Science and Technology Matters (STEM) for Scotland
What is it?
A Smart Successful Scotland will depend on a skilled science and engineering work force, scientifically informed managers and administrators as well as a scientifically aware public.
Careers Scotland in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Electronics Team and the European Social Fund, will deliver Science and Technology Matters (STEM) for Scotland in a number of Scottish schools over a three year period with evaluations throughout.
This project has been developed to address this serious decline by supporting and reinforcing the national science and technology programmes, and developing additional resources to fill observed gaps in the provision for pupils, teachers, parents and the public.
There is a need for increased coordination of science education activities across Scotland. Encouraging connections between the many organisations that aim to provide good science education and to share knowledge and experience can serve to maximize the benefits. This project aims to address all these issues over a three year time span.
The Science and Technology Matters for Scotland project aims to apply best practice to maintain Scotland’s academic excellence in science and technology by:
- reversing the current trend of fewer pupils studying science and technology related subjects at school
- increasing the number of students entering technical courses in tertiary education
- helping to stem the loss of engineering talent overseas by providing (technical) opportunities and awareness to the population
- changing the negative image that currently exists about Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers and opportunities in Scotland and their importance to the overall economy.
Who is it aimed at?
Pupils, parents/guardians and carers and the general public
Curricular links
Sits within Science education
What are the benefits?
Young people
- The opportunity for young people to become excited by science and that a larger proportion of these choose to continue to study science at school and beyond.
- Summer schools for S2 to develop interest in STEM related subjects with follow through to subject choice
- S3 Sci-Tech Challenge
School staff
Guidance staff will benefit from having access to information about the importance and value of studying STEM subjects at university and beyond. It is vital that careers information provides a complete and up to date picture of the opportunities
Teacher CPD events will raise local and national industry awareness and to encourage pupil enthusiasm. With half of the entire teaching profession in Scotland is due to retire in the next decade and within a few years it is predicted that there will be a significant shortage of teachers in the physical sciences.
As part of this project six new members of staff will be engaged regionally to support schools and local authorities and help deliver and coordinate these activities.
Partners
STEM related simulated work in partnership with local FE colleges and industry
