scholarly journals Defence Youth STEM Outreach – Inspiring the Next Generation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
M F Rose ◽  
D Joyce
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Strategic Partnerships ◽  
Skills Shortage ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Career Options ◽  
The Impact

This paper focuses on the need to build a solid foundation of skills which the future maritime workforce can build on to provide the innovation and exploitation of new technologies that the Royal Navy requires. This need sits within the wider strategic context of the national engineering skills shortage, reflected recently in the EngineeringUK report: ‘The State of Engineering 2018.’ The report forecasts as a conservative estimate an average shortfall in engineering graduates (level 4+) of 22,000, with the impact of Brexit upon these figures yet to be determined (the UK relies on attracting talent from the EU and beyond to help meet current shortfalls). The situation regarding Level 3 – A levels, Highers, and Advanced apprenticeships reflects a similar shortfall. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that only 12% of engineering and technology employees in the UK are women; highlighting that access and availability, including gender diversity remains a challenge for this sector. It is against that backdrop, that the MOD, is collaborating across many areas; one specifically being on inspiring the next generation to undertake Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) as subjects of choice initially, moving thereafter onto more informed careers awareness and ultimately onto career options. Such foundation building is manifest in Defence’s Youth STEM engagement strategy which is whole force by design, with several major developments to date following its launch in 2016, including the establishment of formal strategic partnerships with three national STEM outreach providers; notably: Primary Engineer; Tomorrows Engineer (replicated by Energy Skills Partnership in Scotland) and STEM Learning (replicated by SSERC in Scotland) each with niche capabilities. They sit alongside all four Services within Defence and key other government departments including the devolved administration in Scotland, in the form of an implementation group to take the strategy forward. The purpose is to inspire sufficient young people to study STEM subjects, to ensure that the appropriate national talent exists from which Defence can recruit its future technical people. Several initiatives are expanded upon with illustration of the benefits, ranging from impact in the classroom (both teacher and pupil) to Defence personnel as STEM ambassadors. The paper closes with the social mobility agenda and the potential thereof from Youth STEM outreach.

scholarly journals An innovative STEM outreach model (OH-Kids) to foster the next generation of geoscientists, engineers, and technologists

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrián Pedrozo-Acuña ◽  
Roberto J. Favero Jr. ◽  
Alejandra Amaro-Loza ◽  
Roberta K. Mocva-Kurek ◽  
Juan A. Sánchez-Peralta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Communications Technologies ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Problem Solvers

Abstract. Childhood education programmes aiming at incorporating topics related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have gained recognition as key levers in the progress of education for all students. Inspiring young people to take part in the discovery and delivery of science is of paramount importance not only for their well-being but also for their future human development. To address this need, an outreach model entitled OH-Kids was designed to empower pupils through the development of high-quality STEM learning experiences based on a research project. The model is an opportunity for primary school learners to meet geoscientists while receiving the take-home message that anyone can get involved in scientific activities. The effort is part of a research project aimed at the real-time monitoring of precipitation in Mexico City, which is a smart solution to rainfall monitoring using information and communications technologies. The argument behind this effort is that in order to produce the next generation of problem-solvers, education should ensure that learners develop an appreciation and working familiarity with a real-world project. Results show success at introducing the role of researchers and STEM topics to 6–12-year-old learners.

Directing Equal Pay in the UK ICT Labour Market

2008 ◽  
pp. 3150-3157
Author(s):  
Claire Keogh ◽  
Angela Tattersall ◽  
Helen Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
National Level ◽  
Equal Pay ◽  
Skills Shortage ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Underrepresentation Of Women ◽  
Equal Pay Act ◽  
Ict Industry ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

