STEM Blog

The STEM Team are excited to share the updates for March.

STEM Grants and Funding (March Update):

• Great to see applications for Digital Xtra’s ninth grants cycle are now open, to support initiatives during the 2024/25 academic year.
• A variety of Royal Society of Chemistry funding opportunities are also available.
• SSE Renewables operates community investment funds and sustainable development funds across various areas in Scotland.

List of STEM & Science Festivals (March update):

• Caithness International Science Festival is taking place this month.
• Edinburgh Science Festival is being held during the Easter holidays.
• TechFest have recently confirmed dates for 2024.

Welcome to the STEM planner. Keep reading to find out more about exciting STEM developments across Scotland. Please feel free to share this planner with colleagues and school partners.

Face to face Science and STEM events

Register for the series of face-to-face events for Science and STEM organised by Education Scotland.

 Unleashing Primary STEM Events Programme 

Target audience: Primary teachers looking for practical examples to implement STEM in their classroom and make connections across the curriculum. STEM novice or expert, it doesn’t matter, there’s something for all!

What to expect – workshops and input

The following provides a flavour of some of the workshops and input running across the events. Note: the workshops on offer at each event will vary.

• STEM through stories – making connections between STEM and literacy
• STEM resources to help you plan great learning and teaching in STEM
• Make do with engineering – a world of possibilities
• STEM on a budget
• Putting the M in STEM – bringing numeracy and mathematics to life through STEM contexts
• STEM goes digital
• STEM in the GREAT Outdoors
• Data literacy – See data in a creative new way

Edinburgh

Details: 0945 – 1500 Monday 26 February, Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh

Book tickets here

Glasgow

Details: 0945 – 1500 Thursday 29 February, Mercure Hotel, Glasgow G1 1DQ * Note: NEW Venue

Book tickets here 

Dumfries

Details: 0945 – 1500 Friday 01 March, The Bridge, Dumfries DG2 9AW

Book tickets here 

Moray

Details:  0945 – 1500 Wednesday 13 March, Kinloss Primary, Moray IV36 3SX

Book tickets here 

Reimagining the BGE sciences curriculum (ELC, primary, secondary, ASN)

Target audience: For practitioners from primary, ELC, ASN and secondary sectors.

Stirling

Details: 0930 – 1500 Thurs 14 March 2024 – Stirling Highland Hotel, Stirling FK8 1DU. * Note: NEW Venue

Book tickets here 

STEM Nation EXPO event for learners and practitioners: Celebrating Success, Inspiring Innovation

Glasgow

Target audience: Practitioners and learners from primary, ELC, ASN, secondary and CLD sectors

Details: 1000 – 1400 Wednesday 06 March, Glasgow City Chambers, Glasgow G2 1DU

Purpose: This event will be a showcase and celebration of STEM Learning in Scotland and is for both learners and practitioners. This is a fantastic opportunity for practitioners and young people to connect with award-winning STEM Nation schools, settings and groups and a host of dynamic partners who can support STEM learning in your settings. Find out about exciting and innovating practice in STEM. Learn about the support from a wide range of inspiring partner organisations, including Young STEM Leader programme and STEM Ambassadors, and take away loads of ideas and inspiration!

Book tickets here

Raising attainment in BGE sciences – Secondary

Target audience: Secondary science teachers

Edinburgh

Details: 0930 – 1500 Thursday 22 February 2024 – COSLA Conference Centre, Edinburgh EH12 5BH

Book tickets here

More details about these events are available here and also our national STEM events calendar

We’re looking forward to connecting with practitioners and teachers across Scotland over the coming months. Please email us at stem@educationscotland.gov.scot if you have any questions.

Events calendar

Take a look at our Events Calendar with STEM & Learning for Sustainability professional learning opportunities, networks for dialogue & sharing practice & events from various STEM partners. Also includes professional learning from Education Scotland.

Technologies Planning Resource

The purpose of the resource is to support learning, teaching and assessment of technologies in primary schools. This resource has been developed through the RAiSE Programme with support from Education Scotland and Scottish Government. Raising Aspirations in Science/STEM Education (RAiSE) is a programme of Education Scotland in partnership with The Wood Foundation, Scottish Government and participating local authorities which enhances the delivery of STEM education in primary schools.

This resource supports planning for technologies around the Experiences and Outcomes from Early to Second Level. These activities and approaches should be viewed as useful starting points and suggestions and they are in no way prescriptive.

