Each year, STEM North of Scotland develops, manages and supports a number of projects which are designed to inspire and excite young people in the Highlands and Islands in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). We work closely with teachers, local authorities and other key partners who help to guide, shape and direct our activities.
STEM North of Scotland promotes this Scottish Government campaign which helps young people understand the relevance and importance of science and encourages them to explore the huge diversity of career opportunities available from food to football, design to dentistry. »
There are currently 38 STEM clubs running in secondary schools in the Highlands and Islands. These clubs usually run at lunchtimes or after school and the focus is on encouraging young people to investigate, explore and discover. This year clubs have been looking at topics such as renewable energy, genetics, forensics and electronics. »
Renewable energy toolkits have now been provided to nearly all primary schools in the Highlands and Islands and at least one teacher in each school have participated in a training session. These valuable kits contain hands on activities, equipment, worksheets and games helping schools to teach renewable energy-related topics and basic physics to P6 and P7 pupils. »
STEM North of Scotland supports the Young Engineers and Science Clubs in the Highlands and Islands, helping to inspire a future generation of engineers. There are now 100 clubs in primary and secondary schools across the region who participate in activities and benefit from the support of the regional coordinator. »
In 2009/10 and 2010/11 STEM North of Scotland supported a programme of workshops and classroom support for teachers in Moray, Orkney and Argyll and Bute. »
The Big Green Challenge is designed to test the topical science knowledge and debating skills of S2 pupils across the Highlands and Islands. This competition involves teams of three or four pupils participating in debates within their own schools followed by regional heats with other local schools and culminating in a grand final at the Scottish Parliament with the chance to win an overseas trip. »
idiscover Scotland is a pilot project, managed by NESTA, involving S2 pupils in four Highland secondary schools. The project aims to help young people develop their innovation skills and gives them the opportunity to chose to participate in a variety of experiences delivered by carefully chosen external providers. »
Over the past three years, Lifescan Scotland has been working with pupils from six secondary schools in Highland on a project to increase the number of young people enrolling in further or higher education and, more specifically, to increase the number of young people entering careers in health/STEM. »
This two year project, funded by DSRL, HIE and the Highland Council aims to increase the number of young people taking qualifications in technology subjects in the secondary schools. »
Get in touch with us:
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Cowan House
Inverness Retail and Business Park
Inverness IV2 7GF, Scotland
t: +44 (0) 1463 234 171
f: +44 (0) 1463 244 469
