How to deliver a STEM activity for young people

What verbal communication, questioning, and listening techniques do you want to use when delivering a STEM activity and volunteering with young people? Choose one of the below scenarios, or come up with one yourself, and describe which techniques you would use and why.

Scenario 1

You are working with a group of 4 young people who are doing a project that lasts 4 months. This is your first meeting and you are establishing what they’ve done so far and what they need to do. What verbal communication, questioning, and listening techniques would you use to approach this conversation?

Scenario 2

You are delivering a hands-on activity with 12-13-year-olds at an after-school STEM club. You need to get everyone’s attention. What verbal communication, questioning, and listening techniques could you use to do this?

Scenario 3

You are delivering a hands-on activity with 6-7-year-olds in a village hall for brownies. You need to get everyone’s attention. What verbal communication, questioning, and listening techniques would you use to do this?

Scenario 4

You are doing a ‘guess my job’ careers talk for a class of 15-16 year olds. The young people aren’t asking very many questions about your job and there are awkward silences. How could you give them some help without doing the activity for them? What verbal communication, questioning and listening techniques would you use to do this?