NEWS IN DETAIL...
STEM Assurance for Cornwall College
Cornwall College is delighted to announce that it has been awarded STEM assured status by the New Engineering Foundation (NEF).
STEM Assured status identifies good practice in the way the College engages with employers and the community as a whole in terms of championing the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) agenda.
Andrew Smart, Head of Cornwall College Newquay and Corporate Curriculum Lead for Maths and Science explained: “More and more education opportunities are appearing in Cornwall in STEM areas from level 1 right through to Masters Degrees. You don’t have to leave the county to develop a STEM based career and it’s not just academic courses, many apprenticeships are available to develop individuals who can apply STEM in their chosen field of work. More people are applying to our A-level science courses at Camborne and St Austell than ever before proving that people are engaging with these subjects and realising their value.”
NEF visited the College to assess areas of the STEM provision, speaking to staff, students and employers at the Camborne, St Austell, Newquay, Falmouth Marine School and Duchy College campuses.
Zoological Conservation Foundation Degree student Leona Sutton who is studying at the Newquay campus and is also a STEM Student Ambassador added: “This is a brilliant thing for the College. Popularity has been falling nationally in some of the STEM subjects but they can lead to really great careers. We’ve gone out to a few of the local schools to work with them on science topics, the youngsters involved have really engaged with the activities, responding positively and looking at science and maths in a different way – having fun with it and realising what great subject areas they are.”
Dr Matthew Shelley, NEF Project Manager, said: “Many congratulations to Cornwall College on receiving the award. The hard work that the College and staff have put into the application make it very well-deserved. The advisors and the validation panel commended the College’s forward thinking approach to STEM and its culture of innovation.”
Cornwall College has been involved in a number of STEM projects including hosting the Bloodhound SuperSonic Car (SSC), walking on water in non-Newtonian liquid experiments and the recent Greenpower event at Newquay Cornwall Airport.
Principal of Cornwall College Dave Linnell commented: “We are thrilled to receive this status. We have been working hard to raise awareness of STEM in local schools and the community. Students studying these subjects can seize some wonderful opportunities that can lead to fulfilling and interesting careers.”
The New Engineering Foundation (NEF) is an independent grant awarding and receiving educational charity and think-tank that supports improvement in science, engineering and technology, visit www.thenef.org.uk for more information.
For more information on the STEM courses available at Cornwall College please call 0845 22 32 567 or visit www.cornwall.ac.uk.
