Age Group

12-14 year olds

Year Group

Key Stage 3

Duration

45 minutes

Group Size

5 - 300

Resource Pack?

Not Available

Follow Up Workshop

Not Available

Digital Version?

No

Overview of The Careers Experiment

The Ofsted survey into science education (2013) highlights the importance of teaching science for a greater understanding of life, they state that “science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity”. For pupils to achieve in science, they must not only acquire the necessary knowledge, but also understand its value of working scientifically to sustain their interest and curiosity. Young people need to discover and experience scientific phenomena and conduct experimental investigations in school for themselves. They are then more likely to continue to study science and use that learning for work and to contribute as informed citizens. Employers, higher education officials and scientific bodies have voiced their concerns that school leavers are not equipped with the investigative and analytical skills necessary to flourish in a technological world.

‘The Career Experiment’ was created to encourage students to explore the benefits of STEM subjects. It is aimed at ALL young people, not only those interested in science or maths, enhancing both STEM and STEAM initiatives for boys and girls.

Rob’s having a bad day, an experiment has gone wrong and his science teacher is in A&E with no eyebrows. It gets worse. The substitute teacher has partnered him up with the most popular girl in year 9, Danielle, who’s never spoken to him. Both Rob and Danielle have a series of detentions to learn about the importance of science. Whilst on their journey of discovery, they learn about male and female scientific figures, a surprising range of careers available and come to realise that STEM can be for everyone. Maybe the sky isn’t the limit..?
- Promote accessibility to STEM careers with a focus on women.
- Demonstrate the progression routes of STEM education through university.
- Illustrate the importance of STEM in everyday life.
- Encourage exploration and curiosity in an accessible way.
- Recognising personal strengths and how it affects self-confidence and self-esteem
- Recognising personal qualities, attitudes, skills- how affected by others
- Accepting helpful feedback and rejecting unhelpful criticism
- Qualities, behaviours and features of positive relationships
- Developing Communication Skills
- Changes young people are facing
- Building on skills, attitudes, values, knowledge and understanding gained
- Increasing independence
- Managing influence of peers and media
- Addressing the challenges of effective learning
- Active contribution to society

Key Themes

STEM
STEAM
STEM GIRLS
CAREERS
GOAL SETTING
WIDENING PARTICIPATION
OUTREACH