It’s already widely known that females are massively underrepresented in STEM education, but what is being done to change this? Currently females make up 28% of the science, engineering, technology and maths workforce, highlighting that males outnumber females in the STEM industry.
What is STEM Education?
STEM education is all about teaching students science, technology, engineering and maths.
Rather than teaching these subjects separately, STEM uses a combined applied approach to encourage and better equip students to consider careers within STEM.
Why is there a lack of females in STEM Education?
There is a noticeable difference between the amount of females and males in STEM education that decreases continually after GCSE level education. After GCSEs, only 35% of females choose to study STEM subjects, with this decreasing to 25% of females choosing to study them at university.
Students, and people more generally, are often misled into thinking that STEM subjects are ‘meant for boys’ which can therefore be off-putting for girls to apply for or sit in classes where they may be one of a few girls or even the only girl in the class.
How can we change this and encourage more girls to apply for STEM subjects and consider a career in the industry?
Improve job satisfaction
Research shows that 1 in 10 girls want a job that makes a contribution to society. Due to this, more should be done to highlight that studying STEM subjects can lead to a career where girls can meet their ambitions to make a contribution to society. This will help close the gender gap by encouraging more girls to study STEM subjects relating to their aspirations.
Showcase more role models in STEM industries
Showcasing more female role models in STEM industries will help encourage girls to consider STEM subjects and careers as they can be inspired by someone more like them. This could be done by including more female role models in school career days.
Furthermore, universities could have more female lecturers, helping encourage girls to pursue university degrees, by providing a female role model that understands the career path they want to pursue.
What problems do females face in STEM industries?
Over half of females in a male dominated STEM workplace have felt some kind of discrimination while at work.
Furthermore, 1 in 5 women stated that, before the Me Too movement, they felt being female had held them back from succeeding at work and gaining promotions.
Women also face problems such as:
- Not receiving promotions – 40% of women have missed out on a promotion that was given to a less qualified male. As a result, women have considered changing employers to attain a promotion.
- Not receiving a good work life balance – Women understand that keeping a work life balance is hard, but they would like more opportunities to balance working and spending time with their family.
- Not receiving equal pay – Men and women tend not to receive equal pay in tech. If they were paid equally, STEM education and careers may attract more women.
What can education and not for profit leaders do to close the gender gap?
Education and not for profit leaders can make small changes to the way schools deliver STEM education to females to help close the gender gap.
For example education and not for profit leaders could:
Generate excitement
Generating excitement around the creative opportunities STEM education can give to females could help encourage them to further study science, technology, engineering and maths.
Excitement can be generated by:
- Decorating classrooms with posters and displays that show how creativity can be utilised within STEM.
- Experiment with ways to debunk myths about STEM and highlight the relevance it has to the real world.
- Share any interesting news, classes, competitions or case studies relating to STEM with students.
Provide hands-on experience
With 47% of women saying they learn best with hands-on experience, it’s important to mix theory with hands-on learning. This allows all types of learners to access teaching in the way that best suits them, helping them thrive in STEM education and making them more likely to study these subjects in further education.
Hands on experience can be provided by:
- Introducing STEM and computer science at an early age.
- Offering STEM clubs and activities during and after school, such as coding and science clubs.
- Offering school trips to STEM related centres and museums.
Encourage a growth mindset
Encouraging a growth mindset among both students and teachers will help to open doors into the STEM industry and encourage teachers to do more to support students going into STEM related subjects.
Encouraging a growth mindset could be done by:
- Encouraging teachers to support students through all areas of the learning process, including asking questions and failures.
- Exploring different ways to implement STEM subjects into learning models, for example including computer science in the learning curriculum.
- Including ‘learn by doing’ apps into classes and homework tasks.
- Reaching out to other schools that are leading the way in STEM education to ask for advice or collaborate on teaching and holding after school STEM related clubs.
How have female positions in STEM education changed since 2015?
In physical sciences and engineering and tech, the percentage of female graduates has increased since 2015, however there has only been a tiny improvement. Similarly, female graduates in mathematical sciences decreased by 1% in 2018/2019 compared to 2015/16. However, female graduates in computer science dropped between 2016 and 2017, but increased to 16% of graduates in 2018/2019.
