Following World Book Day and the additional focus on the love of reading, our attention is turning onto the love of sciences – how the world around us works. The traditionally labelled Science Week, our STEM Week has been developed to incorporate technology, engineering and maths too.
STEM skills encompass critical thinking, creativity, communication, numeracy, research skills, scientific literacy, and collaboration. These skills are essential for innovation and progress in modern society, enabling advancements in medicine, technology, engineering, and more.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, skills in STEM are more important than ever. These fields drive innovation, solve complex problems, and improve our quality of life. From developing new technologies to addressing global challenges like climate change, STEM professionals play a crucial role in shaping our future.
However, there is a growing concern that we need to address: the STEM skill gap. This gap refers to the shortage of skilled workers in STEM fields. As the demand for STEM professionals continues to rise, the supply of qualified individuals is not able to keep pace. This can lead to slower technological advancements and missed opportunities for growth and development.
Several factors contribute to this gap. Not all students have equal access to quality STEM education, which can limit their preparedness for STEM careers. At The Kingsley School, we have a developing curriculum across all Key Stages to prepare our students to be future-ready. Whether it involves the 4D-curriculum in Prep School, Pathfinder lessons in Years 7 & 8, Future Skills lessons in Year 9 or the 8Billionideas workshops that run across the school, pupils are feeling more confident approaching the wider world. Ever since 2016, annual reports suggest between 65% – 80% of future jobs our pupils in the Prep School go on to do in life do not currently exist.
Addressing the STEM skill gap is essential for our future. By improving STEM education, increasing access to STEM opportunities, and encouraging lifelong learning and upskilling, we can ensure that our students are well-prepared for the exciting and rewarding careers that await them in STEM fields.
STEM skills open doors to various exciting and high-paying careers including Aeronautical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, and Chemical Engineering. Science and technology are advancing rapidly, making it an exciting time to pursue a career in STEM. STEM skills are applicable to a wide range of jobs, allowing individuals to follow their passions and make a positive impact on the world.
The ideas behind our week of events are to raise awareness, spark enthusiasm and celebrate science, engineering, technology and maths with people of all ages and from all walks of life.
STEM Week Activities
Prep School
Today
- Year 3 and 4 – Live Lesson with Manta Trust ‘Adapting Beneath the Waves’ (British Science Week theme 2025 is Change and Adapt)
Thursday:
- Launch of ‘Change and Adapt’ with an exciting and interactive assembly, including a whole school multiple choice quiz and scientific change experiment
- Prep School Science Competition, to win the science trophy
Key Stage 1 activities:
- ‘Camouflage Caterpillars’ lessons about camouflage and will go into the garden to find different coloured caterpillars (made from wool) and record in a tally chart
Key Stage 2 activities:
- Year 3 will be learning about plant adaptations and how plants grow in different climates and environments (linked to their new science topic, plants)
- Year 4, 5 and 6 will be taking part in colour change experiments including chromatography and pH of different materials using red cabbage juice
Senior School
Key Stage 3 activities:
- analysing fingerprints and attempting to lift fingerprints from surfaces
- making a cell (“battery”) from simple materials
- building a tower from paper, nuts and bolts
- classes will be set homework to enter a poster competition, in which they suggest how the air in a space they know can be made cleaner
- Senior School Treasure Hunt
Tuesday assembly:
- Mia Wyndham MEng GMICE , Graduate Engineer
Roads on careers in Engneering
Tuesday lunchtime:
- two visiting speakers will speak to school scholars and others
Thursday Pi Day:
- lunchtime circle drawing competition
- breaktime digits of pi recital
Article written by Mr T Spillane (Assistant Head Academic)