Tag: Partnership

What do ultimate frisbee, running a marathon in less than two hours and America’s Cup have in common? A Tes article has celebrated the 1851 Trust’s achievements to bring science to life, by linking theory to innovative, real-world pursuits.

Speaking to Phil Avery, director of education at Bohunt Trust, the article explores why, a few years ago, the multi-academy trust turned to our STEM Crew resources, to provide context for key science concepts by approaching them through engaging activities.

From analysing nutrition ahead of a race to understanding air resistance when deciding on the best materials for building a high-speed racing yacht, to date our lesson plans have been used in 50% of secondary schools across the UK.

We make use of our prestigious connections within the sporting world to give schools access to high-profile individuals and scientists, helping students to understand how the science they study in the classroom is linked to challenges faced by world-class sporting teams and athletes.

Research shows that students with greater science capital are more likely to pursue careers in STEM subjects and go on to work in fields related to science, technology, engineering and maths. Our tried and tested approach helps pupils to realise that what they learn in science can open doors they never knew existed – and it’s inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Read the article

The 1851 Trust took the Roadshow to Scotland on the 28^th and 29^th October, with the STEM Crew Maritime Roadshow inspiring 250 girls across 2 days in Falkirk. The Roadshow series is supported by the Department for Transport, Trinity House, Lloyds Register Foundation, UK P&I Club and The Great Britain SailGP Team.  

The Roadshow was hosted at the Falkirk Wheel, an engineering masterpiece and the only rotating boat lift in the world, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. The students were able to end their visit to the Roadshow with a trip on the Falkirk Wheel to see the unique engineering system in practice.  

With COP26 being held a few miles away, students explored real life challenges facing our world leaders, as they discovered uses for clean, green, sustainable energy while creating their own wind turbines and learning from local STEM Ambassadors how everyday appliances could be powered by renewable energy in the near future.  

One student from Falkirk High School commented “I know that the climate is a really important topic now, we talk about it a lot at school and its obvious science is a key part of us saving the planet. I really enjoyed the practical with the wind turbines because it made me realise that STEM is going to help climate change now and in the future.”  

Ben Cartledge, CEO of the 1851 Trust, said: “We are responding to the feedback of young people, who are telling us they want to have a positive impact on the environment and the conversation about climate change. With the support of our partners, we are developing new and exciting opportunities around sustainability that can be used in the classroom and  hands-on learning experiences like the Roadshows.” 

As part of the day, girls took part in a speed networking session which was supported by local businesses and organisations demonstrating a wide variety of careers in STEM and Maritime industries including naval architecture, STEM research and mechanical engineering. These inspiring role models gave the students the opportunity to connect with apprentices, graduates, and women in leading roles within their sector, asking questions about their everyday work, career journey and experiences in their varied careers. 

After taking part in the Speed Networking, April from Falkirk High School said “Today I learnt from a naval architect that boats and shipping are playing their role in fighting climate change across the world.” 

The STEM Crew Maritime Roadshows have reached 800 students through 6 events so far, in locations across the country. The final events are being delivered in Liverpool, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight to wrap up an incredible return to the Maritime Roadshow programme.  

On Tuesday 14^th September, 75 students from London schools took part in a unique opportunity to experience the first STEM Crew Maritime Roadshow of 2021, supported by the Department for Transport, Trinity House, Lloyds Register Foundation, UK P&I Club and The Great Britain SailGP Team.  

It is widely accepted that there is a forecast shortage of skilled STEM workers in the UK. In addition to this, women are significantly under-represented in technical and engineering careers, and within schools the gender divide is clearly reflected through pupil’s subject choices. The WISE campaign has reported that women make up just 24% of the STEM workforce, furthermore, the Maritime Skills Alliance state that women make up just 16% of serving seafarers in the UK.  

In the coming weeks, the 1851 Trust team will travel across the UK to introduce inspiring role models and deliver exciting STEM education practical sessions to local schoolgirls. Each Roadshow will give young people the opportunity to connect with apprentices, graduates and women in leading roles within the maritime sector. They’ll have the opportunity to explore STEM subjects against a backdrop of an exciting sporting and maritime context, and will leave feeling empowered to make informed choices about their future education and career paths, while increasing participation, contribution and confidence in STEM subjects back in the classroom.  

Ben Cartledge, CEO of the 1851 Trust, said: “We are pleased to have secured funding for our 2021 Roadshows, enabling us to continue giving hundreds of young people the opportunity to discover STEM careers at our fantastic, in-person, events across the UK.”  

