Careers

PSHE

Secondary

An electronic engineer promotes STEM work with fun experiments

Electronic engineer and STEM career role model Chris Styles visits Linton Village College in Cambridge, to run an electronics workshop and talk about his work. Chris works for Cambridge-based microprocessor company ARM, who design the embedded computer processors used in 90 per cent of mobile phones. Chris speaks about his work, and his experiments in his home-built electronics workshop in his garage, before giving the students a range of fun activities to do including; launching a rocket, building an electronic range finder, and working on an innovative locking mechanism and a small robotic car . The lesson culminates in the launch of the rocket on the school's playing field in an attempt to capture trajectory data from the rocket for analysis.

Applications Engineer

A rocket scientist tours a South African telescope: KS3/4 science

A rocket scientist tours a huge telescope in South Africa, in this lesson starter on astronomy for Key Stage 3/4 science pupils. Dr Maggie Aderin explains how the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) works and meets the people who operate the mechanism, in this classroom resource for secondary students PSHE. She is the UK's only black female rocket scientist and she's in high demand for her inspiring science talks.

Astronomy: Inside a Telescope

Using video podcasts to help unveil Year 10 pupils' aspirations

Year 10 pupils at Penketh High School in Warrington have been asked to make video podcasts that will encourage them to consider their likely career paths and choices. The podcasts are based upon an imaginary scenario, set 10 years in the future, in which the students are unable to attend a school reunion. They are asked to record absence messages, explaining how their lives have developed since they last saw their classmates. It's a fun technique which genuinely engages the pupils but perhaps more importantly makes them think more seriously about their future and how they might set about achieving the things they want in life. With support from the ICT department, the task is easily implemented and serves to further the pupils' aspirations.

Careers Education - Developing Self-Understanding

Using technology to learn more about the world of work

Find out how an ICT-led project can help to alert pupils to the world of work, as students from Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language College in London follow an "industry trail". The trail, made up of local employers and places of careers interest, is placed within a PDA. Students then follow the trail on foot, using sat-nav style maps and directions. Along the trail, students encounter companies where interviews with selected personnel have previously been arranged. The pupils conduct audio interviews and take pictures using the PDA, later downloading this content to create a presentation. Such techniques enable students, who may have already learned about their individual strengths, to explore the "workscape" and discover what employment opportunities may be available to them.

Careers Education - Exploring the Workscape

Show KS3/KS4 PSHE pupils a geographer's story of climbing Everest

A physical geographer who has climbed Everest talks about her career in this engaging short video for use in Key Stage 3 and KS4 PSHE lessons. Tori James discusses her experience of climbing the world's tallest mountain, including how it enabled her to study glaciers and erosion. Secondary pupils can also hear Tori describe how she uses her geographical knowledge in a practical way in her work.

Careers: Mountaineer

A polar explorer discusses his trips in this KS3/KS4 PSHE video

Secondary students can hear about a polar explorer's expeditions in this short video for Key Stage 3 and KS4 PSHE lessons. Geographer Ben Saunders, the youngest man to have skied solo to the North Pole, describes his expedition to the Arctic and how it has helped him find out more about geography.

Careers: Polar Explorer

Rocket scientist discusses her career for KS3/KS4 PSHE or science

A rocket scientist talks about why she finds her career so exciting, in this classroom resource designed for use in a Key Stage 3/4 PSHE or science class. Dr Maggie Aderin explains where her passion for space comes from and discusses the learning difficulties she's overcome to pursue a career in science. She is the UK's only black female rocket scientist and is in high demand for her inspiring science talks.

Careers: Rocket Scientist

Students learn about STEM careers by meeting professionals

Lorette Parker, head of careers at Collingwood College, Surrey, invites eight professionals to the school to talk about their careers in STEM-related professions. Amongst the group are research scientists, engineers and project managers. Lorette hopes they will help motivate the students to consider STEM professions as a possible career path. In small groups, the students interview the visitors, getting as much information as they can. They are expected to meet and greet the visitors in the same way they would act in a real job interview. The experience proves to be an eye-opener for the students and many are surprised about the opportunities available in STEM professions. This programme is part of a series looking at the careers available in STEM professions.

Choosing Careers

Students are encouraged to learn more about STEM careers

Riddlesdown High school in South London is taking steps to encourage pupils to study science, maths and technology. We see students at the school participate in a role play as members of a residents' association. During the activity they discuss a proposal to build a pharmaceutical plant in their neighbourhood. The pupils weigh up the pros and cons of the proposal, considering the economic benefits that the plans could bring to the community, against potentially negative issues such as environmental disruption. Later, staff discuss the challenges of teaching the value of STEM subjects as they often feel ill-equipped to educate pupils about opportunities in science related careers. This programme is part of a series looking at the careers available in STEM professions.

Economic Wellbeing

Students focus on maths and science to learn about engineering

Maths teacher Eva Cowlishaw and science teacher Amy Lucas introduce Year 9 students at CTC Kingshurst Academy, Birmingham, to engineering careers using the context of structural engineering in theme park rides. In the maths lesson the students look at rigid structures and learn how they are important in engineering, and have the chance to investigate their own choice of rigid structures. In science, the students model an ejector seat ride using a variety of apparatus. Their investigation looks at the different forces involved in the ride and how to monitor its speed. For the final part of the day the students take on the roles of interviewers and candidates in mock interviews for a structural engineering job. This programme is part of a series looking at the careers available in STEM professions.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

Subjects

> Secondary PSHE

> Careers