Connecting STEM Teachers Programme Teacher … Resources/booklet... · Connecting STEM Teachers Programme Teacher Coordinator Celebration ... Peter Thomas O. Warrington Michael McAteer

Thursday 7th July 2016

Connecting STEM Teachers Programme

Teacher Coordinator Celebration Event

IV

Thursday 7th July 2016 10:30am—3:00pm

Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG

Connecting STEM Teachers Programme

Teacher Coordinator Celebration Event

Generously supported byBG GroupThe Helsington FoundationPetrofac Limited

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Connecting STEM Teachers Programme Teacher Coordinator Celebration Event Thursday 7th July 2016

Introduction The Connecting STEM Teachers (CST) programme was launched in 2011 and aims to create a national network of support for teachers across all STEM subjects, ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence to engage a greater number and wider spectrum of school students with STEM.

The programme is led by the Royal Academy of Engineering (the Academy) with generous support from BG Group, the Helsington Foundation and Petrofac Limited.

Teacher CoordinatorsCentral to the continued success of this project, which is now in its fifth year, is the work of the Academy’s Teacher Coordinators (TCs) who lead support networks for local STEM teachers across the UK.

The TCs are experienced teachers of STEM subjects whose core responsibilities are to:

nn disseminate free training and learning resources nn provide networking opportunities for teachersnn lead enhanced learning opportunities for pupils nn promote collaboration between STEM teachers nn help develop STEM learning resources

The TC team has now been increased from 28 to 39 members due to the generous support provided by the Helsington Foundation at the start of this academic year.

2 Royal Academy of Engineering

STEM learning and teaching resourcesTeachers who attend network meetings, led by the TCs, all receive free, high quality STEM learning resources and training in their use.

These resources make connections between real world engineering and classroom topics. An evaluation of the CST programme has shown that this offer is a clear incentive for STEM teachers to engage with the programme and has led to the introduction and development of STEM enrichment in network schools.

The publications for the learning resources provided by TCs are all free to download from www.raeng.org.uk/education/schools.

Adding valueA CST programme evaluation has shown that teachers are increasingly receiving fewer opportunities to develop pedagogy through collaboration with colleagues.

The CST programme provides regular opportunities for STEM teachers to share good practice and gradually break down subject silos.

The TCs’ work is also having an impact on the curricula of a number of network schools who are now using the Academy’s STEM learning resources to teach and enrich curriculum subjects.

New resources for 2016 included Existence at the

Extreme, Making waves, and Controlling motion.

Teacher's notes

A STEM learning and teaching resource that shows how engineers have applied their knowledge of waves to make life better.

Curriculum linksScience: waves, energy changes and transfer, genetics

and evolution – adaptations.Maths: geometry and measure, statistics.

Makingwaves

Includes STEM learning activities

Supported by

This resource explains how an indigenous population has created an engineering solution to the problems they encounter in extreme heat, including solar power and traditional desert dress.

EXISTENCE at the EXTREME

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Collaborative projectsEach year, TCs are required to lead an enhanced learning experience with careers education content for pupils from their network schools.

These collaborative projects provide opportunities for the teachers of different STEM subjects from local schools to work together and have had tangible impact.

An evaluation of phase one of the programme has shown that network teachers engage with and value this activity because it provides a clear outcome that benefits their pupils.

TCs’ collaborative projects are varied, but recent examples have included STEM challenge days, industrial visits and STEM festivals.

During phase one of the CST programme (September 2011 – July 2014) 1,265 pupils and 285 STEM teachers took part in collaborative projects.

A further 802 pupils and 98 STEM teachers participated in collaborative projects during the 2014/2015 academic year.

And the 2015/2016 academic year has seen an 18% increase in the number of projects planned.

Participants in collaborative projects (September 2011 – July 2014)

1,265

285

3 Academic years

Participants in collaborative projects (2014/2015 academic year)

802

98

1 Academic year only


BG Group Exploration ChallengeThe Exploration Challenge provides BG Group staff with an opportunity to contribute to the CST programme.

Developed by BG Group and the Academy, this challenge simulates the work of the petrophysics team at BG Group and gives Sixth Form students in network schools the opportunity to develop an understanding of this domain through investigation and experimentation. With a web-based environment provided by the Brightside Trust, the students receive online support and mentoring from BG Group staff throughout the Exploration Challenge.

Programme ScorecardBy July 2014 – the end of phase one of the programme – nearly 500 teachers from over 400 schools had benefited from the work of the TCs, which far exceeded original expectations.

It is estimated that during phase one of the programme (September 2011 – July 2014) 46,000 pupils benefitted from their teachers’ attendance at CPD and network meetings.

Over 3,000 STEM learning and teaching resources (costing approximately £200,000) have been distributed to teachers via the TCs’ termly meetings.

Phase two of the programme has seen the number of schools and teachers working with the Academy’s Teacher Coordinators increase. During the second year of this current three year phase, the number of schools taking part has increased by 21% to 518. The number of teachers involved currently stands at 635, a 35% increase.

