Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Education – The STEM Programme A Briefing for HoDoMS Jenny Baker STEM Programme Leader

The STEM Programme Report DfES and DTI Published October 2006 The result of 2 years’ work by Sir Alan Wilson and colleagues to map all the publicly-funded STEM initiatives Recommendations for: - better co-ordination of STEM activity at local, regional and national level - better co-ordination of public and non-public initiatives - better targeted government spending To be implemented by the National STEM Director

Key aim of the STEM Programme To put in place arrangements for the next spending period (from April 2008) that will: 1. Improve attainment in STEM subjects, as measured by assessments at ages 14, 16 and Increase engagement in STEM subjects, as measured by numbers opting to study for qualifications at Level 3 and above in STEM subjects, especially A Level Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

GCSE Science and Maths A* - C 2005 and 2006 figures are for pupils at the end of KS4. All previous figures are for pupils aged 15

A level Science and Maths entries

DfES targets for maths, chemistry and physics A Level entries in 2014 Prov 37,000 35,000 56,000

Horizontal axis: Human Development Index Vertical axis: Scores on questions designed to measure positive attitudes towards studying science Svein Sjoberg, University of Oslo: Project ROSE

The world outside school The school curriculum

The world outside school S T E M The school curriculum

The world outside school S T E M The school curriculum S T E M

The world outside school S T E M The school curriculum S T E M

STEM programme Consulting widely and on track with plans for o Establishing links with partner organisations o Establishing the ‘British Library of STEM’ o Co-ordination of teachers’ CPD o Co-ordination of enhancement and enrichment activity o A clearer system for decisions on funding schemes o Better guidance on STEM careers for students o A co-ordinated approach to evaluation

Action 17 from the STEM Report By July 2007, reflecting advice from the National STEM Director, DfES and DTI will agree, with other funders, on no more than ten national schemes of STEM support for schools (excluding national teacher supply measures) that should receive national funding and endorsement; and on how particular existing schemes and funding streams should be rationalised to fit within this simpler framework, building on those which can contribute most to achieving our objectives at national level.

10 Schemes Scheme 1: CPD for maths teachers Scheme 2: CPD for science teachers Scheme 3: CPD for engineering and technology teachers Scheme 4: E & E the science curriculum Scheme 5: E & E in engineering and technology Scheme 6: E & E the teaching of mathematics Scheme 7: IAG for students about STEM careers Scheme 8: Widening access to the formal science and maths curriculum – including access to triple science and second maths GCSE Scheme 9: Improving the quality of practical work in science Scheme 10: Building capacity at national, regional and local levels

The concept: Where we are moving from Government funded interventions Non-Government funded interventions

The Concept: 200 or so interventions sorted into 10 schemes

The Concept: 100 or so government funded interventions sorted into 10 schemes

The situation in ’06/’07

Predicted situation Post-2008

The strength of partnerships Public sector Primary and Secondary National Strategy Specialist Schools with STEM specialisms SETNET National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics Science Learning Centres Not-for-profit sector Royal Society Royal Academy of Engineering Association for Science Education Advisory Committee for Mathematics Education Engineering and Technology Board Wellcome Trust Gatsby Charitable Foundation Private Sector A range of businesses, especially in the pharmaceutical and engineering industries

Better co-ordination Local delivery, with schools accessing STEM support directly through the web portal, or through local networks based on: specialist schools, SETPOINTS, Secondary National Strategy and LAs Regional co-ordination, using regional STEM Support Centres, co-located where possible with regional Science Learning Centres and regional Maths co-ordinators, and with a close relationship with the Regional Development Agency National co-ordination, involving a National STEM centre steered by key stakeholders in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors. Systematic planning of funding against national priorities. A common evaluation framework.

Contact Details Jenny Baker Department for Education and Skills Area 4c, Sanctuary Buildings Great Smith St London, SW1P 3BT