What happened for both pupils, staff and my learning community so far?
Through this enquiry and the natural progression of digital learning and STEM within the school due to current policies I have noticed the following:
- The conversations around STEM are becoming more often.
- The integration of STEM activities as ‘free-choice’ options within our infant classes and shared areas
- The suggestions and ideas for Digital Learning Week have taken on more of a STEM career focus than just ‘digital technology’.
- More children are sharing their interest in STEM, enjoying challenges set and sharing their evaluations and adaptations of designs within my classes.
- The school has designated a STEM leader (me) to help drive forward STEM in school through meeting with STEM leaders council wide.
- From feedback from Digital Learning Week, we are hopefully going to rename it as STEM Week and make it a focus week where the whole school is involved in projects.
- Our Digital Leaders will now be known as STEM leaders and will be encouraged to undertake the Young STEM Leader Award.
How do you know?
This is known through professional discussions with my colleagues, observations of pupils and discussions with them during lessons.
Which forms of evidence tell you this and in what way?
Due to circumstances, it has been difficult to gather data to compare to the surveys in January however, I put out a plea to my students online from P4-7 and managed to get 5 responses.
| January Data | March/April Data | Comparison |
| Total number of children participating: 58 (29 Boys, 29 Girls) | Total number of children participating: 5 (3 Boys, 2 Girls) | |
| Total number who like: Science 36, Technology 40, Engineering 26, Maths 26 | Total number who like: Science 3, Technology 4, Engineering 2, Maths 2 | Majority still like technology |
| When asked which gender you see the following careers as: | ||
| Engineer – Boy 47, Girl 9, Both 2 | Engineer – Boy 1, Girl 1, Both 3 | Majority now lies with both genders |
| Computer Programmer – Boy 33, Girl 23, Both 2 | Computer Programmer – Boy 1, Girl 2, Both 2 | Majority now see as girl or both genders |
| Builder – Boy 44, Girl 12, Both 2 | Builder – Boy 5, Girl 0, Both 0 | Still very male dominated view |
| Scientist – Boy 32, Girl 22, Both 4 | Scientist – Boy 0, Girl 1, Both 4 | Majority now see as both genders |
| Mathematician- Boy 28, Girl 27, Both 3 | Mathematician- Boy 1, Girl 2, Both 2 | Majority now see as girl or both genders |
| Total numbers when asked if they would consider a STEM Career in the future – Yes 36, No 22 | Total numbers when asked if they would consider a STEM Career in the future – Yes 4, Maybe – 1 | Majority still considering a STEM Career |
