www.siemens.co.uk/education

Employee volunteering guide

Siemens Education

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Contents

Education Overview 2

Introduction 2

TheCurriculums 3

Working with Schools 5

AboutSiemensEducation 5

Resourcesavailable 6

Volunteer-ledsupportactivities 7

Next Steps 11

Classroom Tips 13

Education Overview

EducationacrosstheUKisoverseenby:TheDepartmentforEducationandtheDepartmentforBusiness,InnovationandSkills(England);DGLearning&Justice(Scotland);theDepartmentforEducationandSkills(Wales)andtheDepartmentofEducation(NorthernIreland).

Thereareapproximately28,000primaryandsecondaryschoolsintheUK,themajorityofthesearestatemaintained(bylocalauthorities).TherearealsomaintainedschoolsthataredirectlyresponsibletotheDepartmentforEducation(includingacademies,freeschoolsanduniversitytechnicalcolleges);andindependentschools.

Full-timeeducationiscompulsoryforallchildrenbetweentheagesof4and18(EnglandandWales);4and16(NorthernIreland)and3and16(Scotland).Asageneralrule,childreninprimaryeducationarereferredtoas‘pupils’whilstthoseinsecondaryschoolandfurthereducationareknownas‘students’.

Schoolshavealeadershipteam,whichsupportstheHeadorPrincipalinthedaytodayrunningoftheschoolandthedevelopmentofpolicy.Inprimaryschoolstheteachersusuallystaywithoneclass,teachingallsubjects,whilstinsecondaryschoolsteacherschangeclasses,teachingtheirspecialistsubject.Curriculumareasareoftenline-managedbyamemberoftheSeniorleadershipteam,whomaynotnecessarilybeaspecialistinthatsubject.

Whetherworkingwithprimaryorsecondaryschools,youwillhearteachersrefertochildrenasbeinginaparticularyeargrouporkeystage.Butwhatarethey?

• Yeargroupsrangefromnurseryandreceptionclassesuptoyear11(anduptoyear13insixthforms).

• Keystagesarestagesoflearningandrunfromfoundationstage(pre-schoolandnursery)uptokeystage5.

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The chart below shows the key stages, year groups and ages of pupils in primary and secondary education in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Age of Pupil Key Stage England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Year Group Year Group Year Group

2-5years Foundation/ Nursery/Reception P1 Year1 EarlyYears

5-7years KS1 Year1,2 P2,3 Years2,3

7-11years KS2 Years3,4,5,6 P4,5,6,7 Years4,5,6,7

11-14years KS3 Years7,8,9* S1,2,3 Years8,9,10

14-16years KS4 Years10,11* S4,5 Years11,12

16+ KS5(sixthform) Years12,13 S6 Years13,14

*Note:someschoolsrunKS3foryeargroups7and8andstartKS4inyear9.

Introduction

Education Overview

The Curriculum:TheNationalCurriculum(inEnglandandWales),NorthernIrelandCurriculumandCurriculumforExcellenceinScotlandistheGovernment’sframeworktostandardisewhatshouldbetaught(atwhatageandeducationstage)inprimaryandsecondarystateschoolsacrosstheUK.Schoolsareallowedtodeviselessonsinawaythatbestmeetstheneedsoftheirpupils/students.Academiesandfreeschools(bothofwhicharestatemaintained)arenotrequiredtocomplywiththeNationalCurriculum;however,theyareexpectedtoprovideacurriculumwhichisbroadandbalancedwhileindependentschoolscandemonstratefargreaterflexibility.Eachcountry(England,Wales,NorthernIrelandandScotland)teachesallofthecoresubjectswhichareEnglish,maths,physicaleducationandscience.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM):Inrecentyears,therehasbeenanurgentneedforstudents(particularlygirls)topursuewhatareknownasthe‘STEM’curriculumsubjects.Thedemandforskilledworkersinscience,technology,engineeringandmathsiscloselylinkedtotheUK’sglobalcompetitivenessandemployershaveavitalroletoplayinraisingtheawarenessofstudentsandteachers,totherelevanceofSTEMintheireverydaylivesandthecareeropportunitiesthatareavailabletothem.

