Activities for Schools and Colleges
Find out how we aim to boost participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The University of Chester Faculty of Science and Engineering STEM Outreach programme offers school students the opportunity to see what ‘real’ engineers and scientists do, through practical applications and problem solving activities in Science, Engineering and Mathematics.
Activities are designed to inspire young people and raise awareness of higher level study and future career opportunities in STEM, whilst also providing curriculum enhancement and enrichment. The aim is to target students early enough to influence subject choices and also to widen access to groups who are under-represented in STEM subjects, to address future skills needs.
This programme will highlight the links between physics, chemistry, biological sciences and engineering with core mathematics and computational sciences. Young people participating in STEM Outreach activities will gain an understanding of the cross-disciplinary and creative skills in STEM that reflect the nature of scientific enquiry and technological innovation in the world of work.
Employers and University undergraduates, as mentors, act as powerful role models for students coming to Outreach activities. Teachers and parents can also become engaged in the learning activities, thereby helping students to make the right choices for successful careers in STEM.
The STEM Outreach programme is FREE to schools and colleges; however, students participating in full-day events will be asked to bring a packed lunch. Further information will be sent out prior to each event giving details of arrangements and times.
Activities
The following activites examples of the types of support we have previously offered to school/college students. During the current implications of COVID-19, we welcome colleagues in schools and colleges to contact us to discuss the various opportunities we can provide online.
| Audience | Activity |
|---|---|
| Year 7,8,9 Year 10,11 Year 12,13 |
University staff visiting schools to raise awareness of Science and Engineering with presentations, demonstrations and interactive sessions including General Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering. Also available, Chemistry ‘The Magic of Chemistry’, Physics and Materials Science. |
| Year 10,11 and Year 12/13 |
A workshop designed to support specialist areas of the STEM curriculum. This can include: • Enhancement of the curriculum through theory and practical applications – University staff |
| School/college Technical Staff |
‘Shadowing’ Faculty Technical staff to refresh and update Health and Safety procedures in the lab for school and college Technicians |
|
Work experience students (minimum age 16) |
Working on a project in the University labs and in a company based at Thornton Science Park. |
| Year 10,11 Year 12,13 |
One-day or half-day workshop to bridge the gap between school and university – introduces students to a diff erent approach to learning and provides extremely useful skills for the future. Each workshop is designed to reflect the application of taught subjects to industrial needs. |
We also offer:
- Teacher meetings for school and college staff which comprise presentations on the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and STEM Outreach plus a tour of our facilities.
- STEM Ambassador training for students and staff. This online training session takes approximately 1 hour.