Embedding enterprise in STEM subjects Empowering academics to enhance the curriculum
Embedding enterprise in STEM subjects Empowering academics to enhance the curriculum
University of Sheffield Enterprise Academy ( SEA ) supports academic teaching staff in STEM disciplines and beyond to embed the development of students ’ enterprise capabilities in the taught curriculum . These capabilities are defined in the University as : authentic problem solving , innovation and creativity , risk-taking , taking action , and true collaboration .
Empowering academics Because the SEA empowers academic colleagues to create innovative teaching themselves , the development of enterprise capabilities is always contextualised and embedded within the subject discipline itself . Through this approach , students benefit from deeper subject learning , through seeing their subject in authentic contexts , whilst also developing enterprise capabilities .
Ali Riley Enterprise Education Manager
Ali leads The University of Sheffield Enterprise Academy helping academics embed enterprise capabilities in the taught curriculum
Embedding enterprise within STEM subjects can take a number of different forms . In Biomedical Science , students work on an organ donation awareness campaign using their knowledge of anatomy , which they then ‘ pitch ’ to the NHS . In Chemical and Biological
Engineering , students work directly on authentic problems set by industrial partners such as Fujifilm Diosynth , whilst also exploring the business implications of their decision-making .
Enterprise educators UK The SEA benefits from the University ’ s membership of Enterprise Educators UK ( EEUK – enterprise . ac . uk ). The network shares best practice across the country , through events and key resources such as the ‘ Enhancing The Curriculum ’ Toolkit ( you can find it at : etctoolkit . org . uk ) which contains case studies of embedded enterprise . By working closely with external and industrial partners , students come into contact with potential employers more frequently . The Enterprise Academy is working to bring these benefits to all students , and ensure that all Sheffield Graduates are enterprising . ■
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