Education Scotland is delighted to announce that Oakburn Early Years Centre (EYC) in East Dunbartonshire Council and Hillhead Primary School in Glasgow City Council have both achieved a full STEM Nation Award.

The sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Nation Award celebrates, promotes and builds on effective practice in STEM education across Scotland. Education Scotland’s STEM Nation Award is the cornerstone of the Scottish Government’s STEM Education and Training Strategy for Scotland. 

Oakburn EYC was praised for its commitment to STEM family learning. Their family learning workshops and grandparents days are providing opportunities for children and their families to engage in intergenerational STEM learning. Staff at the setting are also helping children to explore STEM at home and in the local community with take home STEM learning activity bags and visits to local facilities such as the train station and fire station. 

Award validators also highlighted the positive impact of STEM industry partnerships. The setting receives donations of timber from local businesses for their woodwork area and also works in partnership with a local credit union to support the financial education of staff, children and families. Children have also had the opportunity to work with Scottish Water as part of a community science activity at Milngavie Reservoir. 

Staff across the setting have opportunities to lead on aspects of STEM. For example, the STEM champions, maths champions, eco lead and outdoor learning lead have been instrumental in developing inspiring spaces and experiences that spark curiosity and wonder in their learners. Building on their recent achievement of the STEM Nation Award, Oakburn EYC is now working towards developing their own Digital Leaders programme and gaining recognition as an Eco-School. 

Margaret Harris, Head of Centre, said:

"We are delighted to be awarded the STEM Nation Award. It has given us a real boost to have the great STEM work in our centre recognised nationally. I am so proud of all the staff who have worked on this project. The increased variety of STEM options available for children to explore, supports in laying the foundation for future academic success and encourages a lifelong love of learning.”

Hillhead Primary School was praised for its strategic and sustainable approach to embedding STEM within the curriculum. There is a strong sense of teamwork and a distributed leadership model is central to driving STEM forward at Hillhead Primary School, reflecting the school’s long-term commitment to STEM education. 

Award validators highlighted that Hillhead Primary School's digital learning approach ensures that STEM is accessible and inclusive to all learners. Pupils are actively engaged in leading and sharing their own STEM learning, and STEM leadership opportunities are both valued and popular among pupils. 

The school's partnerships with parents, STEM Ambassadors, local industries and other STEM partners were also identified as strengths. These partnerships are helping to challenge stereotypes and promote the message that STEM is for everyone. 

Andrew Robson, Headteacher, said:

“We are delighted to be awarded the STEM Nation Award. This is fantastic recognition for the commitment and promotion of STEM activity by staff, pupils and partners over the past four years across our school community. We have thoroughly enjoyed our STEM journey and look forward to continuing the great work we have started for the benefit of all of our pupils.”

Oakburn EYC and Hillhead Primary School will both be hosting STEM Nation Award Open Days later this academic year to celebrate and share their innovative and inspiring practice. Teachers, early learning and childcare practitioners and education leaders are invited to attend. Tickets are free and will be available from the STEMnation.scot site in due course.

Visit the STEM Nation blog for more information on the STEM Nation Award and details of how to apply.