The UK’s future depends on delivering a better experience of STEM for young people in school.
We have seen first-hand that a culture of STEM research and innovation in schools transforms students’ experiences. Our R&I Framework demonstrated this, with impressive results.
Research and innovation describes how fields like science, technology, engineering and maths work in the real world, in universities and careers, as well as how they are relevant to our collective future as a society. Showing students this side of STEM, lights up their interest, confidence and perceptions of these subjects.
We have developed the R&I Framework, which helps schools deliver STEM subjects in this new way—the R&I way. We’re delighted to share the results and the positive outcomes of our pilot, which draws upon thousands of student surveys and interviews with teachers, as well as our plans for building on this approach in the near future!
Report Summary
The problem:What’s wrong in STEM?We’re not growing a STEM workforce strong enough for the future.
We need STEM professionals for our economic prosperity (job growth in STEM fields) and to respond to societal challenges and opportunities (climate change, AI).
We’re nudging young people out of STEM throughout their education, as a result of limited resources and opportunities, narrow pathways and stereotypes.
The UK’s future depends on delivering a better experience of STEM for young people in school.
Our solution:An R&I approach IRIS designed the R&I Framework to help schools deliver STEM in a new way: through the lens of research and innovation (R&I).
R&I means producing knowledge (research) to solve problems (innovation). In schools, it means young people experiencing the real-world processes, applications and impact of STEM. It enables young people to develop more positive relationships to STEM.
In our pilot project, we rolled out the R&I Framework in schools across the UK. With IRIS’ support, schools delivered a programme of R&I activities tailored to their students’ needs.
Our findings:Students, teachers & schoolsIRIS measured the impact of the R&I Framework before and after the project, through surveys and interviews with students and teachers in participating schools. We found that the R&I approach:
- Prevented the decline of science capital.
- Challenged negative stereotypes about who belongs in STEM.
- Empowered teachers to drive positive change across their schools.
Our future plans:Growing R&I in schoolsWe’ve shown our project works. Our next steps are to:
- Build a movement for change.
Join us in building momentum towards the impactful changes we all want to see. - Secure funding to expand the project.
Partner with us to expand the R&I Framework to schools across the UK, providing opportunities to students who need them the most. - Transform STEM education in the UK.
Help us build the case for change, so that every child in every school has access to high-quality STEM education.
All of the schools involved were state-funded and based across England under United Learning. Thank you to United Learning for making this important and innovative step forward with us, to build the case for change so that every young person in school has access to high-quality STEM education.
Stay up to date with The Institute for Research in Schools and our future plans for growing R&I in schools.