The resource is organised in two ways – by curricular organiser or by Level.

Find out more and access the Technologies Planning Resource here.

RAiSE 

Raising Aspirations in Science Education (RAiSE) empowers primary school practitioners with the confidence, skills, and networks to develop and deliver engaging and motivating STEM learning experiences.

The work of the RAiSE programme is aligned to the STEM Education and Training Strategy and the Developing the Young Workforce Programme. It aims to raise attainment and achievement in primary science and STEM, and tackle inequity and inequality in learners’ experiences and outcomes.

What is RAiSE?

RAiSE is a programme of Education Scotland, The Wood Foundation, Scottish Government and participating local authorities. It has engaged with 27/32 of Scotland’s local authorities. The programme was established in 2016 as a pilot programme and was then extended nationally.

Participating local authorities are provided with funding to recruit a dedicated Primary Science Development Officer (PSDO). The role of the PSDO is to lead and co-ordinate high-quality professional learning and to support practitioner planning, networking, and collaboration.

Find out more and access RAiSE resources here.

Making Scotland’s Future

Sign up for this FREE professional learning event for educators and learn about Scotland’s STEM jobs revolution!

3.45pm to 6pm on Monday 18 March 2024, Glasgow Science Centre

Who should attend: All educators who want to prepare their learners for the rapidly changing world of work in Scotland, helping them access innovative, rewarding and exciting careers in STEM (Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics) sectors.

Why attend?

Scotland’s economy is transforming rapidly and there is an increasing demand for a skilled workforce to enable this transition to take place. Research shows that educators have a pivotal role to play in equipping learners with the skills for learning, life and work and promoting relevant pathways to learners, parents and carers. This professional learning event has been designed for Scotland’s educators to help them excite and inspire our children and young people about their future career opportunities.

Funded by the Scottish Government and proudly supported by Education Scotland, NMIS (National Manufacturing Institute Scotland), Skills Development Scotland and the Glasgow Science Centre.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be at the forefront of inspiring the next generation of Scotland’s innovative workforce.

Book tickets here

Visit Education Scotland’s STEM Careers page to find out more about the STEM careers across a range of sectors.

SSERC Space Primary Enthuse Partnership

SSERC is excited to launch its latest Enthuse Partnership offering 20 primary schools across Scotland an opportunity to engage with a programme of practical based Space related activities at no cost to you or your setting.

So, what you are committing to and what is expected?

• A series of seven online twilight professional learning sessions from March 2024 to February 2025 (3.30pm – 5pm delivered live via MS Teams)
• Free practical resources to accompany each professional learning session, delivered to your school, to allow hands-on practical experiences for your learners.
• The journey towards gaining the Space Education Quality Mark (SEQM)
• A broad range of STEM Engagement offers to further enhance STEM learning and teaching.

Applications close 29 February more details here

Dates for your diary

Scottish Apprenticeship Week   4-8 March

STEM Nation Expo   6 March

International Women’s Day   8 March

Making Scotland’s Future   18 March

The STEM Team are pleased to share the updated lists:

STEM Grants & Funding

The Crest Award – Engage Grant has a closing date of 6th February.

The Ernest Cook Trust – Outdoor Essentials Grant has relaunched with £500 for primary and special needs schools and £1000 for secondary schools. The fund is for school grounds improvements, transport costs to Outdoor Learning venues or outdoor clothing.

STEM & Science Festivals

2024 is looking to be another exciting year with many activities taking please.

Both Dundee Science Festival and TechFest have confirmed dates and finalising schedules.

We are delighted to invite teachers and practitioners to register for the series of face-to-face events being organised by Education Scotland to Unleash STEM Learning in the Primary Classroom.

Register now! The events are FREE to attend.

Target audience: Primary teachers looking for practical examples to implement STEM in their classroom and make connections across the curriculum. STEM novice or expert, it doesn’t matter, there’s something for all!

Purpose: You’ll recognise the moment when you unleash the power of STEM in the primary classroom. It could be the biggest Wow! moment a learner has ever experienced (like seeing a wee beastie super close up through a microscope) or the quizzical and curious looks when something unexplained has happened and learners are staring in disbelief and wonder. Your class may be literally buzzing and full of high excitement or uneasily quiet because learners are completely and utterly engrossed in their learning. Come and join us for a stimulating day of hands-on STEM learning, designed in as a direct response to requests from primary teachers across Scotland. Take away great ideas to use with your learners and make the most of the opportunity to connect with other teachers and partners who can help you unleash the power of STEM.

