Raising Aspirations in Science Education (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.

Engaging children from a young age in STEM will better prepare the STEM talent pipeline and economic driving force of the future.

Primary Science Development Officers (PSDOs) are deployed in each active local authority, funded for a period of two years by the RAiSE investment, to lead upon professional learning and network capacity building.

RAiSE has engaged 25 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities and is now working with its final cohort.

RAiSE in Numbers

2,100 practitioners

5388

learning hours in 2022/23

2,100 practitioners

371

professional learning opportunities in 2022/23

2,100 practitioners

27

local authorities engaged

Local Context

PSDOs work within local authority education departments to contextualise the RAiSE offering to meet local needs, and priorities. Their post is funded for a period of two years, with the majority of authorities choosing to retain a STEM lead officer following the investment who remains engaged with the network. They work with individual practitioners and schools, create cluster approaches, and use local partners and networks to enhance the primary STEM offering in their area.

National Approach

RAiSE is led by a National Education Officer within Education Scotland and addresses many of the objectives of the Scottish Government’s National STEM Strategy.The programme works with a range of national partners to develop and deliver learning experiences and professional learning for schools throughout its networks.

Authorities who have exited RAiSE funding, continuing to engage with Primary STEM development

Catherine Christie

Email: cchristie775@dundeeschools.scot

Sarah Hynie

Email: shynie233@dundeeschools.scot

Twitter: @STEMDundee

Gillian Eaves

Email: Gillian.Eaves@fife.gov.uk
Twitter: @fifepedagogy