STEM Activity Days

At Westfield we recognise the value of inspiring girls in every way and we are particularly keen to encourage pupils to consider pursuing a creeer in STEM subjects. The STEM outreach projects aim to nuture this interest in a creative and exciting fashion. 

Aims

To develop links with other local state primary schools through shared STEM activities
To successfully work together on shared projects, ideas and experiments
Local schools reap the benefit of working win state of the art facilities with well organised workshops run by our own staff and University connections

Background

STEM day is a regular event at the school established two years ago by inviting local schools into experience and to take aprt in STEM-related activities. Westfield actively promotes careers in STEM.

Why do we feel so passionate about delivering a day like this and why is it focused on STEM?

STEM jobs are increasing and they provide exciting careers, excellent employment prospects and good rates of pay.   However, girls are often reluctant to pursue STEM careers, particularly in traditionally male professions such as Engineering (only 6% of the UK Engineering workforce is female and 49% of state secondary schools do not have any girls studying A-level Physics). 

Research suggests that by age 10 or 11 a significant proportion of girls have decided that a ‘STEM’ career isn’t for them.

Resources

School science facilities were used as well as presentations in the school hall. Children were provided with lunch and refreshments and a range of resources and materials to work with. All administrative work was covered by the school.

Impact

Our feedback suggests that all pupils gained a significant insight into STEM-related activities in school and in STEM-related career opportunities.

Pupil Involvement

To date we have had 121 external pupils from three schools - Mowden Hall, Holystone and South Gosforth and 29 pupils from our own school

We have run STEM Days for Boys and girls aged 8/9 and 6-7 years. 

Frequency

On-going event. The project takes place twice a year.