November 17, 2023
by C. Gillespie
0 comments

STEM Planner 17/11/2023

Welcome to the STEM planner. Keep reading to find out more about exciting STEM developments across Scotland. Please feel free to share this planner with colleagues and school partners.

Annual STEM Survey – Help shape the future of STEM professional learning

Education Scotland is inviting practitioners across Scotland to complete the Annual STEM (sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics) Professional Learning Survey. The responses will help to improve access to high-quality STEM professional learning across Scotland. This year’s survey is especially important as it will help us measure the overall impact of the STEM Strategy since it was launched in 2017.

Please complete the survey appropriate to your sector:

Practitioners in early learning and childcare, primary, additional support needs, secondary (all subject areas, including those not normally associated with STEM):

https://forms.office.com/e/Vr7pw5fAx3

School-based technical support staff:

https://forms.office.com/e/dJGEZaQ8GL

Community learning and development practitioners:

https://forms.office.com/e/V6Bctm5NBH

STEM Nation Award

Many congratulations to St Joseph’s College in Dumfries on achieving their STEM Nation Award. The award involved impressive teamwork from the science and technology staff and valuable contributions from colleagues in mathematics, music technologies and food technology. A highlight was the school’s annual STEM speed dating event.

Also, many congratulations to Our Lady of Peace Primary School in Glasgow on achieving their STEM Nation Award. Well done to staff and pupils at the school for their amazing STEM achievements.

Primary STEM Network

Our next session is on the Future of STEM. Explore how the world is changing, AI and skills learners need to thrive. Also hear practitioners sharing their work on Digi Inventors and Computational Thinking.

Tuesday 21 November 4pm

STEM Nation Award Drop -in Session Tickets

SDG Pilot Project Showcase

Education Scotland in partnership with Advanced Clothing Solutions (ACS) have taken part in an SDG pilot project with 12 schools from North and South Lanarkshire.

ACS is Europe’s largest sustainable fashion hub and one of the most sustainable companies in the UK. ACS aspire to transform the fashion industry from the traditional linear take-make-dispose model, towards a circular fashion model that extends the life of existing textiles and diverts clothing from landfill. To achieve this, ACS enable brands and retailers to introduce a rental or resale model alongside their existing ecommerce model.

This innovative project provided primary and secondary schools in North and South Lanarkshire with an opportunity to research and do a deep dive on UN sustainability goals and challenge ACS to become even more sustainable.

Come along and hear about exciting ideas and the work that has flourished because of this project.

Learn about a possible new approach to connecting schools to some of our inspiring industry partners.

Ideal for schools looking to work with sustainable fashion and learn more about the circular economy.

Attendees also get the chance to tour the New College facility and take part in hands on workshops on textiles.

Date: 23^rd November 2023
Location: New College Lanarkshire, Coatbridge Campus
Time: 10 30am – 2pm
Event format: Each school will showcase their work at the event

SDG Celebration Event Tickets, Thu 23 Nov 2023

STEM Careers

We often hear that there are many career opportunities within STEM, but what are they?

To explore and increase awareness of the wide range of opportunities available in STEM, we have pulled together some of the key websites, resources, facts and reports under different STEM career sectors.

The information contained on the STEM Nation Online Resource will help support conversations with learners about:

the importance and relevance of STEM in their lives

how STEM could be a pathway for them even if they don’t think it is

the skills they develop participating in STEM and how these could be applied in a STEM career

the pathways available to take that first step on the STEM career ladder.

STEM Careers – STEM Nation

Your Planet, Your Future – FREE STEM Careers Showcase at Dynamic Earth!

Join Dynamic Earth and a host of STEM employers on Tuesday 5th March 2024 for their in-person Careers Extravaganza – Your Planet, Your Future! Book your free place now.

Ideal for learners in P7-S6, meet scientists working to protect and care for our planet, ask questions about how they got into their career, and experience a live planetarium show. From marine scientists to renewable energy champions, step into the shoes of the vast range of careers available to play a part in our planet’s future.