While it’s great that we’re seeing an increase in female graduates in STEM related subjects, it’s clear that there’s a lot more educators and not for profit organisations can be doing to help encourage more females to enter STEM related subjects.
How can Millennium Point help close the gender gap in STEM education?
The Millennium Point Charitable Trust has created the STEM roundtable to help bring together STEM industries, primary and secondary education, further education and not-for-profits in STEM sectors.
What’s the purpose of the working group?
- To provide a platform for support and communication to facilitate the sharing of ideas and cross-collaboration for the development of STEM projects.
- To shape the future of STEM learning, starting in the West Midlands by making affirmative action that creates positive change in STEM education and industry.
- To reverse current negative STEM trends by bridging the skills gap and ensuring every child has an opportunity to develop a career in STEM.
- To increase home grown STEM talent by creating a legacy that will nurture local and national talent that will allow the UK to be a major competitor on the global stage.
Millennium Point’s 2024 Scholarship application is now open. For more information on how to apply or get involved in the Scholarship program please visit www.millenniumpoint.org.uk/scholarship.
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we thought we would share our special offer to treat that special person in your life this year.
Whether it’s a friend, partner, or family, purchase tickets to our Greatest Showman with Wine event before the 17th February and we’ll give each guest a mini bottle of prosecco to enjoy before the event. What’s not to love?
Millennium Point have once again teamed up with innovative event specialists The Wine & Events Company to present a fun and unique showing of the smash hit musical, The Greatest Showman, alongside five wines and a very big screen.
Tickets are just £33.95 (plus fees) and takes place Saturday 22nd April at 7pm and available for purchase on Eventbrite.
‘So why don’t we rewrite the stars?’
Orphaned, penniless, but ambitious -and with a mind crammed with imagination and fresh ideas, the American entertainer, Phineas Taylor Barnum (Hugh Jackman), will always be remembered as the Mn with the gift to blue the line between reality and fiction. Thirsty for innovation and hungry for success, the son of a tailor manages to open a wax museum; however, he soon shifts focus to the unique and the peculiar, introducing extraordinary, never-seen-before, live acts on the circus stage. Now, some people call Barnum’s rich collection of oddities, an outright freakshow, but when Phineas, obsessed for cheers and respectability, gambles everything on the opera singer, Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson), to appeal to a high-brow audience, he will lose sight of the most crucial aspect of his life, his family. Will Barnum, the greatest showman, risk it all to be accepted?
‘I wish for happiness like this forever’, you after five wines, probably
Tickets are priced at £33.95 (plus fees) and you’ll get more than just a screening!
The Greatest Showman on a very big screen
Hosted in our giant screen Auditorium – previously the region’s biggest and best IMAX – our host Tony Elvin, from film geeks The Wine and Events Company, will be providing entertainment and movie trivia throughout. For example, did you know Zendaya did all her own trapeze stunts? We definitely won’t be trying that on the night!
Along with all of this, the film will be paused at intervals so you can enjoy five themed wines.
Getting to Millennium Point
Millennium Point is in the Eastside of Birmingham City Centre just 5 minutes’ walk from Moor Street and 15 minutes’ walk from Grand Central and the tram. There is also limited parking on-site which means we’re easy to get to regardless of how you travel. For more information, please click here.
Feel the love this Valentines Day when booking your event with 20% off room hire when booking with Millennium Point.
With a versatile range of both public and private spaces for hire, Millennium Point is the ideal location for exhibition and networking, launches and banqueting, and interviews and performances. The five-storey central Atrium provides a modern public setting with high footfall, whilst connect provides a discreet setting for private meetings and events, and our auditorium is the perfect location for film screenings, award ceremonies, conferences, lectures, product launches, and AGM’s.
T&C’s – Event bookings must take place between 10th July and 30th September 2023. All bookings must be confirmed by the 31st March 2023. To apply the discount quote MPLOVE23 in your enquiry.
Loved by our customers, Auditorium
A great alternative to cabaret and accommodating up to 354 delegates, Auditorium at Millennium Point is the perfect location for conferences, lectures, product launches, AGM’s, award ceremonies and film screenings. Featuring a 30m2 stage and a giant screen with a projector that can show up to 4k, this space is perfect for making a big impression. With tiered seating, your guests will always have clear sight of the stage ensuring they won’t miss anything during your event.