The UK labour market is dramatically changing, with rapid technological innovations alongside globalisation where organisations are required to place a premium on human and intellectual capital. The demand for labour is outstripping supply, and businesses are increasingly dependent on their ability to attract, invest in and develop their workforce (Kingsmill, 2003). However, a recent comparative report of the information technology (IT) workforce in Holland, Germany and the UK indicates that women are haemorrhaging out of the IT sector (Platman & Taylor, 2004). Given that presently there is an IT specialist’s skills shortage of 18.4% (IER/IFF, 2003), and female IT managers represent a mere 15% of ICT managers, 30% of IT operations technicians and 11% of IT strategy planning professionals (EOC, 2004a), this suggests that the ICT industry is not equipped for equality and diversity at work. Despite many years of egalitarian rhetoric and 3 decades after the UK Equal Pay Act (1970) was introduced, women still receive on average 18% less than that of their male counterparts working full-time and 41% less than men when working part-time hours. The ESF-funded DEPICT project seeks to identify pay discrimination experienced by women in ICT at a national level throughout England. An important aim is to highlight the impact of pay and reward discrimination has on the underrepresentation of women in the ICT labour market. From this study, we hope to more clearly understand the reasons for the gender pay gap, particularly in the ICT sector; and the impact this has on women’s entry and retention to occupations where they are already severely underrepresented. Equal pay is an issue for all; it’s unjust, unlawful and impacts on social justice, equality and economic performance (EOC, 2001b). Pay is a major factor affecting relationships at work; distribution and levels of pay and benefits affect efficiency of organisations, workforce morale and productivity. It is vital for organisations to develop pay systems that reward workers fairly for the work they perform (ACAS, 2005).

scholarly journals An innovative STEM outreach model to foster the next generation of geoscientists, engineers and technologists (OH-Kids)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrián Pedrozo-Acuña ◽  
Roberto J. Favero Junior ◽  
Alejandra Amaro-Loza ◽  
Roberta K. Kurek Mocva ◽  
Juan A. Sánchez-Peralta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Communications Technologies ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Problem Solvers

Abstract. Childhood education aiming at incorporating topics related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have gained recognition as key levers in the progress of education for all students. Inspiring young people to take part in the discovery and delivery of science is of paramount importance not only for their well-being but also for the future human development. To address this an outreach model entitled OH-Kids, was designed to empower educators and pupils through the development of high-quality STEM learning experiences based on a research project. The model is an opportunity for primary school learners to meet geoscientists at the same time as they receive the take-home message that anyone can get involved in scientific activities. The effort is part of a research project aimed at the real-time monitoring of precipitation in Mexico City, which is a smart solution to rainfall monitoring using information and communications technologies. The argument behind this effort, is that in order to produce the next generation of problem-solvers, education should ensure that learners develop an appreciation and working familiarity with a real world project. Results show success at introducing the role of the researchers and STEM topics to 6–12 year olds learners.

The control and ‘fitness for purpose’ of UK official statistics

2019 ◽  
pp. 119-132
Author(s):  
David Rhind
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Official Statistics ◽  
Politics And Government ◽  
The Public ◽  
Economic Statistics ◽  
Institutional Structures ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Government Statistics ◽  
The Impact

This chapter describes the evolution of UK Official Statistics over an 80 year period under the influence of personalities, politics and government policies, new user needs and changing technology. These have led to changing institutional structures – such as the Statistics Commission - and periodic oscillations in what statistics are created and the ease of their accessibility by the public. The chapter concludes with the impact of the first major statistical legislation for 60 years, particularly as a consequence of its creation of the UK Statistics Authority. This has included major investment in quality assurance of National and Official Statistics and in professional resourcing. These changes are very welcome, as is the statutory specification of government statistics as a public good by the 2007 Statistics and Registration Service Act. But problems of access to some data sets and the pre-release of key economic statistics to selected groups of users remain. Given the widespread societal consequences of the advent of new technologies, what we collect and how we do it will inevitably continue to change rapidly.

scholarly journals Switching LPS to LED Streetlight May Dramatically Reduce Activity and Foraging of Bats

