About STEM Ambassadors


What is a STEM Ambassador?
 STEM Ambassadors are Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Ambassadors who work with schools on a voluntary basis, providing support and encouragement as well as role models for young people and children in science, technology, engineering and maths areas. The aim of the program is to encourage more young people to understand the opportunities that a science, engineering or technology-based career can offer them.

Who are STEM Ambassadors?
 STEM Ambassadors are people with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds and skills, who are willing and able to inspire and encourage children and young people in these subjects and related careers.

What do STEM Ambassadors do?
 There are many ways that STEM Ambassadors can assist, such as; supporting practical work in the classroom; supporting out-of-school activities such as clubs, awards and competitions; addressing school groups about relevant topics or their careers; supporting local events such as judging rounds of the Young Engineer for Britain K'Nex Challenge or assisting at careers events. STEM Ambassadors are asked to commit to assisting at one event/project per year as a minimum. STEM Ambassadors with time to commit are linked up with specific schools and liaise with teachers to arrange what they could best do to support that school.
A key aim is flexibility. It is important to acknowledge that STEM Ambassadors are volunteers, giving of their time and experience.

Why become a STEM Ambassador?
 STEM Ambassadors gain enjoyment and satisfaction from working with young people and schools. They can also gain valuable experience to develop their own skills in areas such as project planning, communication skills, confidence- building and presentation skills. The STEM Ambassador scheme is widely recognised and welcomed by employers and those responsible for continued professional development. In the South of Scotland, companies such as BAe Systems, Rolls Royce and IBM have employees working as STEM Ambassadors as part of their on-going community involvement programs. Not only are STEM Ambassadors rewarded by the work they do in schools, but also their participation is playing an active role in enthusing the scientists and engineers of the future.

What could a STEM Ambassador do for your school?
 STEM Ambassadors bring enthusiasm and support to classroom projects. Teachers and schools benefit from access to quality-assured volunteers who can help in a variety of ways. Via STEM Ambassadors, teachers can not only get support for enriching and enhancing the curriculum through activities or events, but can also increase their own understanding of the career paths to which STEM subjects can lead. Schools can benefit from enhanced links with local business or individual volunteers with valuable skills.

STEM Ambassador judging a K'nex roundBackground to the STEM Ambassador Programme
Originally a DTI initiative, Science and Engineering Ambassadors (SEAs) was launched in January 2002 by Lord Sainsbury and Baroness Ashton. The name was rebranded as STEM Ambassadors in 2009.

Funding is now under the auspices of the Department for Business Innovation & Skills. (BIS) BIS was formed on 5 June 2009 by merging DIUS and BERR.

The main purpose of the STEM Ambassador Programme is to support pupils, teachers and schools by enriching & enhancing the curriculum, thereby encouraging an interest in STEM subjects. More specifically, the scheme is intended to assist in:

  • Enabling young people to make links between what they learn at school and the world of work;
  • Giving them an understanding of the types of careers that are open to them if they study science, technology, ICT and maths;
  • Motivating and enthusing young people to develop their science, technology, ICT and maths skills further;
  • Providing positive role models for young people in the areas of science, engineering, technology & maths

In line with STEMNET's overall mission, the objectives of the STEM Ambassador programme are:

To set and implement quality standards to ensure all STEM Ambassadors are registered with a STEMPOINT broker, go through a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and are briefed on working with pupils, teachers & schools.

To contribute to the Government's overall target of enabling every child under 16 to have the opportunity to participate in an appropriate science, technology, engineering or maths related activity at least once in each Key Stage (or equivalent) but it is not limited to that age group.

 
Disclaimer Email Webmaster