The space has multiple branding opportunities such as changing light settings to match your brand colours to truly make it tailored to you. In addition to your booking add digital screen sets to your event to really promote your brand during the event.
Auditorium is also equipped with the latest range of hybrid and live streaming capabilities. By choosing the Auditorium Hybrid Conference package you widen the scope, impact, and profit of your event by increasing the number of delegates beyond the physical capacity of the venue. Your event can reach out to new audiences who can engage with your event wherever they are around the globe.
Ask a member of our friendly events team for a site visit and bring your laptop, we guarantee that seeing your content on our giant screen will blow your mind.
Build a partnership in Connect
Connect is a mini venue all on its own. There is Connect Event Space and Connect 1-3. Hire them all or pick and choose what works for your event.
Connect Event Space is a truly flexible approach to meetings and conferences, Connect Event Space provides the latest in AV and presentation facilities and high speed wi-fi for up to 85 guests. There are different set ups available and seating arrangements allowing you to be able to reach your audience how you want.
The retractable walls ensure you can create the ideal solution for presentations, meetings, workshops, training, and away days.
On the opposite side of the welcome space is the flexible Connect 1-3 Meeting Rooms. They offer a high-end environment for a range of events including board meetings, interviews, seminars, and away days. The three interconnected rooms offer a selection of layouts for up to 40 guests as well as benefiting from integrated screen and presentation facilities. Moveable walls allow you to create the space you need for your event; each section has their own doors and presentation facilities.
Impress your guests in Atrium
Atrium is a visually impressive, open-plan public space, ideal for exhibitions, career fairs, product displays, brand activation and pop-up performances. Located on the ground floor of Millennium Point, the 420 square metre contemporary space provides the perfect backdrop for your event.
Atrium is perfect for exhibition stands creating a nice space for footfall to flow through. Previous events have seen footfall of 2,000 in one day, giving your event the exposure to make it an event to remember. Atrium can host up to 50 exhibition stands, 350 banqueting or 500 standing.
Truly versatile, depending on when you book your event, Atrium will give guests a different experience. In the past Atrium has been home to a 39ft Christmas tree, creating the perfect scene for festive and end of year events. More recently a seven meter in diameter art installation of the world gave guests an out of this world experience. These are just some of the things Millennium Point do to give your events the extra wow factor. But at its core, Atrium can be customised and transformed to make your event your very own.
Let’s talk
Millennium Point offer a range of flexible packages to suit the requirements, scale, and budget of clients, including healthier and more sustainable catering options.
With over 40 years combined experience, the events team ensures clients are supported for a smooth experience from start to finish.
Get in touch with the team today by emailing e[email protected] or call on 0121 202 2200 and see how they can make your next event a success.
Bursaries and scholarships are both great ways to support students financially while they’re at university, however bursaries and scholarships are often confused as being the same thing.
Both scholarships and bursaries are given out to help students financially without the need for them to pay them back.
This blog will explore the difference between a scholarship and a bursary and how you can make the most of them.
What’s a scholarship?
Scholarships usually come from independent third parties and universities to help students accelerate their education by offering financial aid. They often place focus on academic excellence.
Eligibility may include:
- Academic achievements.
- Personal circumstances, such as where you live or religious background.
- Musical achievements.
- Sporting achievements.
What’s a bursary?
Bursaries are usually offered to those with financial needs to help cover education costs or one off payments to help with living costs.
Criteria students need to meet to receive a bursary:
- They are a home or EU student.
- Their income is less than £25,000.
- They’re household income is between £25,001 – £42,611.
- They have a disability or long term health condition where Disability Living Allowance (DLA) isn’t available.
- They’re working or studying away from their university.
- They have previously been in care.
- They’re a carer for an adult or child.
- They’re living in a hostel or student accommodation.
Despite this criteria, some bursaries may not be available to:
- Part time students.
- Postgraduate students.
- NHS sponsored or funded students.
- Students on placement years, years abroad or sandwich years.
- Students who are paying reduced tuition fees.
Tips on applying for a scholarship or bursary
Applying for a scholarship or bursary can be very stressful, as you want to get everything right. But with these 7 tips, you’ll find applying for a scholarship or bursary easier than ever.
