student employability skills through STEM outreach

Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach. from Scott Turner

A recent paper was presented by John Sinclair and co-authored by Stuart Allen, Linda Davis-Sinclair, Trish Goodchild, Julie Messenger, and Scott Turner at Northampton Learning and Teaching Conference 2014- Northampton 2018: Planning, Designing and Delivering Student Success about STEM outreach and employability.

Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach

John Sinclair, Stuart Allen, Linda Davis, Trish Goodchild, Julie Messenger, Scott Turner

Contact details:

john.sinclair@northampton.ac.uk

Abstract:

For over a decade, University of Northampton staff and students have delivered successful STEM outreach activities, master classes and co-working opportunities to learners in schools and FE colleges.  In addition, the University works with the local STEMNET contract holder to gain national recognition for staff and students STEM Ambassadors and recognises STEM Ambassadors through awards (staff and student) as part of its annual celebration of volunteer achievement.  Both developments derive from a culture of empowering students as partners and enhancing the student journey.

The University has developed a co-ordinated programme of training and events to empower students and staff to engage with school and community outreach.  A cross-University STEM Steering Group (SSG) which features both management and grass roots-level representation from the across the University (Science and Technology, Health, Education, the Arts and its Centre for Employability and Engagement) manages the activities, including recruiting representation from the student body.  As such, SSG is uniquely well-placed to champion STEM activities across the University and to make these available to the wider community.  Local schools are able to access inspirational science activities, whilst University students gain employability-related skills in leadership, communication, project-delivery and self-motivation and staff gain valuable CPD.  Students also identify more strongly with the University.  The total package plays a major role in contributing to University aspirations in widening participation and is hugely popular with participants.  This paper will outline the project and will showcase the positive enhancements which it offers to University of Northampton students and school participants.

Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working outreach; the University of Northampton approach

A paper has recently been present at HEA STEM Annual Teaching and Learning Conference 2013: Enhancing the STEM Student Journey, University of Edinburgh, 30th April-1st May 2014

Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach; the University of Northampton approach.

John Sinclair*, Stuart Allen†, Linda Davis, Trish Goodchild, Julie Messenger#, Scott Turner

University of Northampton, St George’s Avenue, Northampton, NN3 3AF.

†University of Northampton, Boughton Green Road, Northampton.  NN2 7AL.

# Leicester Educational Business Company, Ashcroft House, Ervington Court,  Meridian Business Park. Leicester LE19 1WL

*author for correspondence

Abstract.

For over a decade, University of Northampton staff and students have delivered successful STEM outreach activities, master classes and co-working opportunities to learners in schools and FE colleges.  In addition, the University works with the local STEMNET contract holder to gain national recognition for staff and students STEM Ambassadors and recognises STEM Ambassadors through awards (staff and student) as part of its annual celebration of volunteer achievement.  Both developments derive from a culture of empowering students as partners and enhancing the student journey.

The University has developed a co-ordinated programme of training and events to empower students and staff to engage with school and community outreach.  A cross-University STEM Steering Group (SSG) which features both management and grass roots-level representation from the across the University (Science and Technology, Health, Education, the Arts and its Centre for Employability and Engagement) manages the activities, including recruiting representation from the student body.  As such, SSG is uniquely well-placed to champion STEM activities across the University and to make these available to the wider community.  Local schools are able to access inspirational science activities, whilst University students gain employability-related skills in leadership, communication, project-delivery and self-motivation and staff gain valuable CPD.  Students also identify more strongly with the University.  The total package plays a major role in contributing to University aspirations in widening participation and is hugely popular with participants.  This paper will outline the project and will showcase the positive enhancements which it offers to University of Northampton students and school participants.

HEA partnership awards 2013

Taken from: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/annual-conference/partnership-awards

Partnership Awards

Powerful partnerships: enhancing the student experience

This year’s Higher Education Academy (HEA) annual conference, Powerful partnerships: defining the learning experience, is examining how partnerships within higher education affect the student experience and educational outcomes. Partnerships may arise in many forms and might include interactions between students, employers, teaching staff, research staff, and wider organisations.

To recognise and celebrate partnerships with students, the HEA is launching two awards which will be presented at the Annual Conference, 4 July 2013.

HEA student and staff partnership award

How do local partnerships between staff and students impact the student experience?

The HEA invites joint submissions from staff and students who have worked together to effect change and enhance the student experience. This could be through a formal research or enhancement project, or locally developed working practices. Each submission should be co-authored by a staff member and student from the institution (though it can reflect the work of a larger team of staff and students).

HEA and NUS joint Students’ Union and institution partnership award

How do strategic partnerships between students’ unions and institutions impact the student experience?

The NUS and HEA invite joint submissions from representatives of institutions and their students’ unions, associations or guilds that have developed strategic approaches to partnership working to effect change enhance the student experience. This could be through joint institutional initiatives around key learning and teaching priorities, development of strategies or policies, and governance. Each submission should be co-authored by someone from both the institution and students’ union (though it can reflect the work of a larger team).

Each award comes with a prize fund of £500 (with conditions on how these funds may be spent). Completed applications should be e-mailed to thestudents as partners team by 5 May 2013.

Full guidance on how to apply may be found in the following documents:

• HEA student and staff partnership award guidance and application form
• HEA and NUS joint Students’ Union and institution partnership award guidance and application form

If you have any questions about the awards contact the students as partners team.