The Regional STEM Skills Programme focuses on raising the aspirations and awareness of young people about the importance of these key subjects, and is funding targeted interventions across two major strands of activity:
Strand A: Increase attainment and participation levels, for 5-18 year olds, and change the perceptions of and attitudes towards science subjects and science careers within the North East School system.
The activities supported in this strand include:
1. Science Excellence Innovation Partnerships (SEIPs)
The overall aim for the SEIPs is to create a network of schools in each local authority area, involving the Heads of Science and the local authority Science Specialist. Partnerships are now operational in eight local authority areas and are focussing much their initial activity in the areas of Enquiry Based Learning and Teacher CPD.
2. Children Challenging Industry programme
This element of the programme is led by the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) in conjunction with industrial partners. It aims to enthuse primary school children about science, and provide classroom based training for teachers.
3. Youth Engineering Show
The 2009 event took place between the 23rd and 25th June 2009 at Rainton Meadows in Sunderland and involved 9 events for students and teachers plus a VIP event. The show was a huge success with 6,820 teachers and pupils attending over the three days and over 400 attendees at the VIP event. The Engineering Show 2010 is currently in the planning stages.
A video clip of the 2009 Youth Engineering Show is available on http://www.skillsnortheast.co.uk/page/stem_event.cfm
Strand B: Increase higher education participation levels within the higher and further education system in the North East.
The activities supported in this strand include:
1. Higher Education STEM outreach activity – led by Teesside University based on the award winning ‘Meteor’ programme – this uses undergraduate mentors to work alongside young people in years 6-9 to support the transition from primary to secondary school, and to raise the aspirations of young people regarding participation in further and higher education – particularly in relation to shortage areas such as Science and Engineering. This project is also supported by Newcastle University, Northumbria University and Sunderland University.
2. A Higher Education STEM strategy – click here for a copy of this report regarding a long-term strategy for the North East to secure and sustain the supply of the right people with the right knowledge and skills to support its science base.
More information on all the activities supported by the Regional STEM Skills Programme can be obtained by downloading the project directory.