STEM Blog

June 5, 2023
by Ian Stewart
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STEM across West Partnership

On Thursday 1 June, Ian Stewart (Development Officer) and Colin Dorman (North Lanarkshire STEM Officer) hosted a successful in-person STEM Nation Award information session for colleagues in North Lanarkshire.

Ian is looking forward continuing to support settings with the beginning stages of the STEM Nation Award, at two further events this week:

  • Tuesday 6 June – Renfrewshire STEM Showcase
  • Wednesday 7 June – West Partnership Teachmeet (South Lanarkshire)

Where to find support for Sciences – list of various useful resources for practitioners.

May 23, 2023
by C. Gillespie
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Fortnightly STEM Planner 23/05/23

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.

STEM Nation Award programme update 

The STEM Nation Award Programme is open for ELC settings, schools and CLD Settings. The STEM Nation Award Programme provides a focus for colleagues across a setting to work collegiately to identify, celebrate, promote and develop excellent STEM learning

Registrations:

  • 14 organisations have registered as official STEM Nation Award Supporters (Support Page).
  • Since January, 33 new settings have registered for the Programme.

Sessions:

  • Since September 2022, we have hosted 18 STEM Nation Award information sessions for local authorities.
  • Regular drop in sessions continue to be scheduled (Events Page)

Submissions:

  • February window – 15 settings submitted evidence – all of which have been awarded at least one element.
  • May window – 6 settings have submitted evidence.
  • Braes High School (Falkirk) achieved the Full STEM Nation Award in early March.

There are a range of Online Resources, to support your registration and engagement in the programme.

Look out for our upcoming feature – Spotlight on STEM Nation Award recipients.

 

Share1thing – Secondary Sciences Network

Our campaign asks you to #Share1Thing you are doing that’s working well or one thing you’d like some advice on – all focused on the Broad General Education sciences. It was great to hear your ideas during a fantastic session of sharing at the recent BGE meet.

We are continuing this discussion at a time when you might be reviewing/looking for ideas. Please share any ideas you have, big, small, new or old! With over 800 members in the SSN network we hope this fantastic knowledge exchange can continue.

The folders currently are as follows (feel free to create your own if what you are sharing doesn’t fit!):

  1. Course Outlines and Planners
  2. Course Ideas and Activities
  3. Skills
  4. Approaches to P7 – S1 Transition
  5. Assessment – Strategies and Resources
  6. Topical Science
  7. DYW – BGE Science Resources

Many colleagues have already kindly shared their resources, even if you’re not quite ready to share, get logged in and take a look at all that’s currently available in the Secondary Sciences Network.

Click here:

BGE channel files section.  Join Code: uh9sf32   (NB you will need to be logged into Glow to access this).

We appreciate your ongoing engagement and commitment to Secondary Sciences. Don’t forget to pass the join code (uh9sf32) on to any interested colleagues.

 

West Partnership STEM TeachMeet

The West Partnership will be hosting a STEM TeachMeet on Wednesday 7th June 6pm – 8.30pm.

If you would like to be part of this and share your practice or simply attend, please complete this form. 

 

 

Creative Collaborations for Sustainability conference

We are delighted to bring you the news of a forthcoming event run by Creative Scotland and Education Scotland. The Creative Collaborations for Sustainability conference aims to explore the opportunities for developing Learning for Sustainability in, about and through the arts, investigating through a variety of discipline-specific and interdisciplinary workshops how people and communities value and engage with the natural environment. Creative Collaborations for Sustainability seeks to support teachers in developing confidence to use arts approaches in their practice around Learning for Sustainability.

  • Tuesday 20 June for secondary practitioners
  • Wednesday 21 June  for primary practitioners

See the dedicated website for more details: Creative Collaborations for Sustainability – Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Sign up through the Eventbrite page: Creative Collaborations for Sustainability Tickets, Glasgow

Fife STEM Futures Festival

Fife STEM Futures Festival will run from 12 to 16 June. During this week, lots of STEM partners will deliver an array of STEM workshops in Fife schools. The virtual site (under construction with open access) is set to be launched at the end of May and will include further news, links, challenges and resources which learners, families, practitioners and partners can engage with to celebrate STEM in Fife.

https://bit.ly/stemfutures

DYW – Scientific Technologies Foundation Apprenticeship – Iona’s Story

The Scientific Technologies Foundation Apprenticeship can have an impact both in engaging girls in STEM and also by addressing workforce development and regional skills requirements.

