Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) was the focus of a special ESP event held at FVC’s Stirling Campus today (16/02/18) and attended by Shirley-Anne Somerville, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science.
ESP’s – STEM Best Practice & Partnership Day brought together representatives and specialists from further education, schools, industry and government agencies for the sector to showcase the best initiatives and ideas currently on the STEM agenda.
Those in attendance included: colleges from across Scotland, Engineering UK, Education Scotland, DYW regions, FDF Scotland and a host of other industry professionals and exhibitors.
FVC’s Principal Dr Ken Thomson officially opened the proceedings and Jim Brown Director at ESP introduced the event to the assembled delegates, before Shirley-Anne Somerville gave a presentation on Scotland’s STEM Strategy.
Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Developing Scotland’s STEM talent is key to achieving our ambitions of being a modern, dynamic and open economy. Our goal is to connect education and training to the needs of employers to deliver an excellent workforce, both now and in the future. Colleges have an important role to play in strengthening regional collaboration between partners, including universities, science centres and employers as well as with schools and community and early learning.”
Jim Brown, Director of ESP, said: “ESP are delighted to showcase just a sample of the STEM activities run by Scotland’s colleges and their partners. The STEM Best Practice Day provided an opportunity for delegates to get an overview of some of the innovative and ambitious STEM projects already underway across Scotland.
“It will clearly demonstrate how regional partnerships can make a real difference in promoting STEM subjects by bringing them to life and inspiring school pupils through active engagement and hands on activities. With a wide range of organisations attending we see this as an ideal opportunity for all partners to come together, draw on existing examples and forge long lasting partnerships that will support the Scottish Government’s STEM Strategy.”
Dr Ken Thomson, said: “We are delighted to have hosted such an important Energy Skills Partnership event here at our Stirling Campus. STEM subjects are at the core of everything we do here at Forth Valley College and it was great to share best practice with our peers in the further education sector, with the industry representatives who attended and with the Minister.
“It was a great opportunity for organisations such as ourselves to network, learn new skills and strengthen links in the STEM subject areas across the country. We look forward to the next one.”