Consider your chances
When applying for a scholarship or bursary it’s important to consider your chances. For example, if your parents earn a high income you’re unlikely to receive a bursary. However you may be eligible for scholarships relating to academic or musical achievements.
You should also look at the value of the award and how many are available, to help you understand how likely you are to receive it.
Check if you need to apply and whether there’s a deadline
Scholarships often require you to fill out an application to see whether you’re eligible and a good fit for the award. However bursaries tend to be automatically awarded as a result of personal circumstances or grade achievements.
If you need to fill out an application for an award, then you’re likely to need to have a place confirmed at a university. Due to this you should keep an eye on application deadlines to ensure you apply on time and give yourself the best possible chance.
Look at key dates and when you may be successful
When you’re applying to a scholarship you should look at the eligibility, how to apply and when you’re meant to hear if you’re successful.
In terms of bursaries depending on income or personal circumstances, you’re likely to know whether you’re eligible for a bursary when you get your student finance assessment.
Share your information with student finance
When you apply for your student loan you should tick the box that allows student finance to share your information with universities. This allows them to judge whether you’re eligible for any scholarships or bursaries.
Look out for other opportunities
You can keep an eye out for any new scholarships or bursaries when you visit university open days or interviews. Clearing is also a great time to look out for scholarships or bursaries as some universities may make increases to fill application places.
Take pride in your application
When completing an application it’s important that you take the time and effort to fill it out properly. You should check for any errors and ensure you answer all questions honestly and accurately.
Furthermore, if you’re having difficulty answering or understanding any questions in the application, there’s no harm in contacting the university or provider for help.
Be realistic
When applying or thinking about applying for a bursary or grant you should consider whether you want to attend a university because you like it or because you like the award they offer. If it’s the latter, it isn’t wise to attend a university you’re not interested in and you should consider other options.
Types of scholarship or bursary
Scholarships are usually awarded for merit based and talent based achievements, whereas bursaries are usually awarded on a need basis.
Types of scholarships
- Musical scholarships
- Sport scholarships
- Personal circumstance scholarships
- Vocational scholarships (offered by businesses)
Types of bursary
- Bursaries based on grade achievements
- Personal circumstance bursaries, such as those with difficult backgrounds or live in a low income household.
Benefits
Scholarships tend to offer an automatic reduction or cover entire tuition fees and can also offer discounts alongside annual, term-wise or one-off payments for living costs.
Whereas bursaries offer money to cover education costs or one off payments to help with living costs.
Despite scholarships and bursaries offering awards for different reasons they have a number of similar benefits, such as:
- Reduced financial burden.
- Ability to focus on education without worrying about income.
- They show that you’re hard working and determined.
- They highlight that you’re accomplished and make your CV stand out.
Millennium Point’s scholarship
Millennium Point Trust has partnered with Birmingham City University to offer a scholarship where one undergraduate degree is paid for each year.
With over 20 courses included in the scholarship there’s lots to choose from. However the application deadline closes on the 17th March 2023. To apply for the scholarship, visit our website today.
How to apply
You’re eligible to apply to the scholarship if you’re 18 and planning on starting university by September 2023. You must be within the West Midlands Combined Authority and looking to start a degree included within the scholarship list.
Eligible degree courses include:
Engineering
- Automotive Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Built environment
- Architectural Technology
- Building Surveying
- Construction Management
- Quantity Surveying
- Real Estate
Digital Technology
- Digital Media Computing
- Digital Film Production
- Visual Effects
- Music Technology
- Sound Engineering and Production
Computing
- Business Information Technology
- Computer Games Technology
- Computer Networks and Security
- Computer Science
- Digital Forensics
- Computing and Information Technology
- Cyber Security
- Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence
The application has two stages with the second stage being an assessment day where you’ll participate in developmental workshops.
For further advice on applying for a scholarship, read our helpful guide here.
Going to university can be really expensive and it can be really hard to fund your university experience. However, scholarships are a great way to help students by supporting them financially.
If you’re a student and looking for extra financial support during your university years, you may have assumed that you’re not eligible for a scholarship, however you may be surprised at the types of scholarships some organisations offer.
This blog will explore everything you need to know about scholarships and how you can apply.
What is a scholarship?
Scholarships are a form of financial aid given to students to help accelerate their education. They usually come from independent third parties and universities and students don’t need to pay them back.
