Lots of research has been carried out into the factors which influence career aspirations.  Some key reading is listed below:

• The ASE have released their findings on Raising STEM career aspirations through the primary years.
• The Imperial College, London carried out a longitudinal study into the science and career aspirations of 10 to 14 year olds called ASPIRES. The follow up study, ASPIRES 2 was completed in 2020, with a third study planned.

Below are some of the STEM careers resources which you might find useful in a variety of educational settings to increase the STEM capital of your learners.  This is not an exhaustive list, so please do get in touch with anne.mcewan@south-ayrshire.gov.uk if you find something you feel others would benefit from.

• Register with STEM Ambassadors where you can place requests for STEM industry students, employees, employers, educators etc who can support learners in a variety of ways.  STEM Connects often run training sessions for practitioners around how they can make best use of the request portal and the sorts of requests which are most likely to be engaged with by the volunteers.
• Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce can support you in linking your establishment with local businesses.  For further information refer to their website.
• My World of Work is a helpful resource (even in primary schools) to explore personality, skills and  strengths that may suit a variety of different careers, and are all applicable to STEM careers.
• STEM Learning has a variety of helpful posters, graphics, videos as well as guidance on how to promote STEM careers in your learning context.
• The Big Bang Fair site has lots of STEM careers guidance through subject-based careers exploration.
• For information about careers in engineering.
• For careers information focused on biology.
• For those interested in careers using chemistry.
• Information on physics careers can be found here.
• Look for information on careers that use mathematics here.
• Remember to refer to the Improving Gender Balance and Equalities resources online.
• FREE careers posters with a focus on engineering can be ordered from here.