Education Scotland is delighted to announce that Kilmacolm Primary School in Inverclyde Council has achieved a full STEM Nation Award.

The sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Nation Award celebrates, promotes and builds on effective practice in STEM education across Scotland. Education Scotland’s STEM Nation Award is the cornerstone of the Scottish Government’s STEM Education and Training Strategy for Scotland. The Government strategy sets out a vision of Scotland as a world-leading STEM nation with a highly-educated and skilled population equipped with the STEM skills, knowledge and capability required to adapt and thrive in a rapidly-changing world.  STEM skills are crucial as Scotland seeks to transition to net-zero and as the demand for STEM skills grows to support our key economic sectors including: green economy, energy, space, advanced manufacturing, engineering, life and chemical sciences, food and drink and creative and digital media.

In order to achieve the full STEM Nation Award settings must gather and submit evidence demonstrating Leadership in STEM, STEM family and community learning, employability and STEM partnership working, STEM curriculum and learner pathways, and equity and equality in STEM. After achieving all five elements, settings upload their STEM action plan for review by Education Scotland and a discussion is then held to explore this in more depth.

Kilmacolm Primary School was praised for their strategic approach to STEM development which focussed on providing leadership opportunities for pupils, families and practitioners in an effort to raise STEM capital across the community.  Staff at Kilmacolm Primary School have worked collaboratively within the setting, across the local authority and with a number of partners to undertake professional learning, share good practice and develop a range of enriching STEM experiences for learners and their families. 

Kilmacolm Primary School continues to engage families in STEM learning through STEM workshops, Science Week activities and STEM home learning.  Pupils are empowered to lead family learning events which are well attended by families.   

Validators highlighted that Kilmacolm Primary School has a range of sustained partnership links that support STEM learning.  These include a partnership with a local restaurant called 'STEM Project Pizza' and multiple charitable partnerships which are helping to develop their Kilmacolm Eco space. Learning for Sustainability and skills development are at the heart of the STEM learning opportunities offered at Kilmacolm Primary School. 

Councillor Francesca Brennan, vice-convener of the education and communities committee said: “I’d like to congratulate the staff and pupils at Kilmacolm Primary on their fantastic achievement.

“They are the first school in Inverclyde to achieve this award and I’m sure they won’t be the last.

“The school has made some great partnerships with local groups and I’m sure the pupils love getting outside into the garden and cooking pizza in the classroom.

“Staff have used innovative ideas to bring STEM into all aspects of learning at the school and they are to be commended for their hard work and dedication.”

Kilmacolm Primary headteacher Simone McCredie said: “STEM has been an integral part of the KPS curriculum, but has been brought to life through the partnership with RAISE and the STEM development officer, Gill Neeson.

“We have had access to high quality staff professional learning sessions, funding support and valuable partnerships. This has ensured that STEM has been embedded across the school and continue to be a focus for years to come.

“All children have benefited from STEM learning, the children have experienced success, high levels of engagement and motivation through exciting, challenging and real-life contexts.

“The children’s love of STEM has been contagious and they have been sharing their learning across the school and with their families at home.”

The STEM Nation Award programme is currently open to applications from early learning and childcare settings, primary and secondary schools and community learning and development providers. More information on the STEM Nation Award including details on how to apply for it can be found via Education Scotland’s STEM Nation blog.