Nuffield Curriculum Centre

News

New KS3 STEM Project
Mon, 10 December 2007

Nuffield Curriculum Centre

From September 2008 the new statutory orders for the National Curriculum will be introduced for KS3. As well as providing a greater degree of flexibility in the knowledge that will be delivered they will also encourage departments to work together to produce engaging and meaningful cross-curricular projects. In response to these developments Nuffield are beginning work on a series of thematic modules linking Science, Technology and Maths and their applications in Engineering. These modules will be constructed around relevant and authentic tasks fostering both subject specific and transferable skills. By improving engagement with STEM we aim to allow students to make more informed choices about further study and future careers.

The process will be needs-led, involving teachers from the outset, and will provide online opportunities for resource development and review from the wider STEM community. The Year 7 module will be ready for trialling in September 2008

The project will be directed by Cris Edgell who has worked at the British Council in Cairo and the Vienna International School. In this country Cris has worked as a Science AST in South London schools, and has led the development and delivery of a new thematic Year 7 curriculum in Richmond.

Steve Steward will be managing the KS3 STEM Project. In his previous role as a Project officer for the QCA, Steve worked on the PE & School Sports project and the development and implementation of the new Secondary National Curriculum.