STEM Ambassador Newsletter March 2015

Dear STEM Ambassador,

Many thanks for your continued support for the STEM Ambassadors Programme. Your support for local schools makes a huge difference to Hampshire students and it is greatly appreciated by local teachers.

Here is some of the feedback that the STEM Team has received about recent events:

‘I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and your colleagues for being so generous with your time this afternoon. After a few disappointing weeks where we had rather hit a brick wall with our design the students have arrived back in school enthused and full of ideas, and are, as I write, dismantling (and hopefully rebuilding!) our model in order to put into practice everything that they have just learnt. It was a brilliant opportunity for them to get really close to a working hovercraft, and indeed to clamber all over one, and your colleagues were great at explaining what they saw.’ Teacher, following a student visit to Hovertravel’s workshop on the Isle of Wight.

‘Some great thinking from the pupils and some cracking ideas - lovely to see this working and in action.’ STEM Ambassador, on supporting a STEM club that is participating in the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Challenge.

‘The event ran itself and the students were fully engaged - it was in the subsequent days after the event that the real learning took place as students continued to discuss ideas and become more motivated about what they had heard on the day. I know that some of our students do find it hard to communicate with adults they don't readily know and it was good to be able to reinforce those 'life skills' as well as think about your particular career paths. They have asked for another event with a different range of careers already - still STEM related!’ Teacher, following a careers event.

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the event and it was great watching even the most reluctant students really come alive at the end to cheer as the marbles made their way down the runs.’ STEM Ambassador, following an International Women’s Day STEM event at Winchester Science Centre.

"I really want to be an engineer! This showed me that women can also be engineers". "I was surprised at how well we communicated as a team, especially as we didn't know some of the other students from other schools" "We were so excited that our marble run actually worked, although it was tense at the end!" School students at International Women’s Day STEM Event.

As you can see, lots of schools have plans for British Science Week (16th to 20th March). There are also two STEM events planned at Winchester Science Centre. A ‘Meet the Experts’ event on Saturday 21st March where Winchester Science Centre would greatly value your support and the other, an event to raise awareness to educators about Future Careers, is planned for Wednesday 22nd April; support for these events would be particularly welcome.

Please take a look at the events listed below, they are sorted geographically and are selected from the full list on the Winchester Science Centre website http://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/stemnet/upcoming-stem-activities-events/.

Kind regards, Damian, Sarah, Emily and Carol Damian Haasjes, Sarah Newman, Emily Thorpe-Smith and Carol Smith

STEM Ambassadors and students taking STEM Ambassadors judging the final part in careers speed-networking session marble run challenge entries at the at the International Women's Day Event at International Women's Day Event at Winchester Science Centre. Winchester Science Centre.

STEM News

Twitter The STEM team at Winchester Science Centre are now spreading the STEM word on Twitter, please follow us @STEMHants . If you are promoting a STEM activity via Twitter, please use #STEMHants to help publicise your event.

Meet the Experts at Winchester Science Centre Venue: Winchester Science Centre, SO21 1HZ Date: Saturday 21st March, 2015 Time: 10:30am to 2.30pm

As part of British Science Week, Winchester Science Centre are running a ‘Meet the Experts’ event. This will include opportunities for the visitors to take part in hands-on activities led and supported by STEM Ambassadors. Activities will include: chocolate welding http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/resource/5694/welding-with-chocolate, felt pen chromatography, sorting networks (where people walk around a network map) http://csunplugged.org/sorting-networks/ and playing with electric circuits.

Ambassadors are invited to come along for part of this event (either the morning: 10.30am to 12.30pm, afternoon 12.30pm to 2.30pm or for both sessions) to support these activities. Civil engineers, chemists, computer scientists, physicists and electrical engineers would be especially welcome to support the activities listed. If you have other ideas for activities, please let us know. Ambassadors could also chat to visitors at their favourite exhibits around the science centre. The day will also include live science shows and a fun relaxed atmosphere aimed at getting people to think about STEM careers and what scientists and engineers do. This event will include a free family ticket for ambassadors who book on to support the event and wish to bring their family for the day. If you would like to support this event, please register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-the-experts-tickets-16104497987 . If you have any questions, please contact Damian Haasjes at [email protected].