“Young peoples’ futures should not be defined by Covid-19. The Roadshows will re-engage young people, especially those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, with interactive experiences and opportunities to interact with role models from across the STEM and Maritime sector. This out of classroom experience will give young people the opportunity to spend time with peers and get excited by learning again, while  making a career in STEM or Maritime more accessible, and achievable.” 

As part of the Roadshow, the Ambassadors share their experiences of working in STEM, and answer any questions the girls may have about future careers.  
Amalie Couch, PhD student at Kings College London, said: “Being a STEM ambassador at the Roadshow was extremely rewarding. As a woman in science myself, I was delighted to speak to the young girls about STEM subjects and get a sense for how excited they were for their future careers which ranged from architects to astronauts. I can’t wait to see which paths they take; the sky is the limit!”  

The next stop on the STEM Crew Maritime Roadshow is the South Coast: Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. These events will then continue throughout October and November in: Birmingham, Hartlepool, Grangemouth and Liverpool.  

The STEM Crew Maritime Roadshow is just one of many programmes from the 1851 Trust. Find out more about the National Curriculum – aligned STEM experiences and teaching resources at www.1851trust.org.uk and www.STEMCrew.org or contact Megan Cliff, megan.cliff@1851trust.org.uk.

We had an incredible time returning to the AQL Cowes Week 2021. In partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and AQL, we welcomed over 4,000 young people to our new STEM Crew Exploration Zone. 

Through our partnership with the Bohunt Education Trust, AQL and the 5G Connected Cowes project, we were also joined by 100 students for 2.5-hour in-depth learning sessions, exploring the practical uses of STEM and 5G, right from the centre of exciting Cowes week racing.  

With the generous support of the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust on Cowes Week Royal Navy Day, a group of visiting students arrived in style on the HSL102 from the Portsmouth Naval Base, starting a day of hands-on activities perfectly to give the students a unique and unforgettable Cowes Week experience.  

For the first time, our Exploration Zone was open to members of the public to try a range of fun, hands-on STEM activities. The next generation of innovators and sailors were supported by our team of educators to explore the power of 5G connectivity as they coded ‘Spheros’ around maps of the Solent, before taking a closer look at the high-performance Henri-Lloyd kit worn by sailors when exploring a physics-based thermoregulation activity. There was a brilliant atmosphere throughout the week with 96% of all young people who visited the STEM Crew Exploration Zone rating their visit as ‘Excellent’. 

We are excited for more inspiring hands-on STEM learning at our Maritime Roadshow for Girls events this autumn. If you would like more information on how your school or organisation could be involved, please email our Roadshow Coordinator, Grace Bake.

A recent study by Teach the Future found that 7 out of 10 teachers want to teach climate change, but do not have the necessary lessons plans that fit within the curriculum. This alarming stat led the Great Britain SailGP Team, led by Olympic gold medallist and America’s Cup winner Ben Ainslie, to offer a solution.

Created as part of SailGP’s Race for the Future commitment to champion a world powered by nature, the Great Britain SailGP Team and STEM Crew have launched the first in a series of free education resources designed to educate young people on STEM subjects through the lens of climate change.

This first environmental science STEM Crew resource launched on World Oceans Day 2021 in collaboration with Plymouth-based charity the Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT), ahead of the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix taking place in Plymouth on 17-18 July. The resource focusses on ocean acidification and the important role our oceans and plants like seagrass play in tackling climate change by capturing carbon dioxide alongside the world’s rainforests. 

To mark the launch of the educational resource, a live lesson was held at Sir John Hunt Community Sports College in Plymouth on World Oceans Day 2021, the first time the brand-new resource will be used in action. Paul Goodison, Olympic gold medallist and interim driver of the Great Britain SailGP Team dialled into the lesson via video to engage in a live Q&A with the Plymouth children.

On the launch of the new resources Ben Cartledge, CEO of the Trust said: “STEM skills are increasingly important as societies look to innovate and tackle the huge existential issues like climate change and as nations strive to realise the UN’s sustainable development goals in a post-COVID world. We are delighted to have partnered with the Ben Ainslie and his Great Britain SailGP Team to produce the first in a series of environmental science resources.”

Download the resource and test your knowledge now for free here.

Alongside these environmental resources, the Great Britain SailGP Team, STEM Crew and the Plymouth City Council are planning a series of STEM inspired events in the week leading up to the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix on 17-18 July in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City. Further details on these activities, and how the public can get involved, will be shared in due course.