The STEM Clubs Network will be co-ordinated by STEMNET (the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Network) and all secondary schools and colleges will be able to sign up from September. The initiative, which is aimed at 11- -14-year-olds, will help tackle the UK's STEM skills shortage by transforming the way young people engage with these subjects and linking what they learn to the real world. It will also give hard-pressed teachers access to the very latest in best practice as well as invaluable professional advice, resources, contacts and personal support. STEMNET is calling on every secondary school in the UK to join the STEM Clubs Network by 2012.
Today's announcement is the a result of a highly-successful After School Science and Engineering Clubs pilot funded by the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) which has been running since 2006 involving more than 10,000 students in 500 schools. Members of two of these ‘pilot' clubs were present at the launch to showcase their work, which has included designing space suits, building remote controlled robots and creating a weather station.
They were joined by Diana Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Schools, and Phil Willis MP, Chairman of the Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology.
Diana Johnson said: "STEM is central to addressing some of the biggest challenges we face today, from climate change and energy security to combating disease. With independent projections suggesting there will be almost 2.4 million science, maths and technology related jobs by 2017, we are going to need to unlock the very best of British scientific talent in the years ahead.
"We are spending £140 million from 2008-2011 on supporting science, technology, engineering, and maths in schools and have set aside £7 million to fund After School STEM Clubs. 500 after school STEM clubs have been rolled out so far, which enrich, enhance and extend the curriculum for 11 to 14 year olds. I'm happy to say that the expansion of the pilot into a UK wide STEM Clubs Network will now aim to establish a STEM Club in every school."
Yvonne Baker, Chief Executive of STEMNET, said: "Having seen how successful the pilot has been we are confident the STEM Clubs Network will help even more schools and colleges increase the engagement and attainment of their young people with these vital subjects. The Network will give teachers and students fantastic opportunities to share experiences and achievements through an online forum as well as access to STEM Ambassadors - a pool of 19,000 talented and inspiring people using science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills who volunteer to visit students in their area, run activities and experiments, organise trips and give invaluable careers advice.
"STEM Clubs will help those working with young people inject more fun and inspiration into the STEM curriculum by allowing young people to explore and enjoy these subjects away from the pressures of the classroom. They also provide a wonderful opportunity for STEM employers to collaborate with schools and support club activities. We will be supporting teachers who run STEM Clubs by offering free CPD and invitations to regional best practice and networking events."
Schools will be able to join the STEM Clubs Network from anywhere in the country either by affiliating an established club or by starting a new one. Benefits include membership of the STEM Clubs Network website which will offer a range of information, guidance and experience from schools and colleges already running clubs. Each STEM Club will be able to create its own public profile, publicise activities and projects and write a regular blog.
Schools which have a STEM Club will also be invited to take part in high-profile and exciting events and challenges, including a series of ten Olympic STEM Challenges which will see young people tackling a range of real-life issues relating to the London 2012 Games such as sustainability, construction and even the design of athletes' clothing.