Future Careers Evening 22nd April 2015, 4.30pm to 7.00pm This event is aimed at raising teachers’ and careers advisors’ awareness of STEM careers. In particular, it is hoped educators will gain a better understanding of what engineering is, of the different routes into STEM careers and the qualities (not just academic) that STEM employers look for in new recruits. This event will also promote new research about how to encourage young women to follow careers in STEM.

There will also be opportunities for STEM Ambassadors to promote specific career opportunities in STEM companies and for ambassadors and teachers to plan STEM activities.

The event will include 3 activities:

 Speed-networking event  Opportunity for teachers to visit employer stands and network informally  Key note speech from Prof Averil Macdonald about engaging girls in STEM. Averil’s recent report “‘Not for people like me?’ – Underrepresented groups in science, technology and engineering” can be found at http://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/stemnet/resources/stem-careers-information/

A wonderful cream tea will also be provided.

If you would like to attend please register at the Eventbrite link as an individual or to bring a stand to represent your employer: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/future-careers-evening-22nd-april-2015-tickets-16099590308

STEM Support by Video-Conference Over the last few weeks, the STEM team have been arranging video-conferences involving schools and STEM Ambassadors, as part of a National pilot scheme run by STEMNET. So far, two sessions have been run and both have been very well received. Find out more at http://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/stemnet/news/stem- support-by-video-conference/#.VP7ovC7-LIU.

Become a STEM Ambassador Do you know someone who would like to become a STEM Ambassador? The STEM Ambassadors Programme enables anyone with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills to inspire young people and demonstrate the possibilities of STEM subjects and careers. Anyone who uses STEM skills, and is willing and able to encourage young people to pursue STEM subjects, can apply to become a STEM Ambassador at https://db.stemnet.org.uk/register/ambassador . Female applicants are especially welcome, as women are still underrepresented on our scheme.

Could you spare half a day to interview students at a University Technical College? If so, read on!

The Duke of York Award for Technical Education recognises achievement in University Technical Colleges, which offer an intensive 14-19 STEM curriculum based on real-world projects devised in partnership with employers. The competency framework developed for the Duke of York Award draws on Registered Technician standards for engineers, scientists and IT technicians – EngTech, RSciTech and ITTech. This encourages students to see themselves as working towards professional recognition. Each spring and summer, volunteers interview candidates for Duke of York Awards, using the competency framework as a template. In 2015, interviews will be arranged in 14 UTCs around England. The minimum commitment is half a day – a morning or afternoon. UTCs don’t pay a fee or reimburse travel expenses, but volunteers invariably say they enjoy their time with the students. Please visit www.utcolleges.org/stem-ambassadors to find out more and register your interest.

Upcoming Requests from Schools

All events can be found on our website at Upcoming STEM Activities.

To find your local school request please click of your geographic area within Hampshire. Portsmouth Southampton Central Hampshire North Hampshire

How to log a STEM Ambassador Activity on the STEMNET

Database

 Google STEMNET  Click on 'Log On’  Enter your email address  If you have forgotten your password, click 'Forgotten My Password' and a nonsense one will be sent to your email address.  Finish logging on  Click on 'Add a single school' activity (or multi-school if you worked with students from lots of schools).  Work through the online form. The information required is: the date, the school, approximate number of students, approximate age of students (KS3 means 11-13 years and KS4 means 14-16 years) and a brief description of the activity.

Events at Winchester Science Centre

Corporate Hire Did you know that you can use the Science Centre and Planetarium as a venue for events? From the use of individual meeting rooms and the IT suite, to the hire of the whole Centre or the Planetarium, why not bring your colleagues or guests to the Science Centre's iconic building, conveniently located just outside Winchester. Contact Paul Cook, Corporate Services Manager, to discuss your requirements: [email protected].

