July 8
Taking the Leap: Embracing Risks for Personal Growth
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October 16
Developing our teaching and learning AI frameworks
I am a huge advocate of technology as a tool for learning and I am passionate about ensuring our girls develop the confidence and the skills they need to be able to use whatever technology comes their way. There has been lots of discussion in the education sector about the power of Artificial Intelligence and the opportunities that it can offer us, and we hosted our Conference 'AI Through the Lens of A Girl' at the Senior School last summer for teachers across the Trust to share good practice and expertise. I have recently joined the GDST AI Committee and I am really excited to see how we can use this resource to enhance our teaching and learning, as well as teach our girls to be able to navigate in such a new domain. We are all interacting with Artificial Intelligence on a daily basis and it is becoming increasingly integral to our every-day lives. This means that we as educators need to prepare students to be responsible users and co-creators of AI. We can achieve this by carefully considering the skills and dispositions girls will need and ensure they develop the ability to be discerning, to question, and to use their critical thinking skills. As part of the committee, we are looking at the UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Students to help us to enhance our PSHEE and Computing curriculum so that our pupils can engage safely and meaningfully with AI.
STEMpowered
Despite today’s rapidly evolving technological world, women are still currently underrepresented in STEM. According to a report carried out by the UK government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in 2020, women made up only 24% of the STEM workforce in the UK. A recent survey in the South of England revealed that women make up only 19% of the workforce in tech, 12% of the workforce in engineering and 44% of the workforce in Science.
At the Junior School, we nurture and encourage our pupils’ interests and abilities in these areas from an early age. We have a STEM curriculum specifically designed for girls, and we benefit from specialist teachers who create and deliver a bespoke, connected curriculum for Science, Computing and Design Technology, so that girls are able to:
- Foster an interest in STEM subjects from a young age;
- Experience real-world, relevant, engaging activities to help girls understand the practical applications of STEM subjects;
- Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills;
- Understand the potential career opportunities in STEM fields;
- Nurture their creativity and imagination, making STEM subjects accessible and enjoyable;
- Enjoy hands-on STEM experiences and exposure to inspiring women role models.
These early experiences will help build confidence in STEM subjects and beyond.
Curriculum Content:
Our Science, Design Technology and Computing curriculum consists of various modules that aim to introduce girls to different aspects of STEM, such as:
- Robotics: Using Lego or other kits, girls learn how to build and explore basic algorithmic concepts programmable controllers;
- Engineering: Girls work on hands-on projects that teach the principles of engineering and help them understand how the physical world works;
- Computer Science: Girls learn the basics of coding, how computers work, and how to create simple programs and apps;
- Mathematics: Girls learn crucial mathematical concepts and how to apply them to real-world problems;
- Natural Sciences: Girls explore the natural world and learn about key scientific principles through hands-on experiments and activities.
This STEM curriculum not only provides girls with the skills necessary to succeed in a tech-driven future, but it will also help them develop a lifelong love of learning. By fostering an early interest in STEM subjects, girls will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence they need to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
The GDST is lucky to have a strong network of Digital Leaders who meet regularly to collaborate and share expertise and good practice. Miss McEwan is our Head of Computing at the Junior School and is a member of this group. We are looking forward to developing and enhancing the current provision to include a wider range of programmable devices, such as Crumble Controllers and Microbits, as well as robotics and physical computing so that our pupils are ready for the future, whatever that looks like!
Written by Ms Comerford, Head of Junior School
