Transforming Young Minds for Tomorrow - UK Community Renewal Fund

January-December 2022 – Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Conwy & Denbighshire

The Transforming Young Minds for Tomorrow project was developed and delivered by EESW in primary and secondary schools located within four local authority areas in Wales.

The project aimed to create and pilot interactive activities and experiences to expose both primary school pupils in years 5 and 6 and secondary school pupils in years 10 and 11 to the excitement and wonders of manufacturing and engineering and make them aware of the range of innovative and rewarding careers available in the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Creative and Digital and Energy and Environment sectors. 

EESW delivered three sessions as part of the project, including coding, 2D and 3D printing workshops.  For more information, read our news article: https://www.stemcymru.org.uk/home/news/2022/transforming-young-minds-for-tomorrow-pilot-project-success

Project Overview Video:

Throughout the project, we engaged with 2,406 young people against a target of 1,500 (split by 447 in Blaenau Gwent, 585 in Bridgend, 713 in Conwy and 661 in Denbighshire).  The students took part from 55 schools across the four local authorities, and also engaged with 78 teachers who we hope will continue the learning from the projects in their classrooms with future pupils. 

Findings of the external evaluation conducted by Arad Research concluded the following outcomes:

1. All of the 21 primary schools that responded to the survey either agreed or strongly agreed that the learners who participated in the sessions gained a great deal from the experience.
2. 18 (86%) of surveyed primary school teachers strongly agreed and 3 (14%) agreed that learners enjoyed the activities included in the sessions and engaged well with them. The same proportion also strongly agreed and agreed that the sessions increased participation learners’ enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.
3. 16 (76%) strongly agreed and 3 (24%) agreed that the sessions improved participating learners’ STEM knowledge
4. 14 (66%) strongly agreed and 7 (34%) agreed that the sessions improved learners’ digital literacy skills (e.g. computer skills / use of various computer software) and
5. 11 (52%) strongly agreed and 10 (48%) agreed that the sessions improved the communication and team working skills of participating learners.

“One of the project’s main strengths is the extent to which the activities included in the sessions are aligned with and support the Digital Competency Framework (DCF) and the careers and work-related experiences (CWRE) elements of the new Curriculum for Wales 2022.”

Download the full evaluation report

Full Project Impact Video:

Teacher Interviews:

This project was funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.