Centre for Industry Education Collaboration - CIEC

10/06/2026

Three cohorts of primary teachers from across the North-East have now completed the final day of Bath Spa University's programme, led by CIEC advisory teachers Mackayla Millar and Nicky Waller. Focus4TAPS is funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and hosted by the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT)

The session focused on developing a shared understanding of progression, using assessment information effectively, moderation and making manageable, reliable summative judgements. Teachers explored pupil work, progression in working scientifically, and whole-school approaches to assessment.

The impact from primary teachers was clear in the feedback:

“Excellent! Lots of opportunities for discussion and ideas on where to go from here.”

“It has provided me with a deeper insight into assessment and how to use data.”

“Very useful. We are so excited to implement this approach across school!”

“It has also helped to reduce workload!”

A fantastic end to an inspiring professional learning journey, with local primary teachers already planning how to embed a shared understanding of Focus4TAPS across their schools.

Get in touch if your school would like to get involved next year.

03/06/2026

On Friday, it will be , with this year’s focus on climate change and the action needed to tackle it.

CIEC’s resources help children understand the important role scientists can play in addressing environmental challenges — and encourage them to see themselves as future climate scientists.

These engaging, curriculum-linked investigations are designed to inform without overwhelming, focusing on practical solutions to the problems we face.

Thanks to the generosity of our industry partners, the activities are free for teachers to download from our website:

https://www.york.ac.uk/ciec/resources/primary/test/

A member of the Russell Group, we're a research-intensive university founded on excellence, equality and opportunity for all.

27/05/2026

CIEC’s advisory teachers recently collaborated with Andrew Croydon of the ABPI in an exciting development workshop, shaping new resources for primary STEM. Together, they will create a new ‘Ellie’ storybook for children in key stage 1. The story will aim to encouraging young children to make healthy choices by thinking about the importance of exercise, hygiene and the right amounts and types of foods for humans.

To accompany the story, there will be three new classroom science activities and a careers-focused activity. These resources will mirror previous activities created for the ABPI by CIEC, linking primary
science with practical discussion and STEM careers to build science capital. The new story and resources will be ready for interested primary schools to pilot from September to December, with a launch in March on the ABPI’s existing Ellie library: https://www.abpischools.org.uk/topics/ellie-story-library/ellie-story-library/

20/05/2026

A fantastic start to the Thinking, Doing, Talking Science programme in Teesside! 👏🔬
It was wonderful to welcome so many enthusiastic primary teachers for the first day of training, led by Centre for Industry Education Collaboration advisory teacher Nicky WallerNicky Waller. The session provided a supportive space to explore practical and inclusive approaches to primary science teaching.

Throughout the day, colleagues took part in hands-on investigations, problem solving and inspiring discussions, sharing ideas to develop higher-order thinking, oracy and enquiry skills across KS1 and KS2.

Thinking, Doing, Talking Science is recognised as one of the evidence-informed approaches highlighted in the 2023 Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) Improving Primary Science guidance report. Delivered nationally by the Primary Science Teaching Trust under licence from The Oxford Trust, the programme continues to support teachers and inspire young scientists.

Interested in joining a course in your area? Find out more here: https://pstt.org.uk/tdtscience/

Explore Thinking, Doing, Talking Science, a practical and interactive training programme for primary teachers, designed to enhance science teaching through creative lessons and higher-order thinking.

15/05/2026

It’s safe to say that this respondent enjoyed everything about their site visit to Sartorius, Royston! Partnering with local industry enables primary-aged children to see that future STEM careers are right on their doorstep.

Ashwell Primary School has been keenly involved with the Children Challenging Industry programme in the East of England for over ten years. We are grateful for their continued involvement, which expands beyond the Children Challenging Industry programme.

The school has actively contributed to the recruitment of advisory teachers, and Simon England, headteacher, has been a much-respected member of our CIEC East of England Regional Committee.

13/05/2026

We’re delighted to share that Assentech Sales Limited has been awarded the NEPIC Innovation Award, sponsored by px, for its innovative Vent-Less test bench technology.

Driven by a passion for engineering excellence and continuous learning, Assentech is committed to expanding technical knowledge and supporting industry. Their mission to put people first, consider environmental impact, and champion engineering best practice aligns closely with our values at CIEC.

We are incredibly grateful that Assentech has generously donated its £2,000 prize money to support our work in raising the aspirations of primary school children and inspiring the next generation of engineers. Partnerships like this help us continue connecting young people with the exciting opportunities that engineering and industry can offer. Thank you, Assentech, for your support
and commitment to developing future talent.


The image shows Ewart Cox, founder and managing director of Assentech with the Innovation Award.

08/05/2026

The site visits on the Children Challenging Industry programme provide incredible opportunities for primary-aged children. After a visit to Sartorius, Royston, children described the excitement of using the Ambr® robot, alongside using common laboratory equipment, such as pipettes, to replicate their classroom science experiment.

The children met a range of scientists and engineers, asking them lots of
thoughtful questions. Those working on computer-aided design for 3D printing helped to dispel the myth that all scientists wear lab coats! This amazing site visit helped to develop excellent teamwork and created many lasting happy memories for all involved!

Thank you to Nicola Vaughan Dominic Bushnell Jonathan Bullock and everyone at Sartorius



Video description for screen readers: The video shows two primary school girls who stand in front of the camera as they recount their experience of Sartorius.

06/05/2026

Last week held a small celebration at CIEC to say goodbye to Joy Parvin and wish her well in her retirement. Here are a couple of pictures from the day and some photographs from when it all began over 30 years ago.

Goodbye Joy; we will miss you.

29/04/2026

🚀 New and free for science teachers: BEST Bites is here!

Bite-sized, research-informed CPD to support primary and secondary science teaching, including helping learners transition between phases. Developed by experts at the University of York including Nicky Waller and Alistair Moore. They are available free through STEM Learning UK, thanks to support from The Salters’ Institute, the ASE and The Welcome Trust

Explore the modules here: [https://lnkd.in/eQyQCv8b](https://lnkd.in/eQyQCv8b)

22/04/2026

We are delighted to welcome Rebecca Clark, University of York's Head of Access, Outreach and The Place, as she takes over the leadership of CIEC.
Rebecca brings extensive experience in strategic leadership, widening participation and building inclusive educational opportunities. Her passion for equity, collaboration and impact aligns strongly with CIEC’s mission to connect primary education with real-world science and industry.
Rebecca takes over from Joy Parvin, who has retired after an incredible journey with CIEC that began in 1990. We thank Joy for her outstanding contribution and look forward to this exciting new chapter under Rebecca’s leadership.