Educational Outreach Programme

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin complete The Backstage Challenge! (March 2015) 

On 10th March 2015, we headed to Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen to administer the Educational Outreach Programme's 'Backstage Challenge'. 

 Pupils had to organise a series of concerts in castles across Wales, deciding on what artists they would like to perform at their concert. The pupils then had to work together to calculate  if they can afford to get the artists they would like to perform, using both their working with others skills, and application of maths skills. 

 To ensure the pupils could work with a budget, pupils were given a series of requirements to meet and had to use the data provided to carry out calculations with money to ensure they can run the event successfully and on a budget. The ability to work with a budget is evidently a valuable life skill for young people to learn, and we believe they learnt this life skill in a fun and exciting way through planning a series of concerts. 

We really enjoyed working with Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin Key Stage 3 pupils to develop their maths skills through an enjoyable workshop.

Thanks for reading! 

Queen Elizabeth High School put their physics skills to the test! (March 2015) 

On 12th-13th March 2015, we delivered the Educational Outreach Programme's 'Solving Problems with Physics' workshop to Queen Elizabeth High School pupils. 

The one-hour workshop, comprised of two videos and two associated challenges challenged pupils to use their physics skills to solve problems. 

The workshop and it's problem solving questions were intentionally created to add relevance to topics in the GCSE Physics curriculum, including forces, renewable energy, optical fibres, and near-earth objects. Pupils were therefore learning and revising for their official exams through taking part in the workshop without even realising!

We hope that Queen Elizabeth High School pupils enjoyed completing the 'Solving Problems with Physics' workshop, and learnt and developed vital skills in the process. 

Thanks for reading!


Ysgol Penglais try the Backstage Challenge! 
We headed to Penglais Comprehensive School, Aberystwyth on the 12th-13th February to deliver the Educational Outreach Programme's Backstage Challenge! 

The Backstage Challenge encourages Key stage three pupils to organise a series of concerts across Wales. 

Pupils had to decide what popular artists they would like to attend their concerts, calculating the costs of hiring the artist to perform in the process, therefore pupils' maths skills were put to the test! 

To ensure the pupils could complete the task effectively, Ysgol Penglais pupils were given a series of requirements to meet, and had to use the data provided to ensure their event was successful, and more importantly on budget.

Pupils thoroughly enjoyed the two day workshop, and thrived in working with their fellow classmates to create a successful concert. 

Thanks for reading!

Steam Powered Stories are honoured to be working on behalf of Techniquest to deliver their Educational Outreach Programme- Let's talk Maths & Physics 

in Mid and South West Wales. 

So what is the Educational Outreach Programme? 

The Educational Outreach Programme offers a unique range of challenge workshops that are designed to encourage students that study Maths and Science throughout their secondary education. To administer the workshops we will head into schools across Mid- South West Wales to administer various workshops.

The flexibility of presenters allows schools to use the sessions as an introduction to a new topic or to build on the knowledge that students already have. Each session is designed to increase students' awareness of the broad range of careers available in the Maths and Science industries. 

To offer the best workshops we possibly can, the SPS team have undergone intensive training, and we also have fully DBS checked qualified tutors to deliver a bespoke package of inspiring learning opportunities tailored specifically for pupils and teachers. 

Here are some of the activities we offer- 

• Maths Matters- Key stage 4 pupils will be shown a number of videos that demonstrate how maths is used in a real world context. In each case, the video illustrates how maths is used every day within that company. Each video is accompanied by a specially designed activity for pupils to investigate, for themselves, how the maths learnt in the classroom is useful, it can be applied to situations in the real world. 
• Backstage Challenge- Key stage 3 pupils will organise a series of concerts in castles across Wales, choosing the best performing artists and calculating their costs. To do this, pupils will be given a series of requirements to meet and will need to use the data provided to carry out calculations with money to ensure they can run the event successfully and on a budget. 
• Solving Problems with Physics- Pupils will be shown a video that focuses on how physics is used in different occupational sectors to solve problems. Teachers can preselect any 2 videos and associated hands on physics challenges from a choice of organisations. This one-hour workshop will comprise two videos and two associated challenges. Dependent on the section, this workshop will add relevance to topics in the GCSE Physics curriculum, including forces, renewable energy, optical fibres, and near-earth objects. 

We are very excited to have the opportunity to work alongside Techniquest, and we can not wait to get started! 

Spaces are limited on these workshops, so if you would like to get involved with this project, call Hayley today on 01685872385, or alternatively, email Hayley on HHowe@Janroltd.com