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STEM

Science Class

Staff Members

  • R. McMahon – STEM Lead

Introduction

STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is aimed at equipping pupils with problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as encouraging creativity and innovation, and developing their interpersonal skills.

The Scottish government has placed great emphasis on STEM education in recent years. They recognised its importance in preparing young people for the challenges of the future by publishing 2017’s STEM Education and Training Strategy in which they stated the importance of STEM education “to ensure we have a country that is properly equipped for the next decade and beyond, where we aspire to be the inventor and manufacturer of the innovations that will shape the future”.

 

Our aim in the STEM Group is to provide a wide range of activities, clubs and programmes for students and teachers.   

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STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is aimed at equipping pupils with problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as encouraging creativity and innovation, and developing their interpersonal skills.

The Scottish government has placed great emphasis on STEM education in recent years. They recognised its importance in preparing young people for the challenges of the future by publishing 2017’s STEM Education and Training Strategy in which they stated the importance of STEM education “to ensure we have a country that is properly equipped for the next decade and beyond, where we aspire to be the inventor and manufacturer of the innovations that will shape the future”.

 

Our aim in the STEM Group is to provide a wide range of activities, clubs and programmes for students and teachers.   

Aims

The STEM group in Belmont want to promote interest and engagement in STEM subjects among our pupils.

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We have four key aims, roughly aligned with the Scottish Government’s STEM Education and Training Strategy:

 

  • to build the capacity and confidence of staff and learners alike to deliver excellent STEM learning experiences which help to develop our young people;

 

  • to inspire our young people to study STEM subjects and to be successful learners, and to continue in their studies to obtain more specialist skills;

 

  • to close equity gaps in participation and attainment in STEM so that everyone has the opportunity to contribute and to fulfil their potential;

 

  • to connect STEM education with pathways toward future careers, allowing our young people to make informed, responsible choices when taking their next steps beyond Belmont Academy.

STEM Organisation

There are two new initiatives beginning in August 2023:

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  • The STEM Base, and

  • The Young STEM Leaders Programme.

 

STEM Base

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The STEM Base will be a single point of contact where pupils interested in STEM can come to get information about various STEM activities, events and clubs around the school.

 

It would be one, possibly two, lunchtimes per week (timetable depending) in Mr McMahon’s classroom.

 

Pupils will be directed to STEM events they are interested in, but STEM Base will also be a club in itself where pupils can undertake small/short-lived activities. It will also be a workbase/Homework Club for pupils and a more generally, a social hub for pupils interested in STEM.

 

Young STEM Leaders Programme (YSLP)

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The second big change is the introduction of the Young STEM Leader Programme (YSLP). This multi-level course is designed to empower pupils to become Young STEM Leaders who can support, engage and inspire others in STEM in their schools and communities.

 

Currently, we are running the Level 6 Award in school for S6 pupils only through the Enhanced Curriculum, but we have plans to introduce other levels in future. The course allows S6 pupils to gain the YSLP6 Formal qualification, which carries SCQF

 

YSLs are encouraged to form clubs, organise events and so on, but they can link in with existing in-school groups, such as Numeracy, Literacy, Eco-Schools Group, The Provost’s Footprint Challenge, Duke of Edinburgh and so on. They can even get involved with extra-curricular groups like the Guides, Rangers, Scouts, BBs and more. The work they do can also be used to gain further awards such as the STEM Nation award and/or Crest Awards.

 

The YSLs will work (under observation) to plan, lead and evaluate STEM activities, events and interactions within the school and local community.

 

There are several key programmes which I feel would address our STEM needs in Belmont Academy, some of which we need to revive and some brand new programmes which we can introduce. The first two changes listed below are important new steps in upgrading STEM provision in Belmont Academy.

Conclusion

STEM provides an excellent opportunity to enrich pupil experiences and foster a love of learning and curiosity.

 

The STEM group aims to provide pupils with valuable learning experiences and opportunities to explore their STEM interests in fun, challenging and engaging ways, thereby helping to develop their problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills.

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