Number of network teachers

Number of schools in network

518

Phase 1 (Sep 2011 – Jul 2014)

Phase 2 (Sep 2014 – present)

Phase 2 (Sep 2014 – present)

635

Phase 1 (Sep 2011 – Jul 2014)

472

427

Connecting STEM Teachers Teacher Coordinator Celebration Event Thursday 7th July 2016

Teacher Coordinators’ locationsA. Horsforth, Leeds Andrew CarruthersB. Bourton-on-the-Water, Glos. Claudia ClarkeC. Boston Gareth RichardsD. Trafford, Greater Manchester Martin SimmonsE. Hull Richard DaviesF. Belfast Tom LaveryG. Coventry Gaynor SharpH. Glasgow Rebecca SowdenI. Colwyn Bay, North Wales Philip SuttonJ. Bath Garrod MustoK. Gateshead David ThomasL. Bridgend, South Wales Richard DanielM. County Durham Michael NelsonN. Aberdare, South Wales Peter ThomasO. Warrington Michael McAteerP. Limavady, County Londonderry Desmond O’ConnorQ. Maidstone, Kent Krissi PinkR. Woking Andrew McVeanS. Fulham, SW London Eleanor LucasT. Midhurst, West Sussex Scott AtkinsonU. Lowestoft Anthony Vaughan-EvansV. Banchory, Aberdeenshire Rob GrayW. Axminster, Devon Michael CronkX. Bodmin, Cornwall Lorraine DrybroughY. Kettering Arthur HarwoodZ. Hoddesdon, Herts. Stuart Highama. Didcot, Oxfordshire Andrew Leechb. Wokingham Anne Beglinc. Southampton Holly Aistond. Portsmouth Laura Chisholme. Sheffield Jorden Birchf. Birmingham Tracey O’Connorg. Bristol Terry Watts & Sam Lawrenceh. Perth Martin Reidi. Edinburgh Irene Somervillej. Preston Chris Wallisk. Norwich Kate Finlayl. New Cross, SE London Tunde Orelaja


Holly has made a very positive start to her Teacher Coordinator Consultancy. Her network of schools is steadily growing and she has provided local STEM teachers with training in the use of an Academy learning resource that investigates the role of STEM in the design and control of drones.

Holly has a good working relationship with the Education School at Southampton University and is working with Dr Andri Christodoulou on an action research project that examines the setting up and effectiveness of teacher-led, collaborative CPD opportunities.

Region: South East

St Anne’s Catholic School, Southampton Teacher Coordinator since January 2016

Generously supported by the Helsington Foundation

Holly Aiston Science specialist

By working with local universities Holly is contributing to research into the effectiveness of CPD for teachers.

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Scott has created a large network of local STEM teachers and external partners, including a number of the universities in his region, since taking over the Teacher Coordinator Consultancy. By coordinating TeachMeets each term he has developed the CST programme’s model and emphasised the sharing of ideas for STEM learning.

A variety of network teachers and external STEM specialists contribute to meetings and the direction of his annual collaborative project. This year, Scott organised a STEM Festival for local secondary and primary schools where pupils from both phases worked together to design and make ‘antweight’ robots. The schools were also provided with components earlier in the year to make hovercraft and demonstrated these at the Festival as well as enjoying a number of exhibits, such as a 40’ long inflatable ‘walk-through’ killer whale.

Region: South East

Midhurst Rother College, West Sussex Teacher Coordinator since April 2012

Generously supported by BG Group

Scott Atkinson Design and

technology specialist

Teacher Coordinators like Scott are role models for teachers who are passionate about creating inspiring STEM learning opportunities for their pupils.

A poster to advertise

Scott Atkinson’s

STEM Festival


The impact that Annie has made since joining the Teacher Coordinator team last year has been very positive. She has been quick to engage local teachers with the Connecting STEM Teachers (CST) programme and the pace at which she has followed up this interest with high quality STEM enrichment has been impressive.

Annie has already coordinated an industrial visit to local business 3M for 70 pupils and their teachers, which not only provided the pupils with an insight into a STEM industry, but also gave their teachers a professional development opportunity. Annie is a passionate advocate for raising the profile of technical subjects in her local schools and is making effective use of the funding and resources provided by the CST programme to support colleagues who lack the knowledge or the equipment to bring these subjects to life.

Region: South East

St Crispin’s School, Wokingham Teacher Coordinator since April 2015


Anne Beglin Engineering and design and technology specialist

Annie has led successful industrial visit s for the teachers in her network and their pupils.

Annie leads an

enrichment day at a

Barnardo’s school

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Jorden has a background in biomedical engineering and is one of the newest additions to the Teacher Coordinator team. She is her school’s STEM Coordinator and has used this role, and the funding provided by the Connecting STEM Teachers programme, to provide a STEM Challenge Day for her network schools.

A key aim of the day was to help engage pupils who are under-represented in STEM, such as girls, ethnic minorities and those who are the first in their families to consider Higher Education. In addition to this, Jorden has organised a STEM Family Fun Day for pupils and their family members, which included STEM activities, careers information and a presentation from the civil engineering consultancy ARUP.

Region: Yorkshire and the Humber

Wales High School, Sheffield Teacher Coordinator since January 2016


Jorden Birch Science specialist

Jorden and the Teacher Coordinator team understand the need to provide opportunities for young people who are under-represented in STEM and are working to engage families in STEM learning.