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Kerbiriou ◽  
Kévin Barré ◽  
Léa Mariton ◽  
Julie Pauwels ◽  
Georges Zissis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Spectral Composition ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Street Lighting ◽  
Bat Activity ◽  
Reduce Activity ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Artificial light at night is considered a major threat to biodiversity, especially for nocturnal species, as it reduces habitat availability, quality, and functionality. Since the recent evolution in light technologies in improving luminous efficacy, developed countries are experiencing a renewal of their lighting equipment that reaches its end-of-life, from conventional lighting technologies to light emitting diodes (LEDs). Despite potential cascading impacts of such a shift on nocturnal fauna, few studies have so far dealt with the impact of the renewal of street lighting by new technologies. Specifically, only one study, by Rowse et al.2016, examined the effects of switching from widely used low pressure sodium (LPS) lamps to LEDs, using bats as biological models. This study was based on a before-after-control-impact paired design (BACIP) at 12 pairs in the UK, each including one control and one experimental streetlight. If Rowse et al. 2016 showed no effect of switching to LEDs streetlights on bat activity, the effects of respective changes in light intensity and spectrum were not disentangled when testing switch effects. Here, we conduct a retrospective analysis of their data to include these covariates in statistical models with the aim of disentangling the relative effects of these light characteristics. Our re-analysis clearly indicates that the switches in spectrum and in intensity with replacement of LPS with LED lamps have significant additive and interactive effects, on bat activity. We also show that bat activity and buzz ratio decrease with increasing LED intensity while an opposite effect is observed with LPS lamps. Hence, the loss or the gain in bat activity when lamp types, i.e., spectrum, are switched strongly depends on the initial and new lamp intensities. Our results stress the need to consider simultaneously the effects of changes in the different lights characteristics when street lighting changes. Because switches from LPS to LED lamps can lead to an increase in light intensity, such technological changes may involve a reduction of bat activity in numerous cases, especially at high LED intensities. Since we are currently at an important crossroad in lighting management, we recommend to limit LED intensity and improve its spectral composition toward warmer colors to limit potential deleterious impacts on bat activity.

STEM Learning in Middle Grades by Technology-Mediated Integration of Science and Mathematics

2016 ◽  
pp. 737-756
Author(s):  
Pradeep Maxwell Dass ◽  
John T. Spagnolo
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning ◽  
Middle Grades ◽  
School Science ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Authentic Inquiry ◽  
Classroom Implementation ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Recent Reform ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The Impact

In an attempt to foster inquiry-oriented learning in middle grades (grades 6 – 8), a technology mediated pedagogy integrating science and mathematics was promoted through Project SMILE (Science and Mathematics Integration for Literacy Enhancement). It involved in-service teachers in professional learning and classroom implementation over a period of two academic years, with the explicit goal of enhancing teachers' ability to foster more authentic inquiry in their classes. This chapter describes the design of Project SMILE in the context of recent reform efforts in science and mathematics education, along with the theoretical underpinnings for the design. Project activities, followed by the research methodology employed to investigate the impact on both teachers and students are described next. Finally, research results and their implications are discussed with an eye toward the usefulness of integrating science and mathematics and involving specific technological tools to foster greater inquiry-oriented learning in school science and mathematics.

scholarly journals 201 - Care Home Residents as Artists: Digital Connections in the age of Disconnect.

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. 6-7
Author(s):  
Nicola Abraham ◽  
Rachel Hudspith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Housing Association ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
News Reports ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Failure To Protect ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThroughout the current global pandemic, many people have had to adapt to new ways of interacting through virtual platforms. For those with access to new technologies this transition has been straightforward, but not easy and for those without it, life has become socially isolating, frightening, and lonely. The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of older adults is a serious concern, particularly for those living in care homes who have been forgotten or neglected by exclusionary government policy. Amnesty International’s 2020 report As if Expendable: The UK Government’s Failure to Protect Older People in Care Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic provides analysis of the neglect to care and sufficiently support older adults living with dementia in supported living. The results of this inaction to provide care has led to many avoidable deaths, and caused fear and heartache for those who have lost family, friends and colleagues. It is at this moment, during the third UK lockdown that we would like to share a narrative of hope about the actions that we have taken within care home contexts to provide relief, reconnect residents safely with their neighbours, and found creative ways to inclusively provide care, support and celebrations of the identities of people in these contexts who have become statistics in news reports.Between January and March 2021, undergraduate and postgraduate Applied Theatre students from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in partnership with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust collaborated with residents from One Housing Association to create and develop bespoke films, poems, songs and virtual reality 360 videos from the safety of their homes to bring to life their stories, hopes and inner artists. In this presentation, we will explore the impact of these projects on the participants’ wellbeing and examine the importance of providing older adults opportunities to be creative. We will additionally offer insights into the relationships that were made and developed during the projects, including family connections, intergenerational connections and playful relationships that emerged between the residents themselves and their Carers.

