Purpose: The skillsets of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates are widely recognised to be important for economic prosperity. At the same time, it is broadly accepted that in England there is a need to increase the number of people studying STEM degree courses and working in STEM. However, despite decades of…

The recruitment of undergraduate students in England into teacher education is a recognised challenge with recruitment targets having been missed in nine of the last 10 years. The recruitment shortfalls are most acute within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects. This qualitative study explores which aspects of teaching…

Carol Davenport and Joe Shimwell argue the need for careers education within the primary phase to counter the impact of gender and socioeconomic status on children's career ideas.

This paper is positioned at the junction between the requirements of the manufacturing industry for a significantly increased number of professionally registered engineers in the UK employment pool and the excellent work which is ongoing in and around the education sector to encourage more young people to follow a career in this field. Higher…

Although it is itself a core subject, science seems to receive less priority and designated time on the primary curriculum timetables. Curriculum changes over the years have resulted in science being taught with other subjects as part of cross-curricular topics, rather than as a "stand-alone" subject. This cross-curricular pedagogy in…

The supply of highly qualified scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians is perceived by governments globally as being vital in securing economic prosperity, but somewhere along the line pupils are being "switched off", and disengage with the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) beyond compulsory…

Pupils ask STEM subject teachers about jobs and careers in science, but where else do they learn about work? This article outlines career-related learning within schools in England alongside other factors that influence pupils' career decisions. The effect of the Education Act 2011 will be to change career learning in schools. The impact on…