STEM Blog

Webinar – How does gender inequality affect attainment, wellbeing and participation?

This webinar is an introductory session, or a refresher for people who have attended one of our sessions in the past. Relevant to all settings, we will explore the impact of gender inequality, gender stereotypes and unconscious bias on children and young people, with particular focus on attainment, participation and wellbeing

Wed 26 May 16:30 – 17:30  – Sign up via Eventbrite

Thur 17 June 18:00 – 19:00 – Sign up via Eventbrite

If you can’t make one of the professional learning sessions, why not give our Improving Gender Balance and Equalities podcast a listen. This podcast is intended to give a brief introduction to gender stereotyping and unconscious bias as well as explore the impact of gender stereotyping on wellbeing, confidence, participation, attainment and achievement – listen here (28 mins).

Webinar – Introduction to gender stereotypes and unconscious bias

Strategies for addressing gender stereotypes and unconscious bias including the impact on participation in STEM and learner pathways.

Tuesday 1 June, 4:00 – 5:30 pm, Microsoft Teams

Click here to register via Eventbrite

We invite newly qualified teachers and ELC practitioners from across the Tayside region to join us for this introductory session.

This webinar will be relevant to all settings. We will explore the impact of gender inequality, gender stereotypes and unconscious bias on children and young people. We will also highlight strategies and practical approaches that help to address this including examples of good practice.

This session will be delivered by Mhairi Brodie (IGBE Education Officer) and Hazel Gardner (STEM Education Officer) from Education Scotland Tayside Regional Improvement Team.

Contact STEM@educationscotland.gov.scot for further information.

STEM Conference

Dumfries & Galloway’s fourth annual STEM Conference focussing on all aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics is now available.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this year’s event is an online conference.

With keynote addresses, workshops & marketplace on all aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics – STEM Conference 2021 Participants.

All conference materials are available within Glow throughout Term 4 and into next session.

Dumfries and Galloway STEM Conference 2021 Access Guide.

Outdoor Classroom Day – 20 May

Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to make time outdoors part of every child’s day.  On two days of action each year in May and November, teachers take children outdoors to play and learn. Being outdoors and active is a vital part of growing up and living a healthy and fulfilled life; learning outdoors has benefits for children, young people and adults alike.

Four outdoor learning webinars are coming up this term – find sign up details of these on Education Scotland Events.

Glasgow Science Centre – free online festival

Glasgow Science Centre is holding its second online festival from May 19 – 21, and everyone aged 10 and upwards is invited to attend.

Curious About Innovation will celebrate the innovative spirit in all of us, and how that spirit can change the world. The three-day programme of live talks, interviews, games and resources will reveal how technology and innovation are solving global challenges.

Travel in(to) the Future

University of Dundee School of Science and Engineering with the Tayside & Fife branch of the Institution of Civil Engineers, have launched this year’s annual STEM poster competition aimed at primary and secondary school students. The topic is “Travel in(to) the Future”.

There are prizes in each category, in the form of Amazon vouchers.

The competition closes on 16 June 2021 (midnight).

Science Planning Resource

Supporting learning, teaching and assessment of science in early learning and childcare settings and primary schools, this resource has been developed through the RAiSE Programme with support from Education Scotland and Scottish Government.

This resource supports planning for science around the experiences and outcomes from early to second level. These activities and approaches should be viewed as useful starting points and suggestions.

Dates for your diary

National Numeracy Day – 19 May

Outdoor Classroom Day – 20 May

World Environment Day – 5 June

International Women in Engineering Day – 23^rd June

Outdoor Classroom Day- 20 May

Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to make time outdoors part of every child’s day.  On two days of action each year in May and November, teachers take children outdoors to play and learn. Being outdoors and active is a vital part of growing up and living a healthy and fulfilled life; learning outdoors has benefits for children, young people and adults alike.

Events and resources for Outdoor Learning

Four outdoor learning webinars are planned for Term 4; you can find sign up details of these on Education Scotland Events.

Check out the recordings from our Outdoor Learning webinar programme. We have been delighted to deliver these with partners in local authorities, government departments and organisations such as Learning through Landscapes and Nature Scot.

Updated guidance on school visits and trips is available on the Scottish Government website

Our Outdoor Learning Wakelet has a great collection of resources – easy, one stop shop access to resources and support.

