WEEK 1
As an introduction to the project, the Year 7s were tasked with finding out just what STEM was. This also gave them an opportunity to explore on the Apple Macs we use in Media Studies.
Individually, each student made a presentation and researched Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
The group of eight was split into two teams of four, with the intention to start an Apprentice-style task, both teams competing against each other to create rival media campaigns with a STEM focus.
As well as researching what opportunities there are in school and beyond relating to STEM, the teams researched different examples of successful media campaigns.
Alfie’s moodboard researching KFC marketing.
Holly researched Apple as a company.
The next task for each team was to come up with a team name before launching their media campaigns. So it was thus, the project would proceed as TEAM STEMPEDE vs. THE STEMGINEERS.
WEEK 2
The group learned all about brand identity and continued their research into famous companies, what made them successful, and different marketing methods employed to ensure this success.
They learned about the importance of branding, synergy and the power of company logos and slogans. Then they set about designing logos and started to think about a brand identity for their teams.
There was a relentlessness to the theme for this team’s logo, who’s name was a play on words about the immediacy of STEM. The footprints reflected this and the elongated lettering gave it a slick design.
The STEMgineers incorporated the Marden badge into their logo, replacing symbols with recognisable STEM imagery and incorporating their slogan, ‘STEM careers for you’
WEEK 3
With team names, a logo and a theme in place, each individual began working on a campaign poster, but with the intention that they fit the brand identity of their team.
Both teams of four decided to split their posters into the four main strands of STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, delegating individual responsibility but with a group goal in sight. For most of the Year 7s it was also an opportunity to experiment with some tricky graphic design software, using Adobe Photoshop for the very first time.
The STEMgineers included a lot of colour in their posters, used the same font throughout, and clearly differentiated the different strands through the use of imagery.
Team Stempede went for a slick design, utilising the team logo and slogan in the same place on each poster, and introducing one bold image and a distinct colour scheme.
WEEK 4
In just two lessons, both teams managed to film and edit short campaign videos, giving them the opportunity to use cameras, tripods and editing software on the Apple Macs.
Alfie and Holly explain their campaign slogan.
All students worked individually once again, taking different topics and assigning different roles in the editing process, before teaming up to merge their solo videos together. Imogen and Jenny from Team Stempede focused on their campaign to highlight the efforts of women in STEM, whilst Max and Cory sourced the music and gave an overview of different jobs using titles.
The Stemgineers discussed the varying careers available in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, and interviewed their peers with a BBC-style news report.
Then in their final lesson both teams tied the whole project together by preparing rival presentations, outlining everything they have done over the weeks, and what they have learned about careers in STEM.
Team Stempede present their campaign video to the staff panel.
Working to a tight deadline, they presented to a panel of four staff, who were incredibly impressed with all the work put in during the eleven-lesson project. Well done Year 7!
