August 27, 2018
by I. Menzies
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STEM Professional Learning Survey 2017

In June 2017, Education Scotland issued an online survey to the early years, primary and secondary sectors to find out more about the STEM career-long professional learning (CLPL) landscape and to identify the needs and priorities of practitioners and school-based technical support staff.

The survey findings provided important information and evidence which helped to shape the development of the national STEM Education and Training Strategy. This was published in October 2017 and is available from the following link: http://bit.ly/STEMstrategy

Key findings include:

· Lack of funding, time, workload and geographical barriers remain the biggest barrier to practitioners and technicians accessing career-long professional learning

· Strong support for online learning and modular learning to allow people to access professional learning flexibly anytime, anywhere

· More localised support including from mentors would be welcomed

· Practitioners and technicians want more opportunities to learn and collaborate with peers in their schools and clusters

· Partnerships with employers are an important source of professional learning and learning about STEM careers is seen as a high priority.

The information provided by practitioners and technicians through the survey responses has been extremely valuable. The findings have helped to inform decisions about the ‘coherent national offer’ of professional learning that is being planned in relation to STEM subjects.

Education Scotland is excited about the potential for increasing support in relation to STEM over the course of this academic year and beyond. We are already in the process or recruiting a team of new STEM Education Officers and Numeracy officers to support this. We are also just about to recruit a new team of Improving Gender Balance and Equalities officers to provide further support within the new Regional Improvement Collaboratives.

We’ll be releasing further details in the months ahead as plans are finalised and approved and as new resources and programmes go live. In the meantime, we’d like to give a sincere ‘thank-you’ to all those who promoted and completed the survey. In doing so, you have played a significant role in shaping the plans and decisions that will help to make Scotland a STEM nation.

Download the key findings:

STEM CLPL Survey Findings June 2017

STEM CLPL survey results overview 2017

August 22, 2018
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Join STEM Live at the 2018 Scottish Learning Festival!

SLF 2018 is taking place this week and we cannot wait for our STEM Live Expo! – a fantastic new, interactive experience with STEM demonstrations and inspirational keynote speeches.

SLF 18 STEM LIVE Demo Programme

Please note: the sessions below may be marked as ‘full’ when you register but stand-by places are usually available – just stand outside the relevant room on the day to make use of the free spaces!

Hosted by award-winning science communicator, Dr Heather Reid, the action starts at 09.30 on Thursday 20^th September in the Lomond Auditorium, and the programme is as follows:

09.30 – 10.15: ‘Making Scotland a STEM Nation’

Hear the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Mr Richard Lochhead MSP, set out the Scottish Government’s vision for STEM and the ambitious plans in the national STEM Education and Training Strategy published last year.

You’ll also hear from three inspiring young people who’ll share their STEM experiences with you.

10.45 – 11.30: STEM Expo – Part One

Get STEM-inspired! Take part in our wide range of STEM demonstration sessions; hosted and delivered by children, young people, practitioners and experts from across Scotland. In a first for this festival, these sessions are packed full of practical ideas to inspire and motivate STEM learning across early years, primary, secondary and community learning settings.

12.00 – 12.45: ‘Improving engagement with STEM: A science capital approach’

How do we improve, increase and widen engagement with STEM – particularly once learners leave formal education? Join Professor Louise Archer from University College London to hear more about an exciting ‘science capital’ approach which is having a significant impact on young people’s understanding of and engagement with STEM.

13.15 – 14.00: STEM Expo – Part Two

If you enjoyed Part One, then be sure to come along to Part Two to take part in even more interactive demonstration sessions from another selection of inspirational children, young people, practitioners and experts from across Scotland.

14.30 – 15.15: ‘The Art of Science Communication’

Join Dr Jamie Gallagher – scientist, science communicator and salsa dance teacher – as he explores how to make STEM subjects memorable, exciting and accessible for all. Discover how fusing STEM with storytelling, art and dance can empower everyone – including even the most STEM-phobic learners and practitioners! – to connect with STEM in new and interesting ways.

