We have just launched a new spy-themed experiment on Lab in a Lorry in the East Midlands. This experiment has been developed by staff at the University of Nottingham's School of Physics and Astronomy thanks to funding from East Midlands Development Agency (emda). Excited pupils at Djanogly City Academy Nottingham were the first to experience this new activity. They became secret agents, using the equipment to eavesdrop on an enemy and communicate secrets to other agents.

I have been volunteering for the Lab in a Lorry for several years now and I’m delighted that the opportunity arose for us to develop this new experiment. It reflects the research going on around magnetic data storage and allows school pupils to explore modern computing power and data access/storage. I’m also pleased that this has given us the chance to start a link between Djanogly City Academy and my University which I hope will lead on to many more STEM activities for the school’s pupils. 

The new experiment will be on board the Lab from now on as it continues on its three-year tour of the East Midlands.

Guest Blogger: Chris Staddon, Senior Experimental Officer, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' (BIS) Science and Learning Expert Group has recently released a report Science and Mathematics Secondary Education for the 21st Century. 

The report outlines five priority areas for improving STEM learning in schools and colleges;

1. Recruit more STEM graduates into teaching, then train and retain them
2. Improve the content and assessment of science and maths at GCSE and A-Level (including having expert groups advise on the design and development of qualifications and assessment)
3. Clearly differentiate the learning pathways available to young people
4. Integrate IAG into science lessons and enrichment, and develop HE and workplace links
5. Foster a commitment to excellence in science and mathematics in schools and colleges through accountability mechanisms and incentives. 

There’s a good article about the report on the BBC website.  You can see the responses from Schools Minister Iain Wright and Science and Innovation Minister Lord Drayson on the BIS website.