As part of the day, you and your learners will take part in 3 experiences:

In the showcase, your learners will meet a variety of scientists, including geoenergy engineers, physicists and marine scientists. Chat to them over drop-in, hands-on activities, displaying the breadth of opportunities available in STEM Careers.
As well as the showcase of scientists, your learners will have the chance to attend a science careers chat show session, in the auditorium. The chat show will feature 3 scientists from the UK, hosted by Scientific Director, Hermione Cockburn. Hear all about the careers of engineers, marine scientists and more, and ask them any questions about how they got into their jobs and the kind of work they do each day!
Finally, experience a live planetarium show, presented by a resident astronomer, in the 6K 360-degree dome.

Book your school’s free place before slots fill up! Support may also be available for the cost of transport through the transport subsidy – ask about this with your enquiry. Email your booking enquiry to groups@dynamicearth.org.uk or through the school booking enquiry form on the website: dynamicearth.org.uk/contact-us/

STEM Grants & Funding

STEM Grants and Funding (November 2023).pdf

List of Science STEM Festivals (Updated November 2023).pdf

Royal Society of Chemistry – Chemistry Teaching Empowerment Fund
Up to £600 towards the cost of a collaborative project or event to improve chemistry teaching and/or foster supportive and effective chemistry teaching communities. Tackle teaching challenges in chemistry, get to know fellow chemistry teachers and technicians, and develop leadership skills at the same time. Tap into the Royal Society of Chemistry’s expertise and get advice on setting up events or collaborative projects from the local education coordinator.
Applications are open to members of Teach Chemistry until Friday 17 November 2023.

Arkwright Engineering Scholarships
For S4 students wishing to have a career as a leader within the Engineering Profession with a commitment to study one of the following subjects at Higher/Advanced Higher – Engineering Science, Maths, Physics or Computer Science.
Successful students receive £600 as part of the Scholarship – funding to be used to support the purchase of components and materials to complete personal technical projects or enhance curriculum projects. Alternatively, funds may be used to purchase textbooks, reference books, or to fund attendance on technical courses, summer schools or university open days. Schools receive £400 if a pupil secures a scholarship which must be spent on equipment, materials or teacher training to enhance the delivery of STEM subjects.
Applications open from early September to mid-January each year. Teachers must nominate pupils on the online portal.

Dates for your diary

Dynamic Earth Careers Extravaganza – Your Planet, Your Future 5 March 2024

British Science Week 8-17 March 2024

November 8, 2023
by Ian Stewart
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STEM Nation Award – November Update

The Education Scotland STEM Team are very excited to announced that a further 3 settings have achieved the Full STEM Nation Award:

Redwell Primary School, Clackmannanshire
Our Lady of the Peace Primary School, Glasgow
Dumfries High School, Dumfries & Galloway

This takes the total number of settings to 35.

The current batch of STEM Nation Award plaques was recently received and the STEM Team are looking forward to delivering to settings over the next few weeks.

This week, Ian Stewart (Development Officer) delivered plaques to two Primary Schools in Glasgow. The two schools are part of the same Learning Community and use the STEM Nation Award programme to structure their collaborative approaches. The learners are very excited to receive the plaque and were looking forward to choosing the best place to display:

St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Baillieston, Glasgow

Our Lady of the Peace Primary School, Glasgow

November 2, 2023
by I. Menzies
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Annual STEM Survey – Help shape the future of STEM professional learning

Help shape the future of STEM professional learning by completing our online survey. The survey should take 7 mins to complete and will close on Monday 18 Dec 2023.

Education Scotland is inviting practitioners across Scotland to complete our latest Annual STEM (sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics) Professional Learning Survey. The information you provide will help to improve access to high-quality STEM professional learning across Scotland. This year’s survey is especially important as it will help us measure the overall impact of the STEM Strategy since it was launched in 2017. It will also inform the development of the next phase of national support for STEM, beyond the lifetime of the current strategy.

