STEM Ambassadors – an overview Statistics quoted in this meeting are from an INDEPENDENT NFER Evaluation. The National Foundation for Educational Research has undertaken an interim review of STEMNET’s operations and impact. First bullet STEM Ambassadors are crucial to other networks and programmes – their time , enthusiasm and support is what underpins the delivery of events and initiatives such as Big Bang Fair and Tomorrow’s Engineers Improving the quality of primary and secondary teaching Teachers gain an increased knowledge of STEM careers options and the skills required by such careers through engaging with STEMNET’s programmes. They report that they have improved relationships with business and industry. 77% report increased awareness of STEM career and employment options 71% report an increased understanding of STEM business and industry 67% report increased use of real life contexts in teaching A substantial proportion of teachers report that they are more likely to remain in their role as a teacher of STEM as a result of taking part in the STEM Ambassadors Programme (46%). Ultimately, 97% of teachers would recommend the STEM Ambassadors Programme to their colleagues. Teachers report that the Schools’ STEM Advisory Network (SSAN) is particularly useful for providing information and guidance about STEM initiatives, resources and projects, and about professional development and training opportunities. It also facilitates relationship-building with other schools, local universities, and STEM-related industries. 63% of teachers report that the SSAN advice and information has helped them to understand how STEM activities can enhance pupils’ learning. 65% state that it raises their awareness of opportunities that link to the curriculum.

STEMNET Supports pupils, teachers and schools by improving the general understanding of STEM concepts and careers More than 600,000 young people and 20,000 teachers benefit from direct contact with STEM Ambassadors each year in the UK Statistics quoted in this meeting are from an INDEPENDENT NFER Evaluation. The National Foundation for Educational Research has undertaken an interim review of STEMNET’s operations and impact. First bullet STEM Ambassadors are crucial to other networks and programmes – their time , enthusiasm and support is what underpins the delivery of events and initiatives such as Big Bang Fair and Tomorrow’s Engineers Improving the quality of primary and secondary teaching Teachers gain an increased knowledge of STEM careers options and the skills required by such careers through engaging with STEMNET’s programmes. They report that they have improved relationships with business and industry. 77% report increased awareness of STEM career and employment options 71% report an increased understanding of STEM business and industry 67% report increased use of real life contexts in teaching A substantial proportion of teachers report that they are more likely to remain in their role as a teacher of STEM as a result of taking part in the STEM Ambassadors Programme (46%). Ultimately, 97% of teachers would recommend the STEM Ambassadors Programme to their colleagues. Teachers report that the Schools’ STEM Advisory Network (SSAN) is particularly useful for providing information and guidance about STEM initiatives, resources and projects, and about professional development and training opportunities. It also facilitates relationship-building with other schools, local universities, and STEM-related industries. 63% of teachers report that the SSAN advice and information has helped them to understand how STEM activities can enhance pupils’ learning. 65% state that it raises their awareness of opportunities that link to the curriculum.

Profile of STEM Ambassadors More than 33,000 STEM Ambassadors 42% Female 60% under 35 12% BAME More than 3,000 employers involved – range of multinationals to SMEs Geographical clusters, range across S,T,E and M, different academic levels

STEM Ambassadors’ motivations How effective is STEMNET for STEM Ambassadors? We know that the opportunity for personal and professional development is a key motivator for STEM Ambassadors to volunteer and the evaluation indicates that STEMNET is fulfilling this. STEM Ambassadors report that their involvement with STEMNET has provided them with the opportunity to network with other like minded people working in the STEM field.  76% report increased personal satisfaction  67% report increased confidence working with schools and young people  48% of STEM Ambassadors report increased motivation and job satisfaction  96% of STEM Ambassadors say that they would recommend the STEM Ambassadors Programme to their friends/colleagues “It definitely improved my ability to present to a different audience than I’m used to at work.” (STEM Ambassador)