15.15: Closing remarks

STEM Live! 2018 will be brought to a close by Gayle Gorman, the CEO of Education Scotland.

Click here to find out all you need to know about STEM Live! and the 2018 Scottish Learning Festival.

August 20, 2018
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Dundee Science Centre Looks to Local Communities to Shape Future

Just weeks after unveiling the outcome of a £2M fundraising campaign, in the form of a new exhibition and science learning suite, Dundee Science Centre has secured £1.45M to transform the visitor attraction into an even more accessible community hub.

The Inspiring Science Fund is co-funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Wellcome. The scheme supports science centres to rethink what they do and what they offer to the public. Dundee Science Centre is currently fundraising for an additional £340K to reach its ambitious targets.

The news comes hot on the heels of the re-opening of the top floor following an ambitious redevelopment which doubled the upper floor space through a mezzanine extension, now housing the Medical Marvels exhibition and much improved facilities for the Science Learning Institute.

This latest tranche of funding will transform Dundee Science Centre into an inspiring community hub and lifelong learning resource which brings people together and attracts new audiences within the region. The spaces and programmes will be co-designed with communities from the design stage right through to prototyping and testing, and influenced by their needs to ensure it will feel welcoming, safe and accessible for people of all backgrounds.

Rebecca Erskine, Head of Development, Dundee Science Centre said, “We are incredibly excited to build on our existing relationships with our dynamic partners and community groups and invite in new audiences who may feel as though science isn’t for them to join us on a journey to truly shape and co-design exhibits, environments and programmes which are all influenced by their needs.”

Not only will the ground floor be developed into a custom-built hub with improved scope for events, talks and workshops celebrating community work, but made more user-friendly to those affected by sensory and other conditions.

The transformation will also see the creation of a brand new welcome / reception area, dedicated under 7’s exhibition area focused on child development, a sensory zone and new exhibition space with exhibits which encourage social interactions.

The coffee shop will also be replaced by ‘The Gathering Place’ where visitors can socialise and relax with intriguing injections of science, again all shaped by the community.

Linda Leuchars, CEO, Dundee Science Centre said, “We are absolutely delighted to have secured this new funding which will allow us to take all the work we’ve done over the last 18 years to the next level. We are already proud to be leaders in the field of community engagement but now it’s about exploring where we can take that, and really pushing the barriers of science engagement.”

Echoing the sentiment of inclusion is Paul Clancy, Executive Director of Children and Families Service from Dundee City Council, one of Dundee Science Centre’s partners – “Dundee Science Centre’s ambitious plans will play an important role our aims to tackle social inequalities and provide our children and young people with the best start to life. CONNECT will be an excellent opportunity for Dundee Science Centre and Dundee City Council to explore new and greater ways of working together and to learn from each other’s practice. CONNECT will firmly place Dundee Science Centre and science within the tourism, education and cultural fabric of the city and we are excited to be involved in this journey.”

In addition to the physical transformation, a new website will also be developed, again underpinned by the themes of CONNECT – inclusion, accessibility and diversity. The Science Centre team will also be trained by specialist organisations to ensure that the products and programmes on offer are fit for purpose, accessible and address local needs.

It is hoped that talks with local community groups will commence during Dundee Science Festival in October 2018. The new look Centre should be unveiled in Spring 2021.

The project partners bring expertise from a range of sectors from community learning and development, academia, formal education and health care. They are – Dundee City Council, Education Scotland, Dundee and Angus ADHD Support group, V&A Dundee, University of Dundee, Abertay University, University of St Andrews, Dundee and Angus College and NHS Tayside.

For more information, telephone (01382) 228800 or visit www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk.

August 14, 2018
by I. Menzies
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Glasgow Science Centre awarded £2.9 million from Inspiring Science Fund

Glasgow Science Centre (GSC) has received funding of £2.9 million that will revolutionise the visitor attraction. As well as improvements to existing facilities and exhibition spaces and the development of its community based learning programme, the funding will transform the exterior of the centre by the Clyde at its Pacific Quay location.

