1.
Arrange date/time of visit:
A.
B.
C.
Phone the teacher
Send teacher a confirmation email
Let STEPS know the date and time of the visit
A. Phone the teacher: Please call the teacher to set up a date and time for your visit (agree on arrival time, set-up time,
and length of presentation).
Phone Call Template:
Hello, can I please speak with Contact Name. I’m Your Name and I’m a registered volunteer with the Engineers
Ireland STEPS programme. I signed up through the SmartSTEPS system to visit your school. You indicated on
SmartSTEPS that your preferred date of visit is Date, would you still like a visit on this date and what time suits
you best?
Plan your visit:
Take the time to ask the teacher important details, e.g. what class are you visiting? How much time will you be
able to spend with them? How many are in the group? What age are they? What is the class learning about at
the moment that would relate to engineering?
Check in advance to see what type of IT the teacher has in the classroom and if it’s it possible to dim the lights. If
you are bringing your own laptop, or want to stream a video, let the teacher know ahead of time to arrange for
the necessary equipment. Note that not all schools have internet access, and certain websites, such as YouTube,
may be blocked in some schools.
If you decide to lead a practical activity check with the school check that they can provide the materials for this
and that enough adults will be on hand to help. Identify if there is any printing or prep work which the school can
do in advance to aid you.
B. Send teacher a confirmation email: Please send the teacher a follow up email to confirm the details of your visit.
Email Template:
RE: STEPS Volunteer School Visit – Name of School
For the attention of: Contact Name
Hello Contact Name,
Further to our phone conversation, I am contacting you to confirm that I will attend your school to speak with
Number of students regarding engineering on Date at Time. I will arrive at to set up at Time.
Format of my volunteer engineer visit:
Presentation - 25 minutes
Activity - 25 minutes
Q & A session - 10 minutes
Approximate visit time: 1 hour
As discussed, I will need IT Equipment Required and access to the Internet.
I will lead a Practical Activity. I understand that you will be able to provide the Materials for this/print the
Worksheet.
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A teacher must be present in the classroom at all times as STEPS volunteers are not permitted to be left alone in
the classroom with children.
I will contact you on Date- Day before visit to confirm the plans.
Please let me know if you need to make any changes to the please.
I look forward to meeting you and your students on Date of visit.
Kind regards,
Name
C.
Let STEPS know the date and time of the visit:
Please email STEPS@engineersireland the date and time of the visit when it has been arranged. If you are having
any difficulty getting in touch with the school to arrange the visit, please let STEPS on 01 6651340. Remember
the STEPS team are there to support you.
2.
Review training tips and resources:
Visit steps.ie to check out our training page for volunteers, where you'll find support videos and tips to help you
communicate effectively with young people. If you are interested in further training please reply to this email
and let me know.
Please note, a customisable presentation, videos and activities can be found
here http://www.steps.ie/volunteers/volunteer-resources.aspx
Reminder: You are free to edit these slides as you wish, insert your own information and focus on areas of
relevance to you. You may like to add some real-life examples or stories to your presentation. Feel free to bring
along any props you may find useful. Do you have photos or items from work that can illustrate your job? The
PowerPoint speaker notes in the notes pane below each slide are a suggested script for the slides.
Activities: Choose an activity one week before the visit, keeping in mind any requests from the teacher.
We have a number of activities available on the Engineers Week website which you can do in the classroom with
the students http://www.engineersweek.ie/get-involved/event-organisers/activities/
3.
Read Child Protection & Garda Vetting guidelines
Please review our Child Protection guidelines in advance of your school visit:
http://www.steps.ie/volunteers/volunteer-resources-1/child-protection.aspx
Note: Teachers are not allowed to leave volunteers alone in the classroom during a visit. The school has been
advised that a teacher must remain in the classroom at all times. If you wish to organise a photo of your visit (e.g.
for a company newsletter) then please advise STEPS, who will forward consent forms to you in advance of your
visit.
If you volunteer with the STEPS programme more than eight times per year, you will need to undergo vetting.
4.
Complete the visit:
Wear casual clothes as the students may find it hard to relate to someone in business attire. We recommend that
you arrive early to ensure you have adequate time to set up. To keep the class engaged don’t forget to ask them
questions throughout the presentation. Either ask them to call out the answers or put their hands up. Be yourself
and have fun
5.
Evaluate your experience:
After the visit, write down what worked and what didn’t, and why. The STEPS team will be in touch with both you
and the teacher for feedback on your session.
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