Encouraging Small People to Think Big

I thought it would be good to share my experiences of STEM Learning. Along with PSQM, they and their staff have been so inspirational to me on my ‘Science Lead’ learning journey. In the Beginning Initially, and as a new Science co-ordinator, I was encouraged to undertake the STEM Learning 9 day ‘Developing the Experienced Primary Science Lead’ course. This took place over three 3-day sessions and was funded through an Enthuse bursary due to the fact that the school where I work is in a low socio-economic area. It was such an awesome experience. The STEM Centre is a wonderful place, full of enthusiastic and encouraging staff including Tanya Shields, Sarah Dagnell and Karen Bruynee. The way the course was delivered was so interesting and engaging. There were loads of ‘hands-on’ activities to get involved in- which really helped me to remember the value of hands-on learning. I also learned more about assessment, enquiry types, different science topics, strategies for leading a subject and...

It is so important that our pupils gain skills and knowledge about careers and therefore we are so proud at the school where I work to have recently attained the ‘Primary Careers Mark’. Quality Careers Education activities, and subsequent knowledge, enable pupils to understand and develop characteristics such as resilience and patience- required for their future. Information given is free from gender bias and develops knowledge about careers in their local area; it also helps them to identify their own characteristics and potentially, what kind of jobs they might like and suit. We work to give our children the appropriate IT skills and confidence to be flexible as they travel their learning journey. This really enhances pupil self-esteem as their confidence grows.    Our school has included a careers element within its curriculum for many years, particularly in Year 6 as the pupils have been undergoing transition to Year 7. The Careers Mark programme was brought to our attenti...

My Masters Journey and Top Tips   My journey  It is widely acknowledged that participating in a Masters is admirable and a considerable task; this was an important undertaking for me and a long held ambition. However, working on a full-time basis in school leaves professionals with very little spare time. As a teacher of Six years at the time of starting and also working in Year Six, plus heading towards a big birthday, it seemed like the time was right for me to seize the opportunity and complete this ambition. I feared that if I did not do so, my optimum chance may pass me by. An opportunity arose when I realised the local college was running a ‘Masters in Education’ course in the evenings.   As Science/STEM Subject Lead, I had recently attained the PSQM accreditation with my school which meant I had been busy and had re-familiarised myself with working in an academic way. I felt that whilst learning at the East Riding College, new knowledge gained would inform my work....

Hello again and welcome. It makes me so sad that humankind is inflicting such damage on our planet and that once again, a manmade catastrophe is looming. The tragic environmental disaster- this time in the shape of an oil spill- unfolding in the Indian Ocean, is yet another horrendous problem to afflict itself on our natural environment.* It seems that since lock-down the planet has been having a rest from pollutants to a large extent and that people have been really enjoying getting outside with their families and rediscovering nature- it’s brilliant. Certainly, at our school, our pupils have really engaged with outdoor learning- both at school and distance learning- far more; a trend which is planned to be continued when we return to school with a renewed intention to promote and teach in the outdoors. Our pupils have been renovating our pond area and have taken great pride in their achievement. This has and will continue to really support good mental health and well-being, as well a...

Hello and welcome, I thought it would be a good idea to tell you a bit about myself. I am very enthusiastic about most things! I love my family and our dog Blue! My favourite ways to pass time are travelling and enjoying new cultures, walking Blue and enjoying nature. I love trees and my home county of Yorkshire! My daughters are all just about grown up so I am always very happy when they are home or when we are all together.    Becoming a teacher I started my Primary Education journey when I was 37 and my daughters were 5, 10 and 14 years old. I had always thought about becoming a teacher but never had an opportunity to realise that dream. After completing a ‘City In Guilds’ Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification in 2007, I got a job working at a brilliant primary school in 2008- supporting a little boy with SEND. The Head teacher was so supportive and suggested that I do a Foundation Degree in Learning Support. I subsequently attended night class at the University of Hull ...

Hello and welcome!  I’m really pleased to have become involved with Lego Education in recent months, through Neil and ‘The Creative Hut’ (via Dr Lynne Bianchi -SEERIH, University of Manchester- and Dr Alison Buxton- Maker Futures, University of Sheffield). It’s been a great opportunity to enhance further my STEM knowledge and pedagogy and to be able to provide this great learning opportunity for our pupils.    Training with Neil @Creativehut has been informative, in a flexible and highly positive way. Myself and colleagues were recently challenged to create a Fairground/Theme park. After some collaboration with Neil, I felt much more confident when creating and coding and am really proud of my fairground rides which consisted of a Kamakaze, the Cyclone, the Cups and Saucers and a Carousel (all in action at the same time!).   Due to the rapid growth and evolution of IT, many of our pupils are increasingly exposed to advanced computer systems and graphics at home, mean...

First of all, welcome! I'll be using this space to share some of the things I feel passionate about regarding education and the world that we are living in.  I'm a year six teacher and have been in education for 12 years. I'm Head of Science at the junior school where I teach, and am working really hard to ensure all of our pupils experience the best STEM learning journey possible.  We are currently working with SEERIH to "develop primary engineering", with Dr Allison Buxton to enable the children to explore Maker Education and with Dr Lynne Bianchi regarding the up and coming Great Science Share. Thanks for reading and see you soon! Kate