Who should complete this survey?

Separate surveys have been developed for specific sectors. You should only complete one of the surveys below.

Practitioners in early learning and childcare, primary, additional support needs, secondary (all subject areas, including those not normally associated with STEM) are invited to complete this survey:

https://forms.office.com/e/Vr7pw5fAx3

School-based technical support staff are invited to complete this survey:

https://forms.office.com/e/dJGEZaQ8GL

Community learning and development practitioners are invited to complete this survey:

https://forms.office.com/e/V6Bctm5NBH

Did you know?

The findings from all previous STEM surveys are available on Education Scotland’s National Improvement Hub: https://education.gov.scot/improvement/learning-resources/a-summary-of-stem-resources/
Survey responses have shaped decisions about the £4.5 million of STEM grant funding that has been allocated by Education Scotland since 2018 – benefitting over 80,000 practitioners in ELC, schools and CLD sectors.
Education Scotland has shared the anonymised survey findings widely with many STEM providers (colleges, universities, science centres, STEM organisations) to help them plan and shape their professional learning offer to meet the needs of practitioners.

Please take a few minutes to complete the STEM survey. Your response will enable a wide range of STEM organisations get their professional learning offer right for you and your setting. The survey data will also support our efforts to make Scotland a leading #STEMnation.

October 10, 2023
by C. Gillespie
0 comments

Fortnightly Planner 10/10/2023

Welcome to the fortnightly STEM planner. Keep reading to find out more about exciting STEM developments across Scotland. Please feel free to share this planner with colleagues and school partners.

National STEM Network: Primary Meetings 23/24

National STEM Network Primary

Are you a primary practitioner interested in growing and sharing STEM learning? Come along to the network sessions and share and learn together. These sessions are open to all primary practitioners (including those leading STEM in their setting).

25 October 4 – 5 pm STEM through the year

Practical STEM ideas to enhance learning opportunities for key dates and celebrations throughout the year.

21 November 4 – 5 pm The Future of STEM

The world is changing how can STEM learning help equip us for the future?

Book tickets here: Events | Education Scotland

STEM Nation Award Drop In Sessions

The STEM Nation Award Drop-in sessions are for practitioners from ELC settings, schools and CLD providers who are interested in learning more about the STEM Nation Award programme.

The sessions also provide the opportunity for STEM Nation Award applicants to ask questions or seek support with their application from the Education Scotland STEM team.

The sessions are hosted on Microsoft Teams – you can join the meeting using a Glow or non-Glow account. There is no requirement to attend for the full session – you may wish to just drop-in to ask a quick question.

Upcoming sessions:

Mon 23 October 11:00-11:30

Mon 23 October 16:00 – 16:30

STEM Nation Award Drop-in Sessions

STEM Grants & Funding

STEM Grants and Funding updated Oct 23

British Science Week – Kickstart Grants

• Kick Start Grant: A grant of £300 for your school to run an activity during British Science Week.
• Kick Start Youth Grant: A grant of £150 for students aged 10-19 at your school to organise and deliver an activity during British Science Week.
• Kick Start More Grant: A grant of £700 for your school to host a science event or activity that involves your students and the local community.
• Kick Start Grant + Youth Grant: A combined grant of £450 for your school to run an activity during British Science and an additional activity organised and delivered by students aged 10-19.

STEM Festivals

List of Science STEM Festivals updated Oct 23

What is Careers Hive?

Careers Hive is an immersive careers education event designed to give students between the ages of 11–14 a new way to think about their futures. It highlights the opportunities available to those who study STEM subjects, as well as the cross-disciplinary skills and subjects that can support and enhance STEM careers.

Careers Hive 2023

Careers Hive will return to the National Museum of Scotland this year 6–11 November. For more information or to book your school groups place go to the website.

STEM Grant Programme Spotlight

This month the spotlight falls on a project focused on Mathematics at Milnathort Primary School in Kinross, part of Tayside Collaborative.

