Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Education – The STEM Programme A Briefing for HoDoMS Jenny Baker STEM Programme Leader.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Education – The STEM ProgrammeA Briefing for HoDoMS

• Jenny Baker

• STEM Programme Leader

The STEM Programme ReportDfES and DTI

• Published October 2006

• The result of 2 years’ work by Sir Alan Wilson and colleagues to map all the publicly-funded STEM initiatives

• Recommendations for:

- better co-ordination of STEM activity at local, regional and national level

- better co-ordination of public and non-public initiatives

- better targeted government spending

To be implemented by the National STEM Director

Key aim of the STEM Programme

To put in place arrangements for the next spending period (from April 2008) that will:

1. Improve attainment in STEM subjects, as measured by assessments at ages 14, 16 and 18

2. Increase engagement in STEM subjects, as measured by numbers opting to study for qualifications at Level 3 and above in STEM subjects, especially A Level Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

GCSE Science and Maths A* - C

43

535250

4451

202530354045505560

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

(pro

v)

% o

f c

oh

ort

Ac

hie

vin

g A

*-C

Maths Science

2005 and 2006 figures are for pupils at the end of KS4. All previous figures are for pupils aged 15

A level Science and Maths entries

46,687

34,551

23,682

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

A L

ev

el E

ntr

ies

16

-18

ye

ar

old

s

Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

DfES targets for maths, chemistry and physics A Level entries in 2014

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

A L

ev

el E

ntr

ies

16

-18

ye

ar

old

s

Biology Chemistry Physics maths

Prov

37,000

35,000

56,000

Horizontal axis: Human Development IndexVertical axis: Scores on questions designed to measure positive attitudes towards studying science

Svein Sjoberg, University of Oslo: Project ROSE

The world outside school

The school curriculum

The world outside school

S T E M

The school curriculum

The world outside school

S T E M

The school curriculum

S T E M

The world outside school

S T E M

The school curriculum

S T E M

STEM programme

• Consulting widely and on track with plans for

o Establishing links with partner organisations

o Establishing the ‘British Library of STEM’

o Co-ordination of teachers’ CPD

o Co-ordination of enhancement and enrichment activity

o A clearer system for decisions on funding schemes

o Better guidance on STEM careers for students

o A co-ordinated approach to evaluation

Action 17 from the STEM Report

• By July 2007, reflecting advice from the National STEM Director, DfES and DTI will agree, with other funders, on no more than ten national schemes of STEM support for schools (excluding national teacher supply measures) that should receive national funding and endorsement; and on how particular existing schemes and funding streams should be rationalised to fit within this simpler framework, building on those which can contribute most to achieving our objectives at national level.

10 Schemes

• Scheme 1: CPD for maths teachers• Scheme 2: CPD for science teachers• Scheme 3: CPD for engineering and technology teachers• Scheme 4: E & E the science curriculum• Scheme 5: E & E in engineering and technology• Scheme 6: E & E the teaching of mathematics• Scheme 7: IAG for students about STEM careers• Scheme 8: Widening access to the formal science and maths

curriculum – including access to triple science and second maths GCSE

• Scheme 9: Improving the quality of practical work in science• Scheme 10: Building capacity at national, regional and local levels

The concept: Where we are moving from

Government funded interventions Non-Government funded interventions

The Concept: 200 or so interventions sorted into 10 schemes

Scheme 1 Scheme 2 Scheme 3 Scheme 4 Scheme 5 Scheme 6 Scheme 7 Scheme 8

Scheme 9 Scheme 10

The Concept: 100 or so government funded interventions sorted into 10 schemes

Scheme 1 Scheme 2 Scheme 3 Scheme 4 Scheme 5 Scheme 6 Scheme 7 Scheme 8 Scheme 9 Scheme 10

The situation in ’06/’07 Scheme 1 Scheme 2 Scheme 3 Scheme 4 Scheme 5 Scheme 6 Scheme 7 Scheme 8 Scheme 9 Scheme 10

Predicted situation Post-2008 Scheme 1 Scheme 2 Scheme 3 Scheme 4 Scheme 5 Scheme 6 Scheme 7 Scheme 8 Scheme 9 Scheme 10

The strength of partnershipsPublic sector

• Primary and Secondary National Strategy • Specialist Schools with STEM specialisms• SETNET • National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics• Science Learning Centres

Not-for-profit sector• Royal Society• Royal Academy of Engineering • Association for Science Education • Advisory Committee for Mathematics Education• Engineering and Technology Board• Wellcome Trust • Gatsby Charitable Foundation

Private Sector • A range of businesses, especially in the pharmaceutical

and engineering industries

Better co-ordinationLocal delivery, with schools accessing STEM support directly through the web portal, or through local networks based on: specialist schools, SETPOINTS, Secondary National Strategy and LAs

Regional co-ordination, using regional STEM Support Centres, co-located where possible with regional Science Learning Centres and regional Maths co-ordinators, and with a close relationship with the Regional Development Agency

National co-ordination, involving a National STEM centre steered by key stakeholders in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors. Systematic planning of funding against national priorities. A common evaluation framework.

Contact Details

Jenny Baker

Department for Education and Skills

Area 4c, Sanctuary Buildings

Great Smith St

London, SW1P 3BT

e-mail: [email protected]