Who can apply for a scholarship?
There are various reasons why you may be able to apply for a scholarship, including:
- If you’ve done well in your exams or other academic work.
- If you have an extracurricular talent such as a musical instrument or sport.
- If you’re the first person in your family to go to university.
- If you’re in financial need.
- If you have a disability.
Types of scholarships you can apply for
It’s often assumed that scholarships are only for typically academic subjects, however this isn’t true. Scholarships are available for a variety of reasons and subjects.
Here are some examples of the types of scholarships available:
- Academic Excellence Scholarships – Some universities offer money for achieving certain A-level grades to help support students further.
- Musical Scholarships – offered for those with musical talents.
- Personal circumstances – This can be based on where you live, where you go to school and what your parents do.
- Financial need – offers money for those who are in financial need and may not be able to attend university without it.
- Sporting achievement – Usually offered to those with high achievements in sport to help universities attract the best talent.
Scholarships at Millennium Point
Millennium Point has partnered with Birmingham City University to give a fully funded Undergraduate degree at their Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.
Visit our website to apply for the 2023/2024 applications today.
Key dates
- Application open date update – 9th January 2023
- Scholarship Application deadline – 17th March 2023
- Assessment day at Millennium Point – To be confirmed
What courses are included?
Multiple courses are included in our scholarship partnership with Birmingham City University, such as:
- Engineering
- Built Environment
- Digital Technology
- Computing
Are you eligible?
To be eligible for our scholarship you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- You live in the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) of the United Kingdom.
- You will be 18 and looking to start an undergraduate degree in September 2023.
- Your course is included in our list.
- You don’t already have an undergraduate or above qualification.
- You’re not currently studying an undergraduate or above qualification.
- You meet the entry requirements for your chosen course – you can find this out on the BCU website.
How can you apply for the scholarship?
You are currently able to apply for the scholarship through our online application form. The form will consist of a few questions about you and why you think you should be chosen for our scholarship in partnership with Birmingham City University.
The application process has two stages, with the final stage being an assessment day and the chosen candidate getting their university tuition paid for in the form of a grant.
Visit our website today to learn more about the application process and whether you’re eligible.
Applications are now open once again for the life changing scholarship. In partnership with Birmingham City University each year Millennium Point Trust fund an undergraduate degree at BCU.
There are over 20 courses to choose from included in the scholarship.
Update: Keep an eye out for 2024’s application, opening Monday 8th January 2024.
Hatem impressed judges last year and secured Scholarship victory
Hatem was currently studying an Extended Diploma in IT (Network and Security) at Solihull College and had ambitions to study Computer Science at university. Information of the Millennium Point Scholarship landed in Hatem’s inbox, where he knew straight away, he had nothing to lose by applying.
In Hatem’s application he made it clear how much winning the Scholarship would mean to him, his great passion for computers and his mission to use computing and technology to better lives. The Millennium Point Charitable Trust team were hugely impressed with Hatem’s application and selected him along with four other finalists.
All the finalises attended an assessment day at Millennium Point, where they each presented to a panel of five judges, Hatem impressed the panel the most and was selected as the lucky winner of last year’s Scholarship, which has already helped launch the careers of seven outstanding STEM students. Hatem’s degree in Computer Science at Birmingham City University (BCU) started in September 2022.
Applying is easy and simple
The competition is open to you if you are 18 by, and looking to start an undergraduate degree in September 2023 and within the West Midlands Combined Authority, who are looking to start a qualifying degree in September 2023.
Read the application form carefully and start to answer each question. Think about why you want to study your chosen degree and what you want to do in the future. Also discuss any personal attributes and skills that could help you be the next winner of the Scholarship.
It’s a two-stage application, with the final stage being an assessment day. If you make it to the final, you will be invited to participate in developmental workshops. These will focus on supporting our personal development and professionalism in both interview and presentation skills.
We’re here to help you every step of the way
We want everyone to have the best chance of success when applying for our Scholarship scheme, and sometimes bigging yourself up can be a little daunting. That’s why we have created a helpful guide to aid you through your application. Keep an eye out on our social media for any new blogs, videos or resources that can help further.
You can always contact our friendly Trust team for any other enquiries you may have.
