What is STEM Enrichment & Enhancement?

What is STEM?

We are all increasingly aware that modern technological society now demands a workforce that is well educated in all aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Industry and research need experts who can work across STEM subjects in innovative ways. And we now all need to be confident with and have a good understanding of STEM and their relationships to each other, if we are to participate fully and make informed decisions about how we live our lives.

Why is STEM important in the curriculum?

STEM broadens horizons and raises aspirations leading to increased achievement and participation in science, design and technology, ICT, engineering and mathematics. Importantly, the combined perspective enables a broader and more realistic perspective than the component subjects can offer individually, and can contribute to the development of a wide range of skills.

What is an enrichment and enhancement activity?

An enrichment and enhancement STEM activity, or E&E activity for short, is an activity that provides schools with opportunities to deliver more relevant content in an exciting and challenging way. This might be by enabling students to engage in real-world STEM activities, such as designing cars or computer modelling natural disasters. Alternatively, it might involve bringing a real scientist, engineer or mathematician into the classroom to provide a direct link of personal experience between STEM in the classroom of the world outside.

What is an E&E activity aiming to achieve?

It aims to offer a fun and stimulating opportunity for students to see the relevance of their studies to the world of life and work, and in the case of STEM, often involves industry in its widest sense. E&E activities include external visits, competitions, visiting speakers, teaching resources in any media, debates and simulations. Their distinguishing feature is the way they extend the regular curriculum into the world outside.