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MyEDC

    Local Outcome 2: Our people are equipped with knowledge and skills for learning, life and work

    In October 2024 East Dunbartonshire Council hosted its first Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Festival for P7 pupils, in Kirkintilloch Town Hall.

    At the event over 150 senior pupils from East Dunbartonshire primary schools in the Kirkintilloch High School catchment area received an insight into secondary education in STEM.

    kirkintilloch town hall from the first floor showing all the stalls
    kirkintilloch town hall from the first floor showing all the stalls

    Around 20 industry partners attended and provided a range of exciting hands-on activities for the young people. This included straw model building, explosive experiments, computer games, fingerprint forensics and much more to demonstrate the role STEM subjects play in our daily lives and how further study can lead to future job opportunities in exciting fields.

    The STEM festival proved a great success and a fantastic addition our transition programme for P7 pupils
    Chief Education Officer, Greg Bremner

    It built on the STEM learning the young people received throughout primary school and gave them a glimpse of just how fascinating secondary school STEM learning can be. Many of the young people who attended hadn’t previously considered the career opportunities that require STEM learning and seeing STEM in action really piqued their interest.”

    The STEM festival was arranged by East Dunbartonshire Council’s Primary Science Development Officer, working for Raising Aspirations in Science Education (RAISE) programme and the Developing the Young Workforce – Lanarkshire & East Dunbartonshire (DYW LED) team.

    child in hazmat suit giving thumbs up
    child in hazmat suit giving thumbs up

    RAISE is a programme of Education Scotland, The Wood Foundation, Scottish Government and participating local authorities to empower primary teachers with the confidence, skills and networks to develop and deliver motivating and exciting STEM opportunities.

    Mr Bremner continued, “The STEM Festival is an excellent example of the way in which partnership working can really enhance the learning experiences of our children and young people. It was the first event of its kind to have been held in East Dunbartonshire and following excellent feedback from everyone involved, particularly the young participants, it will be the first of many.”