Awarded through the Inspiring Science Fund – a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Wellcome Trust – it is the biggest single investment in GSC since it opened in 2001.

The money will fund GSC’s Connect project that will deliver a range of new interactions and experiences to make GSC more attractive and accessible to a wider and more diverse audience and aims to cement GSC in the fabric of Glasgow as a community hub.

Dr Stephen Breslin, Chief Executive at Glasgow Science Centre said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been successful in our application to the Inspiring Science Fund. Connect aims to empower the people of Glasgow to make positive changes in their lives and communities through learning and engagement with science.

It will build upon and expand our successful community engagement programmes to better serve the diverse communities across the city and will permeate throughout all of our activities to make us more relevant to Glasgow citizens – helping to raise attainment and develop skills for all.”

Elements of Connect:

· Targeted community learning and development programme– GSC will enhance its needs-led engagement programme, serving the diverse communities Glasgow is home to. This will allow the GSC team to work alongside community groups to identify needs and develop relevant STEM engagement programmes. A new dedicated Community Learning Hub will also be built in the centre to allow groups to meet and take part in activities.

· Enhanced exhibition spaces– “Explore!”, a new exhibition gallery, housed in the main atrium space and Ground Floor of GSC will be created. This will build the anticipation and excitement of visitors from the moment they arrive at GSC.

· Improved facilities- in growing a more diverse audience, GSC identified that visitor facilities required to be updated to ensure individual needs are met. A key improvement will be the introduction of a Changing Places toilet that will give visitors access to extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.

· Programme of Inclusive Cultural Science Events- building on the successes of the Planetarium events programme and adult only Science Lates, GSC will create an ongoing events programme that are attractive to a broad audience.

· Transformation of Pacific Quay– the creation of a new outdoor learning space filled with exciting hands on exhibits, seating and sculptures along the Clydeside. The aim is to bring the fun of GSC outdoors and build a free to access, unique and welcoming outdoor space for play, discovery and social interaction. This space will also act as a venue for cultural science events.

The enhancements to the visitor attraction will be underpinned by organisational change that will create policies and practices that embed inclusion, diversity and equity within GSC. Connect will embed the practice of Community Learning and Development into the heart of GSC to create and nurture diverse and aware staff.

Over the next few months, the team at GSC will work with stakeholders to source the match funding required as part of the Inspiring Science Fund and plan the implementation phase of Connect. Visitors will start to see changes from spring 2019 with the addition of the Changing Places Toilet.

Dundee Science Centre also received £1.45 million to transform their centre into a local community hub. This is addition to the £2 million that has just been spent on expanding the exhibit and learning spaces in the centre. Together with the funding allocated to Aberdeen Science Centre last year, it represents a significant investment in science and STEM in Scotland as we embark on plans to deliver on our national STEM Education and Training Strategy.

May 10, 2018
by I. Menzies
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Improving Gender Balance in Scotland – National Event

Action: “We will work with early learning providers and schools from June 2018 to help them recognise and address unconscious bias and gender stereotyping and tackle inequity. This will include the development and delivery of new professional learning programmes on equity in STEM for practitioners. We will seek to embed good practice from the successful Institute of Physics Improving Gender Balance project across all schools by 2022. We will create a dedicated resource to lead, manage and support this work and will involve equalities experts in the third sector.” STEM Education and Training Strategy for Scotland.

About the event

Register now to attend the launch event for the new phase of the Improving Gender Balance in Scotland Programme. This event will be opened by Shirley–Anne Somerville MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, and will run from 10:00 to 15:30 on Thursday 7 June 2018 in the COSLA Conference Centre, 19 Haymarket Yards, Edinburgh EH12 5BH.

