STEM Blog

Key websites 

Wind Energy Statistics – RenewableUK

Energy Statistics for Scotland – gov.scot

ScottishPower

Facts

• 154,000 UK jobs at present in offshore energy
• 79,000 offshore energy jobs in Scotland
• 120,000 remain in oil and gas
• 34,000 in renewables
• In the first quarter of 2024, 10,722 GWh of electricity was generated from renewable sources, a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
• 15.4 GW of renewable electricity operational capacity in Scotland – end of March 2024.
• There are 790 renewable energy projects in the planning pipeline.
• In 2022, 87.9% of electricity generated in Scotland was from low-carbon sources. 11.4% of Scotland’s electricity generation came from fossil fuels.

Reports

Scotland powers nearly half of UK’s wind energy milestone

This 30GW of operational wind power is enough to supply electricity to over 26 million homes and reduce carbon emissions by more than 35 million tonnes annually.

Almost half of this – 48% – is being generated by Scotland’s offshore and onshore wind farms.

Of this, Scotland‘s onshore wind farms, from the Borders to the Highlands and Islands, currently contribute 9.5GW.

Offshore wind farms along Scotland’s coast currently provide 5GW of clean energy, with a target of 11GW by 2030.

Scotland’s green energy suppliers provide services to renewable technologies including:

Hydro

Wave and tidal

Offshore Wind

Solar

Heat

Wind

Hydrogen

Storage

Other

Renewable and low carbon energy – gov.scot

Scotland’s Renewable Energy Industry Supply Chain Impact Statement 2024

Resources

The students at the heart of the green jobs boom

GB Energy to be headquartered in Aberdeen

First Minister opens new Ocean Winds base in Buckie

Scotland on the right path to reach renewable energy potential

Derelict Glasgow sites to be handed to residents to generate renewable energy

Green hydrogen production – gov.scot

Fast-tracking Scotland’s energy transition – gov.scot

Pathways

Engineering & Energy Related – Skills Development Scotland

Careers – ScottishPower

Scotland’s energy transition career opportunities

Education Scotland and the Royal Society are teaming up to deliver a webinar for Scottish teachers on developing impactful STEM employer and industry partnerships – Eventbrite link.

The first webinar in the series of STEM Nation Award element support sessions will take place on Tuesday 24^th September from 4 – 5 pm. We look forward to being joined by Elizabeth Chambers, Schools Engagement Officer from the Royal Society, to learn more about the Royal Society Partnership Grants programme.

The Royal Society’s Partnership grants scheme provides grants of up to £3,000 for schools and colleges to work in partnership with STEM professionals to design and run a long-term investigative project. This includes Tomorrow’s Climate Scientists, a part of the grant scheme that supports projects specifically looking at local climate and biodiversity issues.

These projects are undertaken by the students, with regular STEM partner support, to help develop their key skills and gain insight into potential STEM careers. Grant activity can support delivery of the curriculum and teacher’s professional development.

The current grant round is open for applications, with the last deadline of the year being the end of November 2024. There is lots of support and guidance available to schools interested in using the grant to improve or develop upon their current practical STEM offerings. Examples of projects currently underway or previously completed can be found on the case studies pages.

During the webinar, you will also hear from Education Scotland’s STEM Nation Award team who will explain how the aforementioned partnership work aligns with the Employability and STEM partnership working element of the STEM Nation Award. If you haven’t done so already, register your setting now for the STEM Nation Award programme to ensure you receive details of future webinar events and support.

Register here for your free tickets on Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stem-nation-award-element-support-employability-stem-partnership-working-tickets-1007381032787 

You may also wish to save the dates of future element support sessions in your diary. Tickets are available now and further details will be published in due course.

Equity and equality in STEM (30/10/24)

STEM family learning (21/11/24)

Leadership in STEM (23/01/25)

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.

