Intent
STEM skills are crucial for the UK’s productivity; a shortage of STEM skills in the workforce is a key economic problem. Not only that, it is widely published that the diversity of those opting to choose a STEM based career is significantly lower in girls, particularly in Computing, Engineering and Physics based careers. This is mirrored nationally in the proportion of girls opting to choose STEM based subjects at A level, relatively small numbers are also opting to choose Computing and Chemistry.
Furthermore, as we enter a time of recovery from a Global pandemic and wrestle with the challenges of climate change and the commitments made at COP26, STEM subjects play a vital role in the infrastructure that will support recovery and develop strategies to prevent disease, disaster and build a sustainable future.
It is important then that the STEM offer at Heathfield focuses on:
- Increasing uptake of all students in STEM subjects at A level (Chem, Computing)
- Increasing the proportion of girls choosing STEM subjects at A level (Physics, Computing, Product Design)
- Widening of STEM experiences beyond the classroom
- Increasing the awareness of the breadth of carers available in STEM fields
STEM Activities
CREST Awards
DT Club
UK Maths Challenge
New Designers
STEM Visits
University Trips
Visit to CERN
Plumpton College
Eurospace Centre
Science Live!
STEM Challenges Day
Gallery of STEM Events
Animal Encounters: students hear talks about a wide range of animals from a number of habitats and have the opportunity to handle and meet them up close
IET Faraday Challenge: These days give students the opportunity to research, design and make solutions to genuinely tough engineering problems
Race to the Line: This National event, organised with the team from the Bloodhound SSC and the RAF, saw students design and build rocket cars and race them against each other
Antweight robot challenge: students worked in teams to build the best robot to battle in the arena.