Develop sustained, high impact STEM engagement with schools
EngineeringUK has launched a new sustained STEM engagement framework to support organisations designing and delivering STEM outreach with schools. The framework responds to evidence showing that multiple, planned engagements have a far greater impact on young people’s aspirations, confidence and pathways into STEM.
Why sustained engagement matters
Research into STEM identity, science capital and career development consistently shows that young people benefit most when STEM engagement builds over time. Repeated experiences help students develop confidence, a sense of belonging in STEM and a clearer understanding of future pathways.
For outreach providers and employers, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. How to move beyond isolated activities and contribute to joined up, long term provision that genuinely supports schools and young people.
About the sustained STEM engagement framework
EngineeringUK’s sustained STEM engagement framework provides an evidence-based structure to plan STEM activity across a student’s educational journey, from primary school to post 14 decision making.
The framework brings together 3 interacting levels:
- career aspiration development, reflecting how young people’s thinking about careers develops over time
- STEM identity formation, including interest, confidence, and a sense of belonging in STEM
- experiences that build STEM identities and STEM capital across classrooms, enrichment, careers provision and wider learning environments
Crucially, the framework adopts both a longitudinal and learning ecology approach. Recognising that young people’s STEM journeys are shaped by experiences in school, at home, in the community and through engagement with employers.
What this means for employers and outreach providers
The framework is designed to help organisations:
- position their activities within a broader, age appropriate journey rather than as standalone experiences
- understand what types of engagement are most valuable at different ages
- align outreach activity more effectively with schools’ needs, priorities and statutory responsibilities
- strengthen collaboration with educators, Careers Leaders and other partners
By using the framework, employers can better demonstrate how their programmes contribute to longer term outcomes, not just short term inspiration.
A practical working example
Alongside the framework, we've developed a worked example. It shows how a range of EUK Education programmes and activities can be mapped across primary aged pupils, students ages 11 to 14 and students aged 14 and over.
The example illustrates how classroom activities, extra curricular programmes, careers encounters and employer engagement can work together to build cumulative impact over time.
Where relevant, activities align with the Gatsby Benchmarks, Provider Access Legislation and the equalex framework, helping organisations support schools to meet national standards and expectations.
Download the framework
The framework is not intended as a fixed model, but as a tool for reflection, discussion and collaboration. By taking a shared, long-term view, organisations can play a more strategic role in supporting young people into engineering and technology. It will help to make sure that outreach activity delivers meaningful, lasting impact.
By taking a shared, long-term view, organisations can play a more strategic role in supporting young people into engineering and technology and help ensure outreach activity delivers meaningful, lasting impact.
