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 Grant Programme 2022

Education Scotland has launched Round 4 of the Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grant Programme.

Closing date: 12 noon  11 May 2022.

£400,000 of funding is available in 2022/23 – £200,000 for STEM projects (including digital) and £200,000 for Numeracy and Mathematics projects. The aim of the programme is to address the barriers practitioners face in accessing appropriate high-quality professional learning that meets their needs.

Secondary Sciences Network webinar – today

The next in the series of SSN webinars is Science Qualifications & Positive Destinations.

This webinar is an opportunity to hear from employers on the relevance of science qualifications. We will be joined by Sarah Smith (NHS & Scottish Government) and other representatives from STEM industries.

Science Qualifications & Positive Destinations webinar  26 April 4 15 – 5 15

ASN sessions

Today and 4 May – a new STEM and ASN national practitioner network is being launched, designed for practitioners working with learners with a range of ASN needs in mainstream and specialist settings.

First meeting 26 April 4 – 5 30 pm

Next meeting 4 May 4 – 5 30 pm

STEM Professional Learning events

New – an interactive list of webinars and network meetings planned for April – June 2022. Sign up for these events using the Eventbrite links on the page.

Please post a comment at the end of this blog to discuss any aspect of these sessions and to share ideas about possible future sessions.

Practical science videos

Practical Science – an interactive list of all Science experiments films to support you and your learners.

Filter by subject, phase, level and unit. Information on who produced the film and a direct link to the filmed experiment is included.

New interactive STEM resources directory spreadsheet available

Our latest resource to support you in all things STEM is an interactive STEM Resources directory  spreadsheet.  It includes details of organisations and providers who can support with: activities, awards, resources, talks, volunteers, professional learning and onsite visits to name a few.  You can filter the spreadsheet by sector, theme, provider, opportunity, region, local authority and month and date you want.

Science collections on National e-Learning Offer

• Chemistry NQ: National 4: National 4 Chemistry NeLO collection – Pupil.pdf – Google Drive
• Chemistry NQ: National 5: National 5 Chemistry NeLO collection – Pupil.pdf – Google Drive
• Chemistry NQ Higher: Higher Chemistry NeLO collection – Pupil.pdf – Google Drive
• Chemistry NQ Advanced Higher: Advanced Higher Chemistry NeLO collection – Pupil.pdf – Google Drive
• BGE Science Third Level Planet Earth – Biodiversity & Interdependence: Third Level Sciences – Planet Earth.pdf – Google Drive
• BGE Science Third Level Forces, Electricity and Waves: Third Level Sciences – Forces, Electricity and Waves.pdf – Google Drive
• BGE Science Third Level Materials: Third Level Sciences – Materials.pdf – Google Drive
• Higher Human Collection: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1umuKLKDd2vY_D5JA7J0mzrPjpJBM9osa/view?usp=sharing

IGBE

Introduction to gender balance & equalities & STEM

Strategies for addressing gender stereotypes and unconscious bias including the impact on participation in STEM and learner pathways.

25 May 4 – 5:30 pm

We invite newly qualified teachers and ELC practitioners from across Tayside region to join us for this introductory session.

Relevant to all settings, this webinar will explore the impact of gender inequality, gender stereotypes and unconscious bias on children and young people. The session will also highlight strategies and practical approaches including examples of good practice.

There will also be an overview of STEM, including the new STEM Nation Awards, and an opportunity for reflection and discussion.

National awareness raising session ‘How does gender inequality affect attainment, wellbeing and participation?’

26 May, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Relevant to all settings, this introductory session will explore the impact of gender inequality, gender stereotypes and unconscious bias on children and young people, with particular focus on attainment, participation and wellbeing.

The session will include strategies and practical approaches including examples of good practice.

The session will also include opportunities for interaction and a chance to reflect on equality within your own practice/setting.

Royal Institution schools grant scheme

The Royal Institution’s 2022 grant scheme will open to applications on 3 May; application guidance is now available online.

