STEM Blog

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!

The Raising Aspirations in Science Education (RAiSE) network of Primary Science Development Officers (PSDOs) has developed a suite of resources, lesson ideas, professional learning events and tailored sessions to teachers during the lockdown period.

Throughout the country, primary STEM leads within the network have used a variety of digital technologies, tailoring their communications strategies and outputs dependent on local need and context.

Gayle Duffus, National Education Officer for RAiSE, said:

“RAiSE has been designed with flexibility at its core. Our aim is to offer an equitable approach to primary STEM learning opportunities that is firmly driven at a local level to ensure maximum impact in learning communities.

“With the announcement of lockdown and a move to home learning for the majority of pupils, our agile network rallied to enhance its digital footprint and deliver a series of innovative solutions which would support teachers to deliver impactful online learning.

“The role of the PSDO provides strategic support to the authorities within our network. These specialists offer a central point in which to foster networks, opportunities, professional learning and lesson ideas which can be effectively cascaded throughout the entire authority and beyond.”

RAiSE is a programme of The Wood Foundation, Education Scotland, Scottish Government and participating local authorities. Following a successful pilot, it is now being offered on a rolling basis to all local authorities in Scotland, with 14 having already joined the network.

Interventions by the RAiSE network in response to Covid-19 have included:

• The hosting of the third annual Dumfries & Galloway STEM Conference moved online with 32 professional learning opportunities hosted with themes designed following a survey of local need.
• Falkirk hosted a #STEMatHome Week and developed a range of resources linked to Star Wars Day which were very popular. Falkirk has grown its Teams group by 50 and had more than 30,000 impressions on tweets since lockdown began – showing its content is reaching practitioners in the region and beyond.
• South Ayrshire is developing a new website and hosting a number of professional learning opportunities virtually.
• North Lanarkshire PSDOs hosted professional learning for the rest of the RAiSE network to share their learning on breakout room-themed STEM lessons which could be conducted online. They provided this professional learning to 150 practitioners from all sectors using GLOW.
• Angus secured First Lego League Junior kits for eight learning hubs and is issuing a newsletter focused on home learning and professional learning opportunities.
• North Ayrshire has developed and promoted a range of online resources which have been viewed more than 1000 times.
• Clackmannanshire has created a new resource hub website, with professional learning tailored to responses from teachers on local need.

The online science planning resource, prepared by the RAiSE network, was published by Education Scotland.   The resource forms an integral part of Education Scotland’s ‘Scotland Learns’ campaign supporting practitioners and communities to continue to best support learners during current extraordinary circumstances.

Education Scotland are supporting the Thank a Teacher campaign in Scotland to highlight the positive impact teaching staff have in our society.

Education Scotland are working in partnership with the Pearson National Teaching Awards – the organisation behind the awards – to celebrate the amazing work of our teachers in Scotland.

It is free to send a card with a personal message through the Thank a Teacher website and anyone can send a card; pupils, parents, grandparents or colleagues all have the opportunity to say thank you to a teacher, teaching assistant, headteacher or team.

Gayle Gorman, Education Scotland Chief Executive, said “Saying thank you could be for a number of reasons, from helping your child settle in, last year’s class teacher, helping you though a difficult time or for helping you when you were struggling. It is important that we take time to recognise the hard work of teachers across Scotland and I encourage people to get involved in this campaign to let teachers know just how much they are appreciated.”

Education Scotland is proud to be a partner in the #ThankATeacher campaign, allowing you to nominate a Scottish teacher to receive a special thank you card for making a real difference. Nominate at ​https://bit.ly/2shxPAj