University news

A new enterprise is bringing together groups of teachers from three key subject areas to show how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) can be supported in the new Scottish curriculum - Curriculum for Excellence.

The ‘Connecting It Up’ Project, organised by STEM-ED Scotland, is holding an interdisciplinary Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event on 29 and 30 October at Airth Castle for an intensive weekend of detailed discussion and analysis.

Members of the Association for Science Education Scotland, the Scottish Mathematical Council and the Scottish Technology Teachers Association will develop learning progressions that unite the STEM subjects around the ‘big ideas’ and make connections across subject areas in recognition that science, mathematics and technology can all be taught more effectively through cross-disciplinary collaboration and reinforcement.

An online survey is being used to obtain the views of the STEM education community on the areas where young people have difficulties and the areas that should be prioritised in the learning progressions.

Professor John Coggins, Principal Investigator of the Connecting It Up Project and Pro-Vice Principal at the University of Glasgow said: “If Scotland is to prosper economically, its education across science, technology, engineering and mathematics has to become world class. It is hugely encouraging to see teachers from the Association for Science Education, the Scottish Technology Teachers Association, and the Scottish Mathematical Council coming together with university academics to explore how to make learning more coherent, more effective, and also more interesting.  This is a pioneering initiative, driven by the need to prepare young people for an ever changing future.”

Professor Alan Roach, Co- Investigator and Emeritus Professor at the University of the West of Scotland, said: “Science and Technology are advancing at an ever faster pace, presenting huge challenges and opportunities to us all in the future.  If the world is to make the right choices, it will be critical for future citizens to have a clear understanding of the basic principles and ‘big ideas’ in STEM to be able to interpret the impact of new technologies and advances.”

Stuart Farmer, Vice-chair of the Association of Science Education Scotland, said: “Science and Technology are becoming increasingly interdisciplinary and have always required a sound Numeracy and Mathematical base.  In the past the school curriculum has been developed by groups and committees often working in separate subjects with little direct communication between them. This project is a good opportunity to develop the natural links between the subjects in order to build more relevant and meaningful learning.”

STEM-ED Scotland - a post-school alliance of people who recognise the importance of striving to achieve world leading levels of excellence in education across the STEM subjects - obtained funding for the Connecting It Up Project from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Further information:

Connecting It Up: towards a route map for STEM education in Scotland
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/stem/routemapforstemeducation/

A STEM-ED Scotland collaborative project with the Association for Science Education Scotland, the Scottish Mathematical Council and the Scottish Technology Teachers Association to identify and promote a coherent and progressive pedagogical approach across the STEM subjects through the first 10 years of school education in Scotland (P1 to S3).

Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation under the New Approaches to Learning Strand (that supports exploratory work relating to teaching and learning that address current and future challenges in state schools and pre-schools that are likely to influence national policy and practice).
http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/funding/new-learning.html

STEM-ED Scotland
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/stem/

STEM-ED Scotland is a partnership to champion world class education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Supported by the Deans of Science & Engineering in Scotland, the STEM-ED partnership involves senior representatives from universities, industry, specialist teacher organisations, professional bodies and publicly funded agencies. 

Association for Science Education Scotland 
http://www.asescotland.org.uk/

The Association for Science Education Scotland is the professional association for teachers of science and those with an interest in science education based in Scotland.

The Scottish Mathematical Council
http://scottishmathematicalcouncil.org/

The main objectives of the Scottish Mathematical Council are to foster and improve mathematical education at all levels, and to encourage the advancement and application of mathematics throughout Scotland

The Scottish Technology Teachers Association
http://www.ttascotland.org.uk/

The Scottish Technology Teachers Association is the professional association for teachers of technology and those with an interest in technology education based in Scotland.

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life throughout the UK. They do this by funding the charitable activities of organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better.

Martin Shannon
Senior Media Relations Officer
University of Glasgow
T: +44 (0) 141 330 8593
E: martin.shannon@glasgow.ac.uk

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First published: 27 October 2010