The2011CBIEducationSkillsSurveyshowedthatwhilsttwo-fifths(41%)ofbusinessesareincreasingtheirinvestmentintrainingoverthenextyear,andtwothirds(67%)havebuiltlinkswithsecondaryschools;almosthalf(43%)ofemployersreportedanunder-supplyofindividualswiththerightSTEMskillsatalllevels.Companiesanticipatethatthisproblemwillgetworse,withoverhalf(52%)ofemployersexpectingdifficultyinrecruitingSTEMstaffinthenextthreeyears.

Cross-curricularThecurriculumisextensive,lessonsandresourcesthatarecross-curricular(forexample,activitiesthathaveelementsofliteracy,scienceandmaths)aredesirable.

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Working with Schools

TheresourcesdevelopedfortheSiemensEducationPortalhavebeendesignedtofitinto,ormapagainst,thecurriculumforSTEMandrelatedsubjectsincludingenvironmentalstudiesanddesignandtechnology(D&T).

ThetopicsexploredintheSchemesofWorkreflectthetechnologies,productsandservicesofSiemens’businessdivisionsaswellasthebusinessofHealthcare.Thecurriculumlinksintheteacher’ssectionofeachshowhowtheSiemensEducationresourceshelptomeetteachingandlearningrequirementsforSTEM(andothersubjectswhereappropriate)forpupilsaged7-16.

AsaSiemensemployeevolunteer,youwillhaveanopportunitytoaddvalueandimpacttotheworkofteachers,andtoinspireandhelpraisetheaspirationsoftheyoungpeopleyouwillmeet.

Thereisahugedemandfromstudentstomeetpeoplefromindustryandtheworkplaceandtohavetheopportunitytoaskthemaboutwhattheydo,thebusinesstheyworkforandthecareerorworkroutetheytooktogettowheretheyaretoday.Youwillbeabletoprovideavaluableinsightintotheworldofwork,andthechangingtechnologiesthatareattheforefrontofwhatSiemensdoesbest-findinginnovativeengineeringandtechnologysolutionsthatareshapingthefutureandtoucheverypartofourlives.Thisisvitalifwearetoinspireandnurturetheinnovators,engineersandtechnologistsofthefutureandwillhelpyoungpeoplemakeinformedchoicesabouttheirsubjectchoicesandcareerpaths.

Asanemployeevolunteer,youwillbeworkinginclosepartnershipwithteacherstoprovidestudentswithanengaginglearningexperience.TheEmployeesectionofSiemensEducationhasbeendesignedtohelpyoufeelconfidentinapproachingschools,andworkingwithteachersandstudentstodelivertheSiemensschoolsoutreachoffer.

We’veprovidedsomestep-by-stepguidanceandinformationtohelpmakesurethatyourvolunteeringexperienceisrewardingandsatisfyingforyou;helpsstudentsdeveloptheirskillsandknowledge;andsupportstheteacherindeliveringcurriculumobjectives.

You could: • Leadalesson-orseriesoflessons-withtheteacher’s

assistance(takingtheclassthroughaslidepresentationfollowedbyactivities).

• Assisttheteacherindeliveringalessononaparticularthemeortopic.

• GiveaSiemensEducationpresentation,thiscouldbetoasubjectclass,individualyeargrouporverticaltutorgroup.

• Workwithsmallgroupsofstudentsonachallengeactivity.

• ParticipateinaspecialeventlikeScienceWeekorathemeday.

• TalktostudentsaboutadayinthelifeofSiemens.

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About Siemens Education

Working with Schools

Resources Available

Employee Presentation PPTs Findatwww.siemens.co.uk/education

AseriesofpresentationsandworkshopactivitysuggestionsareavailabletodownloadexploringarangeofthemesandroutesforcareersatSiemensincluding:

• whoweare

• whatwedo

• summarycareerslides.