The focus of the day will be to launch the exciting new phase of the Improving Gender Balance Programme in Scotland. This work will progress the National STEM Education and Training Strategy action to challenge inequality by addressing unconscious bias and gender stereotyping in all early learning and childcare settings and schools.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear about the innovative partnership involving Skills Development Scotland, Institute of Physics and Education Scotland that led to the establishment of the Improving Gender Balance Pilot Programme in Scotland in 2015. The partnership engaged six school clusters in Glasgow, Fife, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and West Lothian to develop practical approaches to tackling gender stereotypes and promoting gender balance in early learning, primary and secondary settings.

Learners and staff involved in the pilot programme will share with participants the experiences, approaches and strategies they developed to tackle gender stereotypes in relation to STEM subjects and careers and to promote whole school, centre and cluster approaches to gender equality. The findings of the pilot evaluation will be shared with attendees and programme partners also reflecting on the learning from this important work.

The STEM Strategy action is ambitious and will involve a concerted effort to promote effective practice and to address deeply-held cultural beliefs and norms. The success of this work going forward will very much depend on the strength of the partnership working between government agencies, Regional Improvement Collaboratives, local authorities, third sector organisations and also practitioners, families and young people themselves. The launch event will provide an important opportunity for all partners to reflect on the challenges and opportunities and to consider ways in which we can collectively work in partnership to promote gender balance and improve outcomes for all our learners.

Please complete our online registration to book your place: https://forms.education.gov.scot/s/Z2007/. Early registration is advised.

The programme for the day is available from the link below:

IGB Conference 7 June 2018 Programme

February 28, 2018
by I. Menzies
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Scottish Power Energy Networks – Professional Learning Event 28 March 2018

Scottish Power Energy Networks are organising a professional learning event for educators/DYW leads in March 2018. This opportunity has just been advertised through the Marketplace website. This is the first in a series of four opportunities which allows DYW representatives, teachers and educators to gain in-depth insight into what SP Energy Networks look for in candidates.

The event will take place on 28 March 2018 and will run twice on that day. Attendees will have the choice of either a morning slot from 9-12 noon or an afternoon slot from 1-4pm.

The programme as follows:

• Two sessions per day AM/PM with 32 places open for registration on each.

• 30 minute presentation/interaction session on SP Energy Network activities and talent pipelines we have including Graduate, Craft Apprenticeship, Power Engineering, Engineering Foundation and Year in Industry programmes.

• 1 hour tour of the training centre inclusive of a hand skill and overhead line demonstration.

• Concludes with a 30 minute question and answer session.

The event will take place at the SPEN Training Centre in Cumbernauld:

ScottishPower Energy Networks, Dealain House, 72 Napier Road, Wardpark, Cumbernauld G68 0DF.

Booking should be made in the first instance through the Marketplace website. If you do not have access to Marketplace then please register your interest by contacting Alison Nimmo, DYW West Lothian at: Animmo@dywled.org

Future events are being planned for the following dates: 13 June, 14 Sept, 16 Nov 2018.

February 14, 2018
by I. Menzies
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Royal Society Pilot – £500 available to set up a Mathematics Club

Funding of up to £500 is available from the Royal Society to set up a club (for at least ten students) that can demonstrate that students will acquire new skills in problem solving. The club should give students the opportunity to tackle maths or computing–based problems.

The club must run, ideally, from March/April 2018 to the end of June 2018.

If you wish to extend the club into the next academic year we would ask that you complete your activities by November 2018, or at least be in a position to provide an online evaluation such that we can share your experiences with other schools.

If you would like to develop the club further or start later we are, in this pilot phase, open to suggestions and ideas so please do not feel restricted by these parameters, they are provided as guidelines only.

We would hope that you complete a minimum of 10 problem solving activities which can be documented and shared.

We would hope that the teacher will ultimately develop an idea for a Partnership Grant project in the following year (this is not a requirement though).

You will need to specify what you wish to spend the money on and how much you wish to apply for. Receipts for items costing more than £200 will need to be submitted at the end of your pilot study. The maximum amount of money you can apply for is £500.

