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STEM careers toolkits

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A decluttered sySTEM STEM through Sports (1)

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STEM Nation Award Newsletter (Issue 1 - Sept. 2025) (2)

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STEM Nation Award Newsletter (Issue 3 - March 2026)

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STEM Nation Award Newsletter (Issue 2 - Nov. 2025) (4)

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STEM non-fiction pilot in a North Lanarkshire school

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Gender Equality - Child Social Experiment by The Norwegian Trade Union

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Parental involvement, parental engagement, family learning and learning at home

Improving outcomes for learners, parents and families remains a key priority across Scotland's political and educational landscape.

In order to achieve this, there is an ongoing need to ensure that the workforce has the appropriate values, competencies, skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications to work effectively with learners, parents and families.

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Education Scotland is a Scottish Government executive agency responsible for supporting quality and improvement in Scottish education.

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This page provides ideas for supporting your child in different areas of STEM (science, technologies, engineering and mathematics):

What is STEM?

Why is it important?

Creativity in STEM

Science activities

Building STEM capital

STEM resources for families

What is STEM?

STEM stands for science (biology, chemistry and physics), technologies (including digital and computing science), engineering (all types) and mathematics. As well as developing skills and knowledge in each individual subject, STEM-related education and training aims to develop young people's ability to work across all subject areas through inter-disciplinary or project-based learning. This approach reflects the way in which STEM skills and knowledge are used in the world of work where a team with different types of expertise would work together to generate new knowledge, ideas and products.

Why is it important?

STEM underpins much of Scotland's economy. It is a key part of major sectors such as:

The skills learned through engagement with STEM are valued by many employers including non-STEM related industries and these are increasing in number. For example, it is estimated that there are 12,800 new jobs a year in Scotland's digital sector.

Partnerships between schools and employers provide many opportunities for young people to develop their employability skills. Look out for these opportunities in your local area.

STEM in a nutshell

This new Nutshell guide explains what STEM is and why STEM skills are important.

Creativity in STEM

How can creativity support STEM?

Creativity is defined as the capacity to generate ideas, look at things with a fresh eye, examine problems with an open mind, make connections, learn from mistakes and use the imagination to explore new possibilities. Key creativity skills fall under four areas:

Curiosity in children often leads to questions that are pretty tricky to answer. Some of these could be:

Why do I have a shadow?

How many different bugs are there?

How do planes fly?

STEM activities can encourage children and help them find out some answers to their questions.

Things parents can do at home:

Use a torch, pencil, paper and a toy to investigate shadows;

Go outside to investigate bugs in the ground. Visit your local library to do some research or find out about bugs at your local museum;

Make paper aeroplanes and test them to work out how planes fly.

Find out more about creativity with this handy guide.

Related links: YouTube - How can creativity support stem?

STEM and equalities

The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) makes it clear that all children and young people have the right to an education which should include access to "scientific and technical knowledge". The UNCRC also states that children's rights and respect should be without 'discrimination of any kind, irrespective of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.

In terms of STEM we realise that children receive and absorb stereotyped messages about what they can and cannot do as a from a very early age. This can be in respect to their gender, race, disability and the other protected characteristics stated above.

The world around them and the representations they see inform and perpetuate these stereotypes.

Education Scotland is working with a wide range of partners to address and tackle stereotypes in relation to STEM. Practitioners, teachers and parents have an extremely important role to play in helping children and young people recognise that a broad range of opportunities are open to them and to reduce the external influence of bias or stereotypes.​​

Building STEM capital

Many children enjoy STEM subjects at school. Not all children will continue to study STEM subjects or consider a career in STEM. Parents have a key role to play in helping to boost their child's self-confidence in STEM - sometimes known as STEM capital. Talking to your child about where they see STEM in everyday life and encouraging them to think about how that relates to a variety of jobs and careers can help build and promote their interest and knowledge of STEM. Parents do not need to know all the answers. Encouraging your child to ask questions will help them to grow in confidence in STEM. Watch this video to learn more about science and STEM capital.

There are a range of resources to inspire children to help them improve their STEM capital. Here are some things to think about:

How about doing some fun science experiments at home?

Does your local school have an after-school STEM club?

Why not take your kids to science and discovery centres to experience STEM in action. The centres have also produced activities and videos to enjoy at home:

Glasgow Science Centre have a new magazine called The Spark as well as an audio companion.