Lesson Plan support presentation PPTsManyoftheactivitiesinSiemensEducationinvolvestudentsworkinginteamstodeveloparesponsetoagivenchallenge.Asanemployeevolunteeryouareabletoenhanceandenrichthisprocessinseveralways:

• informationinput–reallifeexamplesandartefacts

• mentoringandworkshopsupport–beingavailabletoofferadviceandactasasoundingboardtoideadevelopment

• actingasanexternalevaluatorwhenstudentsarepresentingbacktheirdevelopedideas.

Dependentonyourknowledgeandexperience,opportunitiestobecomeinvolvedwithintheSiemensEducationSchemesofWorkarelistedonthefollowingpage.

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Working with Schools

EnergyTheschemesofworkbelowencouragestudentstoconsiderhowSiemensisinvolvedindevelopingenergysystemsthatarefitforpurposeandbalancearangeofdemands.EmployeesworkingintheareasofPower&Gas,WindPowerandRenewables,PowerGenerationServices,EnergyManagementandBuildingTechnologiesarelikelytohavetherelevantexpertisetoenhancethedeliveryoftheseactivities.

Pupils aged 7+In Let there be Light students explorehow,whenelectricitywasfirstgenerated,itenabledworktobedonebeyonddaylighthours.Pupilshavetheopportunitytoapplytheirunderstandingofcircuitsandconsiderhowtechnologicalchangesimpactuponpeople.

Students aged 12+ In The Inspired Bus Companystudentsexplorehowtopowerabussothatitiseconomicaltorunbutalsominimisespollution;theyalsoconsiderhowtheidealsolutionforoneroutemaynotworkaswellforanother.

In E-zero Islandthechallengeisrelatedtoprovidingcheapandcleanenergy,butforanislandcommunity.Factorssuchasreliabilityandavoidingdamagetoattractivepartsofthelandscapehavetobeconsidered.Astheislandisrelativelysmallithasalimitedrangeofoptionsforpowergeneration,eachofwhichhasadvantagesanddisadvantages.Studentshavetostudytheseandcollectivelydecideuponacombinationthatwillprovideareliablesourceofenergywithoutcausingexcessivedamagetotheenvironment.Asthereisnoonerightanswer,differentteamsofstudentswillhave

developeddifferentsolutions;theyareexpectednotonlytomakeandjustifydecisionsbutalsotopresenttheirideassothattheycanbecriticallyevaluatedbyothers.

In Greenpower Challengeenergyefficiencyisputintoadifferentcontext:thatofdesigningthebodyforanelectriccartomaximisethedistanceitcantravelonasetamountofcharge.ThecontexthereisofaschoolconsideringsubmittinganentryfortheGreenpowerChallenge.Studentsproduceafeasibilitystudywhichexplainshowtherechargeablebatterysystemworks,exploreideasforenergyefficientbodydesignsandsummariseshowanentrycouldbemademorecompetitivebyfocusingoncriticalfeatures.ThistopiclendsitselftowardsuseoftheSolidEdge®softwaretosupportthebodyworkdesignactivities.

InGreen Racersstudentsapplyconceptsofenergytransferandsustainabilitytounderstandandevaluateasystem;produceandmodifydesignstomeetadesignbriefandstudysolutionstolearnhowotherdesignershavemanipulatedmaterialstomeetadesignbrief.

In Here comes the Sunstudentsconsidertheconflictbetweenenergysuppliesbeingreliableandimmediatelyavailableandtheirimpactontheenvironment.

In Water, water everywhere?studentsconsiderhowcleanwatermaybesuppliedinasituationinwhichcheapenergyisnotfreelyavailable.

InI can see clearly nowstudentsconsiderhowlightcanbeproducedandsomelightingsystemsaremoreenergyefficientthanothers.

InBlowing in the windstudentsinvestigatehowtoextractenergyfromthewindmosteffectivelyandwiththeminimumnegativeimpactontheenvironment.