Singles Events Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium is pleased to be hosting a series of Singles Events with the aim to allow local single people to meet one another and to make new friends. Each event will be held in the unique setting of Winchester Science Centre. Guests have the chance to enjoy canapés, a welcome drink, a planetarium show and a range of activities. The cost of a ticket also includes a curry (including vegetarian option) cooked in the onsite cafe. There will be a range of fun introductory games and time to mingle with others. No science knowledge required! Pre-booking is essential. Tickets are £20 per person. http://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/visitor-information/whats-on/singles-night/

After Dark Visit the planetarium, play about in the exhibition after the kids have gone home and enjoy a meal at the cafe. Activities run throughout the evening so don't worry if you can't arrive for 6pm or need to leave early. http://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/visitor-information/whats-on/after-dark/

Sponsor the Science Centre Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium now welcomes over 150,000 visitors annually. If you know of a business that might be interested in partnering with the charity then please contact Director, Verena Cornwall: [email protected].

Portsmouth REQ 289: Careers Talk about Animals and Animal Adaptations at Mayfield School, Portsmouth Tuesday 31st March at 9.00am Mayfield School would like STEM Ambassadors to give a brief talk during lessons about animal adaptations, ecology and careers opportunities working with animals. STEM Ambassadors could discuss how animals have adapted for survival, with relation to physical or behavioural changes.

REQ 295: STEM Ambassadors needed to give Sea-Related STEM Talks at Mayfield School, Portsmouth Monday 27 April at 9:00am Mayfield School would love STEM Ambassadors to visit lessons to give a short 10 minute talk and discuss sea-related STEM topics with students aged 12 to 13. The students will have been studying many aspects of the sea in lessons and the teachers would like to involve STEM Ambassadors in this project to really bring the topic to life. The talk could include any STEM topic, linked to the sea, for example: ecology of the sea, sea exploration, boats and shipping or the technology of oil-rigs.

REQ 301: Careers Speed Networking during British Science Week at Purbrook Park School, Waterlooville Thursday 19th March 2015 at 4.00pm to 6.00pm Purbrook Park is planning to hold a Careers Speed Networking Session for their student during British Science Week. The teachers would like to use British Science Week as a platform to promote STEM careers with students, by engaging with Ambassadors during this early evening session. If you would like to support this event please click on the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/req-301-careers-speed-networking-for-british-science-week- at-purbrook-park-school-waterlooville-tickets-15991849051

REQ 302: Tutor Time Mentoring and/or Careers Talks during British Science Week at Purbrook Park School, Waterlooville w/c Monday 16th March from 2.30pm to 3.00pm Purbrook Park School is planning to run British-Science-Week-themed tutorial periods for a week. The STEM teachers will put together a suite of STEM activities for class tutors to use during the week. They would love STEM Ambassadors to mentor students with these short activities. If you have your own short activity that you would like to run with a tutor group, teachers would be keen to include your ideas.

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Southampton REQ 300: Careers Networking Event at The Sholing Technology College, Southampton Tuesday 17th March from 9.00am to 11.00am and/or 11.00am to 1.00pm The Science Department at The Sholing Technology College is planning to hold a Careers Networking Event for their student during British Science Week. The teachers would like to use British Science Week as a platform to promote STEM careers with students, by engaging with Ambassadors during this morning session. If you would like to support this event please click on the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/req-300-careers-networking-event-at-the-sholing-technology- college-southampton-tickets-16082257465

REQ 298: Careers Talks for British Science Week at Oasis Lords Hill Academy, Southampton Tuesday 17th March from 11.00am to 1.00pm and/or 1.00pm to 3.00pm Oasis Lords Hill Academy is keen to use British Science Week as a platform to promote STEM careers to their students. The science department are committed to delivering excellent careers advice to students and would love STEM Ambassadors to discuss careers further with students. The teacher would like ambassadors to give a 10/15 minute talks on STEM careers. If you would like to support this event please click on the Eventbrite link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/req-298-careers-talks-for-british-science-week-at-oasis-lords- hill-academy-southampton-tickets-16081957568

REQ 303: Careers Talks during British Science Week at Quilley School for Engineering Monday 23th March at 8:30am to 10.20am Quilley School of Engineering is planning to promote STEM careers during British Science Week and would like a small group of STEM Ambassadors to talk to students about their careers. The teachers would like STEM Ambassadors to speak to their highest-achieving students aged 12 to 13 over 2 hours (2 lessons). Each talk should last for 10/15 minutes with a short Q&A session at the end. You could discuss your career and academic pathway, what made you want to work in the STEM industry, how STEM has enriched your life and possible future careers that students may be interested in.

