ST2050 was the name I gave to the program I started in 2018. A single woman effort to change the UK ed system!


- I engaged with Hull University (via my PhD), the OR Society's [https://www.theorsociety.com/get-involved/or-in-education/ OR in Schools initiative] and STEM UK. 
- I spent time in schools understanding what was happening and conducting experiments to understand what might turn kids on to Systems. 
- I created a ST experience for 10/11 yr olds in Hull schools via [https://www.hullchildrensuniversity.com/ HEY CU] with the support of Rix and the Ferns ed trust. 
- I worked with St Ebbe's school in Oxford (introduced by head of the board of governors, fellow STer, Steve Whitla. 
- I sought international programs to evaluate and found [https://nxplorers.com/en Shell NXplorers] and [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CdUhIZIWW3YTF9bJGeqcn-x_klswH_Z0iSiE0JITyFo/edit Senge's Compassionate Systems]. 
- I tried to get exam boards interested in creating a new qualification in ST and, when that failed, tried to get it crammed into existing qualifications such as Geography and Biology.
- I started to travel where-ever I was called. I went to India with [https://www.genwise.in/ Genwise] in 2019 and Colombia in 2020 (funded by the [https://www.coinsfoundation.org/new-about COINS Foundation]).

What I learnt:
- Its difficult to get into UK schools without cover (my PhD, the OR Society and STEM scheme were my cover.
- A PhD evaluation study will not change the world!
- Disconnect between academia and real world
- I can’t evaluate myself!
- Needs to be a “reward” post 14 years (qualification or prize)
- Involving parents works well (home schooling)
- Engagement is key – focus on things they value
- Single workshops or days out of school have limited impact – need an integrated program
- Primary schools with committed headteachers are opportunities
- Don’t make the ed system do the wrong thing righter!


I had a group of maybe 30 people following me. Now I realise they weren't following. It was like I was acting on a stage and they were the audience watching and applauding when things went well and commiserating when they went badly. What I wanted was people getting on the stage and acting with me. That is commitment. It showed me the difference between [[Engagement vs Commitment]].