On 3 May, applications open for free full day school visits from one of the Royal Institution’s professional presenters.  The day includes curriculum-linked science shows for students, a practical science CPD session for teachers and an after-school community show for parents, carers and siblings.

All UK state maintained primary, secondary and ASN schools and lternative education provides are eligible to apply for a fully funded Science in Schools package worth £800.  Application guidance is now available here and applications can be submitted via a web form that will be live from 3 May.

SSERC Biology summer school

The SSERC Biology Summer School 3-day residential course focuses on practical work to support NQ senior phase programmes in Biology & Human Biology. Lab sessions will follow an interactive approach. 21st – 23rd June Closing date 13 May.

Dates for your diary

Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grant Programme  Closing date 11 May

National Numeracy Day  18 May

Science Insights 2022 a work experience programme for S5 25 – 29 July

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 Grant Programme 2022

Education Scotland has now launched Round 4 of the Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grant Programme. Closing date: 12 noon on 11 May 2022.

£400,000 of funding is available in 2022/23 – £200,000 for STEM projects (including digital) and £200,000 for Numeracy and Mathematics projects. The aim of the programme is to address the barriers that practitioners face in accessing appropriate high-quality professional learning that meets their needs.

STEM Bursary Scheme

The STEM Bursary Scheme is now open; the scheme provides a £20000 incentive to individuals wishing to undertake a one year ITE course in Scotland that leads to a teaching qualification in the hardest to fill STEM subjects.

Edinburgh Science Festival 2022

Edinburgh Science Festival 9 – 24 April

Edinburgh’s Science Festival are back delivering live events, including a return to the family hub at City Art Centre and two new interactive exhibitions, DataSphere and Consumed, alongside a varied programme of other events for audiences of all ages.

The 2022 Festival will explore lifeforms, lifecycles, revolutionary ideas and solutions to global challenges.

Join this celebration of the role that science and technology and festivals play in our lives – bringing people together, creating new experiences, sharing the joy of discovery, shedding fresh light on the key issues shaping that future and celebrating the human spirit.

Secondary Sciences Network

The next in the series of SSN webinars is Science Qualifications & Positive Destinations.

This webinar is an opportunity to hear from employers on the relevance of science qualifications. We will be joined by Sarah Smith (NHS & Scottish Government) and other representatives from STEM Industries.

Science Qualifications & Positive Destinations webinar  26 April 4 15 – 5 15

New interactive STEM resources directory spreadsheet available

Our latest resource to support you in all things STEM is an interactive STEM Resources directory  spreadsheet.  It includes details of organisations and providers who can support with: activities, awards, resources, talks, volunteers, professional learning and onsite visits to name a few.  You can filter the spreadsheet by sector, theme, provider, opportunity, region, local authority and month and date you want.

Dates for your diary

Edinburgh International Science Festival 9 – 24 April

Secondary Sciences Network Webinar 26 April

National Numeracy Day  18 May

Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grant Programme  Closing date 11 May

Science Insights 2022 a work experience programme for S5 25 – 29 July

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.

Secondary Sciences Network webinar

Tomorrow –  Delving Deeper into Data with Dingwall Academy. Approaches to tracking & monitoring in BGE. Staff from Dingwall Academy will share their approach & the impact on learning & teaching.

16 March 4 15 – 5 15 eventbrite.co.uk/e/delving-deep

Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grant Programme

Interested in professional learning in STEM? Join our information sessions & learn about the Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grants Programme. Exploring the STEM grant programme, guidance & support available & how to apply.

1st session      21 March Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grant Programme 1

2nd session    23 March Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grant Programme 2

3rd session     24 March Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grant Programme 3

4th session     28 March Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grant Programme 4

Pedagogy & Primary STEM

A series of interactive sessions exploring pedagogy and primary STEM with a range of approaches to try with learners.

Session 4 22 March

Session 5 31 March

4 – 5 pm

Meetings on Glow Teams with joining link – if you have signed up please use the joining link to join the Glow team well before the event.