If you are interested in applying for this funding opportunities please complete the attached application form (below) and email to: education@royalsociety.org by February 20th at the latest.

DOWNLOAD application form for problem solving club

February 2, 2018
by I. Menzies
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RSE Partnership Grants – What will you investigate?

Partnership Grants of up to £3,000 are available to enable students, aged 5 – 18, to carry out projects in science, mathematics, computing, data science, technology or engineering.

The project must be investigative and supported by a teacher and a STEM professional (research or industry) in partnership.

Download the RSE Partnership Grants Flyer

For more information visit royalsociety.org/partnership

January 8, 2018
by I. Menzies
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Marine renewable energy resources

In the wake of the growing interest in Marine Renewable Energy (MRE), an EU funded project looked to make education about these energy sources and technologies more accessible.

The Aquatic Renewable Energy Technologies (Aqua-RET) E-learning Tool Project created resources for multiple demographics who need to know how aquatic renewable energy technologies work, and in some cases in order to make informed decisions. These demographics include: teachers of primary and secondary school; those who provide additional educational material; a range of stakeholders in the energy sector, including the public, planners, energy advisors, developers, and people working in ancillary sectors.

The AquaRET Project created a series of posters related to marine energy, along with other educational resources. These are focused on Offshore Wind, Wave, Tidal Stream, Tidal Range and Run-of River energy. These resources can be accessed and downloaded at: http://www.aquaret.com/,

Resources

Competence Mapping Tool (CMT):

The CMT is a tool in which interested parties can view the available jobs with MRE industries, and within these positions see what skills sets are necessary. This can help guide those wishing to enter the industry to understand the steps they should take to do so effectively.

http://www.aquaret.com/cmt/

Technology Posters:

Technology specific posters are available for download and free to use for educational purposes. These posters provide an introductory level understanding to the different methods of deriving power from the marine environment.

http://www.aquaret.com/indexeb79.html?option=com_content&view=article&id=200&Itemid=341&lang=en

Technology Selection:

The Technology Selection goes into more detail in regards to each technology type. This includes a look at the history of its development, locations of the energy source, environmental and economic considerations, future potential for the technologies an case studies where this has already begin development. This would complement those wishing for a more in-depth understanding of the MRE sectors.

http://www.aquaret.com/index265c.html?option=com_content&view=article&id=224&Itemid=394&lang=en

Manuals/Text Books:

The link below will provide access to downloaded in-depth chapters on each of the sectors found within the overarching MRE sector.

http://www.aquaret.com/index4ad9.html?option=com_content&view=article&id=199&Itemid=340&lang=en

Download Images and Illustrations:

All of the content on the website is available for download for any interested organisation to use.

http://www.aquaret.com/indexea3d.html?option=com_content&view=article&id=203&Itemid=344&lang=en#Animations

December 14, 2017
by I. Menzies
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Scottish Education Awards – STEM category

Do you know an early learning and childcare centre or school that has a passion for STEM? Then why not nominate them for the Sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Award? If your school or centre is into STEM in a big way then you can also apply directly!

Scottish Education Awards 2018_ Flyer STEM

The Scottish Education Awards recognise early learning and childcare settings and schools that have developed a vibrant and progressive culture and climate of continuous innovation in relation to sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The culture and ethos should promote respect, ambition and achievement in STEM while improving outcomes for all learners in ways which eliminate inequity.

Nominations should provide detail about all the activities, programmes and creative approaches that the school or centre has undertaken.

How are these being embedded across the four contexts for learning?

Ethos and life of the school as a community
Curriculum areas and subjects
Interdisciplinary learning
Opportunities for personal achievement

How are you promoting equity, equality, diversity and inclusion in relation to this award category?

What impact are your approaches having on learners, staff, their families, partner organisations, other educational establishments and the wider community?

Nominations close at 12 noon on Wednesday 14 February 2018

NOMINATE TODAY AT: www.scottisheducationawards.co.uk