As one of the programme’s longest serving Teacher Coordinators, Andrew has developed a good understanding of the STEM landscape in his region and the needs of STEM teachers in his local schools.

He has worked with Leeds University, West Yorkshire STEM and Leeds Bradford Airport’s Aviation Academy to provide the pupils in his network with enhanced STEM learning opportunities, such as hands-on activities that investigated the STEM of loading aircraft before take-off.

Andrew also has a good working relationship with the National STEM Centre in York and has collaborated with this organisation to provide CPD for STEM teachers from across his region and beyond.


Horsforth School, near Leeds Teacher Coordinator since September 2011


Andrew Carruthers Design and


Andrew has collaborated with external partners and industry to add value to professional development for teachers and STEM learning for pupils.

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Laura joined the Teacher Coordinator team at the beginning of 2016 and brought with her experience of leading TeachMeets, organising teacher conferences and developing innovative STEM enrichment for pupils in partnership with local engineering businesses. She is currently working with 15 graduate engineers from BAE Systems’ Portsmouth facility on an extra curricula project that involves breeding rare fish and aims to use this as the basis for an inter-school collaborative activity.

Much of the pupils’ work involves using STEM knowledge and skills to create and maintain an optimal environment for the fish. Laura also contributes to the teacher training programme at the University of Portsmouth and has provided students there with training in the use of the Academy’s STEM learning resources.

Region: South East

St Edmund’s Catholic School, Portsmouth Teacher Coordinator since January 2016


Laura Chisholm Science specialist

Laura is working with engineers at BAE Systems in Portsmouth to provide STEM enrichment opportunities for pupils based on the challenge of breeding rare fish.

Propellers made by teachers

at Laura’s training

session for Drones:

friend or foe?


Claudia is one of the Academy’s longest serving Teacher Coordinators (TC), having joined the TC team at the very start of the Connecting STEM Teachers programme. A pioneer of STEM enrichment in her own school before she became a TC, she is a strong role model for the teachers in her network, which has matured into a source of support for teachers from the full range of STEM subject specialisms.

Attendance at her CPD and network meetings by different STEM subject teachers from the same school is evidence of the impact of her work and the resources provided by the Academy. Claudia has consistently collaborated with local engineering businesses to enrich STEM learning for pupils, which has included working with GE Aviation to provide engineering challenges for female pupils.

Region: South West

The Cotswold School, Gloucestershire Teacher Coordinator since September 2011


Claudia Clarke Design and

technology and mathematics specialist

Claudia has helped teachers of all STEM subject s to create engaging and innovative learning.

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Richard brings real world engineering experience to the Teacher Coordinator team and an excellent track record of facilitating award winning engineering enrichment for pupils, which has included a number of successes in the Engineering Education Scheme for Wales competition. Richard has applied a STEM approach to his own subject teaching and has embedded the Academy’s STEM learning resources in the KS3 curriculum for pupils at his school.

Richard’s network meetings are well attended, which shows local STEM teachers value his offer. His commitment to the programme is illustrated by the support he regularly provides for individual schools’ STEM learning activities. This year, Richard’s inter-school collaborative project focused on the STEM of the proposed Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon power plant, and was supported by Swansea University and Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay.

Region: South Wales

Cynffig Comprehensive School, Bridgend Teacher Coordinator since March 2013


Richard Daniel Design and


Richard is helping his network schools to embed STEM teaching strategies and learning resources in curriculum subject s.

Year 7 pupils taking part in an activity to design, make, test and modify

model wheelchairs


Since joining the Connecting STEM Teachers programme just over a year ago, Michael has developed an impressively large STEM support network for local teachers that also includes businesses, the STEMNET regional contract holder, a Further Education College and the University of Exeter. In addition to training opportunities, Michael’s network meetings have included contributions from educational experts, such as David Barlex who is an influential thinker in the field of STEM learning.

Michael is a strong role model for the teachers in his network and his development of STEM enrichment in his own school, particularly in the area of programmable robotics, provides an excellent example for others. He is planning to extend this expertise to his network members through an inter-school project that will be supported by the University of Exeter’s College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

Region: South West

Colyton Grammar School, near Axminster, Devon Teacher Coordinator since April 2015


Michael Cronk Computing specialist

Michael is using programmable robotics to bring STEM to life for female and male pupils.

Teachers from Michael’s network working with the Drones: friend or

foe? STEM learning resource

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Richard’s role as a teacher trainer and university Lecturer in Secondary Science adds considerable value to his Teacher Coordinator Consultancy. Not only is he able to give local pupils and teachers the opportunity to experience STEM learning in a university environment, he can also promote STEM learning and teaching strategies to the next generation of science teachers.

Richard is also part of a University of Hull team that aims to address the issue of the under-representation of women in STEM through an ERASMUS+ funded project called Girls into Global STEM. This year Richard’s inter-school collaborative project has built on the Academy’s Drones: friend or foe? resource and introduced elements of using Bluetooth control devices, such as tablets, to demonstrate what flying and wheeled drones can do and to stimulate discussion about the ethics of drone use.


University of Hull Teacher Coordinator since September 2011


Richard Davies Science specialist and

teacher educator

Richard is inspiring the next generation of teachers to develop engaging STEM learning and teaching.

