Tamara’s story
Offering up to 250 places for learners to develop their skills and knowledge within one of five distinct academic tracks, the STEMHaus Summer School, developed jointly by Equal Education Partners and UWTSD, provided the invaluable opportunity for students to collaborate and learn from highly qualified instructors from a range of academic backgrounds. Whilst delivering high-quality masterclasses across a range of academic disciplines, the STEMHaus Summer School further provided broader sessions through its speaker series, concentrating on, for example, Women in STEM, Careers in STEM, and STEM Research Skills. In doing so, the Summer School focused on project-based learning which were compatible with both the national curriculum as well as with a range of emerging and temporally relevant issues outlined within the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government & Cooperation Agreement.
We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to talk to Tamara Kenny, Lecturer in Biology, Medical Genetics, and Human Biology, about her experiences as an instructor on the Summer School. Read on for a sneak peak at what went on during the week!
How did you plan for the sessions that you delivered during the Summer School?
The design of the STEMHaus Summer School allowed us, as the subject leads and instructors on the programme, to decide the content we felt would be best for the student base. This allowed me to approach topics beyond the textbook and to encourage students to open up conversations that may not have normally taken place in a school setting. In doing so, we were able to successfully create safe spaces to have open conversations on topics ranging from reproductive health to the protection of endangered animals. Therefore, I was able to use my platform to encourage students to learn for the love of learning rather than through adopting a standard exam-based approach. Further, the tutorial sessions were designed to allow students to ask questions regarding the subject-matter and to gain an insight into the design of the syllabus. We were therefore able to provide resources needed to face the upcoming academic year.
In what ways were the skill sessions valuable for the learners participating in the programme?
The skill sessions were designed to equip students with tools that can be used throughout their school and professional careers, such as through time management skills, interview and CV skills, and career guidance counselling. They were, above all, designed around the concept of wellbeing, highlighting the importance of maintaining a work-life balance. This allowed students to share their challenges as they transitioned into a new year and to seek guidance from those around them.
How did the students benefit from the academic sessions themselves?
The students have been an absolute pleasure to work with! They were very engaging, eager to learn, and they always had fantastic questions. Most importantly, however, they were always keen to share their thoughts on controversial topics which helped us to open up debates on a range of issues. Truly, it has been a pleasure to share my knowledge with the students which has, through working with such a diverse team, also allowed me to learn so much myself. On the whole, the STEMHaus Summer School has undoubtedly delivered a holistic learning experience for teachers and learners alike!
