Raising Aspirations in Science Education (RAiSE) empowers primary school practitioners with the confidence, skills, and networks to develop and deliver engaging and motivating STEM learning experiences.

The work of the RAiSE programme is aligned to the STEM Education and Training Strategy and the Developing the Young Workforce Programme. It aims to raise attainment and achievement in primary science and STEM, and tackle inequity and inequality in learners' experiences and outcomes.

What is RAiSE?

RAiSE is a programme of Education Scotland, The Wood Foundation, Scottish Government and participating local authorities. It has engaged with 27/32 of Scotland’s local authorities since its inception in 2016.

Participating local authorities are provided with funding to recruit a dedicated Primary Science Development Officer (PSDO). The role of the PSDO is to lead and co-ordinate high-quality professional learning and to support practitioner planning, networking, and collaboration. Authorities that have participated are:

• Aberdeenshire Council
• Argyll and Bute Council
• Angus Council
• City of Edinburgh Council
• Clackmannanshire Council
• Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar
• Dumfries and Galloway Council
• Dundee City Council
• East Ayrshire Council
• East Dunbartonshire Council
• East Renfrewshire Council
• Falkirk Council
• Fife Council
• Glasgow City Council
• Inverclyde Council
• Midlothian Council
• Moray Council
• North Ayrshire Council
• North Lanarkshire Council
• Orkney Islands Council
• Renfrewshire Council
• Scottish Borders Council
• South Ayrshire Council
• South Lanarkshire Council
• The Highland Council
• West Dunbartonshire Council
• West Lothian Council

What has happened so far?

The network of PSDOs, supported by the National Education Officer for Primary Science, has helped to build the capacity and confidence of practitioners. This has led to innovative approaches and supported the embedding of STEM within the curriculum, and engaging pupils in meaningful ways. The programme has also created strong networks and partnerships, engaging a range of organisations and STEM providers. A range of case studies, reports, and statistics relating to the programme’s impact are available below.

In addition, the RAiSE network has collaborated to produce a range of resources to support delivery of high quality STEM learning experiences across Early to Second Level.

Programme statistics

• number of practitioner engagements: 34,541
• number of RAiSE CLPL events: 3,480
• cumulative RAiSE programme practitioner CLPL hours: 76,567

Case studies

Access RAiSE Case Studies here.

Reports

Access RAiSE Reports here.

RAiSE Newsletters

Access RAiSE Newsletters here.

Good News Stories

Access RAiSE Good News Stories here. 

For more information, contact Laura McCafferty, National Education Officer for RAiSE: Laura.McCafferty@educationscotland.gov.scot