Dundee Science Centre have a number of activities to support learning at home.

Aberdeen Science Centre launched their summer of STEM in July 2020

Dynamic Earth have activities updated daily.

Talk a walk around your neighbourhood and think about where you see STEM?

Look around your home and write a list of where you see STEM.

Check out activities being held at your local museum. Many museums have created online resources (these are just a couple of examples):

Check if your local college has free activities during science or STEM week.

Check if your local library has a free coding club.

Is your child interested in space and astronomy? Did you know that Scotland has designated dark sky parks?

Visit a local zoo or wildlife park and if you cannot get to one you can look online:

Going for a walk in the park can inspire children to talk about wildlife or plants.

Pathways in STEM

There are multiple pathways into a career in STEM including Further and Higher Education. This means that a career in STEM is open to everyone! There are also a range of STEM pathways through Foundation Apprenticeships such as:

Accountancy

Civil Engineering

Creative and Digital Media

Engineering

Food and Drink Technologies

Scientific Technologies

Social Services and Healthcare

Software Development

Foundation Apprenticeships are open to pupils in the senior phase. Find out more about Developing the Young Workforce.

Related links: Apprenticeships in a nutshell

Careers in STEM

Scotland, like many other countries in the world, offers many exciting and rewarding careers in STEM. The skills gained through STEM can also open doors to careers in many other sectors. For instance, transferable skills such as the ability to solve problems, make accurate predictions and draw valid conclusions can be applied in many contexts. As a result, STEM skills are valued by employers across all sectors.

Information on the current and future skills demand in each region of Scotland can be found on Skills Development Scotland's Local and National Work. Find out more about Skills with this handy guide.

STEM resources for families

Every day can be a STEM day for families with the following selection of resources.

I am a scientist

The I am a scientist resource has lots of experiments for parents and children to try. Most of the things you'll need to carry out the experiments can be found around the house or in the garden. The experiments are split into sections, depending on the age and stage of your child. Why not try some of these experiments and become a science family!
PDF file: I am a scient​ist! (6.5 MB)PDF file: I am a scientist! (Gaelic) (8.19 MB)
I am a mathematician

Parents and carers can play a vital role in reinforcing the importance of mathematics to their children, promoting a positive attitude towards it and making it a fun activity to do together as a family. The I am a mathematician resource will help parents to support their children's learning with fun activities to do at home.
PDF file: I am a mathematician (8.6 MB)PDF file: I am a mathematician - Gaelic version (19.8 MB)
I am an engineer

I am an engineer is a learning resource for families to engage in STEM activities using the world around them. The workbook is split into sections depending on the age and stage of children and families and supports them to learn about engineering in a fun and challenging way. You can find out more about the work of some real life engineers and have fun trying some of the STEM activities and challenges as a family.
PDF file: I am an engineer (3.1 MB)PDF file: I am an engineer - Gaelic version (11 MB)

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Supporting science, technologies, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at home

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This page provides ideas for supporting your child in different areas of STEM (science, technologies, engineering and mathematics): What is STEM? Why is it important? Creativity in STEM Science activities Building STEM capital STEM resources for families STEM stands for science (biology, chemistry and physics), technologies (including digital and computing science), engineering (all types) and mathematics.

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Starting Out to Play Guidance - Thrive Outdoors

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Starting out to play: Discovering nature with babies and young children. Guidance for practitioners working with parents, families, and carers

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A decluttered sySTEM through the Human Body

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Explorify makes science accessible for all

Our discussion-based and open-ended activities are great for enabling ALL pupils, including those with SEND, to participate in science lessons without a fear of failure and increasing their independence.

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Our discussion-based and open-ended activities are great for enabling ALL pupils, including those with SEND, to participate in science lessons without a fear of failure and increasing their independence.

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Great Science Share for Schools 11th June 2024
A day to celebrate children's scientific questions, culminating in June 2024 #GSSfS2024

Great Science Share for Schools 11th June 2024
A day to celebrate children's scientific questions, culminating in June 2024 #GSSfS2024

The award-winning campaign continuing to inspire 5-14 year olds to take the lead in asking, investigating and sharing scientific questions they care about with new audiences.

An inclusive, non-competitive and collaborative experience for all.

Encouraging young people to be empowered in the world around them.

