About SEND STEM
Pilot with 8 schools in England & Scotland with 2 ways of delivery of a careers-themed STEM of activities for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The aim was a “proof of concept” for SEND-specialised STEM careers guidance, to ensure that SEND pupils have access to the tailored support they need to pursue equal opportunities in STEM.
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Half day STEM Workshops in 4 schools featuring hands on STEM challenges based on KNEX, robots and simple coding. The engineer supported activity and hosts a student/teacher Q&A.
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10 week STEM project challenges supported by regular mentoring/support by an engineer.
Key lessons and feedback
The student/teacher main lessons learned included keeping instructions clear and simple. Likewise, in many cases, feedback forms need to be simplified. The STEM challenges were the same as mainstream students.
The feedback from students and teachers has been excellent. Pupils enjoyed planning and designing the project and were very proud of the result ‘We are a special school and have appreciated working alongside mainstream schools and the adaptations that have been made for our students - including an understanding of their needs during the online interview and placing us near the door at the celebration event.’- Teacher feedback.
Impacts on the students has been positive. With all schools reporting the interaction with the engineers. ‘Working with our mentor from Mott Macdonald has been fantastic. Our mentor has been able to give our students a real insight into a career in industry and provided excellent guidance and support to the students throughout the project.…Overall, it has been an amazing opportunity for our students’- Teacher feedback.
The Wherry School gained the ‘Best Project Award’ at the University of Cambridge Engineering Department Hosted Graduation event, beating a dozen mainstream schools.
Media coverage:
Pupils at Lanarkshire school take part in global warming and community spring clean projects
