Family Learning | STEM Moray

Family Learning – STEM Bags

In session 2018-19 I am trialling STEM bags as a way for parents to be engaged with their child’s learning in Science.

Portessie, Findochty and St Gerardine Primary Schools agreed to pilot and evaluate the STEM Bags as part of the national RAiSE (Raising Aspirations in Science Education) Initiative. RAiSE is collaboration between Education Scotland, The Wood Foundation and Local Authorities.

These STEM bags will hopefully not only engage parents and children in fun STEM activities, but also help to improve the children’s overall STEM enthusiasm and engagement and ultimately help to raise attainment and achievement and build Science Capital within families.

Why is this important?

The available evidence confirms that parental involvement and engagement in children’s learning supports improved attainment and achievement. Family learning encourages family members to learn together, fostering positive attitudes to lifelong learning. We want to improve and increase the ways in which parents, carers and families can engage with teachers and partners to support their children and increase the voice of parents and carers in leading improvements within schools. (1)

Why is STEM important?

The STEM sector accounted for 37% of total employment in 2016 in Scotland (2)
STEM sector employment (measured by College region) shows that 35% of jobs in our region are STEM jobs (2)
Demand forecasts indicate that there will be a 4% growth in employment in Scotland in STEM sectors between 2015 and 2027(approximately 42,600 jobs). (2)
48% of employers nationally say they prefer STEM graduates because of the skills they possess (3)
Only 4% of engineering modern apprentices are female – let’s get the girls excited about STEM! (4)
ASPIRES REPORT – Shows that earlier intervention is KEY from primary school. Efforts to broaden students’ aspirations, particularly in relation to STEM, need to begin at primary school. (5)

Sources: (1) (National Improvement Framework, 2017, Scot Gov). (2) Developing a Scottish STEM Evidence Base: Final Report for Skills Development Scotland (3) 2014 CBI/Pearson education and Skills Survey (4) Engineering UK 2015: the State of Engineering (5) Aspires Report

Evaluation of Pilot

The pilot will be evaluated between August and October and a Case Study published.

How much does it cost?

The materials for the STEM Bags (to create 10 of each type and therefore 50 bags per school) costs just £130 (not including the bag itself).
Adding in the five recommended books adds £34.75

To find out more…

For a full breakdown of costs or for more information about the pilot please contact Janey Irving – janey.irving@moray.gov.uk

Moray is a RAiSE Local Authority