PIONEERED IN MANCHESTER - MAKING A DIFFERENCE WORLD-WIDE

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Great Science Share for Schools 11th June 2024 A day to celebrate children's scientific questions, culminating in June 2024 #GSSfS2024 Great Science Share for Schools 11th June 2024 A day to celebrate children's scientific questions, culminating in June 2024 #GSSfS2024 Encouraging young people to be empowered in the world around them.

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Citizen science projects in the UK: volunteer to help nature - Earthwatch Europe

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Discover many of the exciting environmental citizen science projects you can volunteer at across the UK and on your doorstep.

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STEM Nation – STEM Excellence, Equity, Inspiration and Connection

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This online resource was created as part of Scotland’s STEM Education and Training Strategy.

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The Duke of Edinburgh's Award helps young people build life-long belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their passions, and discover talents they never knew they had.

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The John Muir Award encourages people to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places. Learn more about how you can get involved here.

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The Rights Respecting Schools Award | UNICEF UK

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We work with schools to create safe & inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they thrive.

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New Framework to Boost Digital Wellbeing in Schools Digital Schools Awards Join growing number of Scottish primary and post-primary schools being recognised for excellence in digital technology and innovation in education. #DigitalSchoolsAwards Become a Digital School Digital Schools Awards Scotland recognises schools demonstrating good practice and supports the efforts of those trying to maximise their digital potential.

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The SSSC does not approve or endorse the resource / website you are about to access and accepts no responsibility for its content, accuracy or quality.

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Module 7: National STEM CPL Module - Children & young people CPL

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Welcome to the National Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) CPL resource for early years! The module is designed to inspire [...]

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List of Science  STEM Festivals (May 2025)

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The Hi5 Award STEM Toolkit helps engage young people in fun and educational Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities.

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Inspire through STEM

Whether learning at home or in the classroom, there has never been a more important time for students to learn about STEM. Teachers and parents, check out our amazing range of projects here.

Inspire primary school students with short, hands-on activities that challenge them to explore the world around them.

Perfect for 5-7 year olds who are starting their STEM journey.

Most suitable for upper primary students who are looking for a challenge.

Develop your students' communication, problem solving and teamwork skills by addressing a real-world challenge over the course of a day.

A one-day STEM project perfect for encouraging your 10-14 year-old students to explore student-led work.

Empower your students to run their own investigation from start to finish - let them run the project they want to do!

An introduction to STEM project work for 11+ year olds working in teams.

Challenge your 14+ year-old students to run their own STEM projects in teams or individually.

Awaken your 16+ year-old students' potential with a long-term, open-ended project, ideal for enhancing their UCAS applications.

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Whether learning at home or in the classroom, there has never been a more important time for students to learn about STEM. Teachers and parents, check out our amazing range of projects here. Inspire primary school students with short, hands-on activities that challenge them to explore the world around them.

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Engineering is a diverse and exciting field open to more young people than is often thought. 'If you were an engineer, what would you do?' is an annual, national, competition that celebrates every single entry!​

Each year group has its own awards. Simply register to access the teaching resources, links to engineers and discover how to inspire creative problem solving in children and young people between the ages of 3 - 19 years of age.

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FREE STEM resources for teachers & parents - Leaders Award

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Engineering is a diverse and exciting field open to more young people than is often thought. 'If you were an engineer, what would you do?' is an annual, national, competition that celebrates every single entry!​ Each year group has its own awards.

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We have created a bank of free online resources suitable for anyone looking to introduce creativity, critical thinking and problem solving into their learning space. Access flexible lesson plans, learn about our partner companies and create a link between teaching essential skills in the classroom with stepping onto the path to a successful career in the future.

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We have created a bank of free online resources suitable for anyone looking to introduce creativity, critical thinking and problem solving into their learning space. Access flexible lesson plans, learn about our partner companies and create a link between teaching essential skills in the classroom with stepping onto the path to a successful career in the future.

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Fida – Futures Institute at Dollar Academy

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Free courses and challenges for young people who want to help build a sustainable future

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Interdisciplinary learning

Scotland has always had Interdisciplinary learning (IDL) as a component part of the curriculum offer - it sits as one of the four contexts.

Over session 2019/20, Education Scotland has worked with No Tosh, practitioners and partners using a design-thinking process to understand how we can realise our ambitions for IDL.

