S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)

                 

       

STEM @ South View

At South View, we believe STEM education starts early – How does it work? Why does it work? What does it do? We encourage curiosity and exploration through tinkering and play.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

• Science is the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

 

• Technology is the collection of techniques, skills, methods, and processes used in the production of goods or services. It is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.

 

• Engineering is the branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures.

 

• Mathematics is the science that deals with the logic of shape, quantity, and arrangement. Maths is all around us in everything we do. It is the building block for everything in our daily lives.

 

These are all essential parts of the school curriculum, which provide children with skills vital for later life. In addition, the close links between these subjects mean that children experience learning in an interdisciplinary and applied approach with opportunities to learn through practical activities and investigations.

                                  

What is the purpose of STEM Education?

The purpose of STEM education is to develop STEM Literacy, the ability to understand and engage with scientific and technological developments and their implementations. With STEM careers expected to be one of the largest employment areas in the coming years, an understanding and appreciation of STEM topics are vital in the ever-changing world.

STEM in our Curriculum Framework

At South View, we are committed to providing all our children with meaningful STEM opportunities with our curriculum framework.

Here is how we embed and develop STEM into learning:

• A successful and well-established STEM club with past members going on to compete for their secondary schools in STEM competition at National levels
• Entering local and regional STEM competitions
• Expanding STEM into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Maths) activities allows links with the design technology and art curriculum. Showing children how these subjects link together in the real world, for example, an Architect, Structural and Civil Engineers in designing and constructing a new building.
• Creating links with local STEM industries
• Review the discrete teaching of STEM subjects and look for further opportunities to teach through a more integrated approach
• Identifying further opportunities to incorporate STEM within curriculum plans in all curriculum areas
• Promoting ‘Tinkering’ to encourage curiosity and understanding through investigation, across multiple curriculum areas including Science, Mathematics, Computing, Art, Design and Technology.  

South View S.T.E.M Club

We are proud of our successful STEM club for years 5 and 6. This club competes in the First Lego League Challenge Competition.

Using Lego Mindstorms through the EV3 Classroom application, our STEM team designs robots to complete missions based on the season's theme. These robots must be programmed, giving the children opportunities to learn different programming languages.

The competition is judged under four categories:

• Robot Missions
• Robot Design
• Core Values
• Project

Useful links