What to expect – workshops and input

The following provides a flavour of some of the workshops and input running across the events. Note: the workshops on offer at each event will vary.

• STEM through stories – making connections between STEM and literacy
• STEM resources to help you plan great learning and teaching in STEM
• Makedo with engineering – a world of possibilities
• STEM on a budget
• Putting the M in STEM – bringing numeracy and mathematics to life through STEM contexts
• STEM goes digital
• STEM in the GREAT Outdoors
• Data literacy – See data in a creative new way

Unleashing Primary STEM Events Programme

_______________________________________________________________________

Location: Dundee 

• Details: 0945 – 1500 on Wednesday 31 January, Contemporary Arts Centre, Dundee DD1 4EA
• Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/primary-stem-unleashed-tickets-774294705307 

Location: Edinburgh

• Details: 0945 – 1500 on Monday 26 February, Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh
• Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/primary-stem-unleashed-tickets-774309880697

Location: Glasgow

• Details: 0945 – 1500 on Thursday 29 February, Mercure Hotel, Glasgow G1 1DQ * Note: NEW Venue
• Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/primary-stem-unleashed-tickets-774313862607

Location: Dumfries

• Details: 0945 – 1500 on Friday 01 March, The Bridge, Dumfries DG2 9AW
• Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/primary-stem-unleashed-tickets-774322558617 

Location: Moray

• Details:  0945 – 1500 on Wednesday 13 March, Kinloss Primary, Moray IV36 3SX
• Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/primary-stem-unleashed-tickets-774325467317

That’s not ALL! We have other great events for primary teacher and other sectors!

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Reimagining the BGE sciences curriculum

Target audience: These events are for practitioners from primary and also ELC, ASN and secondary sectors.

Purpose: Scotland will experience a STEM job revolution in the next few years as our nation transitions to Net Zero and seeks to excel in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, life sciences, space sector and advanced manufacturing, amongst others. How is our sciences curriculum, learning and teaching preparing learners (aged 3-15 years) for this exciting opportunity? How can innovative approaches and pedagogies, including interdisciplinary learning and project-based learning, prepare learners for an increasingly technical and rapidly changing world? These events will provide attendees with a valuable and stimulating opportunity to engage with practitioners from other sectors to look at the whole journey from a learner perspective to help reimagine the teaching of sciences within their settings, ASGs and clusters. If you like to connect with others, learn about new approaches and dream big then these events are for you!

Location: Aberdeen

• Details: 0930 – 1500 on Thursday 25 January 2024 at the Park Inn Hotel by Radisson, Aberdeen AB11 6EQ
• Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reimagining-the-bge-sciences-curriculum-elc-primary-asn-and-secondary-tickets-759633001757

Location: Stirling

• Details: 0930 – 1500 on Thursday 14 March 2024 – Stirling Highland Hotel, Stirling FK8 1DU. * Note: NEW Venue
• Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reimagining-the-bge-sciences-curriculum-elc-primary-asn-secondary-tickets-759641537287

And here are details about the biggies…

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Making Scotland’s Future – Engineering Careers Event for Practitioners

Target audience: All primary, secondary, ELC and CLD practitioners who want to prepare their learners for the rapidly changing world of work and innovative STEM career pathways

Details: 1545 to 1800 on Monday 22 January – Glasgow Science Centre, Glasgow G51 1EA

Purpose: Scotland’s economy is transforming rapidly in the coming years and there is an increasing and urgent demand for a skilled workforce to enable this transition to take place. Research shows that educators have a pivotal role to play in equipping learners with the skills for learning, life and work and promoting relevant pathways to learners, parents and carers. This professional learning event has been designed for Scotland’s educators to help them excite and inspire our children and young people about their future career opportunities.

