricular links between Arts, Science, English, Music and History (I'm sure you can get some maths, DT and engineering in there too). The British Mycological Society who are organising Fungi Connect say that all entries received by the 1 October deadline will be shared and celebrated as widely as possible from UK Fungus Day on the 5 October 2024 onwards. You can download the Fungi Connect flyer here Those aged 18 and over are not left out and can enter the Fungi photography competition here ...

Weekly news round up: 13/8/24

By Tim Bradbury posted 13-08-2024
This past week in education has been eventful, with developments spanning from exam results and educational reforms to the evolving role of technology in classrooms. For STEM educators in the UK, these stories not only reflect the changing landscape of education but also provide a platform for reflection and growth. Below, I summarize key news stories from several major UK education websites, focusing on those most relevant to STEM subjects and teaching in general. BBC Education News A-Level Results Day Explained With A-Level results day fast approaching, the BBC provided a comprehensive guide on what students and educators can expect, including ...

Weekly news round up: 6/8/24

By Tim Bradbury posted 06-08-2024
Welcome to this week's roundup of the latest news in the world of STEM education. BBC Education News 1. Teacher Mums Leaving Profession Fuelling Shortages Date: 2nd August 2024 Summary: The BBC highlights the growing trend of teacher mums leaving the profession due to insufficient support and flexible working conditions, exacerbating teacher shortages. Read more: Teacher mums who leave profession fuelling shortages 2. Universities Told to Improve Sexual Harassment Protection Date: 3rd August 2024 Summary: Universities across the UK are being urged to implement stronger measures to protect students from sexual harassment, ...

Weekly news round up: 30/07/24

By Tim Bradbury posted 30-07-2024
Welcome, teachers, to this week’s roundup of the latest news in the field of education, with a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). As the school term gears up for the new academic year, we’ve gathered key stories and updates that impact the education sector in the UK. Whether it's changes in policy, new initiatives, or insightful reports, this blog will provide you with a comprehensive overview. So grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive in! School Strikes 'Now Unlikely' After 5.5% Pay Offer Source: BBC Education The potential for school strikes has diminished following a new pay offer of 5.5% to teachers. This development is ...

Using Engineering Biology more 'deeply' as a bio-force for good

By Ajay Sharman posted 29-07-2024
The climate crisis is no longer a far-fetched concept, but an existential threat to humanity. It’s the defining challenge of our time, demanding sustained action from individuals, communities, governments and employers worldwide. The scientific consensus is that human activities are accelerating climate change, with severe consequences for our planet and future generations. Positive, sustainable human activities can help reduce some of the impacts of these consequences. Society needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy. This involves embracing renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, conserving natural ...

The future of STEM education in England post 2024 General Election

By Siwan Morris posted 23-07-2024
The 2024 General Election has concluded, bringing a new direction for the UK's education system. The Labour government is now set to implement its promises from their manifesto - but what does this mean for STEM education in England? Labour aims to raise standards in education to break down barriers to opportunity. As part of this, they intend to recruit more than 6,500 expert teachers, funded by ending the VAT exemption for private schools. STEM Learning recognises the need for expert teachers in every classroom, which is paramount in allowing all children to succeed. While plans for the recruitment of new teachers is necessary, it is essential that the ...

Weekly news round up: 23/07/24

By Tim Bradbury posted 23-07-2024
Welcome to this week's round up, designed to bring you the latest developments in STEM education and broader educational news from the past week. This summary includes insights into policies, practices, and innovations that could shape the future of teaching and learning in the UK. We hope you find this informative and engaging as you reflect on the changes and consider their impact on your classrooms. BBC News - Education Unis Told to Manage Own Budgets After Call for Bailouts Universities have been advised to manage their budgets without relying on government bailouts, emphasizing financial self-sufficiency amidst economic pressures. Read more ...

Weekly news round up: 16/07/24

By Tim Bradbury posted 16-07-2024
In the past week, several noteworthy developments have emerged in the field of education, particularly relevant to STEM subjects. This blog aims to provide a comprehensive summary of these stories, offering insights and reflections for educators. Here are the highlights from prominent news sources: BBC News - Education 1. Concerns About International Students’ Entry Grades Universities are under scrutiny for potentially lowering entry standards to attract higher-fee-paying international students. This raises questions about maintaining academic integrity while navigating financial pressures. 2. Zambia’s Free Education Initiative ...

COMPETITION: STEM Summer Resource Splash!

By Tim Bradbury posted 15-07-2024
The STEM Community is buzzing with innovative educators, and we want to tap into that collective wisdom. This summer, we are launching the "STEM Summer Resource Splash" competition, where you can share your most impactful resource for STEM educators. Whether it's a cutting-edge digital tool, a creative lesson plan, a hands-on activity, practical experiment, or any other resource that has transformed your teaching or learning experience, we want to hear about it! How to Enter: Submit your Resource: Link to an Existing Resource: If your resource is available online, share the link. Upload a Copy: If the resource is not online ...

Weekly News Round-up 9/7/2024

By Tim Bradbury posted 09-07-2024
Introduction In this week's educational landscape, significant strides and critical discussions have emerged. From innovative policies to pressing challenges, this summary provides UK STEM educators with the latest news, insightful analysis, and potential areas for reflection and action. This roundup covers stories from major education news platforms, ensuring a comprehensive overview for teachers seeking to stay informed and inspired. ### Major Headlines #### **BBC Education News** 1. **Education Secretary Begins Push to Recruit 6,500 New Teachers** The new Education Secretary has launched a campaign aimed at recruiting 6,500 new teachers to address ...

Professional development - make the most of it!

By Dave Gibbs posted 08-07-2024
High quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD) leads to improved pedagogy and subject knowledge, which has the biggest influence on student outcomes and progression leading to improved life chances. Not exactly a shocking or surprising statement. However, Learning Policy Institute research ( ‘Effective Teacher Professional Development’, 2017 ) shows that, all too often, “professional development initiatives appear ineffective in supporting changes in teacher practices and student learning”. As someone who leads on professional development programmes, you might wonder why I am telling you this. It’s because we all want teacher and technician CPD to ...

Why ‘manipulatives’ belong at the heart of secondary maths classrooms

By Stephen Lyon posted 03-07-2024
During my time as an Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) I spent some time in primary schools , supporting K ey Stage one and two maths coordinators as part of my role. Despite being there a s a ‘maths specialist ’ , d uring my visits I learnt as least as mu ch as the primary teachers I worked with - and what I learnt had a great impact in my own classroom. The main change was how much equipment I used in lessons in order to help students explain their thoughts . Students in primary school were forever exploring mathematics through objects, and explaining what they had done using counters, multi-link ...