Download paper: PDF file: Interdisciplinary Learning: ambitious learning for a complex world.

In session 2020/21, we will build on the thinking and suggestions in the paper. This will include co-creating tools, resources and practices that build on the thinking and principles in the paper. We will share examples of how schools and partners are being ambitious through the development of bold IDL experiences.

We want to use this current period as an opportunity to begin the re-focus on IDL and what it can offer our children and young people. Now, maybe more than ever, schools need to be places where young people learn and develop rich knowledge and the skills to thrive in a future which is increasingly unpredictable.

The first case study is from Hazlehead School, Aberdeen, who share their whole school IDL approach during Term 4.
PDF file: Hazlehead School - case study (149 KB) Wakelet with resources to support Hazlehead School's IDL IDL at Grove Academy
We will be developing the following IDL opportunities:

Thriving in challenging circumstances with reference to current issues of COVID-19;

Creative Bravery with an opportunity to join the Creative Bravery Festival which will run from 21-27 September, 2020;

Scotland's Culture with a focus on creativity and the arts;

Sustainability with a focus on Learning for sustainability.

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Fresh approaches to interdisciplinary learning

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Education Scotland is a Scottish Government executive agency responsible for supporting quality and improvement in Scottish education.

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STEM Ambassadors in Scotland coordinates the Scotland STEM Ambassador Hub on behalf of STEM Learning.

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May 2025

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Teams of BSL linguists and subject specialists have created this resource by gathering any existing terms and creating new terms in BSL for those that do not. The glossary terms are supported by signed definitions, lab experiments and examples.

Winner of "Data for Good Initiative of the Year" 2023 Award (British Data Awards)

Above and Below

Inspired by the book for younger children about animals and where they live. Features nearly 100 animals from a variety of habitats: North Pole, Ocean, Savannah, Mountain Caves, Rainforest, Clifftops, River, and Forests.

We commissioned deaf wildlife specialist, John Denerley, to record BSL signs for these animals. Features illustrations from the book by Patricia Hegarty and illustrated by Hanako Clulow with kind permission from Caterpillar Books.
Above and Below - Animals in BSL

BSL Resources

Links to other BSL teaching and terminology resources

BSL Glossary Website

Acknowledgements

The BSL Glossary would not exist without our funders which are acknowledged on each main topic home page. We would like to also thank Deaf Scots Trust and BATOD for funding to help maintain the technology behind the Glossary.

Search the Glossary for terms

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Scottish Sensory Centre: British Sign Language Glossary of Curriculum Terms

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For everyone who is involved in the education of deaf children, deafblind children and visually impaired children and young people, the young people themselves and their families.

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iPad Apps for Learners with Dyscalculia/Numeracy Difficulties - A3, portrait

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STEM Nation Award Guidance for Validators (ELC and Schools)

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STEM Nation Award Application Guidance (ELC and Schools)

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STEM Strategy for Education and Training in Scotland - 3rd Annual Report (2021)

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STEM 2nd Annual Report Summary (March 2020)

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STEM 1st Annual Report Summary (February 2019)

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STEM Education and Training Strategy - Refresh (2022)

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STEM Education and Training Strategy (2017)

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Ekosgen-structural barriers to stem engagement report (November 2023)

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Factors in successful stem learner engagement (October 2024)

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The Young STEM Leader Programme (YSLP) is an exciting new award which aims to spark greater interest and participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among young people in Scotland.

Young people have the chance to inspire, lead and mentor their peers through the creation and delivery of STEM activities and events within their schools, communities or youth groups.

The key aim of the YSLP is to facilitate the development of peer STEM role models to inspire more young people to develop an interest in STEM.

As well as developing important personal skills that are increasingly in demand from employers, working through the programme will motivate the Young STEM Leaders (YSLs) to progress their STEM studies and potentially embark on a related career in STEM.

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Young people have the chance to inspire, lead and mentor their peers through the creation and delivery of STEM activities and events within their schools, communities or youth groups. The key aim of the YSLP is to facilitate the development of peer STEM role models to inspire more young people to develop an interest in STEM.

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SNAP digital badge - Equity and equality in STEM

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SNAP digital badge - STEM curriculum and learner pathways

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SNAP digital badge - Employability and STEM partnerships

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SNAP digital badge - STEM family learning