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Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - Happy New Year!
Welcome back to a new academic year and to the latest STEM newsletter for Secondary Schools and FE Colleges from your local STEM Ambassadors Partner. We are looking forward to another busy term - and will be highlighting resources and sharing more details of local STEM events in your area.
There are several new STEM engagement opportunities available for the forthcoming half term. STEM Ambassadors are still keen to offer as many enrichment opportunities as possible to learners and we welcome requests for STEM Ambassadors to help with any enrichment opportunity - please contact us directly to discuss your individual need.
Why not invite a STEM Ambassador into your classroom to help with subject content and CWRE?
Please encourage new colleagues to register with STEM Learning in order to receive the See Science newsletter in the future using the link www.stem.org.uk/user/register and then opt to receive newsletters.
See Science have a facebook page where we will also be sharing lots of new ideas regularly - please like or follow the page. Please don't hesitate to contact us if we can support the teaching of STEM subjects.
Wishing you a successful 2026,
The See Science Team
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The event held at The Pierhead in Cardiff Bay, was also a reflection on the legacy of Welsh inventors and acknowledges their contributions. Some of the world’s most groundbreaking inventions have come from Welsh inventors, such as the electronic breathalyser, the RIB Boat, and the modern microphone.
here
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Innovation Awards Showcase
Wales’ brightest young inventors have been recognised for their invention and creation at the 25th annual Innovation Awards, hosted by WJEC.
The Innovation Awards, held in collaboration with Welsh Government, are a celebration of Welsh design and technology, recognising and rewarding the next generation of innovators.
In parallel to previous years, the 25th Innovation Awards encouraged young people in Wales to be technologically innovative and appreciate the importance of design and technology.
This year’s inventions were no exception and included a ‘bike beacon’ that could solve an everyday challenge faced by cyclists, and a ‘forever flare’ that identifies an innovative and safe solution for individuals facing challenging situations at sea.
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Successful Astro Pi training session
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In November a successful session was held for teachers and STEM Ambassadors to learn more about Astro Pi.
At this session Fergus Kirkpatrick, from Raspberry Pi, walked through the Mission Zero project guide, equipping all with the
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knowledge to help young people write and send Python code to the International Space Station (ISS).He introduced the browser-based coding environment and gave some tips for running Mission Zero in schools and Code Clubs.
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He is happy to run training in early 2026 so please contact us if you are interested
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STEM Learning’s 2026 placements programme is now open!- Secondary
Empower your students through immersive STEM opportunities and support them to experience first-hand how STEM subjects translate into exciting careers and world-changing
opportunities.
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Each summer,
year 12
(or equivalent) students take part in meaningful, hands-on experiences within UK workplaces. It’s
completely free, simple to promote, and fully supported from start to finish. We handle everything, from finding placements to providing all the resources and support—so you can focus on encouraging the right students to apply.
This is a genuine chance for your students to see where STEM can take them. To test their skills, grow their confidence and bring their curriculum to life through real-world projects.
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These
FREE programmes
are designed to give pupils a real taste of university life and academic study. Participants will:
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Take part in exclusive academic workshops led by experts.
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Deepen their subject knowledge in their chosen field.
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Connect with current students and academics for insight and inspiration.
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Receive UCAS application support and much more!
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Cardiff University STEM Masterclass Yr 12 -Secondary
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Cardiff University’s Widening Participation and Outreach team is excited to share an opportunity for Year 12 pupils who are passionate about learning and exploring their future in higher education. The following subjects are available to choose from:
Humanities and Social Sciences
Language, Literature and Media
Law and Polotics
Medicine
Dentistry
Business and Economics
Science, Technology and Maths
Healthcare Sciences
Travel costs are covered,
so there’s no financial barrier to taking pa
rt.
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British Computing Society
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At BCS, we're ensuring the digital journey is safe and positive for everyone, by raising standards of competence and conduct across the IT industry and tackling the ethical challenges we face along the way.
We influence and improve computing education in all its forms to improve opportunities for young people, society and the economy.
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BCS are keen to look at running some workshops for teachers to show them how they can use the LEGO kits that many of them already have in both primary and secondary schools and also to show them how they could use the lesson plans.
They are keen to explore how we could survey schools to understand what assistance they feel they need in this area. If you are able to spend 5 mins completing a Google Form our ambassadors would be very grateful
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The Big Bang Competition-Secondary
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Inspire students to bring their ideas to life with The Big Bang UK Young Scie
ntists & Engineers Competition.
Got a class who love solving problems? Enter a STEM project with your students. The Competition rewards and recognises young people’s bright ideas. From climate change to robots to life-saving healthcare, The Big Bang Competition celebrates projects of all shapes and sizes.
