STEM Blog

The Scottish Government recently issued the following advice for schools on upcoming visits and trips in Autumn term 2020 and also on the re-opening of outdoor education centres:

Scottish Government Advice for Schools: Visits and Trips Autumn Term 2020 (issued 14 August 2020)

https://www.goingoutthere.co.uk/appendix/coronavirus-covid-19-reopening-and-operation-of-outdoor-education-centres-and-reintroducing-visits-by-schools/

Coronavirus (COVID-19): reopening and operation of outdoor education centres and reintroducing visits by schools:

https://www.goingoutthere.co.uk/appendix/coronavirus-covid-19-reopening-and-operation-of-outdoor-education-centres-and-reintroducing-visits-by-schools/

Educational value of Scotland’s Outdoor Education Centres:

https://www.sapoe.org.uk/links/local-authority-outdoor-education-centres/

Today, SQA is launching two consultations to gather feedback on modifications to qualifications and adjustments to the 2021 exam timetable.

Please note closing date is 24th August.

John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills said, “Coronavirus has had, and will likely continue to have, an impact on learning, teaching and assessment over the coming year. I am aware that many teachers will be keen to understand fully the arrangements for the assessment of national qualifications in 2021. The Education Recovery Group has discussed a number of options in relation to this, and I welcome this consultation exercise by the SQA examining options for possible course modifications that could help to support the delivery of learning, whilst maintaining the validity, credibility and standard of qualifications.”

Link to info: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/94837.html

Link to survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/technicalconsultation2021

Space Champions, supported by ESERO-UK and the UK Space Agency, are delivering online sessions for teachers and technicians; using space as a context in teaching with space-themed experiments and linking to featured resources.

Regional deliverers of space-related training have launched workshops exploring how to use space as a context in teaching, the different ESA education programmes on offer and how to get recognition through the Space Education Quality Mark. They will guide educators through the resources and tools available and how to run space-related experiments for students.

Online sessions this summer:

04 August –  Join Teacher, Paul Hill, for a free CPD session that looks at how Space can be used to inspire in your science curriculum and how you can make use of the fantastic, free resources available from ESERO-UK. Find out how you can look for life on Mars, run a mission to the moon, explore Antarctica, launch rockets and design spacesuits. There will be a chance to see how simple, exciting and inexpensive experiments can be run in class and have a chance to ask those pressing space and science questions.

• ​Space in the curriculum CPD for teachers 

Free resources are available that can be used in the classroom and beyond. Areas covered but not limited to, include:

• primary level earth and space, literacy, numeracy and how Science works
• secondary level biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geography and DT

• Introducing space resources available to teachers and their students

Space Detectives CPD – The topic of space holds fascination for many people of all ages. Did you know that we can use “space” as a context of delivery through which much of the primary science curriculum can be taught? This is a super way of engaging young primary pupils and inspiring them in those all-important STEM subjects:

• 19 August – ESERO-UK space CPD for primary teachers
• 25 August – ESERO-UK space CPD for primary teachers

Primary Science Development Officer (PSDOs) from across the Raising Aspirations in Science Education (RAiSE) network have shared case studies of initiatives undertaken across the country to develop engaging and motivating STEM opportunities for learners.

RAiSE is a programme of The Wood Foundation, Education Scotland, Scottish Government and participating local authorities which delivers professional learning, promotes opportunities and develops networks to promote enhanced STEM learning and teaching in primary schools.

These case studies are available to read and download on Education Scotland’s National Improvement Hub.

Gayle Duffus, National Education Officer leading RAiSE, said:

“These case studies provide examples of practice that could be replicated across other settings; highlight the planning, resource implications and impact of work undertaken so that practitioners could be inspired to deliver something adapted to suit their context.

“Collaboration, networks and a willingness to share best practice are integral parts of the RAiSE programme. By sharing these case studies, we hope to promote this value and stimulate further inspiration for primary practitioners.”

The case studies are available here and will be regularly updated.

Last week we held our first STEM sharing practice blether – a rich and energising discussion with practitioners from all sectors across Scotland

Collated notes and links from each of the virtual rooms can be accessed via a shared Google Doc.

