We interview Mr Luke Budden about his role in Solefield School as Director of STEM.
1. Describe what your role entails?
My role as Director of STEM (Science, Technology & Maths) entails introducing STEM to both the school’s curricular and extra-curricular program. I look at ways of incorporating the skills required in the subjects in a cross-curricular manner and looking at the possibility of having some specific STEM projects or tasks embedded within the curriculum too. We have set up a number of clubs for the pupils, do an annual STEM week and provide an option for the older pupils in their Scholarship Pathway.
2. How do you see your position benefits Solefield and the pupils?
I think it is an exciting and interesting role that brings new activities and experiences to pupils. The purpose of STEM at Solefield helps the pupils to develop their skills of critical thinking, collaboration and communication – all key skills for life and the work place. It also enables us to tap into the pupils’ interests of construction, building and creation, and helping the pupils to visualise a clear pathway from what we do in school to how these skills could be used in a future career.
3. Can you tell us a little bit about your background and specific areas of interest regarding this new role?
I have always been interested by all aspects contained within STEM. I was a keen scientist and mathematician at school, studying Physics and Maths in particular. This lead to me reading Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University, before I did my PGCE in which I specialised in Computing. My passion for STEM subjects continued into my teaching profession where I have been Head of Science and Head of Maths at a number of previous schools before joining Solefield as Head of Maths. I have always tried to share my passion for these subjects with the students and looked to develop the subject within the school.
4. What were your initial feelings about running STEM at Solefield?
Excitement! I continue to have a great number of ideas on how we can develop STEM at school, making it a dynamic and motivating subject for the pupils, hopefully inspiring many of them to study these subjects as they get older and take up careers in the industry too.
