Using Careers with STEM: Primary in the classroom

The first issue of Careers with STEM: Primary - published last month - is a flexible classroom resource designed to build curiosity, connect learning to the real world and challenge students’ perceptions and stereotypes about who belongs in STEM.

From explorers and health heroes to computer coders and creatives, the magazine is packed with stories, activities and role models that highlight how STEM is used to make our world a better place.

Read Careers with STEM: Primary

Here's a few of our ideas for how you can integrate the magazine into your classroom practice this term:

Use the different sections of the magazine as a reading rotation

Split your class into small groups and assign each group a different section of the magazine (e.g. Health Heroes, Amazing Animals, Earth Explorers, Gadgets and Gizmos).

1. Each group reads their section together, using a dictionary to look up the definitions of any new vocabulary as they go.
2. They choose one role-model featured in their section of the magazine.
3. As a group, they answer a set of structured questions such as a) what do they do?; b) what skills do they use?; c) what surprised you about their job?
4. Groups present back to the class (2–3 minutes each), sharing their favourite facts about a role-model from their section with the group.

Choose an experiment from the magazine to conduct a mini investigation

Pick a single activity from the magazine and run it as a quick, hands-on investigation as part of your classroom practice. For example, pulse power on page 8.

1. Learners find their pulse and record their resting heart rate.
2. Learners complete 30 seconds of exercise.
3. Learners measure their heart rate again and compare.

Depending on your learning context and the time available, you could also take this further. For example, by plotting your classes results on the board as a class.

Explore the curriculum LINKS available throughout the magaziNE, MAPPED OUT ON ONE HANDY PAGE

Use the magazine content as the basis for a design solution challenge

Page 22 walks learners through the engineering design process in accessible and child-friendly language. Use this content as the basis for a fun and engaging design challenge within your setting.

1. Invite learners to read and explore the engineering design process as set out on page 22.
2. In small groups, ask learners to identify a real problem and sketch out possible solutions.
3. As they go, learners should be asked to explore a) what problem their design solves; and b) how their design works.

To take this further, allow them to build a simple prototype using recycled material, or ask groups to present back and vote on the most effective solution.