This was part of a series of STEM webinars in June:

• STEM online focussed on our online resources including STEM/Science Wakelets , our STEM Blog and GLOW Sciences PLC
• Science planning resource for Early – Second Level: the presentation was recorded and can be found in the linked Google Drive along with the resource
• Senior Phase Sciences webinar was recorded
• Outdoor Learning

Presentations and materials from these sessions can be accessed from our STEM Nation Webinar Teams site – we use MS Teams within GLOW. The joining code is: kz41xx4

Accessing MS Teams in within GLOW: Local Authorities which use MS Teams outwith GLOW may find that they need to access GLOW using a different browser or incognito tab to allow them to access GLOW MS Teams.

The senior phase sciences webinar has led to the formation of short – life working groups looking to develop resources to support learning in secondary sciences (including BGE). We have created a specific  MS Teams site within GLOW to support this work – the joining code is: uh9sf32. Materials produced from these working groups will be widely promoted to practitioners through ES Comms channels as well as through the online science teacher groups: Synapse, Strontium and Sputnik.

We are looking to develop more online professional learning opportunities for the coming term both nationally and more locally; please feel free to get in touch if there is anything that you think would be of interest to practitioners in your area.

Contact us at – STEM@educationscotland.gov.scot

The National Parent Forum of Scotland have launched their latest nutshell for parents. 

This latest in the series of nutshells explains what STEM is and why STEM skills are important.

The nutshell encourages parents to talk about STEM in a positive way, to help boost young people’s self esteem and their ability to understand and enjoy STEM.

Our popular Sciences – Senior Phase webinar with presenters from across Scotland sharing and discussing approaches in sciences is now available to view at your convenience.

The webinar is available here.

So settle down with a cuppa and revisit this popular webinar whenever you choose.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at STEM@educationscotland.gov.scot

The New York Academy of Sciences is looking for the best and brightest high school students passionate about changing the world through STEM! These programs are completely virtual and students can participate from anywhere in the world.

Students ages 13-17 are being recruited from around the world to participate in pioneering virtual STEM mentoring programs: 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures and The Junior Academy. Accepted students become Young Members of the Academy and gain access to the world’s smartest network! While both programs use online mentoring platforms enabling participants to interact from anywhere in the world, there are a few key elements that make each opportunity unique:

• 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures connects STEM-focused high school girls to dynamic, motivated female mentors during a year-long virtual science education program. Participants gain access to innovative programming focused on developing essential 21st century skills and become part of a strong network of female STEM leaders from around the world!
• The Junior Academy introduces exceptional students to an online community where they gain access to best-in-class STEM resources and work together to solve real-world problems. STEM professionals mentor student teams during 60-day innovation challenges, with multiple challenges a year for participants to choose from.

This is an incredible opportunity – please help in spreading this message to students in your network.  Any 13-17 year old with a passion for STEM and proficiency in English can learn more about the programs or start their application here. Applications are due by July 31^st, 2020.

Students are welcome to apply to both programs, if eligible. If you have any questions about the programs, please contact apply@nyas.org.

On Monday 15 June, a week-long series of online workshops and activities begin. The 2020 STEM Academy is an innovative University and Industry led programme bringing together teachers of STEM subjects, their students and parents, academics and industry.

The event provides a fabulous variety of ‘hands on’ workshops and activities, working with experts and experiencing the real and exciting world of STEM beyond school. Workshops range from Astrobiology, HYPED Hyperloop- the fastest transport on earth, racing cars, viruses and our defences, to 5G Communication, robotics and AI.

Teachers and pupils attending previous STEM Academies reported significant increases in confidence and ability in STEM Engagement, Learning and Leadership.  We hope that participants will enjoy similar benefits by joining the very first 2020 online STEM Academy. Join in the fun on the 15 June at www.stemacademyscotland.org

We’ve been updating the Science Planning resource to support teachers during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Home learning links have been extracted from each planner and collated in one file, to make it easy for you to find what you need right now.  Links to the excellent Glasgow Science Centre videos (GSC@home) which have been produced for learning at home have been added too.  Everything is linked to specific experiences and outcomes so that you can make links to your planning..

We’ve also shared an interactive version of the benchmarks document which hyperlinks from each experience and outcome, directly to the science planning resource.

Hope these are helpful additions – check them out here!