Richard helps pupils as they work through a STEM learning activity from

the resource, Drones: friend or foe?


Lorraine’s computing industry experience and enthusiasm are an asset to the Connecting STEM Teachers programme and a great addition to the Teacher Coordinator team. She works hard to enrich the computing curriculum, particularly for girls, and has facilitated female pupils’ involvement in activities such as Microsoft’s Digigirlz app design initiative and VEX Robotics competitions, which she believes has helped them to think on their feet and become quicker at re-engineering systems.

Lorraine is very active in her local Computing at School (CAS) network and has strong working relationships with the computing departments at the universities in Falmouth and Plymouth. These partnerships have led to the development of some innovative ideas for enriching computing, such as steampunk inspired programmable electronics.

Region: South West

Bodmin College, Cornwall Teacher Coordinator since April 2015


Lorraine Drybrough Computing specialist

Lorraine is leading hands-on learning activities that are engaging girls with computing.

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Kate is one of the Academy’s newest Teacher Coordinators and has made a great start by leading training in the use of learning resources that investigate the role of STEM in the design of wheelchairs for sport and drones.

Kate has used the offer of free STEM learning resources and a Google Cardboard Virtual Reality Viewer to encourage attendance at her meetings.

Region: East of England

Hethersett Academy, Norwich Teacher Coordinator since April 2016


Kate Finlay Design and


Kate is providing free STEM learning and teaching resources for teachers in Norwich.

Winning medals: does engineering

design make a difference?

resource

This resource aims to give students the opportunity to investigate the impact of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) on wheelchair sport.

WINNING MEDALS:does engineering design make a difference?

TEACHER'S VERSION


Rob has been working with Peter Walker, one of Petrofac’s response services and major emergency management experts, on curriculum enrichment activities for pupils based on the theme of disaster response and how engineers help to save lives in the event of natural disaster.

Rob is also working with Peter on developing a learning resource that provides pupils with the opportunity to investigate the STEM of cleaning up oil spills at sea. Planned learning activities include: the chemistry of dispersing oil at sea; how to clean up oil spills mechanically; how experts model the movement of oil mathematically; and how wildlife is protected.

Region: Scotland

Banchory Academy, Aberdeenshire Teacher Coordinator since September 2014

Generously supported by Petrofac

Rob Gray Science specialist

Rob is working with oil and gas industry experts to create contextualised STEM learning.

Pupils at Banchory Academy launch a water rocket

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Clockwise from top left: A Greenpower car designed and made by the pupils

at Midhurst Rother College with Scott Atkinson; DIY slime with Rob Gray; Propellers made by

teachers at Laura Chisholm’s training session for Drones: friend or foe?; Arthur Harwood’s network members working together during a CPD session.


Arthur is an Assistant Head Teacher who brings extensive experience of leading whole school STEM learning to the Teacher Coordinator team from a senior manager’s perspective. His school and his work are recognised locally as strong role models for STEM learning, which means that although he is relatively new to the Connecting STEM Teachers programme, Arthur’s network meetings are consistently well attended.

In line with the programme’s aims, collaboration and inclusion are threads that run right through Arthur’s network activities, with STEM specialists from his own and neighbouring schools contributing to his programme of termly meetings. His inter-school collaborative project, a Regional STEM Day, is also a product of network members working together to create an enhanced STEM learning experience for pupils.

Region: East Midlands

Bishop Stopford School, Kettering, Northamptonshire Teacher Coordinator since April 2015


Arthur Harwood Science specialist

Arthur is fostering collaboration between local STEM teachers and empowering them to create STEM enrichment.

Line following robots at Arthur’s CPD meeting

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Stuart brings considerable expertise in teaching engineering qualifications and leading enrichment to the Connecting STEM Teachers programme. He has been very successful in raising the profile of engineering in his school and has worked hard to engage pupils, particularly girls, with the subject. One of his strategies has been, firstly, to use high quality engineering enrichment activities, such as national and international VEX robotics competitions, to develop pupils’ technical and interpersonal skills.

The pupils involved in these activities have then gone on to become ambassadors for the subject and have led learning themselves in primary schools and the wider community. Stuart understands the need to secure resources in order to sustain engineering enrichment in schools and has also developed community based fund raising events to ensure long term extra curricula provision of engineering learning opportunities.


The John Warner School, Hertfordshire Teacher Coordinator since April 2015


Stuart Higham Engineering specialist

Stuart is raising the profile of engineering in local schools and developing innovative ways of sustaining enrichment.

Pupils presenting information about mobile robotics at the Palace

of Westminster during Women in Engineering Day


Sam is one of two Teacher Coordinators who are based at Cotham School in Bristol. He shares the Consultancy with his colleague Terry Watts who is a computing subject specialist.

Sam and Terry have an excellent working relationship and collaborated on STEM learning initiatives prior to joining the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Teacher Coordinator team.

Their joint leadership of a project where pupils made a full size 1980s style arcade game is a great example of providing pupils with the opportunity to apply both their design and technology and computing knowledge and skills.

