STEMNET Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network STEMNET and STEM Ambassadors- Changing Attitudes and Inspiring Pupils Dr Ajay Sharman

What is STEMNET ? Over 28,000 inspirational role models involved in the STEM Ambassadors Programme. Each year 90% of UK secondary schools access STEM Ambassadors Schools STEM Advisory Network (SSAN) providing impartial advice and guidance to schools regarding STEM E&E Offering school STEM clubs resources and expertise through the STEM Clubs Programme

Changing Attitudes, Inspiring Pupils Nearly four out of five 14 to 16 year-olds would consider a STEM job, but more than half said that they knew little about the type of jobs on offer. Half of teachers admitted that they did not know enough about what businesses in these fields are looking for in new employees. (Study by Nestlé UK & Ireland) Engineering employers are projected to need 1.82 million people with engineering skills from Skill Gap still exists – increase from 12 to 19% of firms report difficulties in finding suitable graduate recruits More than 1 in 4 employers report difficulties in meeting their need for technicians and experienced staff with STEM skills ( Engineering UK 2015 The State of Engineering – Jan 2015)

LACK OF INTEREST IN SCIENCE IS NOT THE ISSUE Aspires Project /

We need more young people studying STEM subjects: Of a cohort of 11 year olds ; one in 5 will achieve GCSE physics A*-C one in twenty five will obtain a physics A*-C grade A level only one in fifty will obtain an engineering degree (Engineering UK 2015 The State of Engineering – Jan 2015)

62% of year- old girls believe STEM is just for boys. When asked which of the future job opportunities available would be the best career choice for their child 18% of boys’ parents mentioned science and technology, compared to 9% of girls’ parents. 11% of parents would choose a career in engineering for their son, just 1% of parents would pick it for their daughter (Engineering UK 2015 The State of Engineering – Jan 2015)

A range of education/employer opportunities are needed, including: Role models/mentoring workplace visits interactive practical (careers) activities encouraging schools to have a sustainable approach to STEM E&E., teacher CPD seen as very sustainable. An innovative pilot project, the Teacher Industrial Partnership Scheme (TIPS), placed teachers with a STEM employer, Crossrail, for two weeks of work experience. Teachers report improved knowledge and confidence to explain the range of STEM careers to students. Changing Attitudes Inspiring Pupils

Changing Attitudes, Inspiring Pupils Schools ask STEM Ambassadors to offer insight and emphasise the relevance and accessibility of STEM careers. Teachers (84%) say that STEM Ambassador activities improved pupils’ awareness of STEM careers 37% of pupils say they want to do a job that involves STEM, compared to 49% who have worked with STEM Ambassador

In a survey of year-old girls 62% believed STEM is just for boys. Asked which of the future job opportunities available would be the best career choice for their child 18% of boys’ parents mentioned science and technology, compared to 9% of girls’ parents. 11% of parents would choose a career in engineering for their son 1% of parents would pick it for their daughter (Source: Engineering UK 2015 The State of Engineering – Jan 2015) Changing Attitudes, Inspiring Pupils

More than 30,000 STEM Ambassadors Over 40% Female Over 50% under 35 Over 14% BAME More than 3,000 employers involved Geographical, range across S,T,E and M, different academic levels STEMNET

Working in Schools and Colleges ~ 4050 secondary, ~23,000 primary schools and ~ across UK STEMNET has relationships with over 86% secondary schools across the UK (impartial and tailored advice) Over 3,700 (90%) Secondary 4,000 (20%) Primary Schools Over 300 (58%) 16+ have accessed STEM Ambassadors in the last 12 months Over 60% secondary schools engaged 3 or more times over last year

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 62% of schools used STEM Ambassadors to support careers activities. (17,400 mock interviews in one year amongst other activities) Encouraging a more embedded and sustainable approach to STEM Ambassadors engaging with schools

Female STEM Ambassadors Over 22,000 STEM Ambassador activities last year (Dec Dec 2014) Approx. 50% involved a female STEM Ambassador (compared to just over 30% the year before) Female STEM Ambassadors worked with over 90,000 students.

STEMNET encourages more young people to pursue STEM careers 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

STEMNET supports the improvement of science education through STEM Clubs. STEM Clubs week 2-6 Feb Teachers report the positive impact of STEM Club activity on their pupils: 85% report increased pupil engagement in STEM subjects 37% of pupils say they want a job in STEM. This rises to 61% of pupils who are in a STEM Club. 87% report that the activity helped pupils link classroom learning to real applications

Inspiring female STEM Ambassadors Architect, Flight Test Engineer, Fast Jet Pilot, physicist specialising in Nuclear Medicine, Environmental Scientist (mining companies) Cloud Physics Research Scientist, Game Developer, Agricultural Consultant, Operational Meteorologist on a defence base, Air Engineer in the Royal Navy, Snowboard Engineer “I’d never really thought about power engineering. But once you get past the difficulty, it’s so interesting and totally different” “As a civil engineers, I get to work on projects for the good of the public that are being or will be used by millions of people world-wide. I’m very proud of that.”

Your Life Campaign 3 year campaign aimed at year olds to ensure young adults in the UK have the maths and science skills needed to succeed in the current competitive global economy. inspire young people (especially girls), to study maths and physics Pledges from organisations to recruit and retain this talent

STEM A levels in the UK Source: RAEng

Source: BIS Jan 2015 Young people and STEM careers STEM Apprenticeships

STEM in Higher Education Source: RAEng

STEM GCSEs in the UK Source: RAEng

Young people and STEM careers Source: OPSN National pupil database analysed by FFT. Graphics: BBC

Dr Ajay Sharman Regional Networks Manager