Laura Cross (Inventors & Makers and Little STEAMers) presented at our Autumn 2 Science for Life hub meeting. She delivers teacher training on engineering in schools; workshops for Nursery to Year 6; teacher-facilitated online workshops for N-Y6 and regular STEM for clubs or class time.

·    Laura shared why it is important to teach engineering: it's one of the biggest growth industries but doesn't have enough qualified graduates; females are not taking it up as much as males; it is often not taught at primary or early years; it facilitates the development of growth mind-set, boosts achievement and engages pupils with maths and science.

·     Laura demonstrated activities related to structures and mechanisms and hub members enjoyed participating.

·     When teaching younger pupils, Laura likes to relate engineering activities to stories and solving problems from stories.

This is what one hub member had to say: 'Laura was engaging and provided simple, clearly explained ideas for an area that I am definitely a little weaker in - Early Years Foundation Stage. I loved how all the ideas could easily be resourced and I am excited to deliver these ideas to my team.'

Ambler Primary School have now booked for workshops and clubs to be run by Inventors and Makers.