Region: South West

Cotham School, Bristol Teacher Coordinator since January 2016


Sam Lawrence Design and


Sam is breaking down subject silos by working with colleagues in other STEM departments to create engaging STEM learning for their pupils.

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Tom’s primary role for Ulster University’s Centre for Widening Access and Participation adds considerable value to the Connecting STEM Teachers programme. This, along with his endless enthusiasm and efforts, has helped him to create an inclusive network that is having a clear impact on teachers’ access to resources and pupils’ STEM learning.

Tom provides an excellent level of support for his network members and goes to great lengths to make sure they can access the Academy’s STEM learning resources. Recognising the need for STEM education programmes to be more inclusive, Tom has led STEM learning opportunities, based on mobile and programmable robotics, for young people from all backgrounds and of all abilities, including those with disabilities and severe learning difficulties.

Region: Northern Ireland

Ulster University, Belfast Teacher Coordinator since January 2012


Tom Lavery Science specialist and

widening access and participation expert

Tom is promoting inclusion in STEM and providing enrichment for pupils with disabilities.

Pupils from Ashfield Girls School, and their teacher, at a STEM

enrichment event


Andrew brings considerable industrial experience and a strong working knowledge of engineering qualifications to the Teacher Coordinator team. He is an advocate of learning in context and has established links with local engineering businesses in order to provide pupils with opportunities to visit engineering facilities and see the subject in action.

Andrew is currently working with Lucy Electric, an Oxfordshire-based company with an international presence, to develop an inter-school project for his network. The project provides pupils from local schools with the opportunity to visit the company and work on a brief set by their engineers.

Region: South East

St Birinus School, Didcot Teacher Coordinator since April 2015


Andrew Leech Engineering

and design and technology specialist

Andrew is bringing STEM to life through industrial visit s.

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Eleanor took over Shahid Hussain’s Teacher Coordinator consultancy at the start of this academic year and has worked hard to build on his work. She was an active member of Shahid’s network herself, so not only understood the Connecting STEM Teachers programme when she took on the Consultancy, but also brought the perspective of a network member to the role.

Even though she is relatively new to the Teacher Coordinator team she has made a good impact with a growing number of local schools using the training and resources she has provided, including Drones: friend or foe?, not only for extra-curricular STEM but in lessons as well.

Region: London

The London Oratory School, Fulham Teacher Coordinator since September 2015


Eleanor Lucas Science specialist

Eleanor is having an impact on STEM enrichment and curriculum subject s in her network’s schools.

The Drones: friend

or foe? resource was

launched in 2015

DRONES: FRIEND OR FOE?

What is a drone?

Supported by

This resource is designed as an introduction to the uses of drones.


When Michael joined the Connecting STEM Teachers programme he brought a range of computing industry and school experience that helped to develop the knowledge base and skills of the Teacher Coordinator team. He also brought experience of accessing Royal Society grants for STEM enrichment based on pupil research projects.

Since moving school (and Local Authority) last year, Michael has worked to develop a new network of schools. This is a challenging process, but has led to him identifying a cohort of schools that are keen to get involved in two inter-school STEM enrichment projects. One of these projects will provide pupils and teachers from his network with the opportunity to take part in a research project with the University of Liverpool. The other is based on programmable robotics and includes additional CPD opportunities for network teachers.

Region: North West

Lymm High School, Warrington Teacher Coordinator since January 2013


Michael McAteer Computing specialist

Michael is adding value to the Connecting STEM Teachers programme by facilitating additional CPD opportunities for network members.

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Andrew is an enthusiastic member of the Teacher Coordinator team whose efforts have led to the development of a well-supported and engaged STEM teacher network. He has added value to the Connecting STEM Teachers (CST) programme’s model by sharing his own ‘in house’ learning resources and by including opportunities for his network members to do the same.

Andrew leads STEM enrichment in his school and is using his experience of coordinating a varied programme, which includes an engineering club and citizen science activities, to help his network members launch STEM clubs and engage their pupils. He is generous with his time and makes effective use of the funding and resources he receives via the CST programme. A good example of this is his inter-school collaborative project, which aims to provide astronomy for all and opportunities for pupils to make a Dobsonian telescope that can be used to observe star clusters, nebulae and galaxies.

Region: South East

Fullbrook School, Surrey Teacher Coordinator since October 2013


Andrew McVean Science specialist

Andrew is using CST programme funding to provide equipment that enhances STEM learning in network schools.


Garrod brings experience of leading both a mathematics faculty and professional development for his school and the wider mathematics community to the Teacher Coordinator team. He is a long standing advocate of engaging pupils with mathematics by highlighting its real world applications and instances.

He is a member of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and regularly contributes to professional development programmes for the Prince’s Teaching Institute, the Association of Teachers of Mathematics and Mathematics in Education and Industry, which allows him to extend the reach of the Connecting STEM Teachers programme beyond his immediate locality. He also frequently provides support for individual schools by leading STEM learning activities for their pupils.

Region: South West

Kingswood School, Bath Teacher Coordinator since April 2012


Garrod Musto Mathematics

specialist

Garrod has a deep understanding of how to bring mathematics to life for pupils and teachers.