InMonte Rosa Mountain Hutstudentshavetoconsiderhowabuildingdesigncanbemademoreenergyefficientandthenapplytheseideastoaspecificcontext.

InUnderwater Energystudentsunderstandthepotentialoftidalenergyaspartofanoverallsolutionandusekeyfeaturestoevaluatethecontributiontidalenergymightmake.

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Volunteer-led and supported activities

Working with Schools

Healthcare TheschemesofworkbelowencouragestudentstoconsiderhowSiemensisapioneerwhenitcomestoprovidingmedicaltechnologiesthathelpdeliverabetterqualityofhealthcare.EmployeesworkinginHealthcaremaybeparticularlysuitedtosupportthedeliveryoftheseactivities.

Pupils aged 7+InHuman Bodyaseriesofactivitiesenablepupilstounderstandmoreaboutthepartsofthebodyandwhattheydo.Topicsincludetheskeletonandmuscles,digestionandhowthebodygetswhatitneedsfromfood,andcirculationandhowthisworks.

Students aged 12+InA Peep InsidestudentsunderstandhowMRIscannersproduceimages;applytheirunderstandingofwavesandparticlestothisapplicationanddescribetypicalusesofMRIimages.

In Water, water everywhere?studentsinvestigatewhatismeantbywaterbeingclean,devisetheirownpurificationsystemsandtestthemagainstagreedcriteria.

In Picture thisstudentslearnhowultrasoundtechnologycanbeusedtoproduceimagesandhowthesecansupporteffectivemedicaldiagnosisinanon-invasiveorriskyway.

InNow hear thisstudentsinlearningaboutthecharacteristicsofaudiblesound;findingouthowhearingmaybeimpaired;learningaboutwhatneedstofitinahearingaidbeforedesigninganaidthatwillfitaroundanearincludingthenecessarycomponentswithoutbeingintrusive.

Alsoavailable,Inside the Human Body- Interactive learning,whereuserstakeapeepatsomeofthesystemswithinthebodyandseehowquicklytheycanarrangebonestobuildaskeletonusingtheBuild a BodygameandtesttheirnutritionknowledgewiththePower up Your Bodygame.

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Working with Schools

Industry Theschemesofworkbelowemphasisehowdigitisationandautomationsupportmanufacturingandindustry,EmployeesfromtheDigitalFactoryandProcessindustriesandtheDrivesdivisionsarelikelytohavetherelevantexpertisetoenhancethedeliveryoftheseactivities.

Pupils aged 7+ InWords along wires,lessonsusethecontextoflongdistancecommunicationstogetpupilsthinkingabouthowscientificideasareusedtodevelopsolutionstochallenges,andhowtechnologyisaboutcomparingandevaluatingdifferentsolutions.

Students aged 12+InTotally in control studentslearnhowtodevelopacontrolsystemandhowsuchsystemshavearangeofapplications.

InA Case to Resolvestudentsunderstandhowsystemsaredevelopedtomeetspecificrequirements.Theyapplyideasaboutwavessuchaslightandx-raystodevelopsolutionstoproblemsanduselogicalreasoningtoanalysetheoutcomesfromaprocess.

InKeeping it lean and meanstudentsexplorethecharacteristicsofaproductionsystemandhowtomakeitmoreefficient.Theyunderstandtheprinciplesof‘Lean’and‘JustinTime’productionprinciples.

InLean Machinesstudentsidentifykeyfeaturesofaproductionlineprocessandconsiderhowitcanbemademoreeffectiveusingasimulatedprocesstoreflectontheconceptof‘Lean’and‘JustinTime’manufacturing.

In Blowing in the windstudentsinvestigatehowvariousfactorsinthedesignofawindturbineaffecttheefficiencyandeffectiveness.

In Greenpower ChallengestudentshavetoprepareandpresentafeasibilitystudyonhowtheirschoolcouldsubmitanentryfortheGreenpowerChallenge,inwhichtheyhavetoexplainwhatpreparinganentrywouldinvolve,whatitmightcostandwhatthewidernon-financialbenefitswouldinclude.

