Why did you do what you did in terms of your context, policy and literature?
I chose to go down this line of enquiry as over the past 3 years I have driven forward Digital Learning forward within my setting, I have witnessed the benefits of this first hand with students across the school and the confidence that it has given them as individuals. It was through this role that I started to develop an interest within STEM, which then led me to start reading into it more.
Naturally, through learning experiences we (the children and I) began to delve deeper into engineering and technology -learning how things worked and why they work. This then brought in more of a STEM spin on learning rather than a focus on Digital Learning
STEM currently has a huge focus placed upon it within Scottish Education primarily due to the gap in employment rates within STEM careers. In 2017, the Scottish Government published its STEM Education and Training Strategy which aims to enable the delivery of excellent STEM learning across Scotland, provide better connections between education and employers.
Literature suggests that somewhere along the STEM Pipeline, the leak. There is ample research to show the various reasons as to why there is a gap within STEM employment and one of the main reasons is due to stereotypes within the field which in turn can cause a gender gap.
One of the ways in which we can rid stereotypes in regards to STEM is by giving learners experiences of STEM learning from an early age, open to both genders, sharing with the children different role models who have STEM Careers.
I am doing a similar project to you, and I have been finding a lot of the same research. There is a lot to show that getting this right in the early years will have an impact. How are you finding implanting your STEM areas?
We had to take a side step away from the STEM areas in the way that I had envisioned due to time constraints and other factors happening within the school. Our infant department has filtered in more STEM bases activities to their free-play areas and this is helping.
Have you found that focusing on gender balance with regard to STEM has made you notice imbalances within other curricular areas?
Definitely, and I think by identifying these imbalances and being aware of them is the first step in overcoming them.
I couldn’t agree more with your Jayne. STEM is so important to instil from a young age to allow children to get their heads around it and experience the benefits. Developing this understanding of STEM can provide a great deal of opportunities. I can’t wait to read about your findings.
Thank you!