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STEM Week in PiXL Primary – Explore the resources today!

At PiXL, we believe that fostering a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in primary schools is essential, as it ignites pupils’ curiosity and critical thinking, empowering them to not just understand the world around them but to become problem-solvers and innovators who will shape it in the future. This is why we are proud to be supporting schools in celebrating PiXL STEM Week 2024, which is taking place from 26th February - 1st March. British Science Week is also only a couple of weeks from now, so we are hoping our PiXL STEM week may also support any planning for that, too! 

In a world which is increasingly technology-driven, providing rich opportunities for children and young people to engage deeply with STEM has never been more important in terms of equipping them for future success. As the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2023 highlights: The fastest-growing roles relative to their size today are driven by technology, digitalization and sustainability. The report also identifies the most important skills that companies are seeking in their workers as being analytical thinking, followed by creative thinking and self-efficacy skills such as resilience, flexibility, agility, motivation and curiosity, all of which can be fostered through a focus on STEM.

To support schools in marking STEM week and in using it as a catalyst to ignite pupils’ passion and interest in STEM, we are delighted to be releasing a range of resources to support school leaders and teachers in celebrating STEM. You can find an overview of the available resources below:

 

Based on the findings from Ofsted’s Finding the Optimum: The Science Subject report (February 2023), the Science Leadership Thinking Guide supports school leaders to explore the theory behind learning in science as well as how to implement strategies in the science classroom to develop pupils’ substantive and disciplinary knowledge over time. The document also considers the importance of purposeful, practical work in science, how to ensure that meaningful and coherent links are made between science and maths and the crucial role that the development of scientific vocabulary plays in pupils’ understanding. 

The Challenge and Stretch materials for Years 1 to 6, focusing on Animals including humans, have been designed to support you in enhancing the Key Stage 1 and 2 curricula already being delivered, by developing the accurate use of scientific vocabulary whilst increasing science capital, encouraging pupils to see that science is for them and relevant to their lives.

These materials are part of the PiXL Challenge and Stretch project, which aims to support school leaders and teachers in ensuring that all pupils, including the most able, are given the opportunity to meet their potential, through CPD, resources and leadership guidance.

Explore it HERE!

We know that climate change is a big concern for children and young people, with a survey of 1000 5–18-year-olds undertaken by the UCL in January 2022, finding that concern about the environment overshadowed a long list of other issues, including crime, gender and racial inequality and homelessness. It is crucial that pupils are equipped for the challenges and opportunities that climate change presents by supporting them to develop the appropriate knowledge, skills and understanding to help them to reduce climate anxiety and to be prepared to contribute to sustainability in their future careers. As the DfE states in their policy paper on Sustainability and climate change: a strategy for the education and children’s services systems (updated December 2023): Green jobs will not be niche. We anticipate that sustainability and climate change will touch every career.

Our Go Green Stimulus Sheets provide an opportunity for pupils to explore some of the important issues relating to sustainability and climate change including litter, use of plastics and fossil fuels. Each sheet presents a summary of the issue, ways that children and young people can help, pertinent vocabulary to support them in discussing the issue and links to useful websites to help them to find out more.

 

 

  1. Primary Science Leadership Thinking Guide
  2. Go Green Stimulus Sheet - Plastic

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    Headteacher, PiXL Secondary school

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    Executive Headteacher, PiXL Primary school

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    Senior Leader, PiXL Post 16 school

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    Senior Leader, PiXL Post 16 school

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    Executive Headteacher, PiXL Primary school

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    Executive Headteacher, PiXL Primary school

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    Headteacher, PiXL Post 16 school

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    Headteacher, PiXL Secondary school

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    Senior Leader, PiXL Post 16 school

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