More than 150 primary educators from across Scotland gathered at The Social Hub in Glasgow on 21 May to mark the conclusion of RAiSE (Raising Aspirations in Science Education) – a programme of Education Scotland, The Wood Foundation, Scottish Government, and participating local authorities.
The celebratory event, RAiSE Expo – Celebrating the Learning, Inspiring the Future: The RAiSE Legacy, brought together teachers, education leaders, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) experts to reflect on a decade of transformative impact in primary science education.
The RAiSE Expo featured an inspiring keynote speech by Professor Suzie Imber, space physicist, explorer, and high-altitude mountaineer. Her session on space, science and climbing captivated attendees and set the tone for a day of dynamic learning. Educators also participated in interactive workshops ranging from “STEM through Nature” and “The Weird and Wonderful World of Mosquitoes” to “Songs, Rhymes and Outdoor Learning”.
The event served as both a professional development opportunity and a platform for educators to network, exchange ideas, and spark new collaborations that will carry the RAiSE legacy forward.
The event’s workshops were delivered by industry partners and Primary Science Development Officers (PSDOs) who were at the heart of the RAiSE investment.
Through a two-year funding per local authority, 27 out of 32 Scottish local authorities appointed a PSDO to develop and lead upon their local strategy to improve the STEM experiences and outcomes for primary pupils. To achieve this, PSDOs delivered professional learning workshops for teachers, built networks, and promoted a high-quality STEM learning and teaching tailored to local contexts.
Overall, RAiSE delivered more than 33,500 practitioner engagements, and 3,449 career-long professional learning (CLPL) events for a total of 75,882 hours.
Over the last decade, RAiSE has played a pivotal role in improving the consistency and quality of STEM teaching across Scotland, enhancing teacher confidence and enriching pupil experiences. Independent evaluation by the University of Glasgow’s Robert Owen Centre (2019) found that 71% of teachers reported greater confidence in science pedagogy, and 87% observed increased challenge in pupils’ learning since engaging with RAiSE.
RAiSE supported the development of the 2017 Scottish Government’s STEM Education and Training Strategy and addressed the Developing the Young Workforce priorities.
Scotland, like many nations, is increasingly reliant on sectors like technology, engineering, and life sciences, which require a workforce with strong STEM competencies. The STEM strategy, designed to tackle existing and projected skills shortages, addresses the skills gap vital to the sustainability of various industries.
Garreth Wood, Chairman of The Wood Foundation, said: “RAiSE has demonstrated that strategic investment in practitioner support and localised implementation leads to sustainable, systemic improvements in STEM education.
“As Scotland continues to face evolving workforce demands and global challenges, investments like RAiSE are vital to preparing young people to become critical thinkers, innovators, and problem-solvers, ready to contribute to a diverse and forward-looking economy.”
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “RAiSE has brought industry partners, local authorities and National Agencies together with a common focus on strengthening STEM education for primary school pupils. It has helped to raise the confidence of teachers in teaching science subjects and inspire more young people, regardless of their background, to be enthused by the opportunities that STEM offers.
“Since 2016, we have provided over £1.2 million to support the programme, and it is fantastic that several local authorities have continued to employ Primary Science Development Officers, ensuring that its legacy will continue to have a positive impact on pupils after the programme ends.”
Gillian Hamilton, Chief Executive of Education Scotland, said: “Education Scotland is a very proud partner of the RAiSE programme, working closely with The Wood Foundation, the Scottish Government and local authorities to provide primary teachers with the tools and confidence to bring STEM to life in the classroom.
“Yesterday (21 May) we had the opportunity to celebrate the success of the programme, which included a range of workshops for primary practitioners. It was a real honour to be there and see firsthand the diverse range of workshops on offer to support the profession.”
Those who could not attend the in-person event will be able to access all resources and even more workshops online from Tuesday 27 May here.