Unlock your student’s future by getting your school involved
Get your school involved and spread the word about the Scholarship. Tell parents, young people, teachers, and colleagues. The bigger it gets, the more impact we can make together.
We have created a Teacher’s Portal with assets and information that can help you provide students information on how to apply.
Are you a business wanting to get involved? Visit our Business Portal here. We’re always looking out to collaborate with businesses and professionals on the MP Trust Scholarship.
Why do we do this?
At Millennium Point we believe that STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is important for the future of the region. Now, more than ever young people need our support and encouragement for them to unlock their potential. The scholarship is just one of the ways we can provide support to help them achieve people’s goals.
Apply today to start your Scholarship journey
Applications are now open with the deadline on Friday 17th March 2023, apply now and see what you can achieve!
2024 update – 2024’s applications open Monday 8th January 2024.
Due to the impact of Covid and the increasing number of people working from home, hybrid events are on the rise to accommodate everyone’s needs. With many businesses finding leads through networking, it’s important to find a way to meet people online, therefore causing an increase in hybrid networking events.
What is a hybrid event?
Hybrid events combine both in person attendance and virtual presence to ensure as many people can attend as possible. Due to this it’s important to choose the right streaming service for you.
is a great way to host a hybrid event, as it can provide easy access for guests. Some platforms will allow you to stream directly through them and others, such as Vimeo and YouTube, will need you to use third parties.
Connecting the in person audience and virtual audience
Due to many people attending events to network, it’s important to bridge the gap between in person and virtual attendees, to help give valuable experiences.
Different platforms will allow you to host polls, breakout rooms, direct messaging and digital business card exchanges, allowing both virtual and in person attendees to interact with each other.
Ensuring your in person audience brings devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones, will allow them to interact with others through digital chats. Furthermore, including Q&A’s and opportunities for attendees to get to know each other will allow people to stay engaged throughout your event.
Benefits of a hybrid event
Below are a few benefits hybrid events have for your company:
- Increased reach and attendance
- Increased engagement between your company and audience
- Improved return on investment
- More flexibility
- Hybrid events show that you care about your audience’s needs
Tips for planning a hybrid event
When considering hosting a hybrid event it’s important to plan the event properly to ensure it runs smoothly and engages your audiences.
Here are a few tips for planning your next hybrid event.
Give attendees control
During Covid, everyone lost control over their own lives, making it important to people that they can make their own choices now.
Hybrid events allow people to choose whether they want to attend in person or virtually, allowing them to feel as though they have made decisions that suit them best.
Providing chat boxes and breakout rooms can also give attendees the opportunity to decide whether they want to engage further with the event by asking hosts questions and engaging with others.
Ensure your event location provides everything you need
It’s important to find an event location that meets your needs and allows your event to run smoothly.
Below are a few questions you should ask yourself when searching for the right location:
- Has the venue got high speed wifi to help you avoid buffering?
- Does the location have projectors and speakers or do you need to provide them yourself?
- Do they provide catering options?
- Does the event provide easy access for guests and loading equipment?
- Do they provide camera and recording equipment or do you need to provide this yourself?
Make your in person attendees feel safe
When hosting an event it’s important to make your attendees feel safe. You can do this by communicating clearly before and during the event about how the day will run and any rules they may need to follow, such as whether you have any Covid safety or fire safety requirements.
Providing information on whether attendees will be recorded or photographed is also important as you need to give people the opportunity to opt out.
Don’t forget to record your event!
Recording your event allows attendees to re-watch the event or let those who couldn’t attend, watch it in their spare time.
Recording the event also allows people to share it with others, helping you gain more business leads and interact with a wider audience.
Choosing Millennium Point to host your hybrid event
Here at Millennium Point, we pride ourselves on our forward thinking approach. We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to improve our client’s events.
Contact us today to see how we can help you host your hybrid event. You can even use our own streaming platform and cameras to host and record your event for guests!
Here at Millennium Point we offer grant funding to help support companies and charities improve engagement within STEM related subjects.
Below are a few examples of Schools Millennium Point has helped through grants and funding.
Longwill School for the Deaf – Sensory STEM
Longwill is based in Northfield, Birmingham and is a specialist school for deaf children aged between 2 and 11. The school is underpinned by a sign-bilingual philosophy that encourages the fullest possible development through early communication.
