The NUSTEM Approach: Tackling the Engineering and Gender Challenge Together from Early Years to Sixth Form and beyond

Despite significant investment in initiatives to increase participation and diversity in physical and computer sciences, technology and engineering, there has not been a corresponding increase in the number of young people choosing these subjects, and a strong gender imbalance remains. NUSTEM, a collaborative widening participation and outreach initiative at Northumbria University, believes a radical rethink is necessary to solve this engineering challenge. NUSTEM is investing in the next generation by working extensively with young people and their key influencers: parents, carers and teachers, from primary school to sixth form and beyond. Building on their own original research and experience combined with previous research and recommendation from others, NUSTEM has developed an innovative model of practice and theory of change. This paper identifies the evidence that has informed the development of the approach and outlines three key requirements for increasing the uptake of physical and computer sciences, technology and engineering by young people from under-represented groups.