Date: 25th March 2026
Location: online
Please note this event is for Members onlyWe are really pleased to have two exciting talks on working with primary schools and students at our next STEM working group meeting. Joe Shimwell will be talking about broadening primary school students’ careers aspirations through a model of curriculum change, and Dr Wendy Sadler will be discussing effective ways to challenge stereotypes.
Please come along to hear about these approaches, share your own experiences and discuss ways to effectively evaluate this work.
Joe Shimwell, Northumbria University: Broadening Careers Aspirations through Curriculum Design
The NUSTEM group has developed a model of curriculum change in school that seeks to broaden young children’s careers knowledge and experience during their primary education. The Early Years and Primary Programme (EYPP) uses two frameworks, one in the Early Years (Play, B, C) and the other in Primary (the ARC framework) underpinned by a Theory of Change. This talk will introduce the rationale for this work and explore the methodology for delivering this in schools.
Dr Wendy Sadler, Cardiff University: “It ain’t what you do, it’s the person that does it…” Why attributes and characteristics matter to diversify STEM
Long-term research has shown that students are interested in science and see it as relevant to society, but they just don’t see it as for ‘people like them.’ Stereotypes about what scientists and engineers are like are hard to shift but although this is a complex problem around self-identity and confidence, it can be tackled with targeted role model initiatives. Using two case studies as examples we will explore some of the techniques that can be used to ensure diverse students feel like STEM careers can be for them.
The session will run from 14:00-15:30
Speaker Biographies:
Joe was formerly a primary school teacher, Joe now leads the primary school strand of the NUSTEM group at Northumbria University. His expertise lies in curriculum development and implementation. He is also interested in the careers aspirations of young children.
Dr Wendy Sadler is a Reader in science communication for Cardiff University, Head of the Physics Education Research Group and the Director of EDI. She delivers public engagement and communications training for researchers and has a research interest in how role models can be used to inspire young people.
She is the founding Director of Science Made Simple – an award-winning social enterprise that offers science shows across the UK and internationally. Since 2002 they have reached over a million people and have worked in over 38 countries. She was awarded an MBE for services to science and engineering communication in the Queen’s Birthday honours list 2017.