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from robinmacp @ @robin_macp
An event to raise aspirations towards, and interest in, STEM was enjoyed by more than 300 people at Arbroath Academy.
The Angus STEM Festival featured shows from Aberdeen and Dundee Science Centres, as well as Generation Science alongside interactive workshops and stalls presented by local colleges, universities and STEM employers.
Organised by Raising Aspirations in Science Education (RAiSE) and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), the festival also aimed to highlight the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) career pathways available within Angus.
Jonathon Brown, the RAiSE Primary Science Development Officer, said: “It was a wonderful day and we were incredibly pleased with the numbers attending and the enthusiasm and participation from the young people and their families. These fun, informative sessions really help bring science to life and engage young people.”
Visitors were surveyed, with more than 90% reporting that the festival made them more interested in a future career in STEM and that it had increased their interest in STEM subjects. All of those questioned enjoyed the event.
RAiSE is a four-year pilot programme to increase the confidence and skills of teachers to teach effective and engaging primary science. More than 40 schools in Angus are engaged in the programme. It is funded and delivered by The Wood Foundation, Education Scotland and participating local authorities.
This is the first in a series of four opportunities which allows DYW representatives, teachers and educators to gain in-depth insight into what SP Energy Networks look for in candidates.
The event will take place on 28 March 2018 and will run twice on that day. Attendees will have the choice of either a morning slot from 9-12 noon or an afternoon slot from 1-4pm.
The programme as follows:
The event will take place at the SPEN Training Centre in Cumbernauld:
ScottishPower Energy Networks, Dealain House, 72 Napier Road, Wardpark, Cumbernauld, G68 0DF
Booking should be made in the first instance through the Marketplace website. If you do not have access to Marketplace then please register your interest by contacting Alison Nimmo, DYW West Lothian at: Animmo@dywled.org
Future events are being planned for the following dates: 13 June, 14 Sept, 16 Nov 2018.
STEM Education and Training Strategy for Scotland has now been published
A STEM (Sciences Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics) Education and Training Strategy was launched in the Scottish Parliament last week by Ms Shirley-Anne Somerville, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science. The Strategy, together with a STEM Evidence Base Report, is now available to download from: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/10/1386/downloads
A central focus on the strategy is to enable everyone to develop STEM skills for learning, for life and for work. It provides a new emphasis on career pathways within STEM sectors and to grow successful partnerships between schools and employers through the Developing the Young Workforce Programme. The strategy also includes a commitment to expand Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeship Programmes to enable many to pursue jobs and careers in STEM through these pathways. This strong focus on skills and careers will further enhance national efforts to Develop the Young Workforce (DYW) and embed employment and career management skills in the curriculum through the Career Education Standard.
A wide variety and resources including exemplars around DYW and STEM can be accessed on the National Improvement Hub here.
We’re delighted to announce that National Digital Learning Week 2017 (NDLW 17) will take place from 15-19 May 2017. This year the theme of the week will be ‘Digital Difference’ and throughout the week we’ll be asking you to share and celebrate the digital approaches which make a positive impact on classroom practice.
The week will be packed with inspiring case studies from Early Learning and Childcare through to Senior Phase and beyond showcasing how digital makes a difference throughout the entire learner journey equipping young people for work. There will be online events and activities giving everyone the opportunity to get involved whether you’re a digital leader or simply just starting out and looking for some digital inspiration.
On the run up to the week we’ll let you know more details about how you can get involved. Meantime, we would ask that you put the dates in your diary and start to think about what you might do as a class or whole school to celebrate National Digital Learning Week 2017.
Visit www.digilearn.scot for the latest
#DigitalDifference
This newly developed standard provides direction and exemplification across a range of sectors in order to build on and enhance work-based learning experiences for college students in Scotland. Realising the new standard will support the development of learners’ employability skills and subsequently improve the career prospects of all students studying in colleges across Scotland.
The new document complements the Work Placements Standard for Schools released in September 2015 and articulates well with its key messages, allowing practitioners in secondary schools to align work placements for diverse learner pathways in the senior phase.
You can access and download the new standard here: work-placements-standard_colleges
Join us on Thursday 1st October at 9.30am in Glow TV to find out a STEM career.
Hear from James Brewster of Atkins Engineering about his own STEM career and how that might help you in a similar career. James is an engineer in oil and gas and you can find out what he likes about his career and what made him want to get in to it as well as what he studied at school to help him achieve his goal. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask lots of questions during the session and James is looking forward to answering them all for you!
Register now to take part live on the day – Atkins Engineering Series : Real STEM Careers
from Learning is the Work
Having recently moved from a lengthy career in Human Resources with the Council, to Education I can confirm that the old saying “a change is as good as a rest” is true. Believe me, there is nothing more effective if you want to recharge your batteries than taking on a new challenge which gives you an opportunity to work in a new area and enhance your skills and experience.
So, if you are a primary teacher, and interested in using your classroom experience to underpin our strong commitment to developing and supporting probationers and supply teachers, our latest secondment opportunity might be the battery charge you are looking for!!
This is an exciting opportunity to undertake the Principal Teacher – Probation and Supply Support role for a year on a secondment basis. As part of the Workforce Development and CPD and Team you will have an opportunity to shape future teaching staff, support them through new challenges such a professional update. Enhance your own experience and your CV!
Further information on the post can be accessed here.
Linda McAlister
ESO Staffing