YSA Juniors is a completely free and exciting way for children in Key Stages 2 and 3 to help develop their excitement, engagement and interest in the wonderful world of STEMM!
Did you know?
STEMM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine
“Do you think like a scientist? Because if you like to ask questions, listen to others, notice changes or simply let your mind wonder… then you already are! Science isn’t just a classroom subject, it’s a way of exploring and understanding the world you live in and YSA Juniors is your perfect companion on this adventure!
Think of YSA Juniors like a curiosity diary. Go out and discover something new, ask lots of questions, have a go yourself and share your findings with a friend! Soon you’ll have an activity sheet full of stickers to celebrate everything you’ve learnt and a brain bursting with ideas! Have fun and who knows what you’ll discover next!”
Maddie Moate
YSA Patron, broadcaster and presenter of CBeebies ‘Do You Know?’
What is YSA Juniors?
The Youth STEMM Award (YSA) Juniors is a workbook and sticker pack designed to accompany hands-on activities and inspire younger children to explore the amazing world of STEMM. As children take part in activities, they record their learning by filling out the workbook and achieve stickers for each section. Encouraging younger children to experience STEMM will help to develop their curiosity and ignite their passion to continue enjoying these topics into secondary school. Our packs are also a great way for secondary age participants of the Youth STEMM Award to inspire the next generation.
How does YSA Juniors work?
Helping your YSA Junior to complete their journey into STEMM couldn’t be easier. Simply help your student/child to engage with science, technology, engineering, maths or medicine through learning activities at school or at home and award stickers as they complete their YSA Junior workbook. You decide what counts and can focus activities that build their confidence, knowledge and interests. There are many activities to choose from, we have listed some ideas to get you started below or you could search online to find experiments that you can do at home.
You can do one experiment or activity across a whole STEMM area, or you can mix and match. The only essential element is fun! You decide whether what they do deserves a sticker, so you are in control of how hard they have to work, and what counts. There are loads of activities you can do at home and a great place to start is Maddie’s Lets go Live website:
Let’s go live science activities
When all the stickers have been placed and the workbook is complete it is time to award the certificate. Why not make it an occasion and celebrate at home or at school!
Digital YSA Junior packs are completely free to download and include the editable booklet, sticker image files and a certificate to award on completion.
High quality printed packs are also available to purchase for £9.95 (inc P&P), these include the A4 booklet, multi-coloured sticker sheet, certificate and a shiny YSA Juniors pin badge. Pin badges are also available separately. Please fill out your request at the bottom of the page.
We hope you have a great time exploring the world of STEMM with your YSA Junior, we would love to hear about the fun learning that you get up to!
To get started download all the files using the links below, including a support sheet to help you and your YSA Junior begin their STEMM adventure.
YSA Juniors Workbook
YSA Juniors Certificate
YSA Juniors support sheet
Science stickers
Science-apply Science-explain Science-explore Science-learn
Technology stickers
Technology-apply Technology-explain Technology-explore Technology-learn
Engineering stickers
Engineering-explain Engineering-explore Engineering-learn
Maths stickers
Maths-apply Maths-explain Maths-explore Maths-learn
Medicine stickers
Medicine-apply Medicine-explain Medicine-explore Medicine-learn
Completion stickers
Completed-engineering Completed-maths Completed-medicine Completed-science Completed-technology
Register your interest for YSA Juniors
Examples of activities
Science
Sink or swim
Learn
Learn what the word density means
Explore
Explore which objects float and which ones sink in water
Apply
Predict which objects will float and sink
Explain
Explain why, using the idea of density
Technology
Computing computers
Learn
Learn about computational thinking at BT Barefoot computing
Explore
Explore what an Algorithms is
Apply
Make up a dance routine and create the instructions for a partner to follow
Explain
Explain how to put a sequence of events in the right order – the first step in understanding algorithms.
Engineering
Building bridges
Learn
Learn about the different types of bridges
Explore
Find out all the ways you can build bridges with straws
and sellotape
Apply
Try to build the longest bridge you can between two
books
Explain
Explain how you would make your bridge even better
Maths
Mixed model
Learn
Learn about the Fibonacci sequence
Explore
Explore the relationship between the circumference and
height of drinking glasses
Apply
Estimate the height of Big Ben – see how close you
can get
Explain
Explain what a prime number is to a family member
Medicine
Saving lives
Learn
Be taught how to do CPR
Explore
Find out why CPR saves lives
Apply
Show you can do CPR
Explain
Teach a friend how to do CPR
For more activity ideas to help complete the YSA journey we recommend the STEMtastic Science Box projects that you can do at home or in school. These practical hands-on activities are safely designed, specifically for the children to carry out themselves. Clear guidance sheets for parents and carers mean you don’t need to be a scientist to have fun and support your child.