The Making Sense of Maths project develops a conceptual approach to teaching numeracy across primary schools and nurseries, sharing this method with families and other partners. This approach is implemented by engaging in high quality professional learning, developing the skills of maths leaders to allow them to support other teachers and practitioners and releasing time for teachers and practitioners to observe each other, to plan collegiately and to engage with the moderation cycle as part of their planning and assessment approaches to numeracy. Also central to this project is ensuring parents and children have opportunities to learn together to promote positive engagement with maths.

In Phase 2, a numeracy improvement group is leading the development of the project, with book group sessions and additional sessions to support professional learning in numeracy. Further book group sessions are planned, together with further in house professional learning. This approach will be shared through planned work with additional cluster schools this session.

Teacher and Practitioner CLPL is most effective when additional learning is enhanced by in class support and collegiate working. To ensure the project will have a long term strategic impact, staff have time to collaborate and introduce new approaches to classes. There is time for professional dialogue around shared texts, as well as visits to other classes and follow-up reflection time.

Phase two of the project also involves professional learning with parents and families in order that the whole school community can work together on the development.

Scottish Water Generation H₂O

Scottish Water Generation H₂O is a new nationwide campaign that will empower every young person in Scotland to take positive action to protect Scotland’s water. Water is one of Scotland’s most precious resources and we all need to be part of protecting it.

Find out more here.

Mission H₂O is a fun, hands-on challenge for learners aged 5-11 (P1-P7). The mission kicks off with a whole-school assembly before learners embark on a series of water-themed challenges to deliver at home and in school. The mission ends with a prize award and celebration.

STEM the Flow of marine pollution with Keep Scotland Beautiful

Delivered as part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s award-winning Upstream Battle campaign, the STEM the Flow competition encourages pupils to investigate and design solutions to tackle marine litter at source with a pupil-led STEM project for Primary 5 to Secondary 3.

The STEM the Flow competition is live now. Please register to take part and stay up to date will all the STEM the Flow Challenge information.

Royal Highland Education Trust – Teacher Learning Opportunities

RHET’s training, through the provision of up to date information, provides the opportunity to reflect and develop personal connections to the complexities of our food system. IT touches on health and wellbeing, science, technology and geography. We all need to eat and food is a component of life which crosses boundaries and is truly interdisciplinary.

This professional learning involves tackling current issues through providing practitioners with information, together with the opportunities to gain knowledge and expand pedagogies through experiencing industry and/or undertaking classroom activities, utilising virtual and face to face opportunities.

To book RHET CPD dates click here

Scottish Water Careers Map – Let’s Explore!

Scottish Water have launched a brand new Careers Map for pupils across Scotland.

Pupils can explore eight stops along the map including Science & Environment, Construction & Engineering, Communication & more. The map has something for everyone, each stop giving insight into various areas throughout Scottish Water.

Pupils interested in STEM subjects may wish to visit Digital, Data & Technology, pupils interested in protecting our planet may wish to visit Science & Environment. In each stop, pupils are able to hear from people, talking about their roles & how they ‘got the job’ … it might not be the way you think! The Careers Map is suitable for ages 10-17 (P6/7 – S6) & pupils in P6 – 7 who may benefit from an early introduction to the variety of exciting roles available to them in the future.

TRIC DigiFest 2.3

TRIC DigiFest 2.3 will take place on 11 November 2023.

This professional learning and networking event aims to highlight and share high quality, inspiring practice from schools in all three local authorities. Comprising of a mix of workshops, roundtable discussions and presentations, it is hoped that practitioners and leaders from all sectors can join TRIC DigiFest 2.3.

Partnering with University of Dundee, this event will take place in the Dalhousie Building between 9.15 am-1pm.

To register, please click here.

STEM/LfS Events Calendar

The Events Calendar contains STEM and Learning for Sustainability professional learning opportunities, networks for dialogue and sharing practice and events from across a variety of STEM partners and also includes professional learning offered by Education Scotland.

To view the calendar click here.

