Inspiration Sparkers Has Launched!

We have launched our new competition – Inspiration Sparkers – to celebrate just some of the great teaching talent we have in Kent and to inspire the next generation of STEM Talent. 

The Inspiration Sparkers competition aims to help recruit more Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subject teachers and inspire Kent’s future generations into STEM-based careers. We hope the campaign will help attract more attention to the teacher recruitment campaign and promote Kent as an inspiring place for the next generation of STEM teachers. And, who knows, those teachers could spark inspiration in future world-changing scientists, engineers and tech superstars!

What is the Competition?

Years 7 to 13 pupils in schools across Kent will be encouraged to nominate the STEM teachers they feel have inspired them most in a particular subject, giving an example of how the teachers did this. They’ll share their nominations with their Headteachers, who will submit these to Kent-Teach. An impartial panel of Kent-Teach representatives will judge the entries.

What is the Prize?

The winning pupils will get to design their own firework display alongside firework masters from AJ Pyrotechnics. The fireworks display will be held at their school in Autumn 2022, a fantastic and unique prize! The winning school will also win £1000 of STEM equipment for the school, thanks to our amazing sponsor KCS.

Why Fireworks?

The rocket was developed in Kent, c.1805, by Kent-born inventor William Congreve so there is a rich STEM history in the county. Fireworks are a fun way to engage with young people and to get STEM talked about in the classroom and at home. 

Supervised by the nominated teacher, pupils who’ve submitted the winning nomination will work with fireworks experts, learning about the science behind fireworks and the technology involved in creating a professional display.

How Can I Enter the Competition?

First things first, schools can register for an entry pack via the Kent-Teach website Spark Inspiration page. You will receive an email with guidelines on how to make your nominations, a promotional poster and competition Terms & Conditions.

Once you have received your free entry pack, encourage pupils to think about which teacher(s) they want to nominate and how they have inspired them. 

Are there any of your teachers who’ve taken a different or creative approach using the curriculum to inspire pupils around STEM? 

Is there a teacher who has organised a particular lesson, activity or field trip that has really sparked their pupils’ imagination?  

Perhaps you have an inspirational teacher who has recently joined the teaching profession from a STEM background with real life experiences which galvanise your students and ignite their interest in science and technology?

The next step is for students to create a short video nomination starting with the words, “MY STEM Inspiration Sparker is…….’, naming their nominated teacher and giving their reason why. The video should be recorded in portrait (vertical display) format and sent to Kent-Teach by the Headteacher. Alternatively, pupils can make written nominations, up to 200 words maximum.

Headteachers will submit the nomination(s) on behalf of pupils. They will also check and approve the content and ensure all participants in the video have the relevant consent to appear in videos before submitting any nominations to Kent-Teach. Nominations will need to be emailed to sparkinspiration@kent-teach.com or sent to us via We Transfer. 

How Will Nominations be Scored and Judged? 

Nominations will be judged by competition organisers, Kent-Teach, based on the teaching example given, with bonus points awarded for creativity shown within the format of the nomination. Nominated teachers can submit a supporting a video explaining why they love teaching STEM or working in their chosen STEM field for additional points.

The winners will be contacted by email and will also be announced via social media during the week commencing 11th July 2022.  

So what are you waiting for? Register your school’s interest in the campaign today!

Don’t forget if you are a STEM Teacher, then we have the vacancies for you! Kent-Teach is looking for people to apply for teaching roles from a range of backgrounds. These include people working in science and technology sectors looking for a career change, university graduates with a STEM-based degree, or ex-teachers who might want to return to the profession, as well as those already studying to be STEM teachers.