Lead Institution: Bournemouth University
Collaborating with: STEMNET, University of Bath, University of the West of England
The Transition and Induction Experiences of WP Students' project resulted in a range of outputs detailed below:
1. Two seminars across 2011 - 2012 which saw STEM practitioners interested in the first year experience from across the university and FE sectors, coming together to share good practice, to network and to learn from leaders in the field - see Seminar (1) and Seminar (2)
2. The publication of three briefing papers, charting progress of the project and its related Peer Assisted Learning project and capturing good practice
3. Guidance on 'Setting Up a Maths Cafe,' a key model that can be used to support the transition and retention of first-year students, and an associated case study of such a cafe being set up at the University of Bath. Another part of the National HE STEM Programme also looked at Teacher Advisory Boards as a useful transition model
4. A case study - Do Scientists Really Exist? - arising from interviews with STEM ambassadors that uncovered their experiences of nurturing young people's perceptions of science as a real choice for higher level study and career options
5. Guidelines for effective transition based upon good practice gathered across the project and beyond
6. A creative learning journey (CLJ) - a mixed media digital portfolio capturing progress of the project through audio, photography and video means. A precis of the CLJ can be viewed here; the full journey is on the CreativeSTEM website
7. A final report detailing the progress of the project, including challenges met and future sustainability
Christine Keenan
Project lead, Bournemouth University
Penny Mitchell
Project coordinator, Bournemouth University
Heather Campbell
STEMNET
Iryna Withington
University of Bath
Lisa Benjamin
University of Bath
Makis Malliris
University of the West of England