Teachers

How the ChemSTEP project can help you

As a teacher, we know it is important to you for your pupils to be exposed to diverse careers experiences and information. However, we also know that it can often be challenging and time consuming for you to deliver this expectation for your pupils. ChemSTEP can help.

Contacts for careers fairs (or other similar events): we can use our established networks with employers around Scotland to find appropriate people to represent chemistry-related careers. We're very happy to facilitate specific requests, for example, maybe you want to get in contact with an analytical geochemist - we'll do our best to find one for you! If you've not put on a careers fair before, we can help you with that too.

Contact for classroom visits: We can also use our network to seek individuals who may be interested in a more bespoke experience with your pupils. Perhaps a visit from someone in an industry related to part of your curriculum?

Resources for your classroom: Our ChemDiverse project pages contain careers profiles and video blogs that you can incorporate into your teaching practice in a flexible way.  We have also curated resources from several external organisations too.

Please get in touch with us to chat about any of the above, or if you want help with something else: chemistry-chemstep@strath.ac.uk

 

About the ChemSTEP project!

The ChemSTEP project is funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry through their Chemistry for All outreach grants scheme. This scheme aims to deliver several two-year programmes of chemistry-focused interventions that show explicit attention to the findings from Chemistry for All.

In the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde, we have an established track record for successful chemistry outreach, however, we are cognisant of the persistent need for widening participation in Chemistry in higher education. The aim of our ChemSTEP project is to establish an integrated Student-Teacher-Employer-Parent network that is able to co-ordinate the provision of Chemistry-relevant career information to students, at all years of secondary education, with particular attention to areas of low social-economic status. This collaborative approach will ensure that teachers' intrinsic motivation for Chemistry is reinforced from multiple sources, including the unique approach of enhancing parental involvement.

We are excited to be a Supporter of the STEM Nation Award programme. The programme has been developed by Education Scotland to support early learning and childcare settings, schools and community learning and development providers to develop high-quality STEM learning in their setting and to celebrate their achievements along the way. As of October 2022, 145 settings have registered from across Scotland 44 settings have been awarded one or more elements and 23 settings have achieved the full STEM Nation Award. Education Scotland’s team of STEM officers are available to provide further information and support you through the process. You can contact your regional STEM Education Officer at STEM@educationscotland.gov.scot