Dates for your diary

STEM Nation Award Drop-in Sessions 23 October 11:00-11:30 & 16:00 – 16:30

National STEM Network Primary Meetings 25 October 4 – 5 pm & 21 November 4 – 5 pm

Linnean Society Our Local Nature Grant closes 22 October

Royal Society of Chemistry Inclusion and Diversity Fund closes 31 October

Learning Places Scotland Conference 14-15 November

September 27, 2023
by Ian Stewart
0 comments

STEM Nation Award – September Update

Congratulations to the following settings who recently achieved their Full STEM Nation Award:

Francis of Assisi Primary School, Glasgow
Kinross High School, Perth & Kinross
Dunnikier Primary School, Fife
St Joseph’s College, Dumfries & Galloway

During 2023, 9 settings have achieved the Full STEM Nation Award. This total includes settings from across all 6 regions and includes ELC settings, Primary Schools and Secondary Schools.

More information available on the online resources and during the regular drop in sessions (register here).

During September, Ian Stewart has enjoyed the opportunity to deliver STEM Nation Award Plaques to Mosshead Primary School, East Dunbartonshire

and Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh.

STEM Nation Award Plaque has also been received at Dingwall Academy, Highland.

The STEM Team at Education Scotland look forward to encouraging and supporting more settings through the STEM Nation Award.

Fortnightly News 19/9/2023

September 19, 2023 by C. Gillespie | 0 comments

Welcome to the fortnightly STEM planner. Keep reading to find out more about exciting STEM developments across Scotland. Please feel free to share this planner with colleagues and school partners.

Scotland’s Climate Week 25 September – 1 October

Scotland’s Climate Week is an annual event that encourages individuals, communities and businesses to come together to show support for tackling the climate emergency. It’s also a great opportunity to share success stories which can inspire others to take action.

This year is about taking action in the areas that have the most impact.

For example, emissions from car use and home heating are the biggest contributors to climate change in Scotland from individuals. But by choosing more climate-friendly ways to travel and by improving our home heating, we can do good for the planet and it feels good for us too.

For more details and information on how to take part in Scotland’s Climate Week click here.

Learning for Sustainability climate change briefing Climate Change in Scottish Education | Resources | National Improvement Hub

Royal Metereological Society Support materials for teaching weather and climate

STEM Grant Programme Spotlight

This month the spotlight falls on Fife Education and Children’s Services in the South East Collaborative – with their Regional and National Partners funded project – STEM for all in Fife – Self-Service Professional Learning Site. The local authority STEM leads and a number of practitioners across the authority received funding to research, design and deliver a self-service STEM Professional Learning Site. This site enables Fife Early Learning, Primary, Secondary and ASN practitioners to build knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver an effective and progressive STEM curriculum with key links to businesses, industries and local landmarks, supporting relevant STEM learner pathways to the Fife STEM pipeline.

The Fife STEM Professional Learning Site developed through this grant provides a new singular, high-quality, self-service approach to STEM Professional Learning, with a specific focus on local STEM contexts and identified STEM priorities in Fife. The front-facing Site is accessible to everyone who chooses to visit: blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/fi/stemclpl/

STEM the Flow of marine pollution with Keep Scotland Beautiful

Delivered as part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s award-winning Upstream Battle campaign, the STEM the Flow competition encourages pupils to investigate and design solutions to tackle marine litter at source with a pupil-led STEM project for Primary 5 to Secondary 3.

The STEM the Flow competition is live now. Please register to take part and stay up to date will all the STEM the Flow Challenge information.

Royal Highland Education Trust – Teacher Learning Opportunities

Food underpins society. As the recent pandemic has demonstrated, appreciating and understanding food – the journey it takes to get to the plate, how to utilise it effectively and developing a knowledge of food sustainability are vitally important.

