February 2025 Newsletter

February 13, 2025 by I. Menzies | 0 comments

Welcome to our February newsletter which is packed with news, resources and support for science and STEM education.

We’ll update this blog with new offers as they come in – so remember to revisit this page for the latest updates!

DOWNLOAD this newsletter below:

ES Sciences and STEM February Newsletter 2025

Education Scotland News and Events

STEM Nation Award Open Days – Sign up now

Over 300 settings (ELC, school and CLD) have now registered for Education Scotland’s STEM Nation Award, with over 116,000 learners in these settings. Sign up now to visit a range of settings (in-person or online) that have gained the full award. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/STEMcentralinmotion/2025/01/22/stem-nation-award-open-days-2/

Assessing Progress and Achievement in BGE Sciences – Early to Fourth Level

Education Scotland is hosting events to support assessment and moderation in BGE sciences from early to fourth level. Join the days to moderate at a national level and to build confidence in professional judgement. Glasgow and Edinburgh events are now full but there are still spaces at the events in Aberdeen (20 March) and Inverness (25 March). Register now: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/STEMcentralinmotion/2025/02/13/assessment-and-moderation-in-bge-sciences/

Renewing Scotland’s 3-18 Sciences Curriculum

Work has begun to review and update Scotland’s Sciences 3-18 curriculum. The national Sciences Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) Collaboration Group met in November to discuss what’s working well and what changes need to be made. Check out our latest Sciences CIC Update to access the event report, summary and PowerPoint: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/STEMcentralinmotion/2025/02/13/reviewing-scotlands-3-18-sciences-curriculum/

Building a #STEMnation

What are the key factors for success in terms of STEM approaches in Scottish secondary schools? What was the reach and impact of the £4.5 million invested in Education Scotland’s STEM grants programme? Education Scotland commissioned these two informative reports to answer these questions. Check out our highlights videos too: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/STEMcentralinmotion/2025/02/13/stem-education-reports-published/

Target 2030 – Learning for a Better World

Would you like to live in a better world? January 2025 marks the five-year countdown to Target 2030 – the date we are due to meet our national target for every 3-18 school and setting to be sustainable and for all learners to receive their entitlement to Learning for Sustainability. Check out the inspiring videos on our LfS portal and please consider committing to the Target 2030 in your forthcoming improvement plan: https://education.gov.scot/resource-themes/learning-for-sustainability/

Other resources and support

Royal Society Partnership Grants – Apply for £3000 funding

The Partnership Grants scheme funds UK schools and colleges up to £3,000 to work in partnership with STEM professionals from academia or industry to run an investigative STEM project. The scheme is open to all levels of education supporting students aged between 5 – 18. Grants are available too for a climate change focus: https://royalsociety.org/grants/partnership-grants/

NatureScot – Nature Discovery Map

Did you know? If we added together all the school grounds in Scotland then they would be equivalent in area to the city of Dundee! NatureScot’s Nature Discovery Map is a valuable national resource to help your setting record the amazing nature and biodiversity in your school grounds and local environment: https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/young-people-learning-outdoors-and-developing-skills/nature-discovery-map-scotland

School Grounds Survey

The 2025 Scottish School Grounds Survey is now LIVE and is being run in partnership with Learning through Landscapes, Play Scotland and NatureScot. The survey is being distributed to all schools in Scotland in January, gathering data on the provision and use of school grounds. Schools who participate will be entered into a prize draw to win outdoor learning and play resources, such as training and den-building equipment: https://ltl.org.uk/projects/scottish-school-grounds-survey/

STEM partner offers

Education Scotland leads national networks for STEM partner organisations. They have loads of programmes, events, resources, funding available. We’ve captured the highlights from our recent network meetings and put them onto one handy post for you to peruse: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/STEMcentralinmotion/2025/02/13/stem-and-lfs-partner-updates-feb-2025/

Secondary School Focus

New qualification – FIDA International Sustainability Diploma

This exciting new qualification from the Futures Institute of Dollar Academy (FIDA) puts Learning for Sustainability at the heart of the senior phase. It is equivalent to a Higher (SCQF Level 6 and 24 credit points) and has been recognised by UCAS. It is also fully resourced and is now being rolled out nationally following a successful pilot phase. Check out this blog to access more information: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/STEMcentralinmotion/2025/02/13/fida-international-sustainability-diploma/

Daydream Believers Creative Thinking Qualification

Many secondary schools in Scotland are now offering the Creative Thinking Qualification from Daydream Believers – available at SCQF Levels 5 and 6. Both teachers and learners are loving the freedom and flexibility it affords with many using the qualification to address STEM and Learning for Sustainability contexts. Find out more: https://daydreambelievers.co.uk/qualification/

PISA 2025 Framework

This September, some 3000 learners in 118 Scottish secondary schools will take part in the OECD 2025 PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) Survey. The main focus for this year’s survey will be science. Education Scotland is working on support materials for schools. In the meantime, check out the PISA website to find out more: https://pisa-framework.oecd.org/science-2025/

Climate change survey for learners

The Royal Meteorological Society is asking S4 learners to complete a short climate survey by June 2025. The ambition is to release this survey annually across the UK to track changing views and perceptions over time, providing valuable data. Please share this survey: https://www.metlink.org/blog/climate-change/participate-in-climate-literacy-survey-2025/

Research placements – Apply now

There are amazing opportunities for students to participate in research placements with universities and industry over the summer through SSERC’s Research Placement Programme and also with the IN2STEM Programme. These are targeted at S5/S6 pupils. Check here for further information: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/STEMcentralinmotion/2025/02/13/research-placements/

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