Pupils use smart phones and QR codes to investigate earthquake proof buildings as

part of a STEM enrichment activity

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Michael is a design and technology teacher with expertise in digital D&T, specifically mobile and programmable robotics, who has moved from a school to take up a position in a training organisation. He is an enthusiastic member of the Teacher Coordinator team who adds value to the Connecting STEM Teachers (CST) programme’s model by providing additional training opportunities for his network members.

For example, at his most recent network meeting he led training in the use of the BBC’s new micro:bit computer. Michael has led a number of very successful inter-school activities; during the current academic year he has facilitated VEX mobile robotics enrichment activities for local schools. He has also made effective use of the funding provided by the CST programme to provide his network schools with robotics kits and, importantly, training for teachers in the use of this equipment.

Region: North East

Go Ahead Training, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham Teacher Coordinator since September 2012


Michael Nelson Design and


Michael has used his expertise in mobile, programmable robotics to add value to his network.

A teacher at a mobile robotics training event led by Michael Nelson


Desmond’s network of local schools has developed into a group of supportive and engaged STEM teachers who are working together to enrich STEM learning in their schools. They are using the Royal Academy of Engineering’s STEM learning resources (provided by Desmond) as the basis for STEM enrichment activities for their pupils. Two of the schools are even collaborating on a STEM learning initiative that involves teachers from both schools team teaching a STEM curriculum for Year 8 and Year 9 pupils.

Desmond is also working with his network members to develop an inter-school collaborative project based on the STEM of agriculture and food production. This project is supported by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise and Braemar Ice-cream.

Region: Northern Ireland

St Mary’s Limavady Teacher Coordinator since January 2013


Desmond O’Connor Computing specialist

Schools in Desmond’s network have initiated cross-institution team teaching of a STEM curriculum for Year 8 and Year 9.

The STEM Module mobile laboratory and workshop visits Desmond’s network

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Tracey has made an excellent start to her Teacher Coordinator Consultancy. Although she has only just joined the Connecting STEM Teachers (CST) programme she has already held several meetings for local STEM teachers from secondary and primary schools. Tracey is the STEM Lead for her school and brings extensive experience of coordinating cross-school STEM enrichment to the programme, as well as involvement in science and mathematics primary clusters.

Her school is a hub for the Ogden Trust’s Birmingham Southside Partnership and she has utilised this network to promote the CST programme. Tracey works with local engineering businesses, such as Mott MacDonald, to support pupils’ learning and will prove a strong role model for her developing network.

Region: West Midlands

Bishop Challoner Catholic College, Birmingham Teacher Coordinator since January 2016


Tracey O’Connor Design and


Tracey’s links to existing STEM subject and professional development networks will add value to the CST programme in her region.

Pupils test a line following

robot while working

on a STEM enrichment

activity about

drones.


Tunde is one of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s newest Teacher Coordinators and brings experience of the construction and engineering industries to the team.

He has made a great start to his Consultancy by trialling the Academy’s STEM learning resources with the pupils at his school. We are looking forward to working with him to support STEM learning in his local schools.

Region: London

Haberdasher’s Aske’s Hatcham College, Lewisham Teacher Coordinator since April 2016


Tunde Orelaja Design and


Tunde is working to enrich STEM learning by providing the Academy’s resources for the teachers in his school’s federation and beyond.

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Krissi is a former engineer and experienced teacher of mathematics who has developed a STEM teacher network, which has been based on the principles of collaboration, inclusion and peer support. In addition to the training and resources she provides for network members at her meetings, she also promotes the sharing of STEM teaching experiences; in a recent meeting two network members contributed by leading a session on their experiences of using the Academy’s STEM learning resources, Disaster response and Drones: friend or foe?

This close cooperation has also been used effectively by Krissi’s network to plan inter-school enrichment activities for pupils. This year the network have planned a robotics challenge day for 12 local primary and secondary schools where pupils will be given the opportunity to build, programme and test VEX and Lego mobile robots.

Region: South East

Invicata Grammar School, Maidstone, Kent Teacher Coordinator since January 2013


Krissi Pink Mathematics

specialist

Krissi has developed a STEM teacher network based on the principles of collaboration, inclusion and peer support.


Martin is an experienced teacher who leads an innovative design and technology faculty that communicates his and his colleagues’ passion for the subject through its displays and the work of pupils.

He also brings extensive experience of school leadership to the Teacher Coordinator team and is looking forward to helping local primary and secondary schools develop engaging STEM learning opportunities for their pupils.

Region: Scotland

The Community School of Auchterarder, Perthshire Teacher Coordinator since April 2016


Martin Reid Design and


Martin’s experience of subject and school leadership will add value to the Connecting STEM Teachers programme in his region.

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Clockwise from top left: Deployable structures resource; Pupils design

and model stable frame structures as part of a natural disasters STEM enrichment activity

with Garrod Musto; Teachers working together during a CPD session at Ladybridge High School with Martin Simmons; The STEM Module mobile

laboratory and workshop provides access to high-quality equipment and resources for

Desmond O’Connor’s network.

Mosquito nets

DeployAble structures

width

This resource aims to give students mathematics learning activities, set within the context of the prevention of malaria, which is a real and everyday problem for millions of people around the world.

