Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
STEM education is crucial to meet the needs of a changing world. STEM learning teaches pupils the importance of keeping an open-minded and curious approach, while also understanding how to research and evaluate information. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions to gain a better understanding of something and develop a growth mindset.
STEM Aims:
- To introduce pupils to STEM including careers, leisure activities and hobbies.
- To bring STEM alive by interacting with new technologies and experiences though theme days, trips, and external visitors.
- To encourage creativity, problem solving, resilience and taking managed risks.
Intent:
- Here at Oakfield School, we are committed to providing meaningful and exciting opportunities to all our pupils. We aim to inspire curiosity and problem-solving skills, giving our students the to confidence to think outside the box and recognise the positive contribution they can make to the wider community.
Implementation:
We are able to do this through our robust curriculum and our STEM engagement plan. Our STEM subjects are:
- Science
- Design Technology/Resistant Materials
- Food Technology
- Mathematics
- ICT
STEM Action Plan
STEM Ambassador
Maria Brennan
Tel: 01482 854588
MariaBrennan@oakfieldhull.co.uk
STEM highlights from 2024-2025:
Autumn Term 2024
September – Oakfield School supported the ‘Jeans for Genes Day’. The raised £50 which was was made to support people affected by genetic conditions in the UK and their families.
October – pupils had the opportunity to attend a motorsport and motor industry spotlight day in York. Some of the activities that will be available on the day include:
- Pitstop challenge (removing wheels with hand-tools)
- A look around a go-kart
- Visit a supercar and look at some of the components
- Balloon powered car
- Various talks from industry professionals
- VR painting
- Reaction timers
- Smoke tunnel (looking at aerodynamics)
November – World Science Day. Oakfield School have organised special activities to take place during Science lessons all day on Monday 11 November 2024.
Spring Term 2025
January 2025
- The pupils across in the school engaged with the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and took part in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey.
February 2025:
- Safer Internet Day on 11th was a chance for students to engage with the topic of safe internet use.
March 2025:
- The pupils in years 8 and 9 had the opportunity to attend the ‘Get up to Speed’ with STEM Event at Magna, where there had a chance to try new activities and speak with people working in STEM.
Summer Term 2025
April 2025:
- We celebrated the World Penguin Day, learning more about these amazing birds, where they live and the challenges they face, as well as things we can do to try and protect them for future generations,
May 2025:
- Outdoor Classroom Day on the 23rd gave teachers and pupils the opportunity to take their learning outside.
June 2025:
- Insect Week (23th – 29th June 2025). The pupils and staff participated in a photography competition with some wonderful images of amazing insects been captured.
- Year 7 took a trip to Eureka here they got to explore the exhibits and get hands on with some of the demonstrations.
July 2025:
- The school to celebrated World Chocolate Day. Each tutor group invented their own chocolate related experiments.
Summer Term:
- The pupils in Year 9 engaged in the Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology STEAM Challenge. This involved pupils designing and building a crane which they then took to Lincolnshire Show Ground to compete against other secondary schools and UTC’s from around Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
STEM highlights from 2023-2024:
Oakfield School, throughout the course of the year, ran four ‘I’m a Scientist, get me out of here’ sessions, giving our pupils to opportunity to chat with real scientists working in a range of different sectors including technology, STEM carers and the environment.
In the Spring Term of 2024, the school ran an escape room trip, for this, pupils needed nominated to attend by STEM teachers to reward their hard work and engagement in one or more of these subjects throughout the term.
During the Summer Term of 2024 pupils visited the Drax Power Plant in Selby.