STEM Challenge Day

 

8^th February 2011

STEM Day Teamwork Students worked in mixed school teams to successfully build a wind turbine.	Refining the Design Teams had to use creativity and problem solving skills to overcome any difficulties they encountered.
STEM Ambassadors Teams were supported by two STEM Ambassadors who were on hand to give engineering advice and encouragement.	Testing Each teams wind turbine was tested to see how much electricity it generated.
The Winning Team The winning team being with their turbine being presented with their prizes.	Picture Quiz Winners Winners of the picture quiz being awarded their prizes.

After the success of the first North Somerset STEM Challenge Day last year, the 2011 event had a lot to live up to. Did it succeed?

One hundred year students from thirteen schools descended on Gordano School for a day of creativity and teamwork in a STEM context. The stated aims of the day were:

1.      Develop PLTS in a STEM context.

2.      Inform students about the type of work undertaken by engineers.

3.      Increase student aspirations to pursue engineering careers.

4.      To successfully work with strangers to complete an engineering challenge with limited time and resources.

Students worked in mixed school teams. As schools started to arrive and students sat on their team tables the only sound that could be heard above the pumping sound track was an awkward silence. The organisers were beginning to question their judgement!  But once the task was underway teams started to jell and the silence was replaced with voices planning the best way to meet the challenge.

Louise and Tolulope from the Smallpeice Trust ran the main activity which was to design, build and test a wind turbine. Teams had to work towards a time limit and pay for any resources used. The winning design would have to produce a large amount of electricity, be good value for money and look good!

Students were not the only ones learning, accompanying members of staff took part in CPD ran by Helen Martin, North Somerset’s Science Teaching and Learning Advisor. Teachers looked at how they could use their students as ‘STEM Ambassadors’ to bring the activity back into schools. They also had an opportunity to explore and discuss the breadth of STEM activities and resources available to schools.

So did the day meet its objectives? According to questionnaires completed by students and teachers at the end of the event it did – mostly!

90% of students either agreed or strongly agreed that by taking part in the STEM Challenge Day they had developed new skills that will help them at school and in their personal lives. Lots of students talked about increased teamwork, problem solving and social skills. Teachers also recognised the impact of the days activity on their students, one teacher observed: ‘All have improved confidence in working with new people and increased team working skills.’ Another teacher commented on how it stretched her students: ‘They have come out of their comfort zone.’

93% of students either agreed or strongly agreed that the STEM Challenge Day had helped their understanding of what engineering is. Some students came to the event knowing very little about engineering: ‘I didn't know what engineers did before I came.’ Student’s awareness of what engineers do was increased: ‘They invent new things such as planes and vehicles.’ And: ‘It helped me understand that engineers do lots of things.’ Other students who already knew a little about engineering had their ideas changed: ‘It's not always about designing; it's a lot more interesting than I thought.’ The event seemed to be good at dispelling misconceptions about engineering: ‘I thought an engineer was a car builder but I now know it's not.’ Also: ‘I thought engineering was just getting your hands dirty.’ This student commented on what she’d learnt about the way engineers work: ‘You've got to have everyone’s ideas and work as a team.’

Only 21% of students agreed that taking part in the STEM Challenge Day has made them want to become an engineer when they’re older. Lots of comments echoed this student’s view: ‘I really enjoyed today but I don't want to be an engineer.’ Other students could see the attraction of an engineering career but just didn’t think it’s for them: ‘I like engineering but I don't want to be an engineer.’ And: ‘I might be an engineer but I’ve got my eyes set on other jobs.’ Some students hadn’t made up their minds yet: ‘I'm not sure, but I thought it was fun and will keep it in mind.’ A number of students communicated a lack of confidence: ‘I don't think I'm clever enough.’ Also: ‘I liked it, but don't think I'm good enough to do this as my job.’ This student thought being an engineer might be stressful: ‘It's stressful when you have a time limit!’

Perhaps it’s too much to ask for a one day event to completely change what young people want to do with the rest of their lives, at best an event like this can dispel misconceptions and allow for informed decisions to be made. However 21% of students said they now want to become engineers. This student put it like this: ‘I might be an engineer now because of this day.’

At the end of the day there was a noticeable buzz in the air which contrasted with the atmosphere at the beginning. 90% of students said they would take part again given the chance. This comment sums up most students views: ‘It was fun and I met lots of new people. It's a really good way to learn new things.’ Accompanying members of staff also thought the day was a success: ‘Really fun, great skills developed, all really enjoyed the day and made new friends.’ Members of staff also appreciated the opportunity to talk to discuss ideas with colleagues: ‘Very good day to meet other STEM colleagues, share ideas and get students engaged.’

The organisers would like to say a big thank to everyone involved with the day for making it such a success. In particular they would like to thank Jon Bankhead from Magnox North Sites and Kevin Slater from Manor Farming Engineering for taking time out of their busy schedules to support the teams. Special thanks also to Gemma, Luke, Billy and Ellie from Weston College for all their help making the day run smoothly.