Post on 18-Jan-2016
transcript
UAS – An Introduction
WHY UAS ?
Not enough undergraduates studying STEM subjects
Not enough subject specialist teachers
School pupils not interested in STEM subjects
• UAS - Launched in 2002/3 by Simon Singh & Hugh Mason
• UAS is a not-for-profit company born out of concern for teacher & student shortages in STEM
• Started with 4 departments, 3 universities and 28 undergrads
• Today 139 departments, 48 universities and 1000 undergrads throughout UK and Ireland
The Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme (UAS) is a framework that provides classroom-based experience for undergraduates allowing them to develop key transferable skills and gain academic credit through working with teachers to enrich the school curriculum
SCHOOLS
PUPILSTEACHERS
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
UNDERGRADUATES
STEM SECTOR
BUSINESSINDUSTRY
EDUCATIONGOVERNMENT
• Provide undergraduates with an intellectual challenge which helps them to develop key transferable skills
• Attract more graduates into teaching
• Give support to teachers in the classroom
• Supply role models for pupils
• Encourage a new generation of scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians & linguists
AIMS OF UAS
SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS
GROWTH OF UAS
DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN UAS
Others Geology Geography Psychology MusicOther SciencesAgriculture Applied SciencesEarth sciencesEnvironmental SciencesFood SciencesNatural SciencesNutritional SciencesOceanographyPlant Sciences
139 Departments (Last updated 1 August 2011)
BENEFITS OF UAS
UNIVERSITIES
• Equip students with key transferable skills
• Develop outreach links
• Foster Widening Participation
• Assist HEI recruitment strategy
• Improve subject recruitment
BENEFITS OF UAS
UNDERGRADUATES
• Gain academic credit
• Develop key transferable skills
• Develop project management skills
• Opportunity to explore teaching
• Consolidate subject knowledge
• Develop personal confidence
BENEFITS OF UAS
TEACHERS
• Subject specific support
• Role models to help raise pupil aspirations
• Updated subject knowledge/CPD
• Links with local university
• Reusable resources
BENEFITS OF UAS
PUPILS
• Individual attention
• Enthusiasm of student for subject
• Role model near their age
• Awareness of HE
• Visits to university
• Use of university facilities
HOW UAS HELP
MODULE DOCUMENTATION
• Recruitment, Training and Placement of Undergraduates• Recruitment of Teachers and Working with Schools• Assessment and Evaluation of the UAS Module• Module Accreditation
INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE
UAS – STRUCTURED & FLEXIBLE
UAS
HEI
Optional module/project – 2nd or Final yr
SCHOOLPRIMARY/SECONDARY/TERTIARY
AdviceModule MaterialsNetworking
PlacementSupportTraining
½ day per week
Minimum 10 weeks placement
OUTLINE TIMETABLE OF EVENTS 2011/12 (very flexible)
Module accreditation
Module offered to undergraduates
Undergraduate applications
Selection interviews
Training day
Undergrads assigned teachers – visit school to agree timetable
May ’11 – June ’11
May – Oct 2011
Mid Oct 2011
Mid Nov 2011
Late Nov 2011
Mid Dec 2011
STUDENT PREPARATION
• Introduction to module
• School system today
• Working with teachers
• Working with pupils
• Classroom deportment
• Support available to undergraduates
• Action planning
• Assessment
WHAT DO STUDENTS DOIN THE CLASSROOM?
3-4 hours per week for 10 -14 weeks
Classroom observation
Teaching assistant
Whole class teaching
Special projects
Curriculum enrichment activities
InnovativeHands-on
SPECIAL PROJECT
The undergraduate devises a special project based on discussions with the teacher. Examples:
• Work with low ability pupils• Work with the ‘gifted & talented’ pupils• Take pupils on visits• Organise university trips• Produce teaching resources• Introduce new IT software/hardware• Introduce & develop clubs• etc
KEY ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
• Communication skills
• Working with others
• Organisation, reliability and self-management
• Initiative and creativity
• Identifying and understanding the educational needs of others
• Self-analysis and critical evaluation
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
LOG BOOK/JOURNAL
20%
STUDENT PRESENTATION
30%
END OF MODULEREFLEXIVE
REPORT30%
TEACHERASSESSMENT
20%
FINAL TUTOR
ASSESSMENT
• Pilot funding from Simon Singh in 2002/3
• TTA (Teacher Training Agency)/ TDA (Training and Development Agency) Funding from 2003/4 to 2005/6 of £500,000
• 2006/7 to 2007/8£40,000 grant from Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Section (BMCS) of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)New Chemistry departments
•2008/9 to 2009/10£50,000 grant from the Ogden TrustNew Physics departments
PAST FUNDING
•We are very keen to continue the growth of UAS and urgently need to secure additional funding to enable this to happen.
•Recent initiatives with RSC – BMCS and the Ogden Trust have proved to be very successful. (Statistics available upon request)
•We would be pleased to hear from any organisation, society or funding body who would like to discuss forming a partnership with UAS to enable us to continue our work in introducing new STEM departments (and languages?) to the benefits of UAS. •Potential sources of funding? Can you help please?
POTENTIAL FUNDING
SCHOOLSECTOR
WIN
STEMSECTOR
WIN
HEI&
STUDENT
WIN
UASUAS
Brian LockwoodUAS National Manager
Email: Brian.Lockwood@uas.ac.ukor Tel / Fax: 01757 210865
Website: www.uas.ac.uk