The University of Nottingham will provide school staff working in hospital education with the skills and confidence to run hands-on investigative projects using 3D printing. The project has been funded by a Royal Society Science Community Grant and will initially involve 25 schools.
A 3-year project
Working in collaboration with The National Association for Hospital Education (NAHE), the 3-year project will support staff working in a range of settings, including hospital schools, MPR (medical pupil referral) units and CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health services) inpatient units.
The goal of the Science Community Grant is to empower teachers, boost STEM confidence, inspire students and embed more practical science learning across participating schools and colleges.
The funded organizations will create collaborative communities where teachers can share best practices and receive peer support. The teachers will work closely with the STEM organizations and connect with local professionals in academia or industry to enrich science education and hands-on learning for students.
Schools are being provided with a 3D-printer and will benefit from the national training program led by the University of Nottingham as well as support from their local partner university.
The program will run across a term through coordinated sessions built around user-centered design. Students will begin by examining their own environment and identifying something that could work better for them – in a hospital setting this might be a practical aid to help with a task they find difficult or a personalized item to make the space more homely. They will be guided through capturing design requirements and specifying a design challenge.
The team will provide training in various ways students can contribute to designing solutions, from simple ideation and sketching through to CAD skills and 3D printing. The term culminates in a showcase event bringing the network together to celebrate work and see what others have made.
Participating school staff and STEM professionals will be invited to engage in regular webinars and an annual in-person workshop, providing opportunities to share best practice, reflect on experiences, and strengthen professional connections across the full partnership.
“This project will provide vital skills for children unable to access traditional school, giving them some invaluable hands-on experience with specialist equipment. As well as the individual skills they will build, there are the additional benefits working together both in and between the schools that the project will provide, bringing a sense of community and shared achievement,” Stephen Deadman, The National Association for Hospital Education (NAHE).
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