Dan Powell
Head of Neon, EngineeringUK
Dan is an experienced STEM engagement professional with a robust background in building relationships with organisations and individuals. At EngineeringUK for 6 years, he has played a pivotal role in the development and strategic direction of Neon, a website designed for teachers. His previous experience at the Raspberry Pi Foundation and as a fundraiser has honed his skills in stakeholder engagement and collaboration. He is passionate about Neon because it addresses a significant problem for teachers. It provides a user friendly tool that simplifies their work and enhances their ability to engage students in STEM subjects.
Discover step-by-step guidance for educators on Neon
Dan Powell, Head of Neon, EngineeringUK
We are thrilled to announce the launch of new collections on Neon. This exciting addition to Neon is a result of extensive collaboration with teachers. We used feedback to ensure it meets the needs of schools and provides valuable resources for sustained STEM engagement.
Why we created the collections
We recognise that a single STEM activity, while impactful, may not be enough to foster a lasting interest in engineering among students. Research shows that repeated engagement significantly enhances the impact of STEM activities. With this in mind, we developed the collections to offer a structured approach to STEM education. The collections provide a series of activities and resources that build on each other over time.
Our goal is to make it easier for educators to deliver ongoing STEM engagement, helping students to see the relevance of engineering in their everyday lives and future careers. By offering a sequenced approach, we aim to support teachers in creating a continuous learning journey that keeps students engaged and motivated.
How we developed the collections
The creation of the collections was a collaborative effort involving input from a cohort of teachers and careers professionals. It is based on a review of published evidence in this area that EngineeringUK undertook, leading to a framework with 5 key elements:
- Showcase what engineering and technology can achieve
- Connect students' interests and strengths with engineering jobs
- Challenge stereotypes in engineering
- Provide opportunities for students to develop and use their skills
- Recognise and celebrate these skills
We curated 6 comprehensive collections that include experiences, resources, and case studies. Each collection includes guidance on how and when to implement the activities, making it easy for teachers to integrate them into their curriculum.
Benefits to teachers
The new collections offer several benefits to teachers:
- Structured approach: the sequenced collections provide a clear roadmap for sustained STEM engagement, helping teachers plan and deliver activities that build on each other
- Comprehensive resources: each collection includes a variety of free resources, from hands-on activities to case studies, ensuring that teachers have everything they need to inspire their students
- Flexibility: the collections are designed to be adaptable, allowing teachers to select activities that best meet the needs and interests of their students
- Support for career guidance: by connecting students' interests with engineering careers, the collections help teachers provide meaningful career guidance and support students in exploring their future pathways
How to use the collections
To get started with the collections, teachers can visit Neon and explore the 6 collections. Each collection is designed to be user-friendly, with clear instructions and free resources that complement the activities. Teachers can choose to follow the suggested sequence or adapt the activities to fit their specific classroom needs.
The collections include:
- Introducing engineering careers - use free, quality assured experience and resources over 2 terms
- Engineering for everyone - introduce all students, especially girls to engineering and technology careers
- Tech solutions to climate change careers - showcase engineering and technology careers that use tech solutions to climate change
- Data science and technology careers - introduce students to the exciting world of data science, computer science and meteorology
- Energy careers - plan engaging experiences that explore the energy sector, including renewable energy
- Wales engineering careers - explore STEM careers with experiences available in Wales
Feedback and continuous improvement
We are committed to continuously improving the collections based on feedback from educators. We encourage teachers to share their experiences of using the collections and suggestions for new ones. By working together, we can ensure that the collections remain a valuable tool for inspiring the next generation of engineers.
We look forward to hearing your feedback and continuing to support you in delivering inspiring STEM education.
