IMechE contributes STEM education activities to BBC Bitesize

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (@IMechE) has contributed materials from its #STEM at Home education programme to the @BBC Bitesize Autumn collection, helping to support children’s learning and encourage them to take an interest in science and technology from an early age.

The collection will feature six of the Institution’s hands-on STEM at Home activities which were launched over Spring/ Summer as part of the education catalogue to help parents and teachers during the pandemic.

The STEM at Home activities will support the BBC Bitesize Autumn programme. BBC Bitesize offers learning resources for children including those who are self-isolating and studying at home, combining online learning with classroom time, or catching up on what they may have missed last term.

“There continues to be a real challenge in encouraging enough of our youngsters to see the great potential that lies ahead for them with a career in engineering. The difficulty today under COVID-19 restrictions on face to face teaching and practical experimentation makes this ever harder as students lose the ‘hands-on’ experience. These educational materials are just one way we can address that challenge and bring the excitement back into learning about improving the world through engineering,” said IMechE Chief Executive Officer Dr Colin Brown.

The STEM collection, which includes activity instructions, kit lists and instructional videos, shows children an exciting range of activities including building a mechanical hand, hydraulic propagator, catapult, and lunar rover.

“The IMechE collection of STEM activities illustrates the fun and varied nature of STEM and aims to encourage children to consider STEM subjects early on. By contributing materials to BBC Bitesize, the IMechE hopes to be able to impact the lives of as many children as possible, whilst helping both teachers and parents in these unprecedented times,” said Jelena Gacesa, Operations Manager – Education Programme at IMechE.