Latest News From EDT
EDT launches an expanded Widening Participation portfolio, starting with First Edition
Headstart at the EDT has been developing a number of specialised diversity modules linked to its courses during the last five years, to a position where around 1000 additional students aged 13 to 15 took part in Insight, Dragonfly, Spectrum or First Edition during 2009.
The Trust is now expanding First Edition as a stand-alone scheme and further to develop Insight, Dragonfly and Spectrum across the EDT Continuum.
EDT’s Development Director David Ozholl comments:- “while Dragonfly and Spectrum will continue to be expanded across the Headstart programme – we have 50% coverage among the courses just now – Insight and First Edition have real potential for a major expansion outside the summer-school periods of Easter and Summer. To maximize that potential, Katy Evans who joined EDT as Diversity Coordinator on 8th September will be working with me to liaise with Headstart, the Regional teams and hundreds of schools across the UK to introduce First Edition STEM experience days wherever we can. Although First Edition is designed to concentrate on children who will be the first in their family to consider higher education, others will be included where teachers wish for the whole class to participate”.
First Edition is part of the Widening Participation programme that aims to encourage pupils from under-represented groups to consider higher education and courses and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). First Edition offers exciting and challenging curriculum enrichment days to pupils in Year 7 – 10 (England and Wales) and S1 - S4 (Scotland) (11 to 15 year olds) of all abilities. With a current focus on those who will be ‘first in family’ to consider higher education, the days are designed to encourage creativity and innovation through hands on practical activities focused on team working and problem solving.
The timing of First Edition is carefully considered to have a maximum impact at important stages of each pupil’s educational development. The pupils gain experience of higher/further education environment, designed to stimulate learning and raise awareness of career opportunities in STEM
EDT recognizes a need to encourage and support pupils from under-represented groups to consider studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics as a pathway to their future careers. This will help to ensure that they have the right tools, links and information to develop, improve and shape their own future.
For more information about EDT's Widening Participation Programme please contact wp@etrust.org.uk