Alsoavailable, Lean Machines - Interactive Learning Tool,developedincollaborationwithMINI - Lean Machinesisagreatwaytounderstandtheconceptsof‘justintime’and‘lean’manufacturing.Usersarechallengedtoensureallcustomerordersaremetbyidentifyingkeyfeaturesofthemanufacturingprocess,allocatingstaffeffectivelyandkeepingstocklevelslow,whilstavoidingstallingtheprocessbecausecomponentsaren’tavailable.

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Working with Schools

TheSchemesofWorkbelowencouragestudentstoconsideraspectsofefficientandintegratedtransportationofpeopleandgoodsbyrailandroad.EmployeesfromtheMobilitydivisionarelikelytohavetherelevantexpertisetosupporttheirdelivery.

Pupils aged 7+ Clean Silent Trainsusesthecontextofrailtraveltoprovidearangeoflearningactivities,beginningwithanhistoricalsettingwherepupilsareaskedtoimaginewhatdifferenttypesoftravelwerelikebeforetheylookatusesofelectricmotors.Finallypupilsareprovidedwiththechallengeofrunningagoodrailserviceusingmathematicalunderstandingandlogicalthinkingtodevelopandevaluatesolutions.

Students aged 12+ InThe Inspired Bus Companystudentsneedtothinkaboutwaysofpoweringabustosatisfyvariousconsiderationsandhowthissupportstheeffectivefunctioningofamoderncity.

InRinging TruestudentsunderstandthekeyfeaturesoftheRailBAM(theacousticprocessthatanalysesnoisedevelopmentinaxlebearingsasavehiclepasses)processandexplainwherethetimingofwheelbearingreplacementiscritical.

InA Case to Resolvestudentsunderstandhowsystemsaredevelopedtomeetcertainrequirements;applyingideasaboutwavessuchaslightandx-raystodevelopsolutionstoproblems.

InI can see clearly nowstudentshavetodesignandtestideasforimprovingthelightinginpublicareas.

InTotally in controlstudentslearnaboutcontrolsystemsandabouthowthesecanmakeasystemrunmoreefficientlybutalsoincreasesafety.

InMonte Rosa Mountain Hutstudentsexplorehowbuildingefficiencycanreduceenergydemandswhilstalsoimprovingqualityoflife.

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Next Steps

Step 1: Get to know Siemens EducationFamiliariseyourselfwiththeresourceswithinSiemensEducationanddecideifyou’dprefertodeliverapresentationorsupportalesson;focusonaparticularbusinessareaorperhapscareerpathways.Itmaybethattheteacherhasaspecificareaofinterest.Beingfamiliarwiththeresourcewillhelpyourdiscussions.

Step 2: Initial meeting/contact with the schoolYoumayberespondingtoavisitrequestthathascomeintoSiemens,orlookingforaschooltovisitinyourlocalarea.Mostschoolshavetheirownwebsiteswhichincludeinformationontheircurriculum;aprospectusaswellasmoregenericinformationandiswellworthalookinadvanceofyourcontactorvisit.

Considerwhetheryourinvolvementwillbeaone-offvisit,aseriesofvisitsoraregulartimetabledevent.SchoolsareverylikelytoaskifyouhaveacurrentDBSCheck(refertoStep4),soitwouldbehelpfultotaketheoriginalwithyoutothismeetingforthemtoseeand,ifnecessary,photocopy.

Discusswiththeteacher/schoolwhatthey,andyou,wouldliketoachievefromyourvisit.Schoolsandteachersworkindifferentwaysandstudentshavedifferentneeds,sothewayinwhichyouuseyourskillsmaydifferfromschooltoschoolorevenfromclasstoclass.

