What is STEM?
At its most basic, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Alternatively, STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. But STEM education is far more than just sticking those subject titles together. It’s a philosophy of education that embraces teaching skills and subjects in a way that resembles real life.
How is STEM Education Important?
The key component of STEM and STEAM is integration. Instead of teaching disciplines in independent subject areas, there is a greater focus on interdisciplinary learning. With STEM we are teaching skills the way they will be used in the workforce, and the real world. Rarely does a job require only one skill set like math. Picture an architect, they use science, math, engineering and technology to do their jobs. In Fordbank Primary, we provide meaningful opportunities for children to apply a range of skills to create, build, design, solve problems and so on for a range of purposes. The children are actively involved in working cooperatively, discussing ideas, sharing hypotheses, making predictions and recording results!
STEM and STEAM are not new, they are simply ways of understanding and applying an integrated form of learning that resembles real life. Instead of teaching math as separate from science, they can be taught together in a way that shows how the knowledge from those two fields compliment and support each other.
In Fordbank, the areas of sciences, technologies, maths and art can be taught discreetly and teachers use progressive knowledge and skills planners to inform their teaching. However, these areas are often taught through STEM activities which enable children to use a wide variety of skills in relevant contexts. Each year, we also plan a STEM Focus Day where children across the school are involved and celebrate these skills. We look for opportunities to take part in local and national STEM events and competitions including an annual Knex Challenge with our local cluster schools. We also look for partnership opportunities and have even had the pleasure of working with Heather the Weather (who some of our parents may remember from the TV!!)
Our teachers provide further opportunities for children to develop their STEM skills through after school clubs as part of our Wider Experiences Programme.
TECHNOLOGY
The Technologies has six organisers:
- technological developments in society
- ICT to enhance learning
- business
- computing science
- food and textiles
- craft, design, engineering and graphics
Through learning in Technology, the children are able to develop their confidence and skills to embrace and use technologies now and in the future. Children are encouraged to promote creative thinking and become innovative and critical designers. Much of the learning is hands on and active and involves interdisciplinary projects across all other curriculum areas.
Each classroom is equipped with a SMART Board, iPads and chrome books. We review our technology equipment regularly and will continue to enhance this on an ongoing basis.
Children develop understanding and increase knowledge of:
- Plant Earth
- Forces, electricity and waves
- Biological systems
- Materials
- Topical Science
Through learning in the Sciences, children develop their interest in and understanding of, the living, material and physical world. Children are encouraged to recognise the impact science makes on their lives, the lives of others, on the environment and on culture. Children are encouraged to explore energy sources and develop an awareness of sustainability issues.
