Partner Article

College iStem Event Attracts Leading Lights from the World of Industry

Education providers, employers and celebrity guests descended upon Preston’s College yesterday (25 February) for a unique insight into how STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) meets the needs of modern learners and industry.

Organised by the STEM Alliance and Preston’s College, the ‘Have I Got STEM For You’ event featured panel discussions, workshops and guest speakers, including former BBC Tomorrow’s World presenter and British engineer, Kate Bellingham and 14-year-old Jamie Edwards, the youngest person in the world to build a nuclear fusion reactor.

Both shared their passion for STEM and demonstrated how UK education providers are innovating in this area, with Preston’s College at the forefront.

With an emphasis on making the principles of STEM learning applicable to all through its Innovation & STEM (iSTEM) curriculum, the event recognised projects that draw out aspects of iSTEM, particularly in non-STEM subjects. For example Health & Beauty, which recently used the laboratory resources to gain understanding of how hair products are manufactured.

iSTEM forms part of the £13m science, technology, engineering & mathematics facility at Preston’s College, set to open in September 2015, which provides state-of-the-art, cross-curricular learning, focused on boosting the prospects of learners entering the workplace.

Kate Bellingham’s presence was also in keeping with the college’s intention to address growing skills shortages in traditional STEM subjects, with Kate a prolific supporter of career opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Leading engineers and manufacturers from the region, including BAE Systems and Leyland Trucks, were also in attendance to share best practice and discuss the knowledge and skills that their staff require to help enhance the iSTEM curriculum.

Chris Wood, vice principal for excellence and learning at Preston’s College, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for us to share our vision for iSTEM subject delivery in all areas of the college.

“We were particularly privileged to welcome a range of key employers from the region and colleges from across the country, in addition to Kate Bellingham and Jamie Edwards, to reinforce the passion and ambitious plans we have for the delivery of iSTEM for current and future learners - who are the workforce of tomorrow for the North West and beyond.”

Kate Bellingham added: “It’s great to see so many people in Lancashire with a united vision towards championing iSTEM teaching, which isn’t just about the technical approaches, but how the entire philosophy and principles of iSTEM can be transferred throughout the curriculum.

“Whilst not all education providers will be as bold as Preston’s College in revolutionising their approach to teaching, I hope they’re inspired in some way by such levels of innovation and enterprise that lie at the heart of iSTEM.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Preston's College .