What challenge did Longwill face?
The school came to us wanting help to create ways for pupils to develop an interest and understanding in science through using speech and sign language. The small grant is being used to purchase 10 visualises and compound microscopes which are high impact learning tools. These can be used in STEM lessons to magnify flowers, leaves, skeletons or fossils onto screens to help children develop a scientific understanding.
What impact has this made?
This has given 50 children between 3 and 11 the opportunity to engage in scientific activities in ways they previously hadn’t been able to.
The school received a small grant as they presented an outside-of-the-box approach to inspiring children with disabilities to engage with STEM subjects.
To read more about the Longwill School for Deaf, click here.
Aston Villa Foundation – ‘STEM Stars’
The Aston Villa Foundation is a registered charity in charge of the community and social responsibility work of Aston Villa Football Club. Their mission is ‘working together to enrich lives’. They work with a variety of backgrounds in Birmingham and support Aston Villa’s wider family as well.
What did the foundation need help with?
STEM Stars introduced a new STEM programme in six schools within a 3 mile radius of Villa Park, where funding will be used to buy a Sphero robot package to help teach young people coding through using football.
The programme aims to encourage young people to better engage with STEM education and raise aspirational levels, as the areas around Villa Park are both educationally and income deprived.
What impact has this made?
The STEM programme has allowed young people to engage with computer science in ways they wouldn’t previously be able to access.
The programme gained a small grant as they identified key problems in the area while providing imaginative solutions to STEM related issues.
To read more about the Aston Villa foundation, click here.
Ahead Partnership – STEMfestWM
Ahead Partnership is a leading social enterprise aiming to connect children with employers to promote education and employability while raising awareness of STEM careers.
The project
The project involves a week-long festival with employers and 250 students chosen from secondary schools and FE sixth forms/colleges across the West Midlands. The festival aims to enthuse young people in STEM and build a stronger talent pipeline.
What impact has this made?
The project impacted 250 pupils, 16 schools and 2 further education colleges. Students have also developed confidence through participating in events and have developed an understanding of how their learning links to different careers.
The partnership gained a small grant due to its extensive portfolio of successes in engaging young people in education and equipping them with the skills and links needed for the industry.
To learn more about the Ahead Partnership, click here.
Trinity School – STEM Room
Trinity High School is a co-educational academy school for 13-18 year olds located in central Redditch.
The challenge
Students at the school are highly interested in STEM, however the school was previously unable to provide them the resources they needed. The solution to this was to transform an old art room into a new STEM room, fitted with computers and CAD/CAM machinery to provide learning within ICT, Maths and Science.
What impact has this made?
The project has enhanced teaching of the STEM curriculum and has allowed the school to expand their after school STEM activities. The room is also being used as a STEM learning hub for other schools, helping to expand STEM skills across the area.
The school gained a small grant due to them demonstrating how the project would impact both the school and the wider community.
To learn more about Trinity high school’s STEM project, click here.
King Solomon International Business School: Breaking the barriers to STEM
King Solomon International Business School is Birmingham’s first Christian free school with 1,200 students aged 4-19.
The school aims to close the diversity gap through a fully realised STEM programme of extracurricular activities, helping encourage students to consider a STEM career path.
How did we help to fund this programme?
Millennium Point has helped fund multiple extracurricular activities, including:
- Code club – an after school club helping children get involved in coding; teaching HTML, Java, CCS and more.
- Eco-friendly wildlife sensory garden – helps students explore wildlife in a practical way. The code club will also create QR codes that students can scan next to plants to learn more about them.
- Equipment – provided for maths and science experiments.
- Excursions – helped provide funding for a range of STEM related trips. Trips have included ThinkTank, Jaguar Land Rover Wolverhampton and the Birmingham Botanical gardens.
What impact did this have?
The projects aim to engage everyone in the school in STEM related activities, having a positive impact on 1,200 students between 4 and 19 years old.
The school gained a small grant as King Solomon School demonstrated a clear passion for STEM and provided a clear objective for increasing diversity in STEM.
To learn more about the King Solomon project click here.
To learn more about how Millennium Point’s grants can help you impact STEM education, get in touch with us today.
Applications for life changing scholarship open next month on Monday 9th January 2023. In partnership with Birmingham City University each year Millennium Point Trust fund an undergraduate degree at BCU.
