STEM Activity Resources

In this step, you will be encouraged to try to matching resources for STEM activities to different contexts. Here is a summary of what you will look at:

STEM Resources

1. Mystery Boxes. Can be made at home or purchased, for example, those from the Science Museum are very portable and user-friendly. The aim is to develop questioning skills as students try to work out a mystery object in a hidden box. Take a look at this video demonstration for further details.
2. The Crunch Kit. Most primary and secondary schools have been provided with this resource created by the Wellcome Trust. STEM Ambassador Hubs also have the resource. There are two kits for different age groups with equipment for activities exploring links between food, health and the planet.
3. Plastic Challenge. Produced by Practical Action and available in the STEM Ambassadors classroom collection. The activities encourage creative thinking about reusing plastics and sustainability. This is a longer activity, usually taking a whole day. See also Practical Action website.
4. Marvin and Milo. Presented in cartoon form there are over 60 activities available and resources are easily available from high street stores.
5. Get engineering. This resource is available as a pack from the STEM Ambassadors classroom activities collection on the STEM Learning website. Two of these activities relate to forces and motion for the 14-16 physics curriculum in the UK.

STEM Contexts and Scenarios

A. James is a Biochemistry Ph.D. student who has been asked to provide a short workshop for a class of pupils studying science in Year 7 (11/12-year-olds). They have been looking at health and well-being in general.

B. Gemma is a retired science teacher who has volunteered to run a science club in a primary school (10/11-year-olds). Science clubs will run regularly through the term.

C. A group of year 1 university engineering students has volunteered to run a CREST Discovery day at a school under the supervision of the STEM Ambassador Hub. A CREST Discovery Day should typically be a project where pupils work in teams on a project which lasts around 5 hrs. They intend to travel by public transport and have little experience in delivering practical activities.

D. A Brownie leader from a rural community has requested a visit from a STEM Ambassador. They meet in the local village hall on a Tuesday night. There are very few facilities available, however, the Brownie leader is happy to accept any suitable science or astronomy activity. Brownies is guiding for girls aged 7-10.

E. A teacher has approached the STEM Ambassador Hub with a request for Year 10 pupils (14/15-year-olds) who are studying applications of science. They would like to have some sort of hands-on activity included in the session.

F. A science festival is being held for visitors on a beach! Up to 1000 people will be visiting during the day. There will be a wide range of age groups and backgrounds from toddlers to adults. You have been offered a table at the event but there is no power available or access to water on the day.

Quiz

In the next step, think about the criteria you have used so far in this course to help you match the resource to the context.