To book RHET CPD dates click here – beginning 9 September

Strathclyde Engineering Scholars

Strathclyde Engineering Scholars is a programme which aims to positively impact the diversity of young people studying engineering at university. Ultimately, this will help ensure that the engineering profession is representative of the diversity that exists in society.
The Strathclyde Engineering Scholars programme supports young people from underrepresented groups to:
• access a university engineering education
• succeed at university
• develop the confidence, skills and knowledge for a successful career as a professional engineer.

Strathclyde Engineering Scholars is currently funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering Diversity Impact Programme.

Successful applicants will receive a personalised scholarship package of free support including:
• regular personal or small group academic tutoring in maths and physics (Higher and
Advanced Higher) whilst in S5 and S6
• mentoring from current students and professional engineers
• opportunity to attend engineering themed campus visits

Anyone residing in Scotland with a genuine interest in studying engineering at university, and who meets the criteria can apply or be nominated to become a Strathclyde Engineering Scholar.

Please let the young person know before you nominate them. The application deadline is 5pm on Friday 29 September.

For more information, please visit the website

Scottish Water Careers Map – Let’s Explore!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work for Scottish Water? They have launched a brand new Careers Map for pupils across Scotland.

The Careers Map is suitable for ages 10-17 (P6/7 – S6) & pupils in P6 – 7 who may benefit from an early introduction to the variety of exciting roles available to them in the future.

TechFest’s STEM Next – an International Essay Competition for students aged 16-18

The TechFest International STEM Next essay competition is open to all 16 – 18 year olds.

The International STEM Next Essay competition bridges the gap between school education and higher education/working environments with industry linked, project-based learning that positively facilitates transition. It is a solo project that requires independent research and writing on a chosen topic from the list of interdisciplinary essay topics.

TechFest’s Blueprint Challenge: A Future High Street project for S3 – S6 students

An interdisciplinary project that challenges S3 – S6 students to design a high street and create a space that allows society to thrive whilst simultaneously celebrating the natural world.

This project spans a range of different disciplines (engineering, architecture, art and design, health and wellbeing etc) and as such it is recommended that students create diverse teams showcasing different skill sets.

By bringing energy, technology and nature together there is the opportunity to create a high street that employs innovative technologies and mechanisms in the drive towards net-zero, nature-positive urban areas.

For more information please visit the website

Engineering UK Rapid Evidence Review

Interventions to increase girls’ aspirations for engineering and technology careers

This review brings together the available evidence on interventions that aim to increase girls’ aspirations for engineering and technology careers. Through summarising the existing literature, it highlights learning on effective interventions that can be used by STEM outreach providers to improve gender diversity in these careers.

Dates for your diary

Scotland’s Climate Week 25 September – 1 October

STEM Nation Award Drop-in Sessions 26 September & 5 October

SLF Conversations 26 – 28 September

Linnean Society Our Local Nature Grant closes 22 October

Royal Society of Chemistry Inclusion and Diversity Fund closes 31 October

Learning Places Scotland Conference 14-15 November

September 11, 2023
by C. Gillespie
0 comments

Engineering careers in Scotland

Engineering, in manufacturing, information technology, construction or energy, plays a vital role in the Scottish economy and provides a platform for innovation to grow the economy and create jobs. Careers in Engineering are on the rise in Scotland and these jobs represent an exciting opportunity for our young people.

To give you a window into engineering career pathways, we’ve pulled together some of the key websites, facts and reports into one place.

Key websites

Neon Futures – Brilliant inspiration for STEM teachers

This is Engineering flickr site

Engineering UK

Scottish Engineering

Facts

There are 139,300 people currently working in engineering in Scotland.
Between 2022 to 2025 a further 8,200 people will be needed to fill job openings.
In 2022 there were 4,821 Modern Apprentices working within engineering in Scotland.
Scotland’s engineering and advanced manufacturing sector contributes £9 billion a year to the nation’s economy.