Makesureyouhaveaclearunderstandingoftheagegroupandabilityofstudentsthatyouwillbeworkingwith.It’salsoagoodideatocheckthattheclassroomyou’llbeworkinginhastheequipmentthatyouwillneede.g.internetaccess,aninteractivewhiteboardorprojector,and/orindividualPCstoallowyoutodemonstratethewebsiteandspecifictopicyouhavechosentopresent.Discusswithyourcontactteacherwhattheschoolcanprovideandwhatyoumayhavetosupply.

Rememberthatyou’reworkingasapartnerwiththeschoolsospeakwiththeteachertoagreeonthebestwaytoorganiseyourvisit;discusswhattheschoolneedsandaskhowyourcontributioncanaddvaluetowhatheorsheisdoing.

Contacting teachersCallingtospeaktoacontactteacherduringschoolhoursmaybedifficultsince,ifthey’reinlessonsit’sunlikelythatyouwillbeabletotalktothem.Ifyouneedtogetholdofateacher,receptionistsandsecretarieswillbehappytotakeamessageforyoutopassontotheteacher,butitmaybeusefultotrycallingthematlunchtimeorafterschool,whentheyaremorelikelytobeabletoansweracall.Increasinglyteacherscommunicatebyemailandiftheyarewillingtogiveyouapersonalemailaddressoradirectlinenumberthiswillhelpwithfuturecontact.

Findoutwhoyouneedtoseeandwhenthebesttimewouldbeforaface-to-facemeeting.ThismaybeduringalunchbreakorafterschoolandcouldbewiththeHead/DeputyHeadorotherseniorleadersuchasHeadofYearorDepartmentHeadforScienceorotherrelevantsubject.

Step 3: Partnership AgreementSiemensiscommittedtodevelopingmeaningfulrelationshipswithschools-thataddvaluetoteachersandimpactpositivelyinraisingtheaspirationsandachievementsofyoungpeople.Webelievethatthemostsustainableandrewardingrelationshipsareachievedbyworkinginpartnership.TheSchool/VolunteerPartnershipAgreementFormhasbeendesignedtosupportyourdiscussionswiththeschoolandestablishagreedobjectivesforyourvolunteerengagement.PleasecompleteaSchool/VolunteerPartnershipAgreementFormwithyourschoolcontact,whichyoucandownloadatSiemensEducation.

Step 4: DBS checks (previously CRB checks)YoumayneedtocompleteaDisclosureandBarringServicecheckbeforeyoustarttoworkwithchildreninaschoolsetting.Asktheschoolyouwillbeworkingwithifthisisrequiredforyourvisit.InformationaboutDBScheckscanbefoundonlineat:www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check/overview.

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Next Steps

Health & safetySiemenstakesthesafetyoftheiremployeesseriously,sopleasetakeafewmomentstofamiliariseyourselfwiththehealthandsafetyguidanceprovidedbyyourbusinessunitbeforeyouarrangeyourvisittotheschool.Onyourvisit,itisimportanttoactwithduecareandattentionatalltimes,toobserveanyregulationsthattheschoolmayhaveandconsiderthehealthandsafetyofthosearoundyou.Anyaccidentsshouldbereportedimmediatelytotheschool.

Step 5: On the dayMakesurethatyouarriveontimeonthedayofyoursessionandallowtimetoset-upandtestanyequipmentthatyouwillbeusing.Schoolsaregovernedbytimetablessoit’slikelythatyou,asopposedtotheschool,mayneedtobeflexible!

TheSiemensEducationactivities(presentationsandlessonplans)aredesignedtofitintoatimetabledlessonsoyouwon’twanttowastetimesetting-upwithstudentsintheroom!Theteacherwillneedtogettheclasssettledandintroduceyoubeforeyoustartsoit’sagoodideatokeepyoursessiontoaround40minutes.

Schoolinternetaccessisoftenheavilyfilteredsoitisimportanttocheckthatyouareabletoshowtheresourcesyouneed(includingvideolinks)beforeyourvisit.Emailingtheteacherwiththematerialsisoftenthebestwaytodothis.