Book: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gscevents/1060614

STEM Nation EXPO event for learners and practitioners: Celebrating Success, Inspiring Innovation

Target audience: Practitioners and learners from ELC, ASN, primary, secondary and CLD sectors

Details: 1000 – 1400 on Wednesday 06 March, Glasgow City Chambers, Glasgow G2 1DU

Purpose: This event will be a showcase and celebration of STEM Learning in Scotland and is for both learners and practitioners. This is a fantastic opportunity for practitioners and young people to connect with award-winning STEM Nation schools, settings and groups and a host of dynamic partners that can support STEM learning in your settings. Find out about exciting and innovating practice in STEM. Learn about the support from a wide range of inspiring partner organisations, including Young STEM Leader programme and STEM Ambassadors, and take away loads of ideas and inspiration!

Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stem-nation-expo-celebrating-success-inspiring-innovation-tickets-775658815397

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Details of these events are also available on our national STEM events calendar: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/stemnation/events-calendar-2/

We’re very much looking forward to connecting with practitioners and teachers across Scotland over the coming months. Please email us at stem@educationscotland.gov.scot if you have any questions.

Pleased to share the last updates of 2023, next update in 2024!

STEM Grants and Funding (December 2023)

The #AndSheCycles Funding has been relaunched for schools and youth groups in Scotland (Closing Date – 21 Dec 2023).
This fund is open to groups of young women such as guide groups, school groups and youth groups. The funding is available to help these groups develop and implement plans to help break down the barriers young women face when choosing to cycle. Up to £2000 per group could be available to help purchase necessary equipment to help support more young women cycling. Previous applicants have secured funding for: bikes, helmets, bike pump station, secure
bike storage.

List of Science & STEM Festivals (Updated December 2023)

A variety of dates for festivals in 2024 have been added.

The Dundee Science Festival is taking place in February 2024 and Edinburgh Science Festival in March/April 2024.

Welcome to the STEM planner. Keep reading to find out more about exciting STEM developments across Scotland. Please feel free to share this planner with colleagues and school partners.

Annual STEM Survey – Help shape the future of STEM professional learning

Education Scotland is inviting practitioners across Scotland to complete the Annual STEM (sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics) Professional Learning Survey. The responses will help to improve access to high-quality STEM professional learning across Scotland. This year’s survey is especially important as it will help us measure the overall impact of the STEM Strategy since it was launched in 2017.

Please complete the survey appropriate to your sector:

• Practitioners in early learning and childcare, primary, additional support needs, secondary (all subject areas, including those not normally associated with STEM):

https://forms.office.com/e/Vr7pw5fAx3

• School-based technical support staff:

https://forms.office.com/e/dJGEZaQ8GL

• Community learning and development practitioners:

https://forms.office.com/e/V6Bctm5NBH

STEM Nation Award

Many congratulations to St Joseph’s College in Dumfries on achieving their STEM Nation Award. The award involved impressive teamwork from the science and technology staff and valuable contributions from colleagues in mathematics, music technologies and food technology. A highlight was the school’s annual STEM speed dating event.

Also, many congratulations to Our Lady of Peace Primary School in Glasgow on achieving their STEM Nation Award. Well done to staff and pupils at the school for their amazing STEM achievements.

Primary STEM Network

Our next session is on the Future of STEM. Explore how the world is changing, AI and skills learners need to thrive. Also hear practitioners sharing their work on Digi Inventors and Computational Thinking.

Tuesday 21 November 4pm

STEM Nation Award Drop-in Session Tickets

SDG Pilot Project Showcase

Education Scotland in partnership with Advanced Clothing Solutions (ACS) have taken part in an SDG pilot project with 12 schools from North and South Lanarkshire.

ACS is Europe’s largest sustainable fashion hub and one of the most sustainable companies in the UK.  ACS aspire to transform the fashion industry from the traditional linear take-make-dispose model, towards a circular fashion model that extends the life of existing textiles and diverts clothing from landfill. To achieve this, ACS enable brands and retailers to introduce a rental or resale model alongside their existing ecommerce model.

This innovative project provided primary and secondary schools in North and South Lanarkshire with an opportunity to research and do a deep dive on UN sustainability goals and challenge ACS to become even more sustainable.

Come along and hear about exciting ideas and the work that has flourished because of this project.

Learn about a possible new approach to connecting schools to some of our inspiring industry partners.

Ideal for schools looking to work with sustainable fashion and learn more about the circular economy.

Attendees also get the chance to tour the New College facility and take part in hands on workshops on textiles.

• Date: 23^rd November 2023
• Location: New College Lanarkshire, Coatbridge Campus
• Time: 10 30am – 2pm
• Event format: Each school will showcase their work at the event

SDG Celebration Event Tickets, Thu 23 Nov 2023

STEM Careers

We often hear that there are many career opportunities within STEM, but what are they?

