We are delighted to announce the programme for the 2022 Horizons in STEM conference.
Programme
The conference programme for 2022 can be downloaded using the link below. Queries should be sent to elinor.jones@ucl.ac.uk
Abstracts
Keynote speakers
Opening Keynote, June 29th at 10am
Dr Richard Blackburn, Associate Professor and Director of Education in Chemistry, University of Leicester.
Active learning as a means of making STEM education fun!
My work at Leicester has focussed on designing activities and instructional methods centred upon not only better equipping our students for their progression (academic + career), but also ensuring their learning is fun and engaging . In this talk I look forward to highlighting two key activity themes, the methods and tools we used to implement them, and the outcomes they have had.
Theme 1 (Research Inspired Communication):
Activities have been created that refocus communication assessment on tasks that allow students to engage with research and their passions, whilst also making the task fun through reduction in anxiety levels. First year students were asked to each create an infographic based on one of their host department’s research articles as a new exercise for the “science communication” aspect of the degree. For Batchelor level-research projects, viva voce examinations have made way for a conference-like poster session, with academics judging the design of their poster and the student’s competence at presenting and defending the science on that poster.
Theme 2 (Problem Solving):
To improve student’s ability to problem solve and retain complex information, we have tried to embed recognition, design and critique throughout our theory modules at Leicester. For entry-level courses we have traditionally used student developed puzzles and card-games to break the ice, help cement core concepts and establish friendships. For mid-level courses, a daunting and difficult topic was revitalised through the creation and embedment of a 3D workflow in class time. For an advanced-level module students were set fun homework tasks (akin to flipped problem classes) as a means to encourage participation and discussion in class.
I very much look forward to sharing these with you all, and in a way that is translatable to the many disciplines covered by this conference.
Student Voice, June 30th at 9.20am
Made in Brunel: how student-driven initiatives contribute to design learning experience.
Presented by Chloe McCout, Connor Ray and the Made in Brunel Team.
Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. Made in Brunel is an opportunity.
As a student-led initiative of the Brunel University London, Made in Brunel showcases design students’ talents, skills and entrepreneurship to the world through a range of events and publications carried throughout the year.
Made in Brunel started in 2006. Over the last 17 years, it has become one of the shining examples of how these types of initiatives can contribute greatly to the learning of university students. Each year the baton of Made in Brunel is passed by the graduate cohort and sustained by the next one. Blueprints was created by the 2022 cohort; the brand represents the hard work behind our polished designs and individual journeys of discovery and growth.
The students presenting this plenary are all 2022 graduates of the Brunel Design School and will discuss the student learning experience from the fresh perspective of the students themselves.
Closing Keynote, June 30th at 4.20pm
Professor Louise Archer, Karl Mannheim Professor of Sociology of Education, Institute of Education, UCL
Supporting Equity and Inclusion in HE STEM
Description: What causes inequalities in STEM participation and why are these so resistant to change? What can be done to make STEM participation more equitable and inclusive? In this talk I draw on findings and resources from several large, national research studies, including insights from the 13 year ASPIRES longitudinal study (which tracked a cohort of young people from age 10-23 to identify factors shaping STEM trajectories) and resources and teaching approaches developed by the Youth Equity+STEM project and the Primary Science Capital Teaching Approach project, both of which involved co-designed tools for practitioners to support equitable and inclusive practice.
Conference sponsors
Thank you to the sponsors of this year’s Horizons in STEM conference.
LearnSci, who will also be presenting the Celebrating Innovation of Digital Learning Tools in STEM Education session on June 29th at 1:50pm.
Society of Natural Science, who will also be presenting the Applying for an Advance HE Fellowship/Award session on 30th June at 11:50am.
Interested in sponsoring next year’s conference? Please email elinor.jones@ucl.ac.uk
Code of conduct
We ask all attendees to agree to our code of conduct.
Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference 