eSTEeM Seminar Series: Scholarship Showcase - July 2026

Impact of introducing new practical and dataset project options to the science project module (S390)

Hannah Gauci, Julie Robson, Janette Wallace and Jon Golding

Prior to 2021 students studying the biology and health (SXL390) and environmental science (SXE390) strands of S390 completed literature review and field work projects, respectively. In response to external factors (the Covid-19 pandemic and RSB accreditation requirements), the range of project options available to students on both strands was expanded to include both primary- and secondary data-based projects. Students' achievement and experience, along with tutor experience were compared between the different project options across two presentations (2021 and 2022). A summary of our findings will be presented.

Open WIDE – an inclusive approach to extracurricular events in engineering

Fiona Gleed and Claudia Eckert

The UK requires an enlarged engineering workforce with diverse skills to address climate change and other challenges of the 21st century. Increasing the diversity of the profession can make an important contribution to meeting this requirement, boosting both the number of engineers and the range of skills. As one of the largest providers of Undergraduate Engineering Education in the UK, The Open University has a significant role to play in recruiting students from under-represented groups and supporting their progression through our qualifications and on into professional engineering employment. Our eSTEeM scholarship project started with a focus on one of those groups – women in engineering, currently less than 20% of our students - but identified opportunities to improve extracurricular activity for all our engineering students.

Registration

This event is open to OU staff, please visit the registration form to register.