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News & Opportunities

STEMFirst are proud to work with a wide range of partners to create a lot of ‘noise’ around STEM and Employability.

We love shouting about how amazing Science, Technology Engineering and Maths are and below is just a snapshot of what we have been up to. Please feel free to send us your STEM News and to share our good news stories below:

STEMFirst have been working with the Digital Skills Partnership in Lancashire, and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology…

on an amazing cyber-STEM project for Primary Schools. The data is now in from our pilot schools, and watch this space as we bring you around exciting plans for 2023 and beyond….

This is Me – I am a STEM Ambassador

This is Me – I am a STEM Ambassador is a GAME CHANGER !

No more teachers asking ‘who are the STEM Ambassadors?’ and STEM Ambassadors asking ‘what do schools want?’. We can tell you ! This is Me is a fantastic way to get active around STEM. It really should be the first step in a STEM Ambassadors journey, the foundation of your STEM Activity, and the key thing that you do before working with any young person.

We offer regular short virtual training sessions for STEM Ambassadors and teachers in using this resource – we always have a This is Me every month, so come on line and find out more.

STEM Ambassadors – you can find This is Me training by searching on the STEM Ambassadors website at www.stem.org.uk

Robotics Challenge – 2023

STEMFirst have been the proud deliverer of the EngineeringUK Robotics Challenge in the North West of England since 2018.

Our region is the most active in the UK with 63 schools attending our North West Finals, and over 80 STEM Ambassador volunteers acting as mentors/judges on the days. A HUGE shout out to our secondary school teachers that have supported their students, enabling them to take part in this amazing competition to grow their STEM skills and find out about the world of robotics/tech and computer science.

Introducing Robotics – Lancaster University

STEMFirst were delighted to partner with Lancaster University Engineering Department in May 2023 to deliver an introducing robotics day to North West Schools.

The day was themed on the future of robotics, with a range of activities designed to illustrate automation, co-bots, robotics in industry and show how robots can help deal with engineering problems in hazardous circumstances. The students were given a series of ‘blind challenges’ and worked in their teams to programme a robot to collect and dispose of nuclear waste. The students had a fantastic day, and we are looking at making this an annual event.

Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) This is Me – I am a STEM Ambassador

CITB have partnered with STEMFirst to roll out our inspirational This is Me – I am a STEM Ambassador programme to their partner construction companies. We were delighted to attend Lovell offices in Tamworth to work with their graduates and apprentices, to sign them up to the STEM Ambassador programme, and help them understand the types of activities that will inspire and influence young people around STEM.

A full afternoon of group challenges, STEM fact-finding, activity development and personal stories enabled the Lovell staff to develop their offer and increase their confidence in going out and supporting schools and students across the UK.

Looking forwards to the next one!

Milo School – North West Young Engineer of the Year 2019

We are delighted that one of our Cumbrian Schools, Millom, have won two top awards at the North West Young Engineer of the Year 2019 competition. Supported by STEM Ambassador George Burch the year 9 team researched and built musical instruments for the town park, for use by children on the autistic spectrum. The awards given too the team were the ‘North West Young Engineer of the Year 2019’, awarded by Astra Zeneca and the ‘Communications’ award presented by Air Products; the team have also won a place to compete as finalists at the Big Bang Fair in 2020. Congratulations to the team and our STEM Ambassador mentor for all their hard work!

HRH Princess Anne visits Engineering Company celebrating 25 years of innovation and STEM Engagement

One of our STEM Ambassador Partner Organisations has celebrated 25 years of inspiring the community about STEM with a visit by HRH Princess Anne. REACTEngineering based at Cleator Moor in Cumbria has worked tirelessly with the community over the years and their 16 STEM Ambassadors engage with a multitude of STEM opportunities. On her visit Princess Anne spent time with the REACTioneers who are an engineering club for 4 -11 year olds who meet every Tuesday. Beth Holmes, of Cleator Moor (and Jericho School) had the chance to hand over a posy to the Princess Royal who spent some time with the youngsters who gave the budding engineers a small talk on bridges. More on this story at:https://cumbriaguide.co.uk/react-engineering-gets-royal-seal-of-approval/

Opportunities

Bridge the Gap - Caribbean Rescue

STEMFirst are privileged to be be an approved STEM delivery partner of the RAF. We are currently updating our fabulous Bridge the Gap game, to have a humanitarian-rescue theme. Our team will be delivering our STEM Challenge, fully funded by the RAF, across Cumbria in 2023/24.

Engineering Fairytales

STEMFirst are delighted to have worked with BAE Systems to extend the reach of our award-winning Engineering Fairy tales resources. Please get in touch to find out how you can embed Engineering Fairy tales into your school curriculum.

Location: Virtual / face to face

Gatsby Training for Secondary Schools

STEMFirst deliver a wide range of teacher sessions around STEM. Get in touch to find out what is coming up in the next school year.

Location: Virtual /face to face

Faraday Challenge Delivery in Lancashire 2023

STEMFirst are delighted to be partnering with IET Faraday to bring KS3 Faraday Challenges to Lancashire in 2023/24. We will be delivering to over 60 schools. Get in touch to find out how you can get involved!