Celebrate Your STEM Club in 2016!
STEM Clubs Week (1st-5th February)
STEM Club week is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of STEM Clubs in schools, or a great time to start one! Get in touch if you’d like to discuss how STEM Ambassadors can support STEM Clubs by running workshops or support activities you’re doing. Check out the STEM club website ( for more information on STEM clubs, activity ideas and this year’s STEM Clubs competition.
STEM Clubs Competition
From 1st – 5th February 2016, STEM Clubs are invited to take part in the competition by sending a photo or video, and a 50 word description tweet @STEMClubs. All pictures and videos will be shared on the STEM Clubs website to showcase the hard work of all involved. Representatives from STEMNET and the Science Museum will choose the finalists.
There will be three photo categories:
- Most unusual type of STEM Club
- Best use of a STEM Ambassador in a STEM Club
- Most original STEM Clubs Activity
STEMNetworking: STEM Clubs in Space (with free planetarium show!) – 1st February, 4.30-6.30pm
To kick off STEM Clubs week, we are inviting teachers and STEM Ambassadors to come together and share ideas for STEM clubs. We will talk through some activity ideas and resources, followed by an opportunity to meet Ambassadors who could support your club. The event in Bristol is hosted by the ss Great Britain who will also be showcasing some of their free resources. The evening includes a free show in a mobile planetarium where you will see that planetariums aren’t just used for learning about space! For more info and to register for your free ticket go to:
Six Week STEM Club
This term we spoke to lots of teachers who couldn’t find the time to run a long term STEM club. Why not try a 6 week one? We have developed an easy to use 6 week pack which will help you set up and run your own six week club based around a challenge or competition. Take a look at for the pack downloads. If you’d like us to come into school to talk through the resources and share some ideas for activities to use in your STEM Club, please get in touch.
Do you have any STEM events coming up in 2016?
Are you looking for vetted volunteers from the STEM industries (science, technology, engineering & maths) to bring their experience of the real world of work in to your school?
If so then you could request a STEM Ambassador!
We manage over 1000 volunteers across the West of England, all trained and vetted, and all with STEM-based jobs. They are available on request, for free, to come in to your school to help raise awareness of STEM qualifications and careers.
For more information and to make a request for a volunteer simply reply to this email or call us on 01275 474948.
Recognition for your School - STEM Engagement Badge
We’ve really been enjoying handing out STEM Engagement Badges to schools that have engaged with STEM Ambassadors at least 3 times over the last 12 months. If you would like to discuss how you can secure a STEM badge for you school then get in touch and we will discuss how you can achieve this.
STEM Activities Update – Spring Term 2016
Activities and Events for Students
I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here!
I’m an Engineer, Get me out of here!
Competitions
Salters’ Festival of Chemistry 2016
UKAYRoC 2016: UK Aerospace Rocketry Competition
Resources
Tim Peake’s mission to the ISS
BBC micro:bit
Don’t Forget…
Opportunities from last term’s newsletter
Activities and Events for Students
I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here!
I’m A Scientist Get Me Out Of Here! will return this March (7th–18th), with students taking part in moderated web chats with real scientists. Scientists are grouped in different “zones” you can sign up your students to chat about topics relevant to their interests or what they’re studying. For the next round, teachers should register to take part before 24th January at
I’m A Scientist Get Me Out Of Here will return again in the summer (13th–24th June 2016).
I'm an Engineer, Get me out of here!
If you’d prefer an engineering themed activity – the dates above also apply to this event where students can talk to real engineers via moderated web chats. To register: imanengineer.org.uk/teachers
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Competitions
Salters’ Festival of Chemistry 2016
48 Salters’ Festivals of Chemistryare planned at Universities and Colleges throughout the UK and Ireland betweenMarch and June 2016. Schools can enter one team of four students from Year 7 or 8. Students will experience hands-on chemistry challenges in University/College labs and exciting chemistry demonstrations. There will be competitions throughout the day and an opportunity to develop teamwork and problem solving skills. The cost per school is £25 and the closing date for entries is 31st January. For more information go to:
UKAYRoC 2016: UK Aerospace Rocketry Competition
Can you design, build and launch a model rocket for the payload of two raw eggs? This competition is open to 11-18 year olds in teams of 3-10 students. There is no cost to compete but cash prizes to be won! Your team will have the opportunity to compete in national finals at Farnborough International Air Show (this trip will be fully funded) and if successful, the international finals too! The deadline for registration is 11th March. For more info and to register go to:
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Resources
Tim Peake’s mission to the ISS
Inspire your students about space this term whilst UK astronaut Tim Peake is on the International Space Station. Check out the space-themed resources and competitions available covering a variety of STEM topics: Keep an eye on the website for more activities launched this term (and don’t forget our STEM Clubs in Space networking event).
BBC micro:bit
Make sure your Year 7 students get their free BBC micro:bit! Micro:bits are small, codable devices that can be programmed simply to introduce students to coding. The BBC are giving these devices away to Year 7s in all registered schools and working with various partners to provide teaching resources, activity ideas and easy to use coding software to help bring coding curriculum to life. Register your school at
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Don’t forget…
Opportunities from last term’s newsletter
From last term’s newsletter the following opportunities are still available:
Raspberry Pi Competition –
Brain Art Competition –
Royal Society Partnership Grants –
Best wishes
Liz Lister
01275 474948