45 teams from around the world advance to BIEA 2019 International STEM Competition

Born Free, in association with the British International Education Association (BIEA), has announced the shortlist for the 2019 BIEA International STEM Youth Innovation Competition. 

Since its launch in January 2019, the competition has received huge interest from schools and teachers from around the world - reaching 30,000 schools globally and drawing applications from 34 countries and regions. 

After an intensive and rigorous marking process, 45 teams are through to the next round based on their qualification scores, representing 18 countries and regions including UK, China, USA, Australia, Canada, India, Kenya and many others.

Getting students interested in and excited about STEM subjects is imperative in today’s modern climate. The demand for a highly-skilled workforce is ever-increasing, but the reality is that too few graduates are entering into science, maths and engineering careers. In fact, research from 2018 showed that the skills shortage is costing the sector an estimated £1.5 billion a year. So, what can be done to bridge the gap? 

To truly inspire a young generation, we need to look beyond the textbooks and use real life examples to demonstrate their capabilities and prove that they can make a difference. After all, STEM is everywhere - you just have to look close enough. 

A recent study has revealed that 93% of parents, of children aged 2-5 years old, believe toddlers of this age group are spending too much time in front of electronic devices.

The data, by Kiddi Caru, also shows that 60% of this group have given their toddlers a tablet, with over half (57%) being just 3 years old and under.

When asked what their child uses the devices for, TV shows came out on top with 79% of toddlers using screens to watch their favourite shows. 59% use the devices to play games, the same number who use them for educational apps, and 50% for watching films.

Children and young people are becoming increasingly anxious, experiencing low mood and self-esteem. In this blog, Lecturer in Child and Youth Studies Melanie Smith looks at what can be done to support childrens mental health.

The mental health and wellbeing of our children and young people is a high priority, particularly in the current education climate where the emphasis on exam results and attainment has resulted in a mental health ticking time bomb.

By Michelle Beekharry, Head of Physical Education at TreeHouse School, London

As a child, I loved the outdoors and spent a lot of my childhood playing in the garden, walking in the woods and throwing pebbles in the sea. My love of being outdoors is part of the reason I chose to become a physical education teacher and currently I work at a special school for autistic children aged between three and 19 years. I firmly believe that whatever their ability or disability, all children should spend part of their day being involved in some form of physical activity.

Computer apps can be greatly beneficial to children with autism. Lelia Ingram, head of learning at Hopster says children with autism can be highly motivated, attentive and engaged when using technology, making it well worth the time to source quality,

An eminent author is calling for the concept of neurodiversity to be adopted by the education system. Victoria Honeybourne, who is also an advisory teacher for children with special educational needs, is an advocate of the neurodiversity paradigm, having been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome herself.

Greenpower Education Trust is a UK charity which aims to use the excitement of motor sport to enthuse young people about science and engineering by challenging them to design, build and race a single seat electric car. It does this by supplying age-appropriate kit cars which can be built in school and raced at Greenpower organised events at motorsport venues around the UK.

This year a grant to Greenpower from the Dudgeon Community Fund is enabling teams from seven secondary schools in the Great Yarmouth, North Norfolk and Breckland regions of Norfolk to take part in the 2019 Greenpower IET F24 championship.

The School Library Association announces the longlist for the ninth annual SLA Information Book Award. 

The longlist for each age category are as follows:

Up to 7 

The Big Book of Blue, Yuval Zommer

Thames & Hudson            978 0 500 65119 3

Dogs in Space, Vix Southgate and Iris Deppe

Wren & Rook                   978 1 5263 60571

Hello Horse, Vivian French and Catherine Rayner

Walker                          978 1 4063 4994 8

Peek and Seek, Violet Petu and Charlotte Milner

DK                               978 0 2413 1304 6

Same Sex Parents, Holly Duhig

BookLife Publishing         978 1786 37400 4

Secret of the Egg, Nicola Davies and Abbie Cameron

Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education, is delighted to announce that Children’s Art Week is back for 2019, running from Saturday 8 until Sunday 16 June. This annual campaign encourages venues and schools to participate by hosting an event, or running an activity that captures children’s imaginations and encourages creativity. Year after year Children’s Art Week creates an opportunity for children to engage with the arts and schools are being urged to take part.