Invitation to Tender: Production of teaching resources for the Polar Explorer programme

Summary

Created for schools who are keen to raise aspirations and attainment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the Polar Explorer Programme aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. https://www.stem.org.uk/welcome-polar-explorer-programme

As part of this initiative we are seeking consultants to undertake the development of individual teaching resources directly relevant to the curriculum for students aged 7- 12 in STEM subjects (or computing), which should be focused around at least one of the themes of the Polar Explorer Programme. Consultants may bid for one or more of the following resources:

1 x Transition Project – A resource that can be used with 10-12 year olds as they move from primary to secondary/post-primary. 1 x STEM Career Booklet – Looking at the various careers of those who work on polar vessels as well as at polar research stations, and those involved in the planning and logistics of the trip. 1 x Polar Explorer ‘Cook Book’ – A guide to polar food science including nutrition, recipes, preservation, storage and transport.

1. Background

In 2014 the Government announced a £200 million investment for a new polar research ship. The RRS Sir will enable world-leading research in and the Arctic for the next 25 years.

Fully equipped with the latest instrumentation for the purposes of carrying out research in polar-regions, this vessel will have improved ice strengthened capability and greater endurance over existing polar research vessels. This will enable scientists and technicians to stay at sea for longer and study the polar environments during the Antarctic and Arctic summer months. It will also serve as a logistic support vessel for BAS research stations.

A state-of-the-art robotic subsea vehicle named Boaty McBoatface will be on board RRS Sir David Attenborough and will allow scientists to gather data remotely from places where humans are unable to go.

With funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) we have created the Polar Explorer programme. Working with BEIS, NERC, (BAS) and others we will use this historic occasion to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. We are using the build, launch and operation of RRS Sir David Attenborough and Boaty McBoatface to engage young people in science, enable them to understand the scientific process and enhance their understanding of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts.

The outcomes of the programme for students are an increase in:

 enjoyment and engagement in STEM subject lessons and extra-curricular activities.  confidence in learning science and in scientific enquiry skills  appreciation of the importance of STEM skills  knowledge of career opportunities available to those who study STEM subjects  awareness of the importance and relevance of science to society, and the role this plays in relation to helping people live with and adapt to change  knowledge of the work of the Polar  attainment and progression in relevant STEM subjects  STEM career aspirations.

And for teachers and schools, an increase in:

 confidence in the quality of science teaching in schools with increased subject knowledge to contextualise the curriculum  understanding how to embed STEM careers into curriculum teaching.

2. Deliverables and Audience:

This tender is for the creation of three separate teaching resources directly relevant to the curriculum for students aged 7-12 in STEM subjects (or computing). The resources for each subject should be focused around at least one of the themes of the programme (Engineering, Exploration, , Oceans and Animals, food chains and adaptations):

The Transition project and Cook Book should cover curriculum links between ages 7- 12 and the STEM Careers Booklet should be aimed at ages 7-11 They should ensure they have:

 Clearly embedded links to Polar Explorer related careers so that both teachers and students grasp the real world context of the activities, and better understand the relevant skills (linked to the curriculum) and qualifications required in related sectors and occupational areas.  Clear links to the polar research vessel (RRS Sir David Attenborough) expeditions.  Teachers notes, including content under the following headings: o Clear learning objectives o Summary of the resource o Background subject knowledge for teachers o Clear curriculum links o List of any equipment needed o Description of running the activities o Extension ideas o Differentiation o Links to further resources or useful websites

A template for Teacher notes will be made available to ensure continuity with existing resources

 The resource could include all or a selection of the following: o PowerPoints o Worksheets o Activity o Cards o Videos

A template for Powerpoint presentations will be made available to ensure continuity with existing resources

Additionally:

 Teachers notes for each activity should be no longer than 4-6 pages of A4  The resource should develop an appreciation of the importance of STEM skills  The resource should provide enough material for a minimum of one lesson, typically 60 minutes in length.

Consultants can apply to write one or more of the resources.

