STEM Blog

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 Week – 17 – 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 22^nd 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:

• What is Hyperloop? – Short 2 minute animation video
• What does European Hyperloop Week look like? – last year’s video
• Where people can book to attend or find out further information?

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

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)

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:

• TechFest – wide range of events coming up in May and June
• Glasgow Science Centre – various programmes for schools
• The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) welcomes school groups to The Royal Highland Show on Thursday 22nd June and Friday 23rd June 2023

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.

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)

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 Schools – Tues 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

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.

List of STEM Grant and Funding Opportunities

If your school is based in Glasgow or South Ayrshire you can apply for the Edina Trust Science Grant Scheme.

List of National Science / STEM Festivals

May and June are busy months for the Festivals, including Falkirk Science Festival, Pint of Sciences, Bang Goes DG!, TechFest and Fife STEM Futures Festival.

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 7^th 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/

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.

New Professional Learning resource: Improving diversity in STEM pathways & jobs

• FREE resource to aid conversations with senior phase pupils about STEM course choices
• Provides a stimulus for discussion, reflection and action to encourage a greater number of learners from diverse backgrounds into STEM pathways and jobs
• See how other schools have used this resource

Access the resource and a short introduction video: Improving diversity in STEM pathways and jobs – STEM Nation

STEM National Network session for ELC and Primary 11th May

The next session of our national network is scheduled for 11th May – get it in your diary now! National STEM Network meetings are a place for practitioners to connect, share, connect and learn.

We will be joined by Iona McCroary from St Modan’s Autism Provision, who will share how they are taking STEM forward through their tiny farm and the difference this is making to learners.

We will also be joined by Laura Robinson, STEM Mentor Falkirk Council and Principal Teacher at Stenhousemuir Primary School. Laura will share how she has grown a love for STEM from her time at Larbert Village Primary School to working with practitioners across the cluster and the difference it is making to learners.

Sign up to attend here.

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.

Sign up here: Secondary Sciences Network – BGE Meet Tickets

Seisean Fiosrachaidh Prògram Duais Nàisean STEM/ STEM nation award information session for Gaelic Schools – Tues 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

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)

National STEM professional learning calendar

Education Scotland STEM team, working with STEM National partners, have catalogued all professional learning for STEM being delivered across Scotland. This invaluable resource is live on the STEM Nation Online Resource Events page as a calendar, with useful links direct to the STEM Partners websites and booking information. Visit our Events page on the STEM Nation Online Resource to see the wide range of support available from Education Scotland and national partner organisations:

Events – STEM Nation (glowscotland.org.uk)

The contents of the calendar can be viewed in a monthly list view here.

Understanding what drive to net zero means for career opportunities in the construction sector – Tues 9 May 3:30pm

Target audience – DYW co-ordinators, teachers, CIAG staff

Short presentation looking at key Labour Market Intelligence, role of construction sector in the climate emergency fight and heat decarbonisation, and opportunities this will create.

To attend sign up here

RAiSE Case study

Check out this case study from STEM Dundee on engineering and tools through loose parts play. This project was for Dundee City Council Primary teachers. This case study can inspire those keen to explore the links between loose parts
and the engineering design process.

engineering-and-tools-through-loose-parts-play.pdf

UNCRC 

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is the base standard for children’s rights and sets out the fundamental rights of all children. The UNCRC is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world and sets out the specific rights that all children have to help fulfil their potential, including rights relating to health and education, leisure and play, fair and equal treatment, protection from exploitation and the right to be heard. The UK ratified the UNCRC in 1991.

All children, young people and adults need to know about the UNCRC (Article 42). As a member of the United Kingdom which has signed and approved the UNCRC, this applies to Scotland and therefore children and young people have the right to know that they have rights.

Children and young people across Scotland will be learning about the UNCRC and their rights through programmes such as the Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA).

Find out more here – Recognising and realising children’s rights: A professional learning resource to promote self-evaluation and improvement planning

UNCRC | The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland

UCI Cycling World Championships 2023 – Still time to get involved!

In the first event of its kind the world’s greatest bike riders will come together across Scotland in August 2023 for 13 UCI Cycling World Championships. As part of this we want young people from across Scotland to celebrate the Power of the Bike.

The Power of the Bike Challenge is a creativity and design project that looks for innovative ideas and solutions to release the power of the bike for us all. Work as a team and develop your own creative ideas and products and, most importantly, have fun! The best projects will be featured at the world championships venues during the championships. The Power of the Bike is suitable for upper primary and older.

Power of the Bike Design Challenge | 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships

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. 

The Royal Institute – Grants for Schools