STEM Engagement in Schools

Promoting local opportunities through interactive learning

Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) STEM  Engagement Adviser (in partnership with Shetland Islands Council [SIC] schools), works with children and young people to deliver ‘My World of Work Live’ (MyWoW Live). MyWoW Live is a programme of fun, interactive activities that helps young people understand possible future careers through hands on learning. It was developed by SDS and is delivered to pupils from Primary 5 to Secondary 3.  The STEM Engagement Advisor also encourages young people to try STEM subjects so that they many go on and follow a path into those industries.

Using the latest technology, the Advisor visits local schools, helping young people identify their own skills and what jobs will be needed locally in the future. For example, one activity focusses on the impact of ‘Space Junk’. The activity is linked back locally to SaxaVord Space Port in Unst, helping young people relate potential careers to local opportunities.

The Advisor also encourages pupils to think about the range of pathways available to them and regularly promotes the apprenticeship family such as Modern Apprenticeships and Graduate Apprenticeships; and opportunities at UHI Shetland.  More people taking on apprenticeships, or studying locally, helps to retain the population, and means that people can stay in Shetland and study at the same time if they wish.

Locally, many jobs are in the STEM sectors such as engineering, software development, transport, and fisheries science. By encouraging young people to try STEM subjects, young people may follow a path into those industries.

Another aspect of STEM is breaking down stereotypical barriers; it is believed that stereotypes are usually formed by around about Primary 4-5. Discussions are had around improving gender balance in the workplace, and it is hoped that this will feed through. In Shetland, SDS have had 1411 interactions with children and young people in the year 2022-23 through MyWoWLive; and through partnerships with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) have been able to link in with local companies to showcase the local jobs.

MyWoW Live and STEM engagement links to our ‘Participation’ and ‘People’ priorities. Partnership working between SDS, SIC schools, DYW and local businesses highlights a successful partnership between public agencies and communities, helping to deliver improved outcomes for people across the isles. The programmes aim to help young people access employment, education and service in innovative ways designed to minimise the barriers to involvement for all; as well as retain the people needed to sustain our economy, communities and services. It is hoped that this will impact on indicators such as businesses struggling to recruit labour; and on increasing the population aged 16-29.