British Science Week

Get involved in British Science Week 11 – 20 March. Download free activity packs focused on this yera’s theme, Growth, or check out free resources.

Dates for your diary

DYW Live Money Day 21 March

Caithness International Science Festival   1 – 31 March

Edinburgh International Science Festival 9 – 24 April

Science Insights 2022 a work experience programme for S5 25 – 29 July

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.

The online resource was created as part of Scotland’s STEM Education and Training Strategy. On the site you will find a range of resources to support inspire and connect, such as:

• the latest developments in STEM
• interesting practice examples to inspire and make connections
• the science planning resource to support planning for science around the experiences and outcomes from early to second level
• links to National Professional Learning communities including Sciences, Technologies, Numeracy and Mathematics
• information on the STEM Awards programme available in Scotland including the STEM Nation Award developed by Education Scotland and links to the Young STEM Leaders Programme developed by SSERC.
• support to deepen your professional knowledge and understanding and to help you develop progressive and innovative practice.

And much more for ELC, primary, secondary, ASN, CLD and school based technical support staff.

Secondary Sciences Network

Education Scotland are offering a range of webinars to support delivery of the sciences. With input from practitioners and other partners, these webinars will support staff with the implementation of new qualifications and provide opportunities for networking.

The webinars series runs from 8th March until 24th May.

SSN Webinar Timetable

Pedagogy and Primary STEM sessions

A series of interactive sessions exploring pedagogy & primary STEM with a range of approaches to try with learners.

Session 4: 10 March

Session 5: 22 March

4-5 pm

Meetings on Glow Teams with joining link.

If you have signed up please use the joining link to join the Glow Team well before the event.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 7 – 11 March

Apprenticeships provide jobs for individuals that give them skills needed now and for the future. Get involved in this year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week. Take the opportunity to show that apprenticeships work for individuals, industries and Scotland.

Get involved here.

RHET Talk to a Farmer

Talk to a farmer week, taking place till Friday 4 March.

Streaming through DYW Live, your class can join in with live stream footage from the farm and engage in conversation with the farmer.

Click here to get involved.

Dates for your diary

Cyber Scotland Week 2022   28 Feb – 4 March

STEM in the North 8 March: Play pedagogy in STEM

International Women’s Day  8 March

British Science Week  11 – 20 March

The University of Glasgow, in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry, are undertaking a longitudinal research project to understand regional inequality in educational outcomes, in particular the geographical disparity in experience and attainment between urban and rural secondary schools in Scotland.

“In 2020, 47.4% of leavers from Scotland’s large urban areas went on to higher education, but for young people from remote small towns that figure is just 36.9%. Those from remote areas are significantly more likely to go straight into employment after school than students from other parts of Scotland. In terms of attainment statistics, these show fewer than 60% of leavers from small towns have at least one qualification at level six, once again the lowest of all six categories.” McEnaney, J 2021, p.86, Class rules The truth about Scottish schools, Luath press limited, Edinburgh. 

The purpose of this particular study is to explore any structural issues in urban and rural secondary schools in Scotland, which may impact on the educational outcomes of practical chemistry teaching. In addition to making these results public, it is hoped to implement recommendations based on the voice of the participants that will support both teachers and Heads of Science/Chemistry, and, in turn, enhance the learning for all pupils in Scotland.

First-hand knowledge and original insights from both Teachers and from Heads of Science/Chemistry in Scottish secondary schools will inform the research recommendations. Both surveys are anonymous and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Survey Link for Chemistry Teachers in Secondary Schools in Scotland 

Survey Link for Heads of Science/Chemistry in Secondary Schools in Scotland 

Thank you for your time and for sharing your experience.  Hopefully these surveys are the beginning of a much larger conversation about practical chemistry education in Scotland (and in the UK).

Show your students that STEM is ‘for them’ through live Chats with working scientists!

