Education is much more than that. It's about the activities and experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom.
Enrichment is the name given to those additional experiences that make each subject more meaningful or more rewarding. All students will benefit from enrichment but particularly the more able students. It allows students to explore their subject in greater depth or breadth beyond what is taught in the classroom. It allows them to discover personal passions and use their imagination and natural curiosity.
On top of all that, engaging in enrichment activities shows an employer how dedicated you are, how keen you are to learn new skills and how willing you are to extend your own development.
The lists below give ideas for many STEM enrichment activities that anybody can engage with at any time. Please also keep an eye on the bookable events advertised in the main event calendar.
Whether you choose activities from those listed below, or the bookable activities advertised on the homepage, or whether you find something else of your own, could you please email me (Mr Upstone, pupstone@thecooperschool.co.uk) to let me know what you're doing?
BBC iPlayer - Search the Science & Nature category.
Dicovery Channel - Subscription required.
Mythbusters - Scientific investigations into everyday myths.
University of Surrey Stories - A series of videos from Prof. Jim Al-Khalili which explain a number of key scientific ideas in an accessible way.
RAL Talking Science - A series of lectures hosted by Rutherford Appleton Labs. Watch past events or book to attend future ones.
Catalyst magazine - Covering scientific research and industrial developments, real life STEM stories, career journeys, STEM expeditions and adventure. (past issues)
TED Talks - Hear other people's views on pretty much any topic.
CrashCourse - A Youtube educational channel covering a huge range of topics.
ASAP Science - Another Youtube channel dedicated to Science & Technology.
The Big Think - Ecourages us to think about things differently.
National Geographic - A variety of interesting natural features.
Brain Games - A collection of puzzles to get you thinking.
UK Research & Innovation - Latest news from UK's largest funder of research.
101 STEM Research Careers - Information to help students see the various career options available.
The Infinite Monkey Cage - Brian Cox & Robin Ince mix science with comedy.
Crowd Science - Listener questions are answered.
The Climate Question - Why do we find it so hard to save our planet?
More or Less - The truth behind the stats.
The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry - Everyday mysteries explained.
BBC Inside Science - Current Science & Technology issues.
Russell Stannard - Uncle Albert books
Richard Dawkins - The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, and more.
Oliver Sachs - The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat.
British Science Week produce an activity pack for secondary school students to enabe them to complete STEM projects of their own. These may be completed in school, within STEM clubs or at home alone or with family.
Simply read through the list and select those activities which interest you...
The above activities are available to anybody at any time.
For bookable events see the calendar on the homepage.