STEM Nation Award – go for it in session 24/25

The STEM Nation Award has been developed by Education Scotland to celebrate, promote and build on effective practice in STEM education within and across sectors. All early learning and childcare (ELC) settings, primary schools, secondary schools and providers of community learning and development (CLD) are eligible to apply for the STEM Nation Award. Settings may apply for an individual element or any combination of elements. Settings which achieve all five elements within a three-year period will be eligible for the full STEM Nation Award after successfully completing a validation conversation.

Teachers, ELC practitioners and CLD providers from across Scotland worked with Education Scotland during the pilot phase and as part of a CLD working group to shape the award criteria and application process. The programme is designed to be flexible and supportive in response to the varying needs of different sectors and specific local contexts.

STEM Nation Award drop-in sessions are open to practitioners from ELC settings, schools and CLD settings who are interested in learning more about the STEM Nation Award programme. These sessions also provide an opportunity for STEM Nation Award applicants to ask questions or seek support with their application from the Education Scotland STEM team.

STEM Nation Online resource

The STEM Nation Online resource was created as part of Scotland’s STEM Education and Training Strategy.

On the online resource you will find a range of resources to support, inspire and connect such as:

• The latest developments in STEM
• Interesting practice examples to inspire and make connections
• Resources for teaching STEM
• Links to our national networks
• Information on the STEM awards programmes including STEM Nation Award
• Young STEM Leaders Programme (SSERC)
• STEM careers support
• Support to deepen your professional learning

And much more for ELC, primary, secondary, ASN, CLD and school based technical staff.

RAiSE – new resource – STEM Context Planners

RAiSE have developed a new resource – STEM Context planners. Created by teachers for teachers, these planners provide potential STEM learning activities for contexts across Early, First and Second Levels. Linked to Experiences and Outcomes and Sustainable Development Goals and Meta-Skills, these planners provide examples and suggestions for learning, ready for you to adapt and mould to each learning context.

Access and download all planners here: STEM Context Planners

Click here for more exciting RAiSE resources. 

STEM Leader Level 7 opportunity

Gain a fully funded SCQF Level 7 Award to fit around your existing studies!

The Education Academy Scotland has announced its latest opportunity for school, college or university students in Scotland, a fully funded SCQF Level 7 Award in STEM Leadership.

SL7 asks learners to devise a STEM-related project question, then answer the question via research, seeking the support of individuals, groups or organisations who may inform, advise, or contribute to their project.

STEM Leaders then share their findings with two summer showcases planned at Glasgow and Edinburgh University for 2025.

The Young STEM Leader Programme is part of the Scottish Government’s STEM Strategy and The Education Academy is joining the first group of centres in Scotland to offer this highest level of the programme.

See here for more information

Young STEM Leader Programme 

STEM Funding and Festivals Update

STEM Grants and Funding (August 2024)

Highlights:

RSC Scotland Committee – Inspiring Young Chemists’ Fund
The RSC Scotland Committee has £200 awards and £500 awards available for exciting chemistry activities to Inspire Young Chemists, in primary schools and/or secondary schools. Applications open until Friday 5 Oct 2024.

Armourers & Brasiers’ Company – Grants for School Science
Schools use the Grants for School Science to purchase equipment so students can enjoy practical science, to run science enrichment projects in schools, or to enable students to participate in science events and competitions.
The grants are £600 for primary schools, £1,000 for secondary schools.
Deadline 30 September 2024

List of Science STEM Festivals (Updated August 2024)

Highlights:

Orkney International Science Festival     5 – 11 September

Stirling Science Festival    17 -19 October

RHET Professional Learning

RHET Teacher Update – a wide range of opportunities from online collie dog maths sessions to new teacher training offer.

The Journey of Food – All Things Dairy  Royal Highland Education Trust

Career-long Professional Learning  Royal Highland Education Trust

Dates for your diary

Orkney International Science Festival   5 – 11 September

Biggar Science Festival  13 & 14 September

Maths Week Scotland  23 – 29 September

Stirling Science Festival   17 -19 October

Here are the Funding and Festivals updates for May.

