QAA publishes STEM enrichment resource
| Date: | November 27 - 2024 |
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The Quality Assurance Agency has published a toolkit to support the enrichment of the student experience by incorporating experiential learning in STEM education.
This new set of resources was developed through a Collaborative Enhancement Project funded by QAA and led by a team from the University of Warwick in partnership with colleagues from Aston University, Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Strathclyde.
The toolkit consists of a review of published literature related to this subject and a series of eight 'vignettes' which, through the experience of expert educators, present examples of innovative and effective practices through which providers have successfully integrated experiential learning within STEM programmes to enhance the student experience.
These include case studies of:
- how student engineers at the New Model Institute for Technology & Engineering hone their skills through professional practice;
- holistic support structures for industry impact group projects at Warwick;
- negotiated work-based learning at Heriot-Watt University;
- strategies to promote an immersive and integrated learning environment at the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology;
- embedding reflective practice across railway operations provision at Glasgow Caledonian;
- the use of placement activities by Harper Adams University to nurture lifelong learning;
- approaches to simulating experiential learning;
- competence and skills-based learning at Strathclyde.
The project team point out that the experiential dimensions of STEM learning are often not fully integrated and recognised, even though they play a key role in enriching student learning, employability and career progression.
They argue that a greater recognition of experiential learning has the potential, among other benefits, to encourage greater industry and third-sector involvement, offer broader opportunities to embrace learning beyond the classroom and provide more flexibility and individualisation.
The team will be hosting a day-long event at the University of Warwick on 28 November to give participants the opportunity to further engage with, explore and discuss these resources.