There were approximately 486,600 engineers working in the UK as of the first quarter of 2023.
47% of 11 to 19 year olds said they knew little or almost nothing about what engineers do.
About 1.7 million people are employed within UK engineering, with 265,000 people needed to enter the UK’s engineering workforce annually to meet demand.
The UK engineering sector makes a major contribution to the economy – quantified as nearly half a trillion pounds annually.
Engineering has a direct presence in the secondary school curriculum in Scotland, with
engineering science offered at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels.

Reports

Resources

Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2023

Demand for engineers increasing, with rapid growth in green jobs – EngineeringUK

Skills Development Scotland – Engineering

SCDI – Young Engineers and Science Clubs

The Butterfly Effect | Jacobs

RAiSE engineering and tools through loose parts play

RAiSE Science and Technology Planning Resource

Engineering FA – An Employer’s Perspective

Engineering FA – Work Placement Activities

Primary Engineer

Pathways

Apprenticeships | Engineering – Foundation Apprenticeship | Individuals

Skills Development Scotland – My World of Work – engineering and manufacturing

August 30, 2023
by Ian Stewart
0 comments

Funding & Festivals – September Update

Grants & Funding (Updated list)

HOT OFF THE PRESS: The Linnean Society’s Our Local Nature Grant has reopened. Up to £1,000 to increase youth engagement with local natural spaces and encourage a deeper appreciation and understanding of nature. They are also recruiting 16-18 year olds to form the online youth panel to select the successful applications.

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Applications for the Royal Society of Chemistry – Inclusion and Diversity Fund open from 4^th September to 31^st October 2023. Fund provides financial support for innovative products, activities and research projects that improve inclusion and diversity. Individual applications up to the value of £5,000. Funding greater than £5,000 may be considered for one project each year.

STEM & Science Festivals (Updated List)

Two local festivals are taking place in September – the Orkney Science Festival (7^th-13^th) and the Bang Goes the Borders in Melrose (16^th).

The Royal Society of Edinburgh‘s summer event series “Curious” has many events and online sessions from 4^th to 17^th September.

August 12, 2023
by Ian Stewart
0 comments

STEM Nation Award Update – August 2023

The STEM Team at Education Scotland hope you had an enjoyable summer break and are excited by the opportunities for the new term ahead. Over the Summer, the STEM Team have been working hard to update the Online Resources and collate interesting practice to share.

We have also updated the following:

The STEM Nation Award programme continues to increase momentum and we have had significant increases in registrations, evidence submission and settings successfully achieved full STEM Nation Award:

over 200 settings are now registered on the STEM Nation Award programme
59 settings have been awarded one or more elements
30 settings have achieved the Full STEM Nation Award

We are continuing to offer regular 30 minute STEM Nation Award drop in sessions, to allow settings interested and registered to ask questions and seek support (Registration Link).

June 15, 2023
by C. Gillespie
0 comments

Fortnightly Planner 15/6/23

Welcome to the fortnightly STEM planner. Keep reading to find out more about exciting STEM developments across Scotland. Please feel free to share this planner with colleagues and school partners.

🌞 Also – best wishes from all in the STEM team for a relaxing and restful summer break 🌞

STEM Nation Award – Update

Congratulations to colleagues and learners at Braes High School, Falkirk Council, who successfully achieved the STEM Nation Award in March 2023.

Colleagues across the setting have worked collegiately to build on setting practice to ensure a more strategic approach to STEM.

Impressive range of STEM partnerships and range of employability activities, including outreach, trips and information regarding apprenticeships, with clear benefits for learners.
Broad range of Senior Phase Qualifications on offer, providing excellent opportunities for learners across all STEM areas including Skills for Work Courses, NPAs.
Excellent to see the principles of the Forth Valley Diversity pilot being implemented. Onwards and Upwards programme, Braes Equalities Group and Braes Brains Peer Tutoring programme are excellent strategies to track, support learners and address issues.

Colleagues from the STEM Team visited Braes High School and are looking forward to releasing the video clips in the new school year.

For more information about the STEM Nation Award, review the online resources STEM awards – STEM Nation and look out for the Drop In Sessions .