There are over 20 courses to choose from included in the scholarship. The deadline is on Friday 31st March 2023, meaning plenty of time to complete the application.
Hatem impressed judges last year with his passion for Computer Science
Hatem was studying at Solihull College with ambitions to study Computer Science at university. In Hatem’s application he made it clear how much winning the Scholarship would mean to him, his great passion for computers and his mission to use computing and technology to better lives. The Millennium Point Trust team were hugely impressed with Hatem’s application and selected him along with four other finalists.
All the finalists attended an assessment day at Millennium Point, where they each presented to a panel of five judges, Hatem impressed the panel the most and was selected as the lucky winner of this year’s Scholarship, which has already helped launch the careers of seven outstanding STEM students. Hatem has since started his Computer Science degree at Birmingham City University that started in September 2022.
Applying is easy and simple
The competition is open to applicants aged 17 and over within the West Midlands Combined authority, who are looking to start a qualifying degree in September 2023.
Read the application form carefully and start to answer each question. Think about why you want to study your chosen degree and what you want to do in the future. Also discuss any personal attributes and skills that could help you be the next winner of the Scholarship.
It’s a two-stage application, with the final stage being an assessment day. If you make to the final, you will be invited to participate in developmental workshops that will focus on supporting our personal development and professionalism in both interview and presentation skills.
We’re here to help you every step of the way
We want everyone to have the best chance of success when applying for our scholarship scheme, and sometimes bigging yourself up can be a little daunting. That’s why we have created a helpful guide to aid you through your application. Keep an eye out on our social media for any new blogs, videos or resources that can help further.
You can always contact our friendly Trust team for any other enquiries you may have.
Unlock your student’s future by getting your school involved
Get your school involved and spread the word about the scholarship. Tell parents, students, teachers, and colleagues. The bigger it gets, the more impact we can make together.
We have created a teacher’s portal with assets and information that can help you provide students information on how to apply.
Are you a business wanting to get involved? Visit our business portal here. We’re always on the lookout to collaborate with businesses and professionals on the Millennium Point Trust scholarship.
Why do we do this?
At Millennium Point we believe that STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is important for the future of the region. Now, more than ever young people need our support and encouragement for them to unlock their potential. The scholarship is just one of the ways we can provide support to help them achieve people’s goals.
Learn more about Millennium Point Trust
Our multi-award-winning charitable trust invests on average £4.8m each year towards furthering Stem education within the West Midlands.
Over the years we have provided funding to scholarships, grants and projects that benefit the region. Find out more about our Trust in our brand-new brochure here.
Keep up to date when scholarships go live
Applications open on 9th January 2023 and end 31st March 2023, bookmark our scholarship page and get ready to see what you can achieve!
After a hugely successful event last year, St Basils returned to Millennium Point on Friday 25th November to host their annual big sleepout. The event took place in our Cinema Square car park and was once again successful at raising funds to help end youth homelessness.
The St Basils Big Sleepout is the oldest, longest running event of its kind. It’s one of St Basils most popular events among their community, with volunteers challenged with sleeping out in the cold during winter to understand the difficulties that homeless people go through on a daily basis.
How St Basils are doing their bit to beat homelessness
St Basils work with young people ages 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to enable them to find and keep a home, grow their confidence, develop their skills, increase opportunities, and prevent homelessness.
This year St Basils announced the annual event had amazingly raised £62,000 and funds are still coming in.
A community united
It was fantastic to see so many organisations braving the cold and taking part in the event, 400 individuals settled in for the night in cardboard boxes all to raise funds for the good cause. Throughout the night volunteers took part in the much loved Creative Cardboard Competition for the best dwelling, with a prize given to the lucky winner. The cardboard boxes were provided by Schumacher, who have been providing packaging for the sleepout for over 15 years.
Much needed warmth was delivered with free vegan curry and hot drinks provided by the Langar Aid project.
Fundraisers were also entertained during the night by The Band of the West Midlands Fire Services to keep spirits high on a very cold evening.
Couldn’t make it to the sleepout? You can still make a difference
It costs £5 a day to support a young person and keep them at a St Basils project. Supporters can make a one-off donation here. Help change a young person’s life for the better today.