STEM Grants and Funding (May 2024)

• Arkwright Engineering Scholarships – For S4 students looking fora future career as a leader in Engineering.
• Edina Trust – Science Grant – offers nursery & primary school science grants and £500 nursery science grants.

List of Science & STEM Festivals (Updated May 2024)

• The Royal Highland Show is taking place in June.
• The Big Bang Fair is being held just before the Summer holidays.

Dear colleagues

Education Scotland is delighted to be offering three exciting secondments for sciences and STEM.

If you have a passion for science and STEM learning then we’d love for you to join the team.

• We are seeking to recruit two National Advisors for Sciences. These secondments will be for an initial period of 8 months with a possibility of extending up to 23 months. National Advisors will play a pivotal role in supporting improvement and development in curriculum, learning and assessment. They will support all aspects of Scotland’s 3-18 sciences curriculum as we move into an exciting period of education reform.
• We are also recruiting a STEM Nation Development Officer to support the next stage of our STEM Nation Award Programme. Over 250 settings and schools are registered with the programme and we are looking for an enthusiastic communicator with a passion for STEM to take the programme to the next level.

Visit our vacancies page to find out more about these roles: https://education.gov.scot/about-education-scotland/vacancies/  Please note: the STEM Nation Development Officer role is also now live on our vacancies page.

Closing date and interviews

• The closing date for the Science Advisor roles is Wednesday 29 May 2024 at 11:59pm.
• The closing date for the STEM Nation Development Officer role is Monday 03 June 2024 at 11:59pm.
• Notification of interviews will be sent after 3 June 2024 for the Sciences Advisor Roles and 05 June for the STEM Nation Development Officer role. Interviews will be held later in June.
• The anticipated start date is 12 August 2024.

There were so many highlights to Education Scotland’s STEM Nation Expo event it is hard to know where to begin. The event, held on the 06 March 2024 in Glasgow City Chambers, brought together over 250 learners, teachers, practitioners and STEM partner organisations for a celebration of all that had been achieved through Scotland’s STEM Education and Training Strategy since it started in 2017. The event focussed on two of the main themes of the STEM Strategy – Connection and Inspiration.

Inspiration was provided aplenty by our Young STEM Leaders who kicked off the event with inspiring presentations of what STEM meant to them. Visitors also had the opportunity to meet and learn from many of our amazing STEM Nation Award schools and settings and also from schools, groups and organisations that had benefitted from some of the £4.6 million that had been distributed through Education Scotland’s STEM Grants Programme.

There were many valuable connections made too as the visitors interacted with over 25 leading science and STEM organisations, programmes and industry partners, including those developing cutting-edge technology to support Scotland’s space industry.

Learners were engrossed too by the hands-on STEM activities led throughout the day by RAiSE Officers and the staff from Science Ceilidh.

And supporting the event was Mr Graeme Dey, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, and also Dallas Campbell, TV presenter, podcast host, actor and BIG STEM enthusiast.

We had so much fun we’re hoping to do it again in 2025! Watch this space.

If you missed out on the fun then don’t worry. You can catch up on the excitement in a number of ways:

1. Download our brilliant Education Scotland sketch note of the event: Download the STEM Nation Expo Sketchnote

2. Watch the videos of the presentations, exhibitors and message of support: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2doW68jk7MQJrZf8AqMWQH3jPlaFr7ln

3. Visit the Padlet with links to all the exhibitors and resources shared on the day: https://bit.ly/4drSGHx

And if you want support for your own STEM journey then register now for Education Scotland’s STEM Nation Award Programme to access resources, support and to allow us to celebrate your success on a national stage! You never know – you may be invited to showcase your practice next year! Find out more about our STEM Nation Award Programme at:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/stemnation/stemnation-awards/

The award programme is open to ELC, primary, ASN, secondary and CLD settings.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 06: during an Education Scotland STEM Nation Expo Event at Glasgow City Chambers, on March 06, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

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