Projects and research
Improving guidance on STEM* subject choice and careers
*science, technology, engineering and maths
The three year STEM Careers Action programme is one of 11 that make up the National STEM Programme, under its Director John Holman (See the STEM Framework, July 2008 - PDF from STEM website).
Action Programme 8 is charged with improving the quality of advice and guidance about STEM careers to inform subject choice. The STEM Careers Action Programme (AP8) is managed by the Centre for Science Education and VT Enterprise, on behalf of the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF).
The project is part of a substantial national investment to combat the decline in the numbers of students choosing subjects, courses and careers in the STEM field. The key message is that a decision to study STEM subjects leads to a very wide range of interesting and well paid careers, inside and outside the STEM arena.
The National STEM Careers Coordinator, Kate Bellingham, is leading and co-ordinating the campaign, working with stakeholders and the organisations involved in delivery. Kate is a former Tomorrow's World presenter and frequent science and technology broadcaster, as well as being a qualified engineer, a maths teacher and a patron of WISE.
The Centre for Science Education and VT Enterprise are developing a wide range of curriculum resources, careers workforce resources and continuing professional development over the life of the project under the theme of 'enthusing students, equipping professionals, supporting employers'.
The other strands of the campaign are
- Careers Awareness Timeline Project, led by Centre for Education and Industry, University of Warwick
- www.futuremorph.org - the Science Council-led STEM careers website aimed at young people
- a communications campaign involving TV and cinema advertising, aimed at young people (www.scienceandmaths.net)
A stakeholder guide has been produced to give an overview of the whole campaign.
> Download the STEM careers awareness stakeholder guide (PDF 332KB)
A report has been produced illustrating how the project has worked in practice in schools.
> Download the Lessons Learned report (PDF 912KB)
Further information
To get in touch with the National STEM Careers Coordinator or to find out more, please e-mail stemcareers@shu.ac.uk. To ensure you receive news about curriculum resources and direct access for downloadable resources as they become available, please e-mail info@careersinstem.co.uk or download the resources brochure (PDF 1.15MB).
Alternatively, you can contact us at
STEM Subject Choice and Careers
Centre for Science Education
Sheffield Hallam University
City Campus
Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB
Phone 0114 225 4677 / 4870
Pat Morton, Project Manager STEM Subject Choice and Careers
e-mail p.m.morton@shu.ac.uk