Scientific Technologies Foundation Apprenticeship – Iona’s Story

The DYW Senior Phase Curriculum in action:

Views of young people short videos:

IT FA Benefits & Skills Development Pathways

Food & Drink Technology Foundation Apprenticeship: Lily-Anna’s experience

Creative & Digital Media FA Benefits

Ross Construction Pathway

Parity of esteem & the work based curriculum – the development of the technical and professional qualifications:

Thistle Seafoods interview: Manager’s perspective – YouTube

Science Tech Employer – Bringing new talent into organisation

Science Tech Employer – Bringing new talent into organisation2

Science Tech Employer – Bringing new talent into organisation3

Engineering FA – An Employer’s Perspective

Engineering FA – Work Placement Activities

Food & Drink Technologies FA Placement Activities

Creative & Digital Media FA Placement Activities

Scientific Technologies Aberdeenshire Council Foundation Apprenticeship: Placement Activities

Engineering FA – Work Placement Activities

Merck Modern Apprentice opportunities

Modern Apprentice opportunities at Merck for school/college students – start with Merck in July for the induction and to be settled into the workplace just before starting college. Partnered with Glasgow Clyde College and Forth Valley College as the supplier of the academic study.

Merck are looking for two Modern Apprentices for Engineering.

Apply to this email address:

engineeringmanager@merckgroup.com

There are also opportunities for two lab MA positions which will be shared very soon – one position in Molecular and one in Microbiology.

All the MA positions will be based in Glasgow.

Opportunity for pupils to investigate their classroom air quality!

SAMHE is now official launched and are inviting UK schools to register. Schools will receive a free air quality monitor linked to an interactive Web App where teachers and pupils can view the data in a range of formats and use it in in-app curriculum-linked activities. SAMHE (pronounced ‘Sammy’!) stands for Schools’ Air quality Monitoring for Health and Education. It is a new DfE supported research project which brings together scientists, pupils and teachers to help understand indoor air quality in UK schools. SAMHE was designed in partnership with schools to ensure it meets their needs and is fun and engaging for pupils. Teachers say that it’s “powerful to see the live feed of the data” and the “range of options allows us to use this system across the STEM subjects”. Learn more and sign up on the SAMHE website.

European Hyperloop Week17 – 23 July 

July 23 – Main Public Day Exhibition event to be held in Edinburgh city centre (free)

July 17 to 22 – Kings Building Campus, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FB – Public Ticket events £3.50 per person

  • Exhibition, talks, “ask the engineers”, presentations – Kings Buildings Campus
  • Demonstration Day – Testing on tracks of the Hyperloop vehicles – July 22nd Kings Buildings Campus

Edinburgh is hosting the European Hyperloop Week 2023. Young engineering teams from across Europe will be presenting and showcasing their Hyperloop transport engineering & technologies.

A great chance for kids and families to engage and see the ‘transport of the future’ – linking technology, engineering, science, design and maths.

Some useful links below:

 

MVV Environment Baldovie

MVV Environment Baldovie will be opening its gates to the community. This outside event is set to inspire you to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. On the day you can enjoy some street food, get involved with challenges, games, and sign up for a tour of our Energy from Waste Facility. Children are welcome.

To secure your tickets please click the link below:

MVV Environment Baldovie tickets

 

Dates for your diary

West Partnership STEM TeachMeet   7th June

Fife STEM Futures Festival   12 – 16 June

Creative Collaborations for Sustainability conference   20 & 21 June

International Women in Engineering Day   23 June

 

May 22, 2023
by Ian Stewart
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Teacher Conferences

Ian Stewart, Development Officer (STEM Nation Award), will be representing the STEM Team from Education Scotland at the 48th IOP Physics Teachers Meeting at Stirling University and the 26th Nigel Botting Meeting for Teachers of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews.

