The first of ten challenges for secondary schools has been launched, each one addressing a different topic related to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The themes include sustainability, construction and sportswear design.

Co-ordinated by STEMNET on behalf of Department for Children, Schools and Families and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited (LOCOG), each of the ten STEM Challenges will take approximately one school term to complete and will focus on the behind-the-scenes activities that are making the London 2012 Games happen.

The first challenge focuses on construction and is linked to the big build of the London 2012 handball arena. The second STEM challenge will be set by London 2012 Tier 1 partner adidas and will involve the design of an item of sportswear.

The STEM Challenges can be completed either in the classroom or as part of an after-school STEM Club. They will get students thinking about the real-life issues that the STEM professionals behind the scenes of the 2012 Games face on a daily basis and also give young people across the country a chance to connect with the Olympic and Paralympic Games between now and 2012. 

The closing date for the first STEM Challenge is 11th December 2009. The national final of the nine regional finalists will be held at The Big Bang Fair on 11-13 March 2010, at which the overall winning team will win a tour of the Olympic Park and a trip to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.   

www.stemchallenges.net  

Guest Blogger, Cathy Brown, STEMNET Regional Director