This OER provides an opportunity for further self-directed learning related to the STEAMified Transversal Skills Development teacher training programme.
Finding a good STEM activity is not only about finding something exciting for pupils to do. A useful activity should connect with curriculum learning, be appropriate for the age of the pupils and provide meaningful opportunities to investigate, think, design, test, solve problems and reflect.
STEM Learning has over 21 years of experience supporting educators in the UK and globally. It offers expert-led professional development across all STEM subjects and phases, delivered by its in-house team and trusted consultants.
STEM Learning offers spans from primary through secondary to post-16 support, aimed at the 4-19 year old education landscape. Part of its support can be:
- Scoping and producing resources for STEM education
- Development and delivery of teacher professional learning, including train-the-trainer models
- Advisory support for STEM curriculum development
- Excellence in teacher subject knowledge across the sciences, computing, engineering and mathematics
- Building capacity in practical STEM subjects
- Developing programmes to engage industry effectively with schools and students
- Supporting the roll-out of student-centred competition
The STEM Learning Primary Resources collection can help teachers find practical STEM materials for children in primary education and explore how existing curriculum activities can also create opportunities for transversal skills development.
1. Explore: STEM Learning Primary Resources
The collection brings together teaching materials across different STEM areas and allows teachers to search for resources according to their needs. You can explore resources related to areas such as:
- Science
- Mathematics
- Computing
- Design and Technology
- Engineering
- Cross-curricular learning
Resources are also available for different primary age groups, including 5–7 and 7–11 years, making it easier to identify materials that can be adapted for pupils aged 6–10.
Explore: STEM Resources – Primary | STEM Learning
https://www.stem.org.uk/primary/resources
2. Look for More Than an Activity
As you explore the collection, do consider:
- What will my pupils learn?
- What will they investigate?
- What decisions will they make?
- What problems will they need to solve?
- Will they need to test and improve their ideas?
- Will they explain or justify their thinking?
- Which transversal skills could they practise while completing the activity?
- Would my pupils enjoy this activity?
When choosing an activity or programme for your class, you should focus not only on finding an interesting STEM task, but also, and above all, on selecting a purposeful learning experience. With its extensive range of resources, the STEM Learning platform gives you the opportunity to find the right STEAM programme for your class to suit every need.
3. Try: Choose One Resource
Explore the STEM Learning collection and select one activity that could work with your pupils.
Before using it, consider three questions:
- CURRICULUM: What curriculum knowledge or understanding will pupils develop?
- ACTIVITY: What will pupils actually think, investigate, design, make, test or solve?
- SKILLS: Which transversal skills will pupils need to use during the activity?
Then consider whether one small change could create an even stronger opportunity for skills development. For example, could pupils:
- find more than one possible solution?
- make their own design decisions?
- explain why they chose a particular solution?
- compare different approaches?
- test and improve their first idea?
- work with others to solve the challenge?
- reflect on what worked and what they would change?
The aim is not to add a separate skills activity. Instead, make the transversal skills visible within the STEM learning that is already taking place.
4. A Practical Collection to Start With 50+ STEM Activities for Any Primary Classroom
If the full resource library feels too extensive, start with 50+ STEM Activities for Any Primary Classroom. This STEM Learning collection provides more than 50 practical activities organised for different primary age groups. The activities use accessible materials and include challenges connected with science, engineering, investigation and problem-solving.
For the SPIRIT target group, look particularly at activities for:
- Ages 5–7
- Ages 7–9
- Ages 7–11
The collection can be useful when you need a practical starting point and then want to consider how the activity could also be used intentionally to develop transversal skills.
Explore:
50+ STEM Activities for Any Primary Classroom – STEM Learning