Two for the benefit of one!

This year the GSSfS team learnt about how the Fife STEM Futures Festival creates a dual benefit for its participants in Scotland. Gillian Eaves and Nicola Masterson from Fife Education and Children’s Services lead the Festival each year, involving over 60 schools.

Collaboration is key! As GSSfS has collaboration as a core value, we were delighted to hear about how the festival engages a range of STEM organisations who come together to offer a 5-day hybrid festival for 3-18 years olds.

The team integrate the GSSfS Guided Enquiries and resources into their offer of support for schools, and that this year they have asked-investigated and shared using the GSSfS theme of ‘Science Around Us’. On top of that there are many opportunities for pupils to think about the important role STEM careers have in the future of our planet.

When asked why they did it, Gillian explained that, “According to the British Council, it is believed that as many as 65% of today’s students will be employed in jobs that don’t yet exist. Therefore, it is imperative that we provide relevant STEM learning opportunities for our children and young to develop the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.”

During the festival pupils took advantage of in-person workshops in their schools, focused on a range of subjects including robotics, engineering design, and educating pupils on climate action.

Using GSSfS to support your own mission and vision is a clever way to raise the profile of your work, with the support and profile of the wider campaign. The GSSfS team encourage the diverse use of the resources. If they help support learners with their STEM enquiries then that’s only a good thing. 

“The GSSfS resources are excellent resources to stimulate scientific thinking, reasoning, discussion and innovation. Fife festival learners are able to then develop essential STEM employability skills during and beyond the festival.” Gillian Eaves, Education Support Officer - STEM and Lfs

Many thanks to Gillian Eaves, Education Support Officer - STEM and Lfs for sharing her experiences bringing scientific enquiry to life for pupils in Scotland, aligning to #GSSfS2023