“The best thing about I’m a Scientist is the sheer number of students who get that 1-to-1,

personal experience.”- Karen Lee, teacher

In March 2022, show your students science outside of the classroom with I’m a Scientist,

Get me out of here.

Show every student that STEM is something ‘for them’ by connecting them with scientists

in online, instant messaging-style Chats in the Molecule Zone. Every student has an

equal voice in text-only Chats with a diverse range of scientists that’s sure to get the

classroom buzzing.

Take part with your classes

Book a live Chat at a time to suit you. Take part as much or as little as you like, as many

times as you like. No audio or video kit is required, just an internet connection and a web

browser.

Taking part is free for UK state-maintained schools thanks to funding from ScotCHEM

and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Sign up to take part.

Can’t find the answer to your question? Email support@imascientist.org.uk

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.

RAiSE Newsletter

The RAiSE Winter 22 newsletter is now available with the new RAiSE national education officer, Pondering Pond Life, PSDOs Tools Training, Resources and more.

STEM Ambassador in Scotland Week 31 Jan – 6 Feb

Don’t miss out on all the great resources and events for practitioners across Scotland.  Find out what ambassadors can do for you. Careers Carnivals, blogs and much more  – STEM Ambassador Week

Royal Highland Educational Trust – New resource launched 

Working in partnership with Buglife and the James Hutton Institute, this new resource offers the chance to find out more about growing crop mixtures, request free crop mixtures for growing at your venue, undertake some citizen science and find out more about biodiversity.

There is also a pupil resource linked to data analysis which is suitable for supporting Higher Applications of Mathematics as well as DYW linked video content.

The new resource is now live .

Sign up to the teacher newsletter .

FREE Online Energy Quest workshop

Uncover the way energy plays an important role in all our lives with this free Livestream workshop for S1-S3, ‘Energy Quest’.

Can your students save the day by utilising their practical engineering skills? Join in live to unlock your pupil’s inner engineer as they explore alternative energy sources.  In this two-hour workshop, they will find a solution to help a group of young people in danger. During the challenge, students encounter a range of engineers as they uncover the skills engineers possess and the way energy plays an important role in all our lives

Book a FREE 2-hour Energy Quest workshop for up to 30 pupils, the workshop is a great way to revisit core curriculum content and bring relatable role-models into the classroom.

Requirements:

• Room with space to complete practical activities
• Device that enables you to connect to an interactive whiteboard and wifi
• FREE loan kit will be sent
• Commitment to participate in teacher and student evaluation

FIND OUT MORE AND REGISTER

Safer Internet Day 2022 Tues 8 February Barefoot Computing

SID 2022 is all about exploring respect and relationships online. Barefoot have created two activities for pupils to complete in class or at home to stimulate discussion about being respectful online and the difference between online and offline relationships.

• Let’s Chatterbox is for pupils aged 5-7. The activity can be completed in class or set as homework to encourage discussion about online safety at home. Pupils create a classic ‘chatterbox’ which they play to discuss being respectful towards others online.
• Know, or know of? is for pupils aged 7 -11. The activity can be completed in class or set as homework to encourage discussion at home. Pupils consider how much they know about people from both the online and offline world and how they might behave differently towards people they know less about.

These resources sit alongside the existing online safety resources, Safety Snakes and Stop, Think…Do I Consent?, all of which can be downloaded here.

Increasing the offering to Early Years Teachers

• Barefoot are delighted to announce that they are offering free online Early Years workshops to sit alongside the Computational Thinking and Programming sessions. Designed to boost subject knowledge and confidence, this new workshop will introduce teachers to computational thinking in the Early Years and demonstrate Barefoot’s Early Years resources. You can find out more here (click on the Early Years tab).
• As well as launching the new Early Years workshop this term, Barefoot have also released the latest set of seasonal Early Years resources for Springtime. These 3 spring themed activities see the children make a rabbit run, create junk scarecrows and explore sequencing whilst planting seeds. You can download them here .

