September 2025 Newsletter

September 10, 2025

Welcome to our September newsletter, packed with news, resources and support for science and STEM education.

STEM Nation Award News

Congratulations to Glenlee Primary School in South Lanarkshire Council and Uplawmoor Primary School in East Renfrewshire Council on achieving the STEM Nation Award! Find out more about the STEM Nation Award –

General information about the STEM Nation Award – STEM Nation

The STEM self-evaluation and improvement framework underpins Education Scotland’s STEM Nation award. It’s a great place to start! Check it out here:

STEM self-evaluation and improvement framework | Resources | Education Scotland

STEM Outdoors

As Autumn is here, you may want to plan some seasonal outdoor learning. Don’t forget we have a range of activities for all seasons and any time across Early, First and Second Level. STEM Outdoors – STEM Nation

Welcome Back Science Network Webinar

Join our Welcome Back Science Network Webinar 17 Sept 4pm – for all in ELC & childcare, primary, secondary & ASN who deliver science. Get updated on the Science Curriculum Improvement Cycle, join discussions & explore ways to contribute during academic year 2025/26. Education Scotland National Sciences Network – Welcome back webinar | Eventbrite

Education Scotland News and Events

PISA 2025 Framework

The OECD PISA 2025 Assessment has begun for 3,500 learners from 119 secondary schools until October 2025.

Check out the comprehensive support package for learners, parents/carers and participating schools to help them understand more about the PISA study, why it is important and what to expect on the day:

Programme for International Student Assessment 2025 | Resources | Education Scotland

Science and the Curriculum Improvement Cycle

The sciences component of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) is progressing; many thanks to the members of our Science CIC Core Group for their valuable contributions to our two day workshop firming up the concepts and big ideas for the revised 3-18 sciences curriculum.

Access the reports and thinking from both groups:

Collaboration Group Padlet
Core Group Padlet

Other resources and support

Our national STEM partner organisations have lots of programmes, events, resources and funding available. Here are the highlights from our recent network meetings:

Royal Society of Chemistry Inclusion & Diversity Fund

Up to £5000 for projects that:

• Remove barriers for underrepresented groups in chemical sciences

• Improve understanding of underrepresented groups & support fair career progression

• Create more inclusive cultures in education & workplaces.

Apply here:

Inclusion and Diversity Fund

Professional Development for Teachers (funded CPD programme)

Leading Primary STEM for the Future (part of the Empowering Educators programme)

A fully funded, enhanced CPD course developed with My Science Club, Thales UK, and STEM Learning. This research-based programme helps primary teachers enrich their STEM teaching—covering science and mathematics—through practical, real-world approaches. Participants can earn formal SQA SCQF Level 5 (Mathematics for Science) and Level 7 (STEM Leadership) awards to enhance their professional accreditation.

Click here to apply

Primary Learner Scholarship (fully funded STEM programme for upper primary)

STEM Saturdays (Primary P6 & P7)

A fully funded scholarship offering upper primary learners (Primary 6 & 7) six hands-on Saturday workshops in STEM. Delivered in partnership with My Science Club and Leidos UK, this programme includes specialist educator instruction and engagement with STEM industry ambassadors — designed to boost attainment in mathematics and inspire future STEM participation.

Participants also earn a Young STEM Leader Award at CfE Third Level.

Click here to apply

Early Years and Primary STEM Professional Learning from SSERC

Online professional learning at no cost, including a box of resources delivered to your school/setting:

Elf on the STEM Shelf – festive STEM activities
STEM Challenges for First and Second Level – Engineering and skills development
Marvellous Magnets
STEM by the Book – STEM activities linked to books

All 3:30-5pm on Teams, suitable for a group of staff – try out a range of practical STEM activities using the kit provided

Find out more and apply: https://sserc.org.uk/professional-learning/early-years-primary-professional-learning/

SSERC Experiments and Data Analysis for Psychology Teaching

A new course aimed at those delivering Psychology in secondary schools and FE colleges.

Enrolment for the course (which will take place on 22January 2026) is open here:

https://www.sserc.org.uk/professional-learning/professional-learning-calendar/experiments-and-data-analysis-for-psychology-teaching

DigiInventors Challenge 2025 – a free innovation challenge helps secondary pupils:

✅ Build digital, design & entrepreneurial skills

✅ Explore health, care & technology careers

✅ Respond to a real-world problem with a creative digital solution

Deadline: 10 Oct www.dhi-scotland.com/digiinventors

Maths Week Scotland

Maths Week Scotland runs from 22 – 28 September 2025. There are learning resources, challenges and competitions available for early level to senior phase. For more information visit: Schools – Maths Week Scotland

Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET)

Check out the Moo Maths learning pack for information about STEM and data from the farm, and dairy cow 991 who is providing monthly updates: Numeracy and Mathematics on the Dairy Farm | Royal Highland Education Trust
Grow Your Own Loaf – Free seeds are supported with lesson plans, videos and classroom resources: https://www.rhet.org.uk/teachers/in-school-learning/request-grow-your-own-loaf-seeds/
Check out the new peatland restoration learning resource for third level geography, science and environmental science: https://www.thinglink.com/view/scene/1944441815260201828
Talk to a farmer impact video: https://youtu.be/ify-sfKT9H8

Keep Scotland Beautiful

Climate Action Week Live Lessons – register now

Keep Scotland Beautiful are excited to announce that registrations are now open for Climate Action Week Live Lessons for schools and nurseries. These interactive, online lessons are timed with Scotland’s Climate Week, supporting young people to learn about climate change and take collective action.

The programme is as follows:

P4-S2 Lesson in English: 11.00-11.40am Tuesday 23/09/25

P4-S2 Lesson in Gaelic: 1.30-2.10pm Tuesday 23/09/25

Early Years to P3 story time in English: 11.00-11.30am Wednesday 24/09/25

All ages assembly in English with Gaelic interpretation: 11.00-11.30am Tuesday 30/09/25

All lessons will feature a series of follow-on activities to be completed in the week between the lesson and assembly. This includes an invitation to all participating schools and nurseries to take part in our collective action activity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with exciting prizes to be won!

Find out more and register

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Socials

You can now follow us on BlueSky:

@EdScotSciences: https://bsky.app/profile/edscotsciences.bsky.social

@stemedscot: https://bsky.app/profile/stemedscot.bsky.social

@EdScotLfS: https://bsky.app/profile/edscotlfs.bsky.social

@RAiSEScotland (Twitter/X): https://x.com/RaiseScotland

Networks

Join over 2000 practitioners on our national Glow networks. Joining codes are:

STEM: kz41xx4

Sciences: uh9sf32

Learning for Sustainability: o4sj08j

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