CEIAG STEM Improving Staff Awareness of the importance of STEM subjects

What is STEM? Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

Warning Over Skills Gap “The downward trend in the number of students that are taking up STEM disciplines is very worrying as a skills shortage makes it harder to attract new investments here” Martin Murphy, MD, Hewlett Packard Belfast Telegraph 03/11/08

Why STEM? Why now? UCAS: 5.5% decline in uptake of STEM courses from 05/06 – 06/ 07 In the last decade: 31% decline in students taking Maths, Chemistry and Physics at A-Level Association for Science Education (ASE) “90% of 14 &15 year olds know little or nothing about careers in Engineering & Technology”

In Northern Ireland 90% of firms employ people with STEM qualifications 60% of firms struggle to recruit STEM qualified people.

Programme for Government Primary focus on growing the economy 80% of foreign direct investment in NI in 2008 in: ICT Business and Financial Services Pharmaceutical Industries Aerospace Sectors To compete in a global market there is a need to enhance uptake of STEM subjects in schools Ensure our people have the right skills to deliver economic prosperity now and in the future and increase skills and career choices in STEM subjects (Skills for prosperity)

SKILLS FOR PROSPERITY Targets: 1. Increase by 5% the numbers studying STEM subjects in Post 16 cohort by Increase by 25% the numbers of students, especially those from disadvantaged communities, at graduate and postgraduate level studying STEM subjects by 2015.

Students’ Views …too difficult Limit my career choices …not interestin g or enjoyable

SKILLS FOR PROSPERITY Actions: Take steps to increase uptake of STEM subjects Highlight STEM Career Opportunities and Pathways Increase links with local industry to promote STEM Ensure learning & teaching is planned and delivered in a relevant and enjoyable way Linking subject content and skills to real life (Key Element: Employability)

Suresh uses science and maths … … laws of physics, to work out how to move heavy props … knowledge of materials’ properties, to deduce what to make the set from Suresh works and communicates with people, such as: lighting engineers, sound engineers, set designers and set builders Suresh Chawla, Theatre Technician

Keeping Options Open STEM Subjects: widen options rather than narrow them: Demand for STEM skilled individuals expected to grow dramatically in the future Open up career opportunities in other occupational sectors Develop employability skills (TS & PC and CCS) often lead to higher paid jobs PricewaterhouseCoopers research 2005 often lead to opportunities to work abroad solving environmental problems developing local solutions

CEIAG STEM STEM Teacher Placements can assist in: forging links with local employers to support future STEM activities within your school sourcing materials for the development of STEM teaching and learning resources developing greater awareness of how aspects of your STEM subject might be applied in an industrial context identifying key employability skills sought by employers as well as potential employment opportunities for pupils following STEM related pathways

What can schools do to help? STEM related Careers Guidance to include input from subject specialists Bring in Professionals from STEM related Careers to speak to Students. Use information in Careers Service Facts sheets to highlight the demand.

What can schools do to help? In groups get pupils to think on the range of STEM related jobs that were needed just to get them from their beds to school. Put careers posters up in rooms where STEM subjects are delivered. Do a class exercise to find out what STEM related jobs there are in Fermanagh/ N Ireland.