Dates for your diary

STEM Ambassador in Scotland Week 31 Jan – 6 Feb

STEM in the North  

8 February: Creative industries partnerships
8 March: Play pedagogy in STEM

More details available here

On Wednesday 19 January, education gurus Dr Jo Boaler and Cathy Williams of Stanford University will celebrate the achievements of 200 Scottish teachers, including 71 teachers supported through the Education Scotland STEM grant, acknowledging their effort, commitment and ‘mindset’ during the pandemic.

Dr Boaler is one of the most influential educators in the world. Referenced as one of eight people “changing the face of education” by the BBC, she is the author of 18 books, including the global bestseller Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead and Live Without Barriers and is a White House presenter on women and girls.

The teachers have all taken part in an intensive, 12-month professional learning programme to help them develop a ‘growth mindset’ culture in their schools. The group includes cohorts of teachers from North Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire.

Helping children develop a growth mindset gives them a priceless gift – the desire to continually learn and improve throughout their lives. The catch-all term for decades of robust psychological research by Boaler’s Stanford colleague, Dr Carol Dweck, a ‘growth mindset’ enables children to:

• treat their brain like a muscle – something that can always be honed and enhanced.
• understand that making mistakes is part of learning, and actually enriches it.
• enjoy the challenge of a difficult task, rather than be scared of it.
• realise that persistence and purposeful effort are key aspects of the learning journey.

Mindset Teams, the professional learning programme which the teachers took part in, is delivered by the charity Winning Scotland. With a focus on building confidence and resilience in Scotland’s young people, they support hundreds of teachers every year to achieve a Masters level qualification in ‘applied growth mindset’.

Dr Boaler is a leading proponent of growth mindset, particularly in maths, a subject where many pupils experience nervousness or anxiety. Alongside Williams, Boaler founded the educational resource Youcubed, which has helped 250 million students in 140 countries to become more confident in maths using a range of approaches including growth mindset.

Teachers taking part in the Mindset Teams programme report an increased desire to succeed in their pupils after learning about growth mindset. They say pupils rely less on ‘natural intelligence’ and more on effort, and seek out more challenging work to test themselves. When pupils get answers wrong, they persevere until they figure it out.

These attributes are invaluable as Scottish education recovers from the pandemic, as one participating teacher points out:

“I believe mindset is essential for Scottish children. Building children’s confidence in their own abilities is crucial right now. The break in a lot of children’s learning, especially those who didn’t engage in online learning, will add to the challenges faced. Confidence has taken a knock and I have recently seen quite a few children just give up.”

Meanwhile, biology teacher Chris Bappoo of Banff Academy in Aberdeenshire, said: “Growth mindset is really important for stimulating curiosity and helping deal with setbacks. The techniques teach [pupils] them that their learning is fluid and they can evolve over time.

“Some of my colleagues told me they saw a clear improvement in their own classrooms from many of my pupils who had been schooled in growth mindset, particularly those who had previously been reluctant to get out their textbooks and start the class. It has really given so many pupils a renewed vigour for learning.

“Ultimately we want to produce pupils who are confident and curious in their learning – and that’s what growth mindset does.”

And an East Renfrewshire teacher said: “This project has allowed growth mindset to permeate the classroom ethos. Children understood that it was great to make a mistake and learn from it. They were willing to take on new learning and challenges, to have a go at something that might have previously scared them. Furthermore, the children were able to support each other in their learning and were encouraging their peers to succeed, often helping them if need be.”

Grant Small, impact and delivery manager at Winning Scotland said: “It’s amazing to see how many teachers are taking part in Mindset Teams. If each teacher helps just one class develop a growth mindset outlook, that means around 4,500 Scottish pupils will benefit from the effort and commitment these 200 teachers have made.”

In April 2021, Winning Scotland will launch a new professional learning programme, Applied Growth Mindset: building confidence and resilience in schools. The course will include exclusive keynotes and content supplied by Dr Boaler, Dr Dweck and bestselling author Matthew Syed. For more information visit: winningscotland.org/applied-growth-mindset