A fantastic funding award from the Ironmongers’ Charities will allow Forth Valley College Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Boxes, to be loaned out to 18 secondary schools across the Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire council areas.
Up until now, funding from the Edina Trust and City Fibre has enabled the boxes to be loaned out across primary schools in Forth Valley but now thanks to a funding award of £8,800 from the Irongmongers’ Charities, the College can now extend the loan boxes to include secondary schools. This means the project has the potential to work with approx. 1,800 12-14 year olds from August 2023 to June 2024 – giving them a unique opportunity to enhance their STEM learning.
The range of eight STEM boxes, which are now available to be loaned out across the whole of the Forth Valley region, cover the subject areas of: Rocket Launch; Biological Systems and BBC Microbit Coding (CityFibre), Forces; Warm Houses; Clean Water; Green Energy; and Design and Build, and can be used for up to two weeks each class.
Fiona Jackson, Curriculum Manager in FVC’s Department of STEM and Construction, said: “We can’t thank the Ironmongers’ Charities enough for their generous funding. The STEM Loan Box Project aims to stimulate, support and enthuse school pupils and enhance the professional learning available to practitioners who have a responsibility or interest in all aspects of STEM-related learning, teaching and assessment.
“Our request to the Irongmongers’ Charities is to build on the success of the Primary STEM Loan Box scheme and expand this to work with secondary school pupils across Forth Valley, with the aim to enthuse, engage and enable young people to continue their STEM journey. This age can be critical in the transition from primary to secondary and is also a key point when young people start to make subject choices. Therefore, continuing to promote STEM will help to ensure they consider these subjects going forward.
“Given the time constraints on teaching and learning in this area, school teachers lack the capacity and expertise to develop, test and risk asses these activities. By providing the STEM boxes, they can lift out activities and components that have been designed, sourced, risk assessed and tested by subject experts. In addition, promoting STEM and highlighting pathways for career and further study continues to be an issue not just at regional but also national level.”
Each box contains materials to complete all activities with a class of 30 pupils and they come well equipped, though some everyday materials will be required from the school. To request a STEM box please email: stemboxes@forthvalley.ac.uk or book via the FVC landing page: https://famousfour.forthvalley.ac.uk/boxes.php
The project was developed on the back of the successful Stirling Science Festival which took place in October 2021 and saw families enjoy a hybrid programme of online and live events at the Albert Halls and the Tolbooth. The support of the FVC STEM and Construction Department Science Technicians – Amy Wylie, Paul Tucker and Tracy Cowley – who have given their full support to making the initiative a success.
Tracy Cowley, FVC Science Team Technician, said: “These STEM Boxes are packed full of engaging experiments and knowledge and we are confident they will inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.”
Pauline Jackson, FVC’s Development and Fundraising Manager, said: “The funding awarded from the Ironmongers’ Charities is fantastic and will ensure young people across Forth Valley can access the STEM loan boxes. FVC has an excellent reputation in STEM outreach and engagement and this project enables that work to continue. The ultimate aim is to raise awareness and interest in STEM to the workforce of the future.”