Supported by


Gareth joined the Connecting STEM Teachers programme at its launch nearly five years ago and has worked hard to build and maintain a network and programme of support for local STEM teachers. He has been particularly successful at leading large, multi-school STEM learning activities.

For example, this year he hosted a STEM enrichment day for 140 pupils from 14 local secondary schools that provided them with an introduction to the principles of STEM and the core skills required for cross-curricular projects, such as team work, communication skills and problem solving. The activities he used to help the pupils develop these attributes included working together to design and make solutions to engineering problems.

Region: East Midlands

Boston Grammar School, Lincolnshire Teacher Coordinator since September 2011


Gareth Richards Design and technology specialist

Gareth has led a number of successful, low cost, multi-school STEM learning days and his network is recognised as a source of support by STEM departments rather than individual teachers.

A pupil’s prototype design for moving bulk materials

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Gaynor is a STEMNET Regional Contract Holder and Field Officer for the Association for Science Education, which adds considerable value to the Connecting STEM Teachers programme in her region. Her access to STEM Ambassadors and local engineering businesses is a real benefit to her network schools, and provides them with opportunities to network with and learn from practising engineers.

Gaynor also has good working relationships with the senior leadership teams in many of her local schools and it is partly due to these connections that her annual multi-school STEM enrichment days have been such a success. These enrichment days have been based on pupil-focused VEX robotics challenges. Importantly, Gaynor organised VEX training for her network teachers in order to increase the chances of schools’ participation.

Region: West Midlands

Samphire STEM, Coventry Teacher Coordinator since January 2012


Dr Gaynor Sharp Science specialist

Gaynor’s links to STEM Ambassors, businesses and university engineering departments adds value to her STEM teacher network.


A former engineer, Martin joined the Connecting STEM Teachers programme at its launch nearly five years ago. He is an experienced teacher of engineering qualifications at Level 2 and beyond and brings a structured and thorough approach to the Teacher Coordinator Consultancy. Martin has an excellent understanding of the STEM learning support ecology in his region and has collaborated brilliantly with the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester and the Manchester Communication Academy to enhance the reach and impact of his work for the Academy. Martin’s CPD sessions are always very well attended and teacher feedback shows that he is clearly meeting their needs.

He has also provided evidence of network members using the resources he provides them with to teach the STEM curriculum. This year his cross-network collaborative project has seen secondary schools cascade their knowledge of VEX IQ robots to their feeder primary schools.

Region: North West

Technology Centre, Trafford College Teacher Coordinator since September 2011


Dr Martin Simmons Engineering

specialist

Martin has extended the reach and enhanced the impact of the Connecting STEM Teachers programme by collaborating with regional STEM support organisations.

Teachers take part in a activity from Drones: friend or foe? during a CPD

session led by Martin Simmons.

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Irene is one of the Academy’s newest Teacher Coordinators and brings experience of working as a Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineer to the team. She is the STEM Coordinator for her school and also has experience of leading science learning.

Irene has made a quick start to the Consultancy and has already held a training session for local STEM teachers using the Royal Academy of Engineering’s learning resource, Winning medals, which investigates the STEM of wheelchairs designed for sport.

Region: Scotland

Currie Community High School, Edinburgh Teacher Coordinator since April 2016


Irene Somerville Science specialist

Irene has been quick to engage Edinburgh schools in the Connecting STEM Teachers programme.

The Engineering

enables resource was

launched in 2014

Engineeringenables


This year Rebecca has identified the Rampaging Chariots competition and the Scottish Robotics Games as an ideal vehicle for engaging local schools with the Connecting STEM Teachers programme. She coordinated a number of network schools’ participation in these competitions very successfully last year – making sure they had access to free kits and training – and this has led to more schools taking part in 2016.

Rebecca is one of the Academy’s most experienced Teacher Coordinators and always works hard to add value to her CPD sessions and network meetings. This year she enhanced her training session for her network members in the use of the STEM learning resource, Drones: friend or foe? by including an input from a commercial drone pilot, which was very well received.

Region: Scotland

The Glasgow Academy Teacher Coordinator since January 2012


Dr Rebecca Sowden Science specialist

Rebecca has used guest speakers and external partners to add value to her CPD and network meetings.

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Phil is one of the Academy’s longest serving Teacher Coordinators having joined the Consultancy team four and a half years ago. In that time he has moved school and taken on leadership responsibilities, but has maintained a consistent level of support for his network schools that has led to them launching STEM clubs or embedding the Academy’s STEM learning resources in their KS3 curricula.

Phil has also provided his network schools with a number of opportunities to experience enhanced STEM learning through annual multi-school challenge days, which have included designing, making and testing model solar boats, to industrial visits and building programmable robots. This year Phil and his network have developed an enrichment programme that blends elements of the Academy’s STEM learning resources with VEX robot kits and other technological components.

Region: North Wales

Rydal Penrhos School, Colwyn Bay Teacher Coordinator since January 2012


Philip Sutton Design and


Network schools are adopting the Academy’s STEM learning resources for use in the curriculum as a result of Phil’s work.

Teachers launch their ‘optimal propeller’ designs during a CPD

session led by Phil Sutton


David is a mathematics learning consultant, with engineering experience, who has developed an effective and engaging STEM support infrastructure for local teachers. His meetings are well attended and provide a varied and interesting programme with excellent opportunities for teachers to meet each other and network with external STEM support organisations.

