"You have left a lasting impression ... I will forever be grateful for the enthusiasm you have sparked in her for the sciences”.
A message from a parent that became the inspiration behind “Sparking STEM”.
Our core values
- Kindness: In all matters always. Assume the best of people, even when their actions are challenging. They probably need support, not judgement.
- Accessibility: Do everything possible to ensure everyone can access learning and engagement however works best for them. Give choices to all.
- Environment: Promote care and positive action to improve the environmental situation as best we can, at every opportunity.
- Integrity: There's just no point in building anything if you don't do it with integrity!
The Sparking STEM approach to education
Children learn best when they are happy: As every child is different, their happiness may depend upon different things. One size can never fit all, so a flexible approach that offers children the freedom to access learning in whichever way suits them best, underpins everything we do. We keep groups small, communicate closely with parents and carers and enjoy the opportunities for learning and inspiration that every child brings.
Children learn best when they're engaged: Sparking STEM aims to bridge the gap between exam-based education and hands-on, activity-based, student-led learning. With a close eye on the National Curriculum, Sparking STEM offers inspirational and engaging activities outdoors, online and indoors, that are far broader than the curriculum but support students to build the skills, language and knowledge that exam-based assessment requires.
Children learn best when they have purpose: Using a carefully designed blend of challenges, mysteries and exciting demonstrations Sparking STEM inspires children to ask questions, solve problems and find answers for themselves. We facilitate their explorations and guide them towards application of scientific principles so that they develop confidence and problem-solving skills whilst discovering the true value of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Children learn best when they're engaged: Sparking STEM aims to bridge the gap between exam-based education and hands-on, activity-based, student-led learning. With a close eye on the National Curriculum, Sparking STEM offers inspirational and engaging activities outdoors, online and indoors, that are far broader than the curriculum but support students to build the skills, language and knowledge that exam-based assessment requires.
Children learn best when they have purpose: Using a carefully designed blend of challenges, mysteries and exciting demonstrations Sparking STEM inspires children to ask questions, solve problems and find answers for themselves. We facilitate their explorations and guide them towards application of scientific principles so that they develop confidence and problem-solving skills whilst discovering the true value of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
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Amanda Childs (BSc, MSc, PGCE)
After training as a Science teacher in 2009, I spent years teaching in schools before realising I wanted to teach differently. I set up Sparking STEM in 2018 to bring together my love of teaching children of all ages, and my enjoyment of the outdoors and nature. What started as offering nature walks to home-educated children evolved into Outdoor STEM. I found that without the confines of the classroom, children were more free in their thinking, and more ready to build confidence in their ideas. I learned to listen to their thoughts and value their input. I learned that as adults, children have as much to teach us as we might have to teach them. As Sparking STEM grew so did my own children. My journey as a SEND parent has heavily influenced the way that Sparking STEM has developed. My neurodivergent child has changed the way that I teach, the way that I think and the way I work with others, coming together as Sparking STEM's core values: Kindness, Accessibility, Environment and Integrity. I'm still learning, and Sparking STEM will keep evolving and improving. I now offer Practical Science sessions, Meet scientists events, Private tuition (though I can't keep up with the waiting list!), Outreach training courses for scientists, School workshops and a Shop selling science gifts and equipment. It's still just me running the show, but I'm lucky to have the team you see below supporting me when needed. They're mostly former Sparking STEM students, who I've been lucky enough to know through their journey from student to employee. What a privilege! In case you're wondering what I did before teaching... I've been l lucky enough to enjoy a weird and wonderful range of work experiences, all of which have played their part in the development of Sparking STEM... After completing my BSc in Zoology, I discovered a love of insects and gained an MSc in Applied Entomology. I worked in agrochemical research as a terrestrial ecotoxicologist specialising in earthworms and carrying out field work throughout Europe before turning to equine welfare. For seven years I travelled between India, Pakistan, Guatemala, Egypt, Kenya, Jordan and Ethiopia, training vets to carry out research to improve the lives and welfare of equines and their owners in some of the poorest areas. PS. I still love insects, and my house is slightly overrun with unusual pets! |
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Support staff
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Lara began her Sparking STEM journey as an Outdoor STEM student. She now brings her creativity, kindness and scientific excellence to support our youngest Outdoor STEM students and school students, whilst studying for her A levels.
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Sarah brings specialist Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) support to specific students with complex needs, enabling us to further our provision and increase accessibility to our sessions.