REQ 260: Career Speed Networking Morning at Crestwood College for Business and Enterprise, Eastleigh Monday 23rd March at 12.00pm REQ 265: Career Speed Networking Morning at Crestwood College for Business and Enterprise, Eastleigh Tuesday 24th March at 10.15am The science department at Crestwood College for Business and Enterprise have previously held two very successful speed networking careers events and would love hold another similar event in March. Crestwood College are dedicated to promote the STEM industries to their students and give students the opportunity to interact with STEM Ambassadors directly.

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Central Hampshire REQ 290: STEM Fair Careers Talks and Demonstrations at Amery Hill School, Alton Friday 20th March at 1.30pm Amery Hill School are planning to run a Science Fair during British Science Week to celebrate and promote local STEM industries to their students. The theme for the fair is 'Speed and Movement'. The school would like Ambassadors to talk to students about STEM careers by discussing your profession, what academic pathway you took and what your career expectations were when you were at school

REQ 286: Careers Talk for Teachers at Wyvern Technology College, Eastleigh Friday 27th March at 9.00am Wyvern School would like 3 STEM Ambassador to deliver a 15 minute talk about their careers and the STEM industry they work in. The talk will be delivered to teachers during CPD teacher training. They would like ambassadors to talk about ‘a day in the life of a STEM Ambassador’.

REQ 279: STEM Club Mentors needed for Greenpower Car Challenge at The Petersfield School on Thursday’s The Petersfield School have a thriving STEM Club and would love STEM Ambassadors to help mentor students whilst they are building their car for the Greenpower Challenge. The car will be entered into a National IET F24 competition and could be raced at Goodwood Race Circuit.

REQ 281: Ambassadors Wanted to help make a Remote Control Swamp Boat at Mill Chase Academy, Bordon Mill Chase Academy are building a remote control swamp boat and would love STEM Ambassadors to support the STEM Club during the process. Midhurst Rother College, Sussex are hosting a STEM challenge for around 12 schools in July which involves building and modifying ‘swamp boats’ from kits. The school would like STEM Ambassadors to support them with the builds. This is an ideal chance to really inspire students interested in engineering with a more challenging, engaging project.

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North Hampshire REQ 304: Careers Speed Networking Session at Fort Hill Community School, Basingstoke Thursday 26 March from 11:15am to 1.15pm Fort Hill Community School is planning to hold a careers speed-networking session for their students during British Science Week. The teachers would like to use British Science Week as a platform to promote STEM careers with students, by engaging with Ambassadors during this morning session. If you would like to support this event please click on the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/req-304-careers-speed- networking-session-at-fort-hill-community-school-basingstoke-tickets-16082507212

REQ 290: STEM Fair Careers Talks and Demonstrations at Amery Hill School, Alton Friday 20th March at 1.30pm Amery Hill School are planning to run a Science Fair during British Science Week to celebrate and promote local STEM industries to their students. The theme for the fair is 'Speed and Movement'. The school would like Ambassadors to talk to students about STEM careers by discussing your profession, what academic pathway you took and what your career expectations were when you were at school.

REQ 292: STEM Activities Wanted for Primary Science Fair at Robert May’s School, Odiham Wednesday 29th April at 8.30am Robert May’s School are planning a STEM Fair for local primary schools to attend. They would like STEM Ambassadors to bring a STEM activity for small groups of primary students, aged 9/10 to showcase your industry or job role that would last about 30 minutes. The activities will be repeated four times in the morning and four in the afternoon with different groups of children.

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