Our professional learning activity on supporting outdoor learning,  developed with SAPOE and supported by the Scottish Government, is the online portal .

A course on outdoor learning for support staff and partners is also available on the SAPOE website.

Find your local greenspace using the Outdoor Learning map developed by ENFOR (environment and forestry) staff in Scottish Government. Put in your establishment’s postcode and find local green space, with the “5 minute walk” filter a great addition. You can also use the map to discover green spaces near your home- ideal to share with parents and carers.

Let’s see some of the exciting learning taking place in your setting on Outdoor Classroom Day.

Share them with @STEMedscot using #Learnoutdoors #Outdoorclassroomday

Dumfries & Galloway’s fourth annual STEM Conference focussing on all aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics will launch on Friday 30^th April.

Due to the ongoing nature of Covid-19 restrictions, this year’s event follows a similar format to last year’s successful online conference. It is hoped that the keynote addresses, workshops & marketplace will provide practitioners with continued learning in all aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics – STEM Conference 2021 Participants.

All conference materials will be available from Friday 30^th April within Glow. These materials will be available throughout Term 4 and into next session to support all practitioners to meet the aspirations of both the STEM Education & Training Strategy for Scotland, and the Dumfries & Galloway Regional STEM Strategy.

Guidance information on how to access and navigate the conference OneNote –

Dumfries and Galloway STEM Conference 2021 Access Guide.

New webinars from PSTT

The Primary Science Teaching Trust has a new series of webinars this term:

12th May: The Geological Society, with the PSTT’s Ruth Shallcross
19th May: The WWF, with the PSTT’s Ruth Shallcross
9th June: The Natural History Museum, with the PSTT’s Ruth Shallcross
16th June: The Royal College of Pathologists, with the PSTT’s Kulvinder Johal
30th June: Leicester City in the Community, with PSTT’s Sarah Eames

Each webinar will be delivered via Zoom and begin at 4pm, lasting around 1 hour .

Check PSTT’s social media accounts for updates:

Facebook: @primaryscienceteachingtrust
Twitter: @pstt_whyhow

Dates for your diary 

Deaf Awareness Week – 4 -10 May

Walk to School Week – 17 -21 May

National Numeracy Day – 19 May 2021

Education Scotland is running a series of webinars to support the SQA Alternative Certification Model for NQ Sciences. The purpose of these sessions is to support curriculum networks to share practice and quality assurance approaches. All sessions will run from 5-6pm.

Biology/Human Biology – Biology: SQA Alternative Certification Model (ACM) – Sciences support – Biology, Wed 28 Apr 2021 at 17:00 | Eventbrite

Chemistry – Chemistry: SQA Alternative Certification Model (ACM) – Sciences support – Chemistry, 4 May 2021 at 17:00 | Eventbrite

Physics – Physics: SQA Alternative Certification Model (ACM) – Sciences support – Physics, 5 May 2021 at 17:00 | Eventbrite

Environmental Science – Environmental Science: SQA Alternative Certification Model (ACM) – Sciences support – Environmental Science, 10 May 2021 at 17:00 | Eventbrite

Please complete the following: https://forms.office.com/r/qau435C2BH  prior to attending the session – this will support sharing practice during the session under the following themes:

• QA Approaches being used/plan to use
• Challenges and Solutions
• Types of support needed

For further information about the full suite of SQA – ACM Webinars please see the ES digilearn blog

On Thursday 13 May Education Scotland and SQA will host an online briefing session for FE/HE admissions tutors regarding the new SQA Higher Applications of Mathematics qualification.

The new Higher will provide progression from National 5 Applications of Mathematics which has been growing in popularity since it was introduced a few years ago. The Applications of Mathematics qualification provides learners with knowledge and understanding in statistics & probability, mathematical modelling, managing finances and planning & decision making in real-life contexts. It also supports learners to use digital technology within Mathematics.

This new qualification is being introduced in academic session 2021-22 and will be of interest to a wide range of FE/HE departments where statistics and/or finance are core components. This includes STEM subjects but also a wide range of other courses including business, psychology, economics, medicine and healthcare etc.

The webinar for FE/HE admissions tutors will take place from 16:00 to 17:00 on Thursday 13 May 2021.

In the webinar, SQA colleagues will provide an overview of the content and skills that will be developed through the new Higher Applications of Mathematics qualifications. Education Scotland will also explain how the new qualification is likely to be introduced within schools. Participants will also be provided with the opportunity for discussion and questions around the implications for admissions to FE/HE courses.

