MIND THE GAPSTEM CHALLENGE DAYS

MIND THE GAP… PROJECT OUTLINE

• The project is based on a “Structures” Challenge.• The focus is about an awareness of STEM.. All the

constituent parts working together.• The challenge is student focussed… working in teams to

• Design and build a structure to span a gap.• Perform a research and investigation task.• Produce and deliver a presentation.

• Not a competition… but recognition will be given for commitment, quality of work, originality, etc

STUDENT FOCUSSED

• The Challenge is intended to be student focussed.

• Students to take the lead in tackling the project… in negotiation with the teachers and ambassadors.

• Teachers and ambassadors to act as mentors to the teams…. Support and guide rather than directing.

• Students should work as teams…. Emphasis on PLTS

TEAMS

• Each teacher/ambassador pair will mentor a group of up to four teams of five students.

• Teams should organise themselves… shared responsibility! Based upon the PLTS roles.

• Facilitator, • Time Keeper, • Resource Manager, • Quality Checker, • Team Rep.

Creative th inkers

Effectiveparticipators

Independent enquirers

Reflective learners

Self-m anagers

Teamworkers

TASKS – DESIGN AND BUILD

• The design and build task requires students to build a model bridge to span a 1m gap (the Clifton Gorge)

• The bridge will be judged successful if it has…• Good strength to weight ratio.• Good strength to cost ratio.

• Students may need to be encouraged to DESIGN before making…

• Produce a specification.• investigate alternative ideas before producing a solution.• test materials and construction methods

TASKS – RESEARCH TASK

• The research task is selected by the teams … in negotiation with teachers/ambassadors.

• The research task is intended to support the Design/Make task and will form the core of the Presentation Task.

• The task needs to be…• Useful• Rigorous• As original as possible• More than Google… include hypothesis, testing, results, findings,

etc.

TASKS - PRESENTATION

• The presentations will be made to the other teams in the group.• Teams will have 4 minutes of actual presentation time on the

second day.• Presentations need to be “professional” with all students taking

part in some way.• Presentations can take any form (by negotiation)• A PowerPoint/keynote supported talk• Posters, leaflets, “publications”.• Originality to be supported (song/rap/performance)

AMBASSADORS – BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY• 16 volunteers (14 from companies + 2 parents)

• Companies represented• Mott MacDonald (Bristol and Cardiff) • MOD• Bristol University• Saint Gobain• EDF Energy• TSB (Clevedon)• Atkins Global?• Support also from Roland DG & 3D Systems

• Main task is to assist with mentoring the teams and provide expertise in their field.

• Also providing mini workshops at various times.

AMBASSADORS – STUDENTS• Team of 5 students

• Ellie Stanfield• Anna Parry• Rosie Gathercole• Lewis Smallwood• Cody Isaac

• Will be responsible for running the “Bank of STEM” / Shop

• Will maintain a “leader board”• Will assist with social media. (and gather content)• Will act as “gofers”… runners.

MINI WORKSHOPS• These will be presented by the Ambassadors.• Attended by team reps (if required)• Take place in the Atrium and/or break out area (sports hall)• Timings

• Day1 10:10 – (mini workshop 1 Top tips for quality presentations)• Day 1 11:10 (mini workshop 2 Strong structures)• Day1 12.00 (mini workshop 3 Being an engineer)• Day1 13:50 (mini workshop 4 safe structures)• Day2 09:15 (financing structures)… advice on VAT etc• Day2 10:00 (mini workshop 5 Quality presentations 2)

• Other Mini workshops may take place on suggestion of Ambassadors and/or request from Teachers.

SOCIAL MEDIA• We have a Blog and Twitter…

• Blog clevedonstem.wordpress.com• Twitter @ClevedonSTEM hashtags #STEM and #ClevedonSTEM.

The blog to provideResource bankDiary of the challenge

Twitter provides automatic tweets from the blogMicroblogging.

• Who can blog/tweet?Everyone!!! … send photos/videos text to DW/Student ambassadorsAsk for membership and author role (before the event!)Student ambassadors.

FOR THE NON EXPERT- “S” OPPORTUNITIES• Over to Steve Davis

FOR THE NON EXPERT- “M” OPPORTUNITIESOver to Paul Jenkins

FOR THE NON EXPERT- “TE” (D&T) OPPORTUNITIES • Over to Andrew Brown

RESOURCES - PHYSICAL

• Team packs containing• Student information booklet• Student work booklet (for planning)• Starter kit of building materials

• The “gap” … mat and supports.• Ambassadors. • Each other…. !

RESOURCES - ELECTRONIC• Teacher toolkit

• Teaching/intervention materials• Inspirational videos• Results spreadsheet• Copy of the student invoice• Timings PowerPoint

• Blog and twitter feed

• Extension Task…. In the unlikely event of students running out of work (design & build a high/strong structure)

CONSTRUCTION

• Planning…. Encourage students to try out and plan before “rushing into it”

• Quality…. Neatness and quality of construction ensures a stronger outcome.

• Do not allow students to use excessive materials… winding a bunch of straws in tape will be strong but the students will learn/achieve nothing.

• Give it a go yourselves…..