STEM: Change the School Programme

The objective of the Change the School programme is to establish a strategic group of staff and students who will drive the project forward on the theme of sustainability. More students and staff will be involved later in the project to establish stronger curriculum links. 

Mrs Lumb and Mr Harrington worked closely with Creative Partners, Andy Hubbard and Peter Forbes to plan a variety of innovative and exciting training sessions throughout the year. 

Following an audit by our E team students the following projects were put forward: 

Establish an interactive nature trail for students in the pyramid and local community

Develop sustainable food sources for our kitchen, Food Technology department and our local community (farmers market).

Establish curriculum links to the themes in the wild life garden and include a perfumery

Build a bird hide and bird feeding station to support extra curricular E team sessions 

The groups of students chosen to work strategically on the two day workshop are The E team, School Council, STEM and Year 12 Home Economics which include two Change 4 Life representatives. 

We have established initial curriculum links with ICT as our Year 10 students will develop resources for the nature trail for their coursework.

The workshops will enhance the new AS Home Economics course and students can then help plant seeds and harvest produce. Obvious links with our specialist school subject,  particularly Biology and Ecology studied at A level. 

Enquiry Question – How can vegetation be used sustainably?
Creating a Kitchen Garden – Themes and Cross-curricular links
Success Criteria:

Establish why Shelley College should have a kitchen garden

Research suitability of site e.g. soil tests

Establish a planting scheme and calendar of events

Change 4 Life campaign, PSHEE, Shelley farmers market in August

Taste testing sessions to establish innovative taste and texture combinations 

Kitchen Garden morning sessions with STEM
Brain storming session with Yr 9 STEM initially on what to grow, soil testing workshop, re-evaluate what will grow where, research complimentary planting, crop rotation, organic vs intensive. Begin sowing seeds weather permitting or research using books a planting scheme/ calendar of events. 

Kitchen Garden afternoon sessions with Home Economics
Introduction to Kitchen Garden and vegetables that will be grown. Master class on tastes and textures. Students research recipes that are inspirational / innovative to compliment information card that will be displayed near to vegetable grown. Students expected to produce a meal form an adapted recipe in the second session on Friday afternoon.

Enquiry Question - How can we connect?
Creating a Nature Trail / Eco Park – Themes and Cross-curricular links
Success Criteria:

Establish why Shelley College should have a Nature Trail

Research what themes of walks we could have

Plan and begin work on activities for each work station

Produce ICT based materials e.g. audio, video or desk top publishing 

Nature trail morning sessions with Year 10 ICT
Establish what is required for ICT course, take images, video recordings of nature trail. Establish which students will develop which work stations and how (audio, video, desk top publishing).

Wildlife Garden afternoon sessions with E team and School Council
Students review wild life garden and suggest innovative ways to improve links to curriculum and produce resources to improve outdoor education.

More Information about STEM:

What is STEM:
The STEM project is designed to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This two year project creates opportunities for young people to reach their potential in all subjects, but increasingly we see the STEM subjects as a key to improving a range of other essential skills such as ingenuity, problem solving, practical ability and resilience.

Expectations:
There is a substantial commitment required to attend at least 30 hours of STEM sessions.
The programme is well funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to ensure we achieve our stated aims.
We expect you to be motivated, keen to take on a challenge and have a willingness to improve your knowledge and skills.

The Global Challange:
The Able Project would like to commission students at Shelley College to research the feasibility of introducing Aquaponics in Nepal. Jiban Karki, Executive Director of Phase Nepal visited the UK recently to see how the work of ABLE can be adapted and implemented in Nepal to help the poorest communities. ABLE are keen to develop an Aquaponic system of food production to grow fresh fish and vegetables cheaply.

International development agencies in Nepal are seriously concerned about an acute food shortage in several hill and mountain districts in the western region of the Himalayan area. Food production from farming in these districts barely lasts six months each year. But now the situation has become much worse with significantly less food being produced, recent assessments show.