Engagement with Schools & Colleges Engagement - organisations accessing STEM Ambassadors in last 12 months: Over 3934 (94%) Secondary Over 4,177 (20%) Primary/Middle Schools Over 338 (61%) 16+ Over 60% secondary schools engaged 3 or more times over last year CHs have key performance indicators/targets they need to achieve for the STEMNET contract and supports how they get paid. Many of these are aimed at secondary schools, however, STEM Ambassadors are available for all young people aged 5-19 and primary schools can request and should be supported by STEM Ambassadors, we just don't expect our CHs to proactively target primary schools or to achieve targets in order to receive their funding. All requests for STEM Ambassadors from any school or youth group within the 5-19 age range will be offered as an opportunity by CHs for STEM Ambassadors to support. Encouraging a more embedded approach to engaging with schools – pupils benefit the most from longer-term interventions rather than one-off visits, and STEMNET is actively addressing this

Support / training provided Standard induction programme and training packages Opportunities promoted to STEM Ambassadors and schools DBS checks Organisation-specific training using corporate resources More opportunity for collaboration with SLPs CHs have key performance indicators/targets they need to achieve for the STEMNET contract and supports how they get paid. Many of these are aimed at secondary schools, however, STEM Ambassadors are available for all young people aged 5-19 and primary schools can request and should be supported by STEM Ambassadors, we just don't expect our CHs to proactively target primary schools or to achieve targets in order to receive their funding. All requests for STEM Ambassadors from any school or youth group within the 5-19 age range will be offered as an opportunity by CHs for STEM Ambassadors to support. Encouraging a more embedded approach to engaging with schools – pupils benefit the most from longer-term interventions rather than one-off visits, and STEMNET is actively addressing this

What do STEM Ambassadors do? Careers activities in-school enrichment in-school lesson support Large scale events e.g. Big Bang After School Clubs Working with public centres e.g. museums, discovery centres School Governors….. To name a few!! Guide for educators HERE

What do STEM Ambassadors do? Career speed dating Facilitate a simulation game Judge a STEM competition Mentor individual students Demonstrate their work Run an after school club Give mock interviews Lead a workshop Form a Question Time panel

STEM Ambassadors talk about their experiences http://training.stemnet.org.uk/videos/how-we-do-it/

IMPACT 87% of teachers report that STEM Ambassador activity helped pupils link classroom learning to real world applications Pupils are 90% more likely to be interested in continuing to study STEM subjects after engaging with STEM Ambassadors 84% of teachers think that the STEM Ambassador activity improved pupils’ awareness of STEM careers 49% of pupils who have worked with STEM Ambassadors say they want to do a job that involves STEM, compared to 37% of all pupils Encouraging more young people to pursue science careers - developing talented scientists The impact of STEM Club membership on pupils extends to their plans for the future. While 53% of pupils know what sort of job they would like to do, this figure stands at 72% for STEM Club members 37% of pupils say they want to do a job that involves STEM, compared to 61% of STEM Club members Only 24% of pupils say that they know where to get more information on jobs in STEM, while the figure is 44% for their STEM Club counterparts. Teachers corroborate these findings: 86% report an increase in pupils’ awareness of STEM subjects and real world applications 63% report increased pupil awareness of STEM career and employment options Teachers report the positive impact of STEM Ambassador activity on their pupils: 87% report that the activity helped pupils link classroom learning to real applications 84% of teachers think that the activity improved pupils’ awareness of STEM careers

STEM activity builds employability skills An independent report from the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) has found that STEM activities help to build the employability skills of young people. 92% of teachers reported that STEM activities helped to develop pupils’ problem-solving skills; 91% reported an impact on communication and social skills; 88% reported improved teamwork skills. short-term STEM Ambassador activities help to increase pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the world of work. Longer-term, project-based activities allowed pupils to work together in different roles, a range of employability skills emerged as pupils took more responsibility, challenged themselves and developed resilience – valuable preparation for further study and work.

- Biochemical Engineer and STEM Ambassador IMPACT / EVIDENCE “Meeting an engineer at my school was enough to make me realise it was the career I wanted to pursue. I want to do that for the next generation.“   Ranna Patel - Biochemical Engineer and STEM Ambassador

Over to you…

Discussion (10 minutes) Where collaboration with STEM Ambassador contract holders is happening, what is working well? What could be better? How coold STEM Ambassadors be used differently to share their skills? Link this, where possible, to the Network activity. What support do SLPs and STEM Ambassador Hubs need to make the STEM Ambassador programme reach even more young people? Be prepared to feedback your discussions…