On 16th December, a number of us from the East Midlands attended the first National STEM Cohesion Conference at the National STEM Centre in York.
This conference brought together colleagues from key organisations working to develop STEM capability both nationally and across each region, including the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics, network of Science Learning Centres, Regional Development Agencies and STEMNET.
The Government’s STEM Cohesion Programme is now established at national level and the next stage is to embed two-way communication between national and regional STEM groups. The aims are that regions will be able to influence the STEM Cohesion Programme, that the setting of national priorities is responsive to regional needs, and that regional groups are aware of what is happening at national level. This conference was intended to start this process.
The East Midlands STEM Partnership Steering Group has already agreed that our group will take on the role of the Regional STEM Cohesion Group. From now on there will be a cycle of national and regional group meetings and communications.
The conference was a good opportunity for us to reflect on what we’re doing in the East Midlands, to pick up ideas from other regions and to tell colleagues from across the country about the fantastic things we’ve already achieved in our region in terms of partnership working and STEM activity.
Guestblogger: Cathy Brown, STEMNET