Raising Aspirations in Science Education (RAiSE) is a programme of The Wood Foundation, Scottish Government, Education Scotland, 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 20 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities and is open to national invitation.
RAiSE in Numbers
3628
learning hours in 2020/21
500
professional learning opportunities in 2020/21
20
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 currently funded through RAiSE
Authorities who have exited RAiSE funding, continuing to engage with Primary STEM development