Grants & Funding

STEM Grants and Funding update

The Edina Trust Grants is open to schools across Glasgow and South Ayrshire. The Edina Trust Science Grant Scheme (SGS) is a non-competitive grant scheme. Funding is set aside for every school and maintained nursery in eligible areas to get the full amount. Deadline to apply – 30th June 2023

The Royal Society of Chemistry has recently launched the Inclusion and Diversity Fund – socioeconomic inclusion special call. Up to £5,000 available for projects to improve socioeconomic inclusion & accessibility within the chemical sciences.

STEM Festivals

List of National Science Festivals (Updated June 2023)

The Royal Highland Show is taking place at Ingliston between 22 and 25 June 2023. School groups are welcome on the Thursday and Friday.

Technologies planning Resource

The RAiSE network has created a range of technology planners to support teachers develop and deliver a range of motivating and engaging learning experiences across the primary curriculum.

The resources cover a range of technology areas – digital literacy, food and textiles, technological developments in business and society, craft, design, engineering and graphics and computing science.

The resources provide advice, structures, and suggestions for learning experiences, skills development, and assessment. They are aligned with experiences and outcomes across the levels.

Also available is the Science Planning Resource which has been accessed on the Education Scotland STEM Nation online resource page over 2800 times.

Links have been made to technologies capital with real-life context, Developing the Young Workforce and home learning.

The resources have been quality assured by the Education Scotland Digital Team.

The planners are freely available here.

Fife STEM Futures Festival

Fife STEM Futures Festival is on now until 16 June. During this week, lots of STEM partners will deliver an array of STEM workshops in Fife schools. The virtual site includes further news, links, challenges and resources which learners, families, practitioners and partners can engage with to celebrate STEM in Fife.

https://bit.ly/stemfutures

Curiosity in Action

How can creative, participatory STEM activities support youth and community work to enhance young people’s confidence, resilience and wellbeing?

APPLICATIONS FOR YOUTH GROUPS NOW OPEN HERE

Curiosity In Action is a two-year programme building an evidence-base, capacity and network in Scotland to explore the impact of STEM in youth work funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

This will include pairing 10 youth groups across Scotland with researchers involved in STFC research – including astronomy, space science and physics – in a collaborative action research process. Together they will trial activities, explore approaches to discover what work well and understand the impact this work has on young people. We’ll be looking for a diverse range of youth groups including youth workers who have not yet tried STEM activities as part of their activities as well as those who have and providing a small grant to support involvement.

This learning will shape a series of free training opportunities and resources developed for community learning and development practitioners, researchers and science educators. We will also be collectively working on publishing the findings from this work with the youth workers and researchers involved.

The programme is facilitated by Science Ceilidh in partnership with Youth Link Scotland, along with partners including The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh and researchers at the University of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Economy, People & Skills Webinars

The Scottish Chambers Network and Skills Development Scotland are collaborating to deliver five regional Economy, People & Skills Webinars for members throughout June 2023.

Hosted by the Scottish Chambers, each one-hour Webinar will include a presentation from Scotland’s national skills agency, Skills Development Scotland, providing the latest national and local labour market insights and analysis followed by open forum discussion.

The most recent Scottish Chambers Quarterly Economic Indicator highlights how access to people and skills in a tight labour market is continuing to constrain growth and productivity. The webinars will provide you with the most up-to-date insights and give you an opportunity to discuss local challenges and tactics to alleviating these challenges with Scottish Chamber Network colleagues.

Sign up to attend the Glasgow & the West session (Glasgow, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Helensburgh & Lomond, Lanarkshire) on Tuesday 20th June 2023 or the Edinburgh/Forth Valley & the East session (Edinburgh, Forth Valley, Fife, Mid Lothian and East Lothian, West Lothian) on Thursday 22nd June 2023 for free today.

STEM Inspiration Programme

Edinburgh College School of Engineering are supporting school STEM activities designed to raise awareness and encourage participation in all areas of STEM learning. Practical projects and events facilitated by Edinburgh College include