Building on the project in future

Here are some ideas for building on your Partnership Grants project in the future:

• Crest Awards: This awards scheme, run by the British Science Association, is for science, technology, engineering and maths projects involving 11-19 year-olds. Participation in a Partnership Grants project can count towards a CREST Award; advice on using the two schemes together is available in the case study on The Thomas Hepburn Community School.
• National Science and Engineering Competition: This competition is an opportunity for projects to compete on a national basis. Finalists are invited to showcase their work to around 24,000 students, teachers, journalists and VIPs at The Big Bang Fair, held in March each year.
• STEM Clubs: These clubs allow children to explore, investigate and discover STEM subjects in a stimulating learning environment, away from the constraints of the school timetable or a prescribed curriculum.
• Planet SciCast: This scheme features short films that showcase STEM demonstrations. If you enter the competition, your school might be in with the chance of attending the prestigious awards ceremony.
• Become a business: Several Partnership Grants projects have established themselves as successful businesses, including projects at Writhlington School and Axe Valley Community College.
• Publish research: In December 2010, pupils from Blackawton Primary School in Devon made history by being the first group of school children to publish their research in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Partnership Grants can fund projects like this.