It’salsoagoodideatocheckwiththeteacherhowbesttogetevaluation/feedbackfromtheclassattheendofthelesson(seeStep6).Youmaywanttopracticewithfamilyorfriendsbeforethelessontomakesureyou’recomfortablewiththetimings.Aboveall-remembertohavefunandenjoyyourvolunteeringexperience!

Step 6: Evaluation and feedbackPleaseasktheteacherandstudentstocompleteafeedbackformattheendofthelesson.Youcouldincludethiswithinyourlessontimingsor,ifneeded,asktheteachertodothiswithstudentsafterthelessonandreturnthecompletedformstoyou.SiemensarekeentoensurethattheresourceswithinSiemensEducationareeffectivein:

• RaisingaspirationsandinspiringtheinterestofyoungpeopleinSTEMsubjects

• Encouragingyoungpeopletoconsideracareerinengineeringandtechnology

• Providingyou,asaSiemensemployeevolunteer,witheverythingyouneedtodeliveranengaginglessonandhavearewardingexperience,whilstdevelopingyourownskills.

PlanningaVisitchecklistandEvaluationandFeedbackformscanbedownloadedfromtheEmployeessectionofthewebsite.

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Classroom Tips

Whetheryouhavechildrenofyourownorareusedtothechildrenoffriendsandfamilymembers,it’sadifferentmatterwhenfacedwithaclassfullofyoungpeople!Therewillbeateacherpresentintheclassroomatalltimeswhilstyouarethere,(theyareresponsiblefordisciplinenotyou),butyouwillbeleadingtheactivitysession.

We’veputtogethersomehintsandtipstohelpyoufeelmoreconfidentandatease,whilstenablingthestudentstogainthemostfromyourvisit.Studentsofallageslovevisitorstotheirclassrooms,thereisnothinglikea‘new’facetoraisetheircuriosity!Employeevolunteerscanprovideavaluableinsightintotheworldofworkandbringareal-lifeperspectivetomanyofthetopicsthatstudentsarestudyingatschool.Iftheclassteacherhasn’talreadyexplainedwhoyouareandwhyyou’rethere,thenyoushouldintroduceyourselfandrememberthefollowing:

• Alwaysspeakclearlyandcalmly,makingsureyoucanbeheardbyallandremembertochangeyourpaceandtone-somestudentsdonothavelongattentionspans!

• Alwayslistentoindividuals,encouragingthemtodiscusstheirideasoraskquestions.

• Askopenquestions,ratherthanclosedonestoencourageandallowfordiscussion(althoughaclosedoneatthestartisagoodwaytofocusattention).

• Varyyourpaceandtone–thisengagesthestudentandaddsenergytowhatyouaresaying.

• Bepositiveinyourattitudeandalwaysgivelotsofpraise.Ifstudentsdon’tgetsomethingrightorunderstanditthoroughly,thenencouragethemtotryagain.Ifitisobviousthattheyreallydon’tknow,thenasksomedirectquestionsthatwillguidethemtowardsthecorrectanswerorunderstanding.

• Whentheclassisworkingonanactivity,makesuretheentireclasshasfinishedanexerciseandgeteveryone’sattentionbeforemovingon!Itispossiblethatsomestudentswillfinishquickerthanotherssoyoumaywanttohaveanextratasklinedupforthiseventuality(theteacherwillbeabletoadviseyouonthis).

• Remembertoadjustthelevelofthelanguagethatyouusewithaclass,tomakesureitiseasilyunderstoodbytheiragegroup.ItmaybeusefultohavetheWordGlossarytohandwhenintheclass,tohelpexplainsomeofthekeywordsinage-appropriatelanguage.YoucandownloaditfromSiemensEducation.

• Befirmbutfair.Giveeveryoneanopportunitytotalkandsharetheirideas.

Childrenandyoungpeoplelearnbestbydoingthingsandbeingabletorelatetotheinformationtheyaregiven.Yourenthusiasmwillbeinfectiousandengagingforthestudentsandhelptoensuretheyenjoythesession.

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