Education Scotland is working with consultants Ekosgen to better understand the factors influencing learners’ choices regarding STEM learning and pathways. To date, evidence has been gathered through focus groups and interviews with a range of educational professionals. This next phase will involve gathering views directly from learners (P6 to S6) and parents/carers.

We would greatly appreciate any support you can give in encouraging and supporting learners to complete these surveys. We also are keen to hear the views of parents.

The surveys are available online until the 01 July 2022 and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. They ask a range of questions to gauge views and perceptions about STEM subjects, pathways and jobs.

STEM Learner Survey (For learners in P6 to S6): https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/STEMLearners2022

Alternative summary version of learner survey (under 5 mins to complete): https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/STEMlearners2022-short

STEM Parent/Carer Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/STEMParents2022

Parents/carers have a second option to participate. As an alternative to completing the survey, parents can take part in an online focus group using the Liveminds platform. The focus group is live for a week with a new question posed each day. Participants can contribute as little or as much as they like, at a time that suits them – on a computer, mobile phone or other smart device.

Anyone interested in participating in the Liveminds parental focus groups should email: laura.comincini@ekosgen.co.uk to confirm their interest. They will then receive an email with joining instructions in advance of the focus group.

Thanks for any support you are able to provide. The findings will provide Education Scotland and Scottish Government with valuable information to direct the next stage of the implementation of Scotland’s STEM Education and Training Strategy. The findings will also be invaluable as we move into a period of reform, including reform to the senior phase.

Text has been provided below to help you promote the surveys through your networks.

Text for sharing with learners

Education Scotland and the Scottish Government are keen to hear what young people think about STEM subjects. STEM is short for Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics. Your views matter and we’d like to hear from as wide a range of young people as possible (between Primary 6 and S6). The survey will take 10 minutes to fill in. Please complete the survey through this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/STEMLearners2022. 

If you prefer a shorter survey and only have 5 minutes to spare then please use this link instead: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/STEMlearners2022-short

Text for sharing with parent/carers

Education Scotland and the Scottish Government are very keen to hear what parents and carers think about STEM subjects. STEM stands for Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics. Would you encourage your child to continue with STEM subjects or choose alternatives? What do you know about STEM jobs? If you have a child/children in school (Primary 6 to S6) then you can help in the following ways.

1. Complete a short online survey by 01 July 2022. It will take approximately 10 minutes to fill out: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/STEMParents2022

2. As an alternative to the survey, parents and carers can take part in an online focus group using the Liveminds platform. The focus group is live for a week with a new question posed each day. Parents/carers can contribute as little or as much as they like, at a time that suits them – on a computer, mobile phone or other smart device.

Anyone interested in the parental online focus group should email: laura.comincini@ekosgen.co.uk to confirm their interest. They will then receive an email with joining instructions in advance of the focus group.

3. In addition, parents and carers can share the link to the learner survey with their children (if between P6 and S6) so they can also share their views directly: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/STEMLearners2022

Your responses are valuable will help shape the future direction of Scotland’s STEM Education and Training Strategy