It is David’s skill in identify and working collaboratively with external partners, who can add value to the Connecting STEM Teachers programme’s model, that is responsible for the success of his network meetings. David’s external partners include Newcastle University, STEMNET and local technology businesses, such as the Daedalus Group who enhanced David’s recent training session for the Academy’s STEM learning resource, Drones: friend or foe?, with a presentation about how they use drones commercially.

Region: North East

Consultant, Northumberland Teacher Coordinator since April 2012


David Thomas Mathematics

specialist

David adds value to his network’s programme of meetings and training sessions by collaborating with external partners.

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Peter has spent another year on secondment to the Welsh Government as a Senior Digital Leader. He has also worked to maintain his Connecting STEM Teachers network through the provision of regular CPD, learning resources and networking opportunities. He continues to receive interest from local schools, with an increasing number of Welsh medium schools keen to get involved in STEM.

The programme of activities Peter provides for his network members are interesting, varied and adds value to his work for the Academy. Each year Peter leads a multi-school STEM enrichment project for his network’s pupils. This year his project is based on the theme of solid fuel rockets and has been given the name Cymru-nauts: The Welsh Space Race. Peter’s termly progress updates often provide an insight into STEM education policy in Wales; he recently reported a renewed interest in STEM subjects after the publication of the Donaldson Report.

Region: South Wales

Seconded to the Welsh Government Teacher Coordinator since April 2012


Peter Thomas Computing specialist

Peter and his network have developed a multi-school STEM enrichment project based on solid fuel rockets. They call the project Cymru-nauts: The Welsh Space Race.

A training session to support teachers in the use of Drones: friend or foe?


During the past year Anthony has moved to a new school to become its Director of STEM, which involves him line managing all of the school’s STEM faculties. It is very encouraging to see STEM being given such prominence in a school and Anthony is exactly the right person to be leading this prioritisation of STEM learning.

As with the previous academic years Anthony has worked hard to provide local teachers with a strong programme of professional development opportunities and the pupils from network schools with enhanced STEM learning activities. He has continued to coordinate his network’s STEM in Action at Sizewell project for pupils, which aims to place STEM in an engineering context and provide careers insight. He has also started work on a space balloon project with pupils, which involves launching a balloon to near space.


Pakefield School, Lowestoft Teacher Coordinator since September 2014


Anthony Vaughan-Evans

Mathematics specialist and Director of STEM

Anthony’s experience of providing contextualised learning for curriculum subject s through industrial visit s is providing clear benefit s to his network schools.

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Chris is a former engineer who brings extensive science teaching and school leadership experience to the Teacher Coordinator team. He was instrumental in the launch and development of the Ogden Trust Preston Partnership which has steadily grown since 2009 to include schools, further education colleges, the University of Central Lancashire and STEMNET’s regional representative.

Chris has made a quick start to the Consultancy and has already led a CPD session for local STEM teachers based on the Royal Academy of Engineering resource, Drones: friend or foe?

Region: North West

Ashton Community Science College, Preston Teacher Coordinator since April 2016

Chris Wallis Science specialist

Chris has made excellent use of existing teacher networks to stimulate interest in the Connecting STEM Teachers programme and it s learning resources.


Terry, who brings experience of working as computer game designer to the Connecting STEM Teachers (CST) programme, shares the Teacher Coordinator Consultancy for Bristol with his colleague Sam Lawrence, a design and technology teacher.

Terry worked with Sam on STEM learning initiatives at their school prior to joining the CST programme, including a project that gave pupils the opportunity to design, programme and make a 1980s style arcade game and cabinet. The project, which was nominated for a Times Educational Supplement award, involved pupils applying their computing and design and technology knowledge and skills to make a fully functioning product.

Region: South West

Cotham School, Bristol Teacher Coordinator since January 2016


Terry Watts Computing specialist

Terry has used his industrial experience to create nationally recognised STEM learning.

Disaster response resource.

DISASTERRESPONSE

This resource aims to give students the opportunity to investigate the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) aspects of disaster response.

How do engineers save lives in the aftermath of a natural disaster?

TEACHER'S VERSION

Front cover image: iStockphoto.com

Royal Academy of Engineering

As the UK’s national academy for engineering, we bring together the most successful and talented engineers for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering.

We have four strategic challenges:

Drive faster and more balanced economic growthTo improve the capacity of UK entrepreneurs and enterprises to create innovative products and services, increase wealth and employment and rebalance the economy in favour of productive industry.

Foster better education and skillsTo create a system of engineering education and training that satisfies the aspirations of young people while delivering the high-calibre engineers and technicians that businesses need.

Lead the professionTo harness the collective expertise, energy and capacity of the engineering profession to enhance the UK’s economic and social development.

Promote engineering at the heart of societyTo improve public understanding of engineering, increase awareness of how engineering impacts on lives and increase public recognition for our most talented engineers.

Documents

Connecting STEM Teachers Programme Teacher … Resources/booklet... · Connecting STEM Teachers Programme Teacher Coordinator Celebration ... Peter Thomas O. Warrington Michael McAteer