Ian is currently seconded from his Chemistry Teacher role in Midlothian. His main remit focuses on the STEM Nation Award and he also supports the Secondary Sciences Network (Glow Team – Join Code – uh9sf32) and a wide range of other activities.

Useful PowerPoints (uploaded as pdf):

                     

Regular updates on https://bit.ly/STEM-Blog 

Where to find support for sciences (Resource links by subjects) 

Upcoming events from Education Scotland (filtered for STEM & Sciences)

May 18, 2023
by Ian Stewart
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STEM Nation Award Supporters

We are delighted to now have 16 organisations registered as STEM Nation Award Supporters, they are listed on the Support Page.

We are pleased to share a few upcoming events from Supporters:

 

Science Ceilidh

Science Ceilidh  are launching the Curiosity In Communities Network. The network is open to everyone interested in the role of STEM to support Community Learning and Development (CLD) practice outcomes with and by young people. CLD practitioners, science educators, researchers and anyone else interested are invited to connect, build collaborations and share learning together.

The next Community of Practice meeting is at 11am on 14 June 2023. They will be spend the first half hour running through the Curiosity in Action application process for any youth groups and researchers interested in applying for the action research programme. They will then have a few spotlight case studies of current projects using STEM to support youth work outcomes, if you would like to put yourself forward for this, please get in touch! There will also be breakout rooms based on the interests of those in attendance and space for networking and exchanging resources. (Eventbrite Link).

 

STEM Nation Award

The STEM Nation Award Programme is available for ELC Settings, Schools and CLD Settings. For more information please review the below slideshow and the online resources.

 

May 12, 2023
by Ian Stewart
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Chemistry Teacher Meetings

Ian Stewart, Development Officer (STEM Nation Award), is very excited to be able to represent the STEM Team from Education Scotland at a variety of events for Chemistry Teachers in May 2023.

Ian is currently seconded from his Chemistry Teacher role in Midlothian. His main remit focuses on the STEM Nation Award, however he also supports the Secondary Sciences Network (Glow Team – Join Code – uh9sf32) and many other activities.

Useful PowerPoints (uploaded as pdf):

                   

Regular updates on https://bit.ly/STEM-Blog 

Where to find support for sciences (Resource links by subjects) 

Upcoming events from Education Scotland (filtered for STEM & Sciences)

May 11, 2023
by Ian Stewart
0 comments

Upcoming Sessions – Secondary Sciences Network

Secondary Sciences Network: BGE Meet –  Tues 16 May 16:45 – 17:45

Looking to develop your BGE? Come along to share practice, hear new ideas and collaborate. (#Share1Thing)

Sign up here: Secondary Sciences Network – BGE Meet Tickets

 

Secondary Sciences Network: N1 – N3 STEM resources from Open Tay – Tues 23 May 16:00 – 17:00

Come along to hear about Open Tay Learning – an interactive, free resource bank, for teachers and learners which aims to promote attainment and recognise the achievement of learners in STEM subjects at National 1-3 levels. This flexible resource bank can be used by teachers and learners to support learning, either in school or at a place of their choosing.

Sign up here: N1 – N3 STEM resources from Open Tay (hosted by Secondary Sciences Network)

 

Seisean Fiosrachaidh Prògram Duais Nàisean STEM/ STEM nation award information session for Gaelic SchoolsTues 23 May 16:00 – 17:00

Bidh an seisean seo a’ toirt iomradh air Prògram Duais Nàisean STEM, a’ toirt a-steach buannachdan is nàdar a’ phrògraim. Bidh cothroman ann airson luchd-obrach beachdan a dheasbad ’s dùbhlannan a dh’fhaodadh a bhith ann aithneachadh. Bidh an seisean seo na ùidh do luchd-obrach ann am Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig.

This session will provide an introduction to the STEM Nation Award Programme, including the benefits and nature of the programme. There will be opportunities for practitioners to discuss ideas and identify potential challenges. This session will be of interest to practitioners in Gaelic Medium Education.