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Ivy was one of the first Outdoor STEM students! She moved up through all the age groups, joined years of Practical Science sessions and had tuition for her Biology IGCSE. She too has a passionate interest in entomology and brings her expertise and extensive experience and enthusiasm to support school students in our Curriculum Enrichment Workshops.
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Edie joined Sparking STEM firstly as an Outdoor STEM student then as a Practical Science student. She now joins Sparking STEM to provide superb scientific knowledge and enthusiastic support to our Outdoor STEM and school workshop students, between her college studies.
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"It was excellent, I have never seen a teacher try to meet my child’s needs so enthusiastically and effectively".
Parent of a Practical Science 11-16s student 2023
What we offer
Sparking STEM is based in Sheffield, England.
For home-educated students aged 4 to 16 Sparking STEM offers exciting Outdoor STEM sessions at three outdoor sites in Sheffield, Practical Science sessions and free opportunities to meet scientists and ask them questions about their work, both online and in person, as well as 1:1 science tuition both face to face and online.
For schools, Sparking STEM offers free opportunities to meet scientists and ask them questions about their work, as well as a range of specialist Curriculum Enrichment Workshops that go above and beyond in providing unusual, curriculum-linked, engaging experiences that students are unlikely to encounter elsewhere!
For Universities across the country Sparking STEM has been running Effective Outreach with Children training workshops for PhD and postdoctoral researchers who wish to develop their confidence and skills to develop and deliver exciting outreach for school-age children. Available both in person and online.
For everyone, the Sparking STEM shop offers tried and tested science equipment at excellent prices to support your child's home learning, as well as handmade gifts and decorations designed to inspire and educate.
Sparking STEM is based in Sheffield, England.
For home-educated students aged 4 to 16 Sparking STEM offers exciting Outdoor STEM sessions at three outdoor sites in Sheffield, Practical Science sessions and free opportunities to meet scientists and ask them questions about their work, both online and in person, as well as 1:1 science tuition both face to face and online.
For schools, Sparking STEM offers free opportunities to meet scientists and ask them questions about their work, as well as a range of specialist Curriculum Enrichment Workshops that go above and beyond in providing unusual, curriculum-linked, engaging experiences that students are unlikely to encounter elsewhere!
For Universities across the country Sparking STEM has been running Effective Outreach with Children training workshops for PhD and postdoctoral researchers who wish to develop their confidence and skills to develop and deliver exciting outreach for school-age children. Available both in person and online.
For everyone, the Sparking STEM shop offers tried and tested science equipment at excellent prices to support your child's home learning, as well as handmade gifts and decorations designed to inspire and educate.
Credentials
✅ Qualified Teacher Status (QTS: PGCE Science)
✅ Postgraduate level Science: MSc.
✅ Certified in "Autism Awareness in Education"
✅ Certified in "PDA for Educators" (PDA Society)
✅ Certified in "ADHD Awareness" (TES)
✅ Certified in "Working with children with disabilities and learning difficulties"
✅ Safeguarding certified (Level 3 DSL)
✅ Science Education Provider of the Year (Yorkshire Prestige Award winner 22/23)
✅ Enhanced DBS
✅ Paediatric first aid qualification (OFQAL certified Level 3)
✅ Over fourteen years' experience teaching at exam level
✅ Experienced at teaching IGCSE (Edexcel and Cambridge), AQA & Edexcel.
✅ Over eight years' experience working closely with the home-educating community.
✅ Diverse experience teaching children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
✅ Nine years of experience working in biological research
✅ Comprehensive public liability insurance
✅ Qualified Teacher Status (QTS: PGCE Science)
✅ Postgraduate level Science: MSc.
✅ Certified in "Autism Awareness in Education"
✅ Certified in "PDA for Educators" (PDA Society)
✅ Certified in "ADHD Awareness" (TES)
✅ Certified in "Working with children with disabilities and learning difficulties"
✅ Safeguarding certified (Level 3 DSL)
✅ Science Education Provider of the Year (Yorkshire Prestige Award winner 22/23)
✅ Enhanced DBS
✅ Paediatric first aid qualification (OFQAL certified Level 3)
✅ Over fourteen years' experience teaching at exam level
✅ Experienced at teaching IGCSE (Edexcel and Cambridge), AQA & Edexcel.
✅ Over eight years' experience working closely with the home-educating community.
✅ Diverse experience teaching children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
✅ Nine years of experience working in biological research
✅ Comprehensive public liability insurance
"Your kindness, enthusiasm and patience made a big difference.... It’s great to have found such a wonderful teacher"
Message from a parent in the Outdoor STEM 9-13s group.
