• Go

• Home
• News
• Events
• Testimonials
• Downloads
• Contact

emda leads the way on STEM promotion

The future prosperity of the East Midlands and its ability to compete on the global stage relies heavily on a strong supply of talented individuals going into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.

 

The UK produces just 25,000 STEM graduates each year, compared to over 2 million in China and India, a fact that prompted East Midlands Development Agency (emda) to invest £9 million over four years in a series of projects promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

 

An integral part of emda's investment programme has been the East Midlands STEM Partnership - the voice for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the region.  Bringing together all those involved in STEM – delivery organisations, businesses and educators at all levels, the Partnership supports the challenge to get more young people interested in STEM subjects and into the industries that need them. 

 

Cathy Brown, Chair of the East Midlands STEM Partnership Steering Group and STEMNET Regional Director has been involved from the start: "There are many excellent STEM-related projects taking place across the region and we knew that pan-regional co-ordination would bring enormous benefits. Initially, we needed to create the right communications mechanisms to bring STEM professionals together, both physically and virtually. Then we needed to research the burning issues facing educators and business and start addressing them."

 

Launched in October 2007, the STEM Partnership has succeeded in providing the mechanisms for the 'meeting of minds' referred to by Cathy Brown. The sharing of ideas, knowledge and best practice has been made possible through biannual forum events, to-date attended by over 300 STEM Partners.

 

Forum events have been held in Leicester, Nottingham, Derby and Loughborough. They have attracted national speakers such as Professor John Holman, National STEM Director and Director of National Science Learning Centre and Pat Morton, Project Manager for the Government's STEM Subject Choice and Careers project. Through these forums, several hundred education and business practitioners have been granted an insight into national and regional STEM policy.  Delegates commented that such gatherings provided them with information to take back into schools and colleges, fresh ideas for marketing STEM careers in their areas and new contacts for professional support.  The next forum event will take place on Wednesday 18^th November 2009 with keynote speakers Sir Alan Jones, Chairman of Semta and Kate Bellingham, National STEM Careers Co-ordinator who will be focusing on the theme of employer engagement.

 

Regular feedback from STEM practitioners is encouraged through the online panel, Impact Teams and via informal local area groups such as that set up by Lincolnshire and Rutland STEM partners. A new website www.emstempartnership.org.uk was launched to accommodate 100s of activities and resources to stimulate STEM education, as well as housing a lively blog and a regional events section.

 

Several aspects of the STEM Partnership campaign typify the East Midlands' approach to communications which other regions of the UK might adopt. Geographically-spread partner organisations have opted for the 'green' approach to meetings through the use of webinars and teleconferences and have ensured their own extensive networks receive the monthly STEM Partnership e-newsletters. A popular and practical approach to involving students in the campaign has been the enrolment of over 100 STEM Student Journalists between the ages of 11-22. These young news hounds have received training from seasoned reporters and filed lively, engaging reports on a range of STEM stories. The STEM Student Journalists Awards recognise the creative efforts of these young reporters.

 

Cathy Brown continues: "There is no doubt that the collective communications effort of over 1,300 STEM professionals and organisations continues to reach those we need to influence. With the additional impact of major emda-funded projects such as Lab in a Lorry, The Space Academy and Ignition* and national programmes such as the STEM Ambassadors Programme and STEM Clubs Network, we are seeing many hundreds of pupils wanting to develop STEM-related skills. What we need to do now is to share our experience with partners around the UK."

 

Taking the long view by resourcing science, technology, engineering and mathematics promotion over several years is a bold step on the part of emda. As Andrew Morgan, emda's Skills and Communities Director, explained: "Our goal is to inspire young people to see the potential of STEM subjects as part of a successful career by generating excitement and curiosity from a young age.  Through our STEM programme, we will ensure that the East Midlands can flourish through a highly-skilled future workforce."

 

For further information please contact Jen Delaney on 01159847021 or e-mail Jennifer.delaney@themarketingdivision.co.uk.

 

every child matter