scholarly journals A pandemic in the age of next-generation sequencing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela H. Beckett ◽  
Kate F. Cook ◽  
Samuel C. Robson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Molecular Medicine ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Generation Sequencing

Since December 2019, the world has found itself rocked by the emergence of a highly contagious novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. The global scientific community has rapidly come together to understand the virus and identify potential treatments and vaccine strategies to minimise the impact on public health. Key to this has been the use of cutting-edge technological advances in DNA and RNA sequencing, allowing identification of changes in the viral genome sequence as the infection spreads. This approach has allowed a widespread ‘genomic epidemiology’ approach to infection control, whereby viral transmission (e.g. in healthcare settings) can be detected not only by epidemiological assessment, but also by identifying similarities between viral sub-types among individuals. The UK has been at the forefront of this response, with researchers collaborating with public health agencies and NHS Trusts across the UK to form the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium. Genomic surveillance at this scale has provided critical insight into the virulence and transmission of the virus, enabling near real-time monitoring of variants of concern and informing infection control measures on local, national and global scales. In the future, next-generation sequencing technologies, such as nanopore sequencing, are likely to become ubiquitous in diagnostic and healthcare settings, marking the transition to a new era of molecular medicine.

STEM Learning in Middle Grades by Technology-Mediated Integration of Science and Mathematics

2016 ◽  
pp. 903-921
Author(s):  
Pradeep Maxwell Dass ◽  
John T. Spagnolo
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning ◽  
Middle Grades ◽  
School Science ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Authentic Inquiry ◽  
Classroom Implementation ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Recent Reform ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The Impact

In an attempt to foster inquiry-oriented learning in middle grades (grades 6 – 8), a technology mediated pedagogy integrating science and mathematics was promoted through Project SMILE (Science and Mathematics Integration for Literacy Enhancement). It involved in-service teachers in professional learning and classroom implementation over a period of two academic years, with the explicit goal of enhancing teachers' ability to foster more authentic inquiry in their classes. This chapter describes the design of Project SMILE in the context of recent reform efforts in science and mathematics education, along with the theoretical underpinnings for the design. Project activities, followed by the research methodology employed to investigate the impact on both teachers and students are described next. Finally, research results and their implications are discussed with an eye toward the usefulness of integrating science and mathematics and involving specific technological tools to foster greater inquiry-oriented learning in school science and mathematics.

STEM Learning in Middle Grades by Technology-Mediated Integration of Science and Mathematics

2015 ◽  
pp. 187-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Maxwell Dass ◽  
John T. Spagnolo
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning ◽  
Middle Grades ◽  
School Science ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Authentic Inquiry ◽  
Classroom Implementation ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Recent Reform ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The Impact

In an attempt to foster inquiry-oriented learning in middle grades (grades 6 – 8), a technology mediated pedagogy integrating science and mathematics was promoted through Project SMILE (Science and Mathematics Integration for Literacy Enhancement). It involved in-service teachers in professional learning and classroom implementation over a period of two academic years, with the explicit goal of enhancing teachers' ability to foster more authentic inquiry in their classes. This chapter describes the design of Project SMILE in the context of recent reform efforts in science and mathematics education, along with the theoretical underpinnings for the design. Project activities, followed by the research methodology employed to investigate the impact on both teachers and students are described next. Finally, research results and their implications are discussed with an eye toward the usefulness of integrating science and mathematics and involving specific technological tools to foster greater inquiry-oriented learning in school science and mathematics.

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