STEMNET The Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Network

STEMNET The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network February 2010 Moyna Kennedy, Consultant for STEMNET scotland@stemnet. org. uk 07909 890972

STEMNET creates opportunities to inspire young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

The Issue STEM skills are valuable but in short supply • Employers are demanding STEM skills – 92% of companies surveyed employ STEM skilled people, valuing their analytical capabilities and problem solving skills • 66% of employers are having difficulty recruiting enough STEM-skilled individuals to meet their needs. In water and energy this sits at 74% • 68% of employers in science, hi-tech, energy and water not confident over recruitment of highly skilled staff • 70% of companies identified lack of time and information as the greatest barrier to engagement with schools • The starting salaries of engineers, scientists and management trainees were the highest of those surveyed from 350 employers Source: CBI education and skills survey 2009

Susan Anderson, the CBI’s director of education and skills policy “Even with more and more people going to university, not enough are studying the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects that business wants now, and will increasingly need in the future. Those wavering on whether university is worth it, and which course to study, should know that people with STEM degrees get, on average, higher earnings and a raft of interesting career options. ”

We want to get better at communicating the potential benefits of STEM skills • Employability • Enjoyment and personal achievement • Financial benefits

What are we aiming for? • Good attainment in STEM • Positive attitudes towards STEM.

STEMNET helps young people and their teachers access a range of STEM Enhancement & Enrichment (E&E) opportunities

The STEM Learning Journey Primary School Secondary School FE/HE STEMNET Employment STEMNET

STEM Directories ‘The free STEM Directories are a great source of information for all schools and college that will greatly help with the enrichment of science education and support the drive to improve achievement in science subjects. I hope that all schools will be able to make use of this first rate resource. ’ Malcolm Trobe, Policy Director, ASC and former Head and Science Teacher, Malmesbury School, Wiltshire http: //www. stemdirectories. org. uk/

The STEM Learning Journey Skills Needs Brokerage Primary School Secondary School FE/HE STEMNET Employment STEMNET

The STEM Learning Journey Skills Needs Brokerage Primary School Secondary School FE/HE STEMNET Ambassadors Employment STEMNET

More than 21, 000 STEM Ambassadors across the UK volunteer as inspiring role models for young people – nearly 2, 500 in Scotland

What STEM Ambassadors say… ‘I got great satisfaction from mentoring someone as keen and talented as Emma, and I feel proud to have helped her take the initial steps into the world of work’. Leanne Mills, Lifescan Scotland ‘The project certainly held the pupils full attention - some pupils even staying behind in their lunch hour. It was great fun and of course we all got a little wet at the end! I was really impressed by the standard of the wheels and the enthusiasm that went into building them. I even learnt a lot myself that day’. Linda Arkley, Qineti. Q, Applecross

What STEM Ambassadors say… “It’s great to see them coming up with so many questions and ideas. Their enthusiasm is infectious. It makes it very enjoyable for me. ” Linda Thomson from Strathclyde University “Personally I love it. The teachers get ideas and activities they can use in the future. The children get enjoyment and another viewpoint on the science. They also get the unexpected and that helps them remember” Ken Mollinson from General Electrics

What Pupils say… “At first I did not really fancy being an engineer but when an Engineer came in and spoke to us I started to consider being one” Primary 7 pupil, Glasgow “This has confirmed that in future I would like to become an engineer as it has shown how much I enjoy problem solving and alternative thinking” Secondary 2 pupil from Aberdeen following STEM Ambassadors involvement with a brokered event STEM in the Pipeline

The STEM Clubs Network provides a support Network for teachers and leaders of STEM related clubs.

What’s in it for schools? • Free frameworks and guides to starting, running, and developing a STEM club • Introduction to local contact point to advise them on appropriate STEM activities and support • Introduction to local contact point for STEM Ambassadors • Invitations to engage in specific challenges and events • Being part of a community of STEM Clubs • Access to the STEM Clubs website and support from teaching colleagues around the UK • Sharing the latest best practice, activity ideas and resources

STEM Ambassadors Road shows • From Thurso to the Borders (15) • To introduce STEM Ambassadors to Teachers and show they can help them with the curriculum • Materials

Contract Holder Contact Details • West of Scotland Science Connects Aileen Hamilton 0141 330 6396 • North East of Scotland Tech. Fest Setpoint Yvonne Mc. Lellan 01224 274348 • East of Scotland Global Science Frank Mc. Keever 01324 403103 • Highlands and Islands STEM North of Scotland Janice Wallace 01463 244287 Moyna Kennedy Consultant for STEMNET - Scotland@stemnet. org. uk

STEMNET The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network February 2010 Moyna Kennedy Consultant for STEMNET scotland@stemnet. org. uk 07909 890972

Extras

TIMSS 2007 Results Grade 8 Science (S 2) 50 countries 14 Countries Outscored Scotland including: Scotland Part of a Group of 3 Countries: Singapore Chinese Taipei Japan Korea England Hungary Czech Republic Slovenia Hong Kong Russian Federation United States Australia Score 567 561 554 553 541 539 538 530 528 527 523 International average score Scotland Italy Armenia Score 500 496 495 488 Scotland outscored 32 other countries including: Norway 487 Ukraine 485 Jordan 482 Turkey 454

TIMSS 2007 Results Percentage of pupils reporting 'highly positive attitude Percentage of pupils reporting ‘highly positive attitudes’ 90% 80% 70% 60% 77% 72% 70% 59% 65% 56% 54% 50% International average score 40% 33% Scotland 30% 20% 10% 0% Grade 4 (P 5) Maths Grade 4 (P 5) Science Grade 8 (S 2) Maths Grade 4 (S 2) Science

The STEM Learning Journey Skills Needs Primary School Secondary School FE/HE STEMNET Employment STEMNET

STEMNET helps nearly 2, 000 STEM employers (over 300 in Scotland) to create effective links with education