Schools and students have been successful in new regional awards designed to inspire the interest of East Midlands students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects. The STEM Student Journalist project is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda), through the STEM partnership and allows students to use their natural interest in the media to explore themes in STEM subjects.
Chloe Freeman (12) and Natasha Rose (13), from Garendon High School in Loughborough won the under 16 reporter award for their account of a psychology research project conducted by a Loughborough University PhD student in their school.
The over 16 Student Reporter award went to Amy Moore, a third year Biological Sciences student at Leicester University, who accompanied Newbridge School, Coalville pupils on a day-trip to London’s King’s College, Imperial War Museum and the London Eye.
Trinity School, Nottingham won the award for the “best educational institution” in recognition of their very active involvement in the project, which saw students from the school attend media workshops, visit the BBC and undertake reporting trips to events like Nottingham’s Game City 3.
The awards, sponsored by 3M, bioKneX and Ignite! were presented at a lively event held in the National Space Centre on Wednesday 10th December, where BBC East Midlands and One Show reporter Des Coleman played master of ceremonies.
Andrew Morgan, emda’s Skills and Communities Director joined the sponsors in presenting the awards.
He said: “The development of a love of science and technology among students is vital in ensuring that the East Midlands will have the stock of qualified scientists to maintain its future economic development and become a flourishing region. The STEM Student Journalist project allows students to engage with scientific subjects through an understanding of the media which is so important in this information age.”
Beverley Fearnley, representing sponsors bioKneX said: “It is tremendous to see students engage with STEM subjects through their written accounts, just as we enjoy giving pupils hands-on experiences in our bioKneX labs. The overall quality of media reporting from all the students who took part was very high and you could feel their growing enthusiasm for the subject they were writing about.”
Julie Owen, representing School Award sponsors 3M said: “As an East Midlands employer requiring a steady flow of good quality scientists and technologists, we are very enthusiastic to support projects which draw students to the excitement of STEM careers. At 3M we are delighted that several of the region’s schools and colleges are taking part in the journalist project, and congratulate Trinity School on their deserved award.”
The students’ reports and more information about the East Midlands STEM Partnership can be found at emstempartnership.org.uk .