To register for the event, please visit: https://forms.office.com/r/ag5PfnezdE

If you have any questions prior to the event then please email: mathematics@educationscotland.gov.scot

Science Summer School | RZSS

• The Science Summer School at Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park is planning on running this summer
• The week long course runs over the summer holidays and is completely free for students to attend
• Open to 16-18 years
• Application deadline is the 17 May 2021

 All the details are here Science Summer School | RZSS

•  RZSS have a distance learning option this year too called ‘Zoo Studies’
• Covers similar topics to the Science Summer School – please note there is a cost attached to this option
• Accreditation: Students can earn a ZEBRA Award by successfully passing the assessments

 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-zoo-studies-16-18-tickets-148929956509

• Online work experience week for S5 pupils that are interested in studying biological, biomedical and animal sciences at any university.
• Deadline for Application: Monday 26 April
• Weblink https://www.ed.ac.uk/medicine-vet-medicine/engage-with-us/science-insights

The University of Edinburgh’s cross-college (Medicine & Vet Med) work experience week, “Science Insights Online”, will take place again this summer during the last week of July.

“Science Insights Online” is an exciting work experience programme created for current S5 secondary school students (who will be entering S6 in August 2021). Successful applicants will spend five days (Monday 26 to Friday 30 July inclusive) following a varied programme of online activities hosted by staff and students from 4 different College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine campuses, gaining a real insight into research and work in many different areas of biological, biomedical and animal sciences.

Activities include: 

• Virtual tours of a range of scientific facilities
• Presentations, workshops and discussions on topics including research ethics, the use of animals in research and careers in science
• Opportunities for online group chats with current University of Edinburgh PhD students and researchers
• Skills session to help with future university applications

We welcome applications to Science Insights if pupils are:

• Currently in 5th year of High School and will be staying on for S6
• Able to attend all five days of the online programme: One full week 26-30 July 2021 from 11.30am to 5.00pm daily (with scheduled breaks).
• Enthusiastic and interested in biological, biomedical and animal science, or biochemistry
• Curious, keen to learn and ask questions

There are only 60 places available for Science Insights Online and it is being promoted to all schools in Scotland. Any current S5 pupils interested in science (especially those planning to apply to Biology / Biomedical Sciences / Animal Sciences at university) are welcome to apply.

We are very happy to receive applications from any of your S5 pupils, but pupils who fulfil one or more of the following Widening Participation criteria will be prioritised for places:

• Attending a school of below-average attainment and / or progression to higher education
• Residing in an area of low progression to higher education, as defined by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)
• Is / has been Care experienced
• Is estranged
• Is a carer
• Is / will be in receipt of Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) or Free School Meals
• Is/has been an asylum seeker or refugee

To apply for a place, pupils need to complete an online application form, which they can find on the Science Insights website:  https://www.ed.ac.uk/medicine-vet-medicine/engage-with-us/science-insights  Applications opened on Friday 26 February 2021.

The closing date for applications is Monday 26th April 2021 and places will be assigned on the basis of the applications received as well as the Widening Participation criteria above – NOT on a “first come, first served” basis – by early May.

As part of Science Insights Online, we will run two webinars on Monday 26^th and Friday 30^th of July.  We are delighted that all pupils who apply will be offered the chance to attend both webinars.  The proposed webinar themes are ‘Science is for Everyone’ and ‘All about Vaccines’, subject to speaker availability.

We realise that not everyone has the same ability to access online content and we are looking into ways to support pupils who may have difficulties accessing Science Insights Online. There are questions about online access in the application form, and if pupils do not have a reliable way to get online, we are asking them to tell us. It will not count against them in their application and we will try to help all successful applicants to access the programme, as far as we can.

Please promote this opportunity to your pupils. We will also be promoting this on social media, so if you are able to share from @UniofEdWPteam on Twitter that would be ideal.

Education Officer – STEM (12 month secondment)

We are currently seeking applications for an Education Officer.  This is a 12 month secondment opportunity (maternity cover).  The secondment offers an exciting opportunity for an individual to support regional STEM programmes as part of Education Scotland’s Tayside locality team. They will also lead national developments and programmes to support the implementation of the STEM Education and Training strategy and help to make Scotland a leading STEM nation.

Closing date is 9th April.  For role description and application form click here.