Free to enter
for students aged
11 to 18
in state-funded secondary schools, The Big Bang Competition supports young people to ask questions, challenge facts and invent solutions. Entries are open!
Enter by 4 March 2026.
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Provides grants and free award fees to schools in challenging circumstances to help them run CREST Awards.
The program aims to address inequality in STEM education and inspires young people to pursue related fields.
The funding is available for schools with a high percentage (at least 30%) of pupils eligible for free school meals/pupil premium or from ethnic minority backgrounds, or those in remote/rural locations.who are underrepresented in STEM
Provides £350 in grant money (for equipment, field trips, etc.) plus a voucher covering up to £350 of CREST Award fees.
Applications open
January 2026
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British Science Week packs
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The
free
British Science Week activity packs are filled with a wide range of fun and educational activities.
Developed in collaboration with our trusted partners and supported by UK Research and Innovation, they aim to foster curiosity, creativity, and a love for discovery among participants.
The activity packs cater to a broad age range, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for different groups.
They include resources suitable for children from under 5s up to around age 14, as well as activities designed for community groups.
Full packs released in
January 2026
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School Biology Teacher of the Year Award
The 2026 award is open for applications until 30 January 2026.
The School Biology Teacher of the Year Award seeks to identify the UK’s leading secondary education teachers, recognising the invaluable role they play in educating and inspiring the next generation of biologists.
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The award rewards teachers who:
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Demonstrate outstanding and inspirational teaching of biology at secondary school or college.
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Contribute to the development of science throughout the school.
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Influence the teaching and learning of biology beyond their own institution in other schools or educational settings.
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The award is open to all teachers who are working with students aged 11-18 years old, teaching pre-university level biology programmes of study, and currently employed in a UK based school or college.
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Cardiff Scientific Society - Science Competition
Secondary Schools(yrs 10-13)
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We’re celebrating the Cardiff Scientific Society’s centenary by inviting students across Wales to create a science poster on the theme
“Science for the Future.”
Entries welcome in Welsh or English. Closing date
18 March 2026
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Samsung - Solve for Tomorrow
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Don’t just imagine a better world… invent it
Put your students’ design thinking skills to the test and create a tech-for-good solution to a real-world problem and be in with the chance of winning tech, mentoring, work experience and their idea on the big Samsung screen in Piccadilly Circus. Using a simple design thinking process inspired by real-world innovation at Samsung, we’ll take your students from a blank page to a brilliant idea – in as little as one lesson. Register now to secure yours. Closing date for registrations 1 February 2026. More information
here
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Calling all practitioners and digital leaders in Wales!
Are you passionate about digital learning and keen to influence how professional learningcan support schools and settings across Wales.We’re looking for practitioners and digital leaders to join a small focus group with STEM Learning to help shape the Teaching Digital with Confidence (TDC) Wales programme. This group will have a voice in how we can build
practitioner confidence and understanding of computing and digital skills including AI, coding,
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media literacy and computational thinking,to better plan and connect learning across Curriculum for WalesYou don’t need to be an expert in these areas to take part, just bring your teaching experience, curiosity andcommitment to supporting learners. Your perspective is valuable, whatever your startingpoint.This work aims to build practitioner confidence and understanding of computing and digitalskills, including AI, coding, media literacy and computational thinking, to better plan andconnect learning across the Curriculum for Wales.We’re inviting practitioners and digital leaders to join a focus group with STEM Learning tohelp shape the Teaching Digital with Confidence (TDC) Wales programme – supporting the effective implementation of the Digital Competence Framework and computing within the Curriculum for Wales
Date: Monday 2 February Time: 4:00pm – 4.45pm
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
As the initiative develops, further opportunities for involvement will also be available.
Express your interest here:
Expression of Interest: STEM Learning Focus Group Secondary
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RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2026
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It's easy to be part of Big Garden Birdwatch.
Simply choose an hour between
23-25 January 2026
and count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony, or in your local park.
Only count birds that land.
Then tell us what you saw. Even if you saw nothing, it still counts.
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Connect enrichment to your curriculum. Students take part in a themed activity, connecting them with people working in a diverse range of roles in STEM.
The activity actively engages 89% of students. They will explore how their learning can be applied beyond the classroom and see STEM careers as an option for them.
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British Science Week: How to access STEM Volunteers
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In this 30-minute session, find out how the STEM Ambassadors Programme can support learning and provide inspiration during British Science Week 2026 and beyond.
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Share with your friends and colleagues
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Do all staff in your Department receive the See Science newsletter - please alsk them to register on the STEM Learning Platform to enable them to receive newsletters, request STEM Ambassadors, download resources and register for CPD opportunities
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Become part of the STEM Community
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We are a community of over 35,000 teachers; technicians; TA's and governors, all involved in the STEM education of young people supporting and collaborating with each other to improve the outcomes of young people
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