Harriet Evans

I’m Harriet Evans, the Education Volunteer Manager at The IET. I collaborate with an amazing group of Education Volunteers from across the UK. They generously dedicate their free time to engage children and young people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities, deliver career talks, and provide mentorship. Our goal is to inspire these young minds to pursue careers in engineering.

I’m thrilled to be hosting this focus on STEM education in the EngX community. This week is dedicated to exploring the exciting world of STEM resources, volunteering and activities that aim to highlight the importance of engineering to young people.

Why STEM Education Matters

STEM education is more than just a collection of subjects; it’s a way of thinking and problem-solving that prepares students for the challenges of the future. By fostering curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, STEM education equips learners with the skills they need to innovate and excel in a rapidly changing world.

Within IET Education we have 3 main programmes: FIRST® LEGO® LEAGUE, Faraday Challenge Days and our parent/teacher learning resources for primary and secondary pupils. Each programme has been designed to link in with the current curriculum and work to inspire young minds into STEM careers.

What to Expect This Week

In our Community Insights blog, you’ll hear from colleagues, members and partners who are sharing their enthusiasm for engineering with students across a variety of initiatives.

In the General Discussion forum you’ll be able to chat with me and the rest of the EngX community about all things STEM education.

How You Can Get Involved

We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating STEM education this week. Here are a few ways you can participate:

  • Read and Share: Follow our daily blog posts and share them with your friends, family, and colleagues.
  • Get Hands-On: Try out the STEM challenges and activities we’ll be posting throughout the week.
  • Inspire Others: Share your own STEM stories and experiences in our discussion post

We hope you are as excited as we are about this week-long celebration of STEM education. Stay tuned for an inspiring and educational journey, and let’s work together to ignite a passion for STEM in learners of all ages!

Happy STEM Education Week!

Parents

  • Last blog for the week. I attended the afternoon "routes to IET membership" event at Savoy Place yesterday, and then stayed on for the evening address from the incoming IET President, Warren East. 

    I am pleased that I could find the time to do that in person although the entire program is recorded here on YT:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd4Mrgvet9Q

    Don't be put off by the 3 hour plus run time, it is simple to cherry pick sessions of interest. Incidentally, IET.TV gave me a cameo role as I was the only person sat in the front row of the Faraday lecture theatre - for a reason.

    Savoy Place for me is all about networking opportunity, and I was not disappointed with:

    • two IET staff members supporting the event on an away day from Stevenage - one trained in mental health support - I had no idea such a role existed
    • one Fellow from South Africa, we had much in common, not just a fondness for free olives
    • three plain vanilla members and one student member
    • the entire Savoy Place catering team - stars - kept me fed and watered
    • the concierge team, they know me by name now
    • the Faraday room reception team, they know me from my time in the Mountbatten room this summer, playing with, er, I mean, supervising Lego activities
    • Warren East, President
    • Samantha Hubbard, Deputy President

    I extracted maximum value from all of these opportunities and I am grateful indeed to the personal steer I had from Warren, very unexpected, very relevant. He took the time to consider my question immediately after the public Q&A had time expired, he noticed my disappointment and came to engage with me without hesitation. 

    I also have two new collaborators for my team project to create entirely new STEM content for primary aged young people, then build on that to cover all secondary ages too. They have already provided valuable feedback and validation to my almost ready to publish project proposal - some IET members already know of my intention and have been supportive. One of the most experienced team collaborator is not an IET member, but wishes to be, so I will support him in doing that when he is ready, with my newly refreshed membership application knowledge. I intend to use that myself too and have made contact with an IET PRA.

    Finally, and relevant to the IET Education volunteering team, one of my new network buddies wants to get involved with First Lego League, so I was able to pass along the information provided by Harriet.

    I will return to Savoy Place next month for the regular London Network techical event, another networking and catering opportunity !

Comment

  • Last blog for the week. I attended the afternoon "routes to IET membership" event at Savoy Place yesterday, and then stayed on for the evening address from the incoming IET President, Warren East. 

    I am pleased that I could find the time to do that in person although the entire program is recorded here on YT:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd4Mrgvet9Q

    Don't be put off by the 3 hour plus run time, it is simple to cherry pick sessions of interest. Incidentally, IET.TV gave me a cameo role as I was the only person sat in the front row of the Faraday lecture theatre - for a reason.

    Savoy Place for me is all about networking opportunity, and I was not disappointed with:

    • two IET staff members supporting the event on an away day from Stevenage - one trained in mental health support - I had no idea such a role existed
    • one Fellow from South Africa, we had much in common, not just a fondness for free olives
    • three plain vanilla members and one student member
    • the entire Savoy Place catering team - stars - kept me fed and watered
    • the concierge team, they know me by name now
    • the Faraday room reception team, they know me from my time in the Mountbatten room this summer, playing with, er, I mean, supervising Lego activities
    • Warren East, President
    • Samantha Hubbard, Deputy President

    I extracted maximum value from all of these opportunities and I am grateful indeed to the personal steer I had from Warren, very unexpected, very relevant. He took the time to consider my question immediately after the public Q&A had time expired, he noticed my disappointment and came to engage with me without hesitation. 

    I also have two new collaborators for my team project to create entirely new STEM content for primary aged young people, then build on that to cover all secondary ages too. They have already provided valuable feedback and validation to my almost ready to publish project proposal - some IET members already know of my intention and have been supportive. One of the most experienced team collaborator is not an IET member, but wishes to be, so I will support him in doing that when he is ready, with my newly refreshed membership application knowledge. I intend to use that myself too and have made contact with an IET PRA.

    Finally, and relevant to the IET Education volunteering team, one of my new network buddies wants to get involved with First Lego League, so I was able to pass along the information provided by Harriet.

    I will return to Savoy Place next month for the regular London Network techical event, another networking and catering opportunity !

Children
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