STEM Project in association with Corus
About this Minisite
Over time, this mini website will be a place to access our newly developed STEM resources, with informaton, links and guidance about the project. After the launch day we'll be uploading video clips and photos.
Teaching Resources (requires StudyWiz Teacher username and password)
Recent Publicity
A collection of animated photos from the Launch Day
This clip was originally broadcasted on BBC Look North (Yorkshire and Lincolnshire) and tells the story of the launch of the project which was held on Friday, 20th March 2009.
About the Project
Corus has teamed up with Study United to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers with the launch of a unique sport-themed programme.
Engineers from the company’s Scunthorpe steelworks have been working with Study United and educationalists from North Lincolnshire Council for 12 months to design an exciting programme of work, which aims to raise aspirations and help increase attainment in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM subjects) at Key Stage 2 (7 to 11 year-olds).
The Corus Goal Challenge programme is being rolled out to primary schools in North Lincolnshire as an interactive digital resource for use in the classroom, and groups of youngsters will be able to attend the study centre for sessions over the coming year. Every primary school in the region will have the opportunity in the next 12 months to receive free training in delivering the Corus Goal Challenge. Ten schools will also be invited to the centre to take part in a series of special challenge events during the next academic year.
Pupils from Henderson Avenue and Hibaldstow primary schools will be the first to experience the programme at the official launch of the scheme on March 20. Players from Scunthorpe United Football Club will take part in some of the activities showcased on the day.
“We’ve been working with Study United and other local educational experts for a year to come up with what we believe is a winning programme to inspire our future scientists and engineers,” said Scunthorpe Corus site director, Sean Lyons.
“The idea behind the project is to use sport to encourage youngsters to think about science, technology, engineering and maths, and the huge impact these subjects have on our everyday lives.”
Study United centre manager, Jane Laws, said: “I have been extremely impressed and encouraged by the support and commitment that Corus have demonstrated in collaborating with Study United and North Lincolnshire Council on such an exciting new project. Teachers and learners throughout North Lincolnshire will undoubtedly benefit from this unique approach of linking STEM subjects to the highly motivating theme of football”
“The opportunity the partnership has provided will help increase educational attainment in STEM subjects for primary school pupils and also raise their awareness and aspirations as to career opportunities in the exciting world of engineering”
The Corus Goal Challenge is an exploration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in the world of sport. Teachers and pupils can log on to a special website where they can access interactive activities that can then be used in a classroom environment.
In one activity, learners are challenged to design, build and test models of floodlights for Scunthorpe United. In another scenario, pupils are asked to consider what sort of boots players should wear on different football pitch surfaces. The children are challenged to provide some designs for new soles for the players to consider, which have been tested for their properties and friction.
The Scunthorpe Corus site is currently recruiting 75 new engineering apprentices and nine technical trainees in chemistry and metallurgy to start work with the company in September.
According to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, it is predicted that by 2017 there will be 2.9 million jobs in science and technology related occupations. And according to a recent study by Pricewaterhouse Coopers UK, STEM degrees provide greater earning advantage than a non STEM degree (http://www.rsc.org/pdf/pressoffice/2005/PWCreport05.pdf).
“It is crucial to the future success of not just our own industry, but the whole of the UK, that we ensure our youngsters see the value in studying these critical areas,” Sean continued.
“Our business in Scunthorpe is reliant on the expertise of our scientists and engineers, so the chance to work with Study United seemed like a good opportunity to bring together steel and sport to really help the area’s youngsters to get to grips with science and engineering in action.”
About Corus
Corus is Europe's second largest steel producer with annual revenues of more than £12 billion and crude steel production of about 20 million tonnes. With main steelmaking operations primarily in the UK and the Netherlands, Corus supplies steel and related services to the construction, automotive, packaging, mechanical engineering and other markets worldwide.
Corus is a subsidiary of Tata Steel, one of the world’s top ten steel producers. Following the acquisition of Corus in 2007, the combined enterprise has an aggregate crude steel capacity of more than 28 million tonnes and approximately 82,700 employees across four continents.