Click here to sign up: STEM Nation Award Programme information session for Gaelic schools

May 10, 2023
by Ian Stewart
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STEM Nation Award – May 2023 Update

The STEM Nation Award Programme is open for ELC settings, Schools and CLD Settings. The STEM Nation Award Programme provides a focus for colleagues across a setting to work collegiately to identify, celebrate, promote and develop excellent STEM learning

We thought it may be useful to share a current update on the STEM Nation Award:

Registrations:

  • 14 organisations have registered as official STEM Nation Award Supporters (Support Page).
  • Since January, 33 new settings have registered for the Programme.

Sessions:

  • Since September 2022, we have hosted 18 STEM Nation Award information sessions for Local Authorities.
  • Regular Drop In Sessions continue to be scheduled (Events Page)

Submissions:

  • February window – 15 settings submitted evidence – all of which have been awarded at least one element.
  • May window – 6 settings have submitted evidence.
  • Braes High School (Falkirk) achieved the Full STEM Nation Award in early March.

We are very excited by engagement and look forward to more opportunities in the coming months.

There are a range of Online Resources, to support your registration and engagement in the programme.

May 5, 2023
by Ian Stewart
0 comments

#Share1Thing (BGE Sciences)

On Secondary Sciences Network (Join Code : uh9sf32), we have started a campaign to ask you to #Share1Thing you are doing that is working well or one thing you’d like some advice on – all focused on the BGE sciences.

We know there are a number of schools within this network who are looking at the BGE so we are starting this discussion at a time when you might be reviewing/ looking for ideas.

We would love you to share any ideas you have whether big, small, new or old! And remember – you are already great at sharing in this network, and with over 800 members now we hope this fantastic knowledge exchange can continue.

The main focus themes are:

  1. Course Outlines and Planners
  2. Course Ideas and Activities
  3. Skills
  4. Approaches to P7 – S1 Transition
  5. Assessment – Strategies and Resources
  6. Topical Science
  7. DYW – BGE Science Resources

We would appreciate your engagement and hope this will benefit colleagues across Scotland.

#Share1Thing – BGE Sciences is the focus of the next Network Session on 16 May 2023. Registration Link (https://bit.ly/SSN16May2023)

May 2, 2023
by Ian Stewart
0 comments

Opportunities from STEM Partners

Range of exciting opportunities from various partner organisations.

 

Challenges:

Tilda Food Challenge 2023: Tilda Foodservice, working together with Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland, are challenging S1-S3 pupils to design a new rice-based food dish that they would eat ‘on the go’. Pupils also should consider how the product could help to reduce food waste and use local produce.

TechFest Secondary Project-based Learning Opportunities – Wednesday 7th June – 4.15 – 4.45pm Join members of the TechFest project team to learn more about upcoming cross-curricular projects aimed at pupils in the Senior Phase. During this session the team will showcase the Blueprint challenge and STEM Next Essay competition, with a chance for any questions. These opportunities will foster independent learning skills and will provide chances for students to gain experiences that will benefit for UCAS forms, interviews, Young STEM leader, CREST and STEM Nation Award. Sign up https://forms.office.com/e/kCqBxiEND4 . Teams link will be sent 3 days before the event.

 

The Science Teaching Survey 2023:

Following the 2022 Survey, the 2023 survey aims to provide a more detailed view of what it is like to teach/work in science education in the UK and Ireland. The survey is being led by the RSC with support from the Institute of Physics (IOP) and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

 

Upcoming Professional Learning:

15 May 2023 – Networking Event for Chemistry Teachers (Funded by Education Scotland STEM Grant) at University of Strathclyde, Glasgow – https://forms.gle/GT5p7BwMteMAkHjdA

17 May 2023 – Networking Event for Chemistry Teachers (Funded by Education Scotland STEM Grant) at Dewar’s Centre, Perth – https://forms.gle/GT5p7BwMteMAkHjdA

25 May 2023 – Institute of Physics – Annual Teachers’ Meeting in Stirling – Registration and booking information : https://iop.eventsair.com/spt48-2023/.

26 May 2023 – Nigel Botting Meeting for Teachers of Chemistry 2023 at University of St Andrew’s – Registration form – https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/chemistry/about/outreach/

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