STEM TY Challenge Session Five

Project-Management

What does project management mean for me?

Project management is the ability to organise and use available resources to achieve a clear goal.

The end goal in this case is the final video, and the available resources are your peer group, your mentor, previous session portals, Savvy Teens and anything else you can think of, including free libraries, the web, and your own personal network of STEM professionals (don't forget about science teachers in your school).

Your group must use as all available resources and your own sources to create one final video.

How do we manage our groups' workload?

To improve your project management skills, start with what you already have. In your group, answer the questions listed below to help you manage your remaining workload and have your final video ready for the STEM TY Challenge Showcase Event on Wednesday, November 22nd.

What have I (team) achieved at this stage?

What do I need to complete?

What will it take to complete the project?

What do I need to put in place?

 Who will I need to ask for help?

How much time will that take?

How much time will I allocate to each task for the next 5 weeks?

Remember, you're not alone. If you need help managing your time or other resources, seek support from your peers, mentors and Savvy Teens. We will happily help you overcome any challenges you face.

Communication

What are our communication channels?

Clearly communicating your ideas, thoughts and progress with your peers will help you work towards your common goal; the final video. Listening to each other will help you deliver an output that you can all be proud of.

Additionally, communicating with your mentor will help you gather the resources and support your group needs to complete the challenge to the best of your ability. Listening to your mentor's advice, asking clarifying questions and being understanding of your mentors' limitations will help you build a meaningful connection that will stay with you throughout your life.

Finally, communicating your feedback and needs with Savvy Teens will help us support your group in achieving your goals. Listening to our advice, encouragement and feedback will ensure you gain the skills and resources you need to complete the programme!

What is effective communication?

Effective communication leaves everybody feeling empowered to move forward.

Here are some tips for effective communication;
1. Plan, know what you want.
2. Be honest, if you don't know something!

3. Pay Attention, listen to what and how others communicate.

4. Be grateful, thank the person for sharing and/or answering your question.

5. Follow Up, summarise your understanding back to them and suggest suitable next steps.

Here are some questions that will help you plan your communications;

Why do you communicate?

What information do you want to communicate?

What information do you want to hear?

How will you communicate?    Email/Text/Phone/Zoom

How will you frame questions to ask for clarification?

Team Work

What are the benefits of working with others?

Developing the ability to work with others to achieve a common goal will help you see the power of building something with the different perspectives and skills. 

You can only achieve what's currently within your reach of knowledge, skills and perspectives. Working with others will help you achieve more than you could even imagine because you're pooling together people with different perspectives, skills and knowledge to build something great.

Achieving a goal is easier when tasks are done cooperatively rather than relying on each person’s singular efforts.

How do I ensure our team is working well together?

One key to a successful team is realising that working together on a project is more effective than working alone. 

Great teamwork is about working together and collaborating to come up with better approaches. You know that you have the right teamwork for the job when your team delivers better outcomes than any one person could on their own. An entire team operates best when each team member works collaboratively but still brings their own perspective and experiences and uses their own set of skills.

Ensure everyone in your team is involved in developing ideas, decision making, planning and action.

Remember; team work makes the dream work!