If you could be an engineer…what would you do?

Engineers touch every aspect of our lives but frequently we do not recognise who they are or what they do. To inspire young people to become engineers we must first help them to understand what it is that engineers do, what inspires them and what it takes to become one. Engineering as a rich, stimulating and challenging context for learning in sciences, technologies and maths is the basis of Education Scotland’s STEM Central resource.

Today saw the launch of a challenge for learners in primary schools in Scotland. Scottish Engineering and The Leaders Award for STEM are challenging learners to become Leaders for STEM in their schools by considering what they would do if they were an engineer.

Engineers will visit schools and answer questions from learners, hoping to inspire a generation with their experiences.

Learners are challenged to draw or write ‘What I would do if I was an engineer in Scotland.’ Competition closing date is 30th November 2012 with winners announced on the 7th December 2012 and all shortlisted entries displayed in The Barony Hall at the University of Strathclyde  Glasgow on 15th and 16th December.

For more information how to enter visit: www.leadersaward.com.

Leaders Award co-ordinator: Susan Loxley susan.loxley@leadersaward.com

Outdoor learning at the Scottish Learning Festival

We are taking learning outside at this year’s Scottish Learning Festival and are delighted to be able to announce that some of our creative partners in outdoor learning will be offering free events and workshops across the Clyde on the Glasgow Science Centre site.  Please visit the Getting Outside Blog to find out more about the programme, which includes free workshops from Grounds for Learning, Creative Star Learning, Fruitful Schools, Forestry Commission Scotland and Cairngorms National Park Authority/Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority.

Our grateful thanks to the Glasgow Science Centre who have given us their grounds and their café space for our various activities. Registration for these free events and workshops is not available through the main SLF site, so please register early with the individual organisations offering them, using the links provided on the blog. Places are offered on a first come, first served basis. For more information, please contact julie.wilson@educationscotland.gov.uk.