Siemens Healthcare has launched a range of new online resources to support teachers with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The new materials also support lesson workshops for personal, social and health education (PSHE) curricula.
The tools aimed at teachers and pupils in KS2, KS3 and KS4 (seven to 16 years), provide an introduction to medical technology including MRI, X-ray, fluoroscopy and ultrasound, how they are used to help patients and detail the technology behind them. The tools are designed to enrich and enhance teaching and learning when exploring healthcare topics.
The tools include lesson plans that incorporate a range of engaging activities including an introduction to a unique downloadable MRI Scan App to provide students with a 360o virtual MRI scan experience. The app also enables students to simulate scanning items, find out more about the steps from referral to results, and answer questions about the technology and processes involved.
“Siemens is committed to raising the aspirations of young people within STEM fields and has built on the tools available to engage pupils with healthcare topics. As a leading force within the technology sector, Siemens is dedicated to helping enrich and enhance schools across the UK with a range of free resources,” states Laura Bennett, Communications and Government Affairs Manager at Siemens plc. “The new tools provide a wealth of valuable information, but also hands-on tasks to help put theory into practice. This includes a cardboard cut-out MRI scanner for pupils to build and discuss that we hope will help to bring excitement and creativity around healthcare topics in the classroom.”
The lesson plans also contain discussion ideas, task suggestions and practical activities. The ‘A Peep Inside’ task enables students to develop knowledge and understanding of the relationship between the properties of electromagnetic waves and their uses within medical equipment. The ‘Inside the Human Body’ activity allows pupils to observe some of the systems within the body and incorporates engaging games and quizzes to test their anatomy and nutrition knowledge. The ‘Medical Magnetism’ session enables students to understand how engineers apply knowledge of physics and magnetics to develop lifesaving MRI scanners.
Laura Bennett adds: “The new tools available on the Siemens Education Portal aim to inspire students, support teachers and instill an early interest in healthcare and related STEM subjects. We hope that through a range of curriculum-based schemes of work and interactive teaching methods, we can excite and inspire pupils’ curiosity and enthusiasm whilst nurturing the talent of the future.”