The resources produced will join our current suite of activities which can be found on the dedicated website

https://www.stem.org.uk/polar-explorer-educational-resources

and in the Activity booklet https://www.stem.org.uk/sites/default/files/pages/downloads/Polar%20Explorer%20a ctivity%20pack.pdf

Another example of a resource that demonstrates the quality of the content that is expected can be found here:

https://www.stem.org.uk/elibrary/resource/29651

https://www.stem.org.uk/elibrary/resource/29652

We expect each resource produced to take no more than 3-5 working days.

If shortlisted, a member of our education team may contact you to discuss the tender and direct you towards our partners, National Oceanographic Centre (NOC) and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) who can help ensure your resource is directly linked to current research.

3. Timeline:

Activity Milestone Open, competitive ITT issued 27 April 2018 Last date for submission of clarifying 21 May 2018 questions Deadline for receipt of tender 25 May 2018 submissions Discussion with providers of shortlisted w/c 28 May 2018 tenders

Submission of draft outline of resource 22 June 2018

Submission of completed resource 30 July 2018

Final adjustments 20 August 2018

4. Costing and pricing

Proposals should include a full budget plan for the whole costs including any anticipated travel, expenses and VAT. All costs should be clear and transparent, clarifying the number of days of each individual working on the activity that they provide. Decisions will be based on quality and relevance of resource proposal and perceived value for money, rather than the lowest cost proposal.

5. Tender content

Resource proposals should, as a minimum:

 be based on one of Polar Explorer themes as outlined in sections 2 above  identify curriculum links, and teacher and student learning outcomes  describe the intended benefits to teachers, students and schools  state clearly the intended use, structure and format of the different elements of the resource  reflect the main intended outcomes of the Polar Explorer programme  provide organisation/consultant's name, the lead contact and contact details  consultants should also liaise with a classroom teacher to ensure the resources being produced are suitable and relevant. Proposals should identify teacher involvement by providing named contacts/organisations. It is anticipated that consultants will have their own teacher networks  give previous experience and evidence of expertise in resource development, including examples  include a work plan showing key dates/milestones and deliverables  include a breakdown of costs

Consultants interested in developing a resource on more than one topic should submit a separate proposal for each resource.

6. Intellectual Property Rights

All copyrights, patent rights and other intellectual property arising from any work will be vested in STEM Learning Ltd.

Tenderers should identify any images or other material for which the copyright is vested with a third party. They should also demonstrate that permission to use such material has been granted.

7. Submission and format of proposals

The deadline for receipt of submissions is 09.00 on Friday 25 May 2018.

Late submissions will not be accepted. All submissions will be acknowledged with a notification of receipt.

An electronic copy of the proposal should be received in PDF or Word format by this deadline. This is an electronic only submission process. Proposals should be no longer than 3 sides of A4 (excluding CVs/references of people involved) and typed in Arial size 12 font. If the proposal exceeds this limit evaluators will be advised to disregard any information outside the limit.

Proposals with the subject line “Polar Explorer resource submission” should be emailed to: [email protected]

STEM Learning Ltd reserves the right not to award a contract.

A decision will be made as soon as possible after receiving the proposals, and successful applicants will be contacted to arrange a telephone discussion during w/c 28th May 2018.

Any questions for clarification should be emailed to [email protected]. The deadline for receipt of clarifying questions is 12.00 noon on 21 May 2018.

8. References

Tenderers should indicate the names of two current or recent customers for whom similar resource production has been carried out and who would be prepared to act as referees.

9. Selection criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria which are not listed in order of importance:

 compliance with, and understanding of, the requirements outlined in this consultant opportunity document  effectiveness of the proposed resource  relevant experience of the consultant  ability to meet the required timetable  management of any existing or potential conflict of interest identified by the bidder  value for money

10. Enquiries

These instructions are designed to ensure that all tenders are given equal and fair consideration. It is important therefore that you provide all the information asked for in the format and order specified.

Please contact Dianne Watson ([email protected]) if you have any difficulty in providing the information requested. Pre-tender negotiations are not allowed. If you have any questions relating to the requirements then please contact Dianne Watson as above. We will aim to respond to any queries within 2 working days. If we feel that the query relates to an issue of which all prospective bidders should be made aware we reserve the right to communicate our response to all those who have requested tender documentation.

If you consider any point you raise to be confidential to your own proposal please make this clear. Please note the last date for the submission of any queries is noon

21 May 2018.