STEM
STEM at St Maria Goretti
At St Maria Goretti Catholic Academy, we are passionate about and recognise the importance of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). Our aim is to provide high-quality, cross-curricular learning in STEM subjects to provide our pupils with opportunities to broaden their experiences and aspirations for future careers in STEM.
We are so passionate about these subjects that we have our own dedicated STEM Room and Phizz Lab which is kitted out with special desks and stools and includes resources for experiments such as microscopes, magnifying glasses and even an anatomical face, arm and skull! Our pupils get hands-on with a range of investigative work and learn about everything from liquids and solids through to light refraction and electricity!
Our STEM room is not just for Science though! Thanks to UK Fast, it is equipped with a Raspberry Pi Café which allows our pupils to access a wealth of coding software as part of our Computing lessons and our regular Code Club.
Design technology lessons also take place in our STEM room which houses a fully fitted kitchen to allow our pupils to learn how to prepare food safely. Our tall benches and stools also make a great surface for our pupils to get hands on and take part in construction based learning.
Whilst many of our Maths lessons may take place in our own classrooms, the Maths skills we have learned are applied in our Science, Technology and Computing lessons regularly – giving pupils the opportunity to apply their learning to problem solving and real-world situations!
As the hub school for the Keele Ogden Trust Partnership, we regularly host CPD events for teachers from across the city.
Our Science Subject Leader, Miss Royall is also a Science Influencer in the city and works closely with the Science Across the City initiative which aims to develop Science teaching across Stoke on Trent.
Our final half term of the year began with a bang as we celebrated STEM and Careers week together.
A key element of our discussion around STEM careers this year focused upon stereotypes. Thanks to a huge array of local businesses and volunteers, the children in every class had a range of visitors throughout the week. JCB engineers, Computer Scientists, Geologists, Science Teachers, Anesthesiologists, Nurses, Plumbers, Catering Managers, Graphic Designers, Programmers, Severn Trent Water, a cancer research scientist and even civil engineers all took time out of their busy schedules to showcase their careers and even host workshops for our children. Specialist teachers from across our multi academy also visited to lead sessions such as: Mrs Shufflebotham from St Thomas More, Mrs Colclough from St Gregory’s and our Local Academy Representatives Joanne Hughes and Jamie Copeland. In our weekly celebration assembly, children from every class shared their learning and aspirations for the future. With so many inspirational visitors, it’s unsurprising that so many of our children aspire to have a career in STEM industries in the future.
For more information about STEM in our school and useful learning resources, visit our STEM class pages:
Technology (Computing)
Engineering (Technology & Art)
We are very proud to celebrate that we have achieved the Guilt level Primary Science Quality Award (PSQM). This award demonstrates a commitment, excellence and expertise in science leadership, teaching and learning. So far, since its national launch in 2010, over 4000 schools across the UK have achieved a prestigious Primary Science Quality Mark. The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire, School of Education in collaboration with the Primary Science Teaching Trust.
Associate Professor Jane Turner, PSQM National Director said: “There was never a more important time for primary children to have a high-quality science education. The Coronavirus Pandemic has made everyone aware of the impact of science on our daily lives. Primary schools have an important role to ensure that children understand how science works and keeps us healthy and safe. Schools that have achieved a Primary Science Quality Mark have demonstrated a significant commitment to science teaching and learning, even at this challenging time for schools. The profile and quality of science in each awarded school is very high. Children are engaging with great science both in and outside the classroom, developing positive attitudes towards science as well as secure scientific understanding and skills. Science subject leaders, their colleagues, head teachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.”
We enjoyed sharing our successes with the use of our science lab – the first Phiz lab in Stoke-On-Trent. We outlined parent and carers involvement through parent learning sessions, watch me learn sessions and learning logs. We have loved seeing the fantastic STEM investigations you have completed at home during the COVID 19 lockdown.
We are very proud to share our pupils learning on the Great Science Share Showcase.
https://www.greatscienceshare.org/showcase.
The pupil’s work can be seen amongst pupils from other schools across the country. Our students explored activities from Curiosity Boxes donated through Science Across the City.
The pupils enjoy seeing the certificate in our Phiz Lab. You can get your own activities from the Curiosity Boxes from our school office.
