“We can really dynamically show the difference we have made and why this work is important - from building community leadership to an academic realising that the audiences come up with ideas for conceptualising what molecules might sound like! Thank you, thank you, thank you - for making this a reality with all your creative work.” Erinma Ochu , Creative Director Manchester Beacon for Public Engagement
Dovetail creates new ways to develop and promote the public engagement and understanding of science, particularly critical in the current economic climate. We know that STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) skills are of vital importance to the future growth of our economy, and employers need a skilled workforce.
Following on from our work for the Manchester Beacon for Public Engagement, where we developed a unique and innovative selection of multi-media Creative Learning Journeys (CLJs), we were approached by South West HE STEM universities to create a comprehensive series of CLJs for them, charting the progress of a selection of public engagement projects they had funded. The material is now online - bringing together the film, audio, photography and text we created and built over the past year.
“Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills underpin the UK’s ability to compete and grow in a range of industries... STEM skills shortages are widespread – 43% of employers currently have difficulty recruiting staff, rising to more than half of employers (52 %) expecting difficulty in the next three years... Meaning [that] STEM study will continue to unlock an array of opportunities for young people at every skills level.” CBI / EDI Education and Skills Survey 2011
Dovetail's task was to ensure that the learning from the HE STEM funded projects in the South West is sustainable, easy to access and disseminate amongst a wide range of people - primarily academics, students and employers - without compromising on the integrity of the message and the work itself. We have found that using creative means across a range of media is the most effective way to inspire and engage people at all levels. We know also that this work needs to serve as a legacy resource to be used and developed - to ensure that the learning is shared effectively across groups, individuals, institutions and organisations over the coming years. This involved using our skills as trainers and communicators, as well well as developing and producing materials. The site itself showcases Dovetails's unique Creative Learning Journeys, which we continue to use and develop in our training programmes.
We utilised social media and multimedia technology to chart the progress of the projects and to examine the links between the curriculum, the student experience, the role of the academic and their interaction with business. We interviewed employers and representatives from industry bodies, and charted the progress of students accessing and challenging their own employability skills.
We interviewed academics about their models of engagement with employers and their ambition for STEM subjects in meeting future labour force needs. We then worked on all the materials, drawing out and developing themes and trends to create a rich and sustainable resource. The final stage was with our partners Reason Digital, to develop the CreativeSTEM website which is now being used as an online hub to take the debate forward.
Client: South West HE STEM
Partners: Reason Digital, University of Bath, University of Exeter, Bournemouth University, University of Bristol, Plymouth University and the University of the West of England.
What we did: Developed a programme of multimedia to unite Science and creativity
Photographs by Jan Chlebik