To explore and increase awareness of the wide range of opportunities available in STEM, we have pulled together some of the key websites, resources, facts and reports under different STEM career sectors.

The information contained on the STEM Nation Online Resource will help support conversations with learners about:

• the importance and relevance of STEM in their lives

• how STEM could be a pathway for them even if they don’t think it is

• the skills they develop participating in STEM and how these could be applied in a STEM career

• the pathways available to take that first step on the STEM career ladder.

STEM Careers – STEM Nation

 

Your Planet, Your Future – FREE STEM Careers Showcase at Dynamic Earth!

Join Dynamic Earth and a host of STEM employers on Tuesday 5th March 2024 for their in-person Careers Extravaganza – Your Planet, Your Future! Book your free place now. 

Ideal for learners in P7-S6, meet scientists working to protect and care for our planet, ask questions about how they got into their career, and experience a live planetarium show. From marine scientists to renewable energy champions, step into the shoes of the vast range of careers available to play a part in our planet’s future.

As part of the day, you and your learners will take part in 3 experiences:

• In the showcase, your learners will meet a variety of scientists, including geoenergy engineers, physicists and marine scientists. Chat to them over drop-in, hands-on activities, displaying the breadth of opportunities available in STEM Careers.
• As well as the showcase of scientists, your learners will have the chance to attend a science careers chat show session, in the auditorium. The chat show will feature 3 scientists from the UK, hosted by Scientific Director, Hermione Cockburn. Hear all about the careers of engineers, marine scientists and more, and ask them any questions about how they got into their jobs and the kind of work they do each day!
• Finally, experience a live planetarium show, presented by a resident astronomer, in the 6K 360-degree dome.

Book your school’s free place before slots fill up! Support may also be available for the cost of transport through the transport subsidy – ask about this with your enquiry. Email your booking enquiry to groups@dynamicearth.org.uk or through the school booking enquiry form on the website:  dynamicearth.org.uk/contact-us/

STEM Grants & Funding

STEM Grants and Funding (November 2023).pdf

List of Science STEM Festivals (Updated November 2023).pdf

Royal Society of Chemistry – Chemistry Teaching Empowerment Fund
Up to £600 towards the cost of a collaborative project or event to improve chemistry teaching and/or foster supportive and effective chemistry teaching communities. Tackle teaching challenges in chemistry, get to know fellow chemistry teachers and technicians, and develop leadership skills at the same time. Tap into the Royal Society of Chemistry’s expertise and get advice on setting up events or collaborative projects from the local education coordinator.
Applications are open to members of Teach Chemistry until Friday 17 November 2023.

Arkwright Engineering Scholarships
For S4 students wishing to have a career as a leader within the Engineering Profession with a commitment to study one of the following subjects at Higher/Advanced Higher – Engineering Science, Maths, Physics or Computer Science.
Successful students receive £600 as part of the Scholarship – funding to be used to support the purchase of components and materials to complete personal technical projects or enhance curriculum projects. Alternatively, funds may be used to purchase textbooks, reference books, or to fund attendance on technical courses, summer schools or university open days. Schools receive £400 if a pupil secures a scholarship which must be spent on equipment, materials or teacher training to enhance the delivery of STEM subjects.
Applications open from early September to mid-January each year. Teachers must nominate pupils on the online portal.

Dates for your diary

Dynamic Earth Careers Extravaganza – Your Planet, Your Future   5 March 2024

British Science Week   8-17 March 2024

The Education Scotland STEM Team are very excited to announced that a further 3 settings have achieved the Full STEM Nation Award:

• Redwell Primary School, Clackmannanshire
• Our Lady of the Peace Primary School, Glasgow
• Dumfries High School, Dumfries & Galloway

This takes the total number of settings to 35.

The current batch of STEM Nation Award plaques was recently received and the STEM Team are looking forward to delivering to settings over the next few weeks.

This week, Ian Stewart (Development Officer) delivered plaques to two Primary Schools in Glasgow. The two schools are part of the same Learning Community and use the STEM Nation Award programme to structure their collaborative approaches. The learners are very excited to receive the plaque and were looking forward to choosing the best place to display:

St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Baillieston, Glasgow

Our Lady of the Peace Primary School, Glasgow