STEM By Nature - FSC Scotland – Field Studies Council

FSC Scotland has coined the term ‘STEM by Nature’. It embraces the rich potential of outdoor settings and nature-based experiences (including Citizen Science, social action and fieldwork) to contribute and respond to STEM learning – for pupils and practitioners alike.

Whilst this framing for STEM is new, the value of nature at the heart of learning, residentials, professional development and practitioner support is well established. FSC Scotland is working with others to make these links more explicit, and to explore the role of nature in STEM learning.

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STEM By Nature Professional Learning Programme

A Professional Learning Programme has been developed by FSC Scotland and the John Muir Trust, funded by the Scottish Government as part of the Education Scotland Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Programme.

It comprises four sessions designed for any educator with schools, youth and adult groups, or anyone with an education remit or interest. An interdisciplinary approach is encouraged, incorporating different subject areas and building skills in enquiry-based learning through a variety of face-to-face and online sessions.

Aims and Objectives:

Introduce the concept of STEM By Nature,
Build STEM teaching skills and confidence through the use of nature settings and outdoor learning methodologies.

The programme:

Helps practitioners raise attainment by building confidence and developing skills to deliver inspirational, high quality interdisciplinary STEM teaching.
Places STEM teaching in contexts of nature, Citizen Science, social action, fieldwork and Learning for Sustainability.
Promotes and supports interdisciplinary and team learning approaches by engaging practitioners in reflective practice within their local clusters (and wider regional community).
Uses the framework of the STEM and Learning for Sustainability self-evaluation and improvement frameworks.
Utilises outdoor learning pedagogy to engage all learners across gender and attainment gaps, making explicit the connection between STEM and young people’s lives, and providing techniques for addressing gender stereotypes, unconscious bias and inequity.
Highlights ways to incorporate mathematics and numeracy (as well as literacy and creativity) by setting out STEM By Nature as an accessible and interdisciplinary model for learning, and one well suited to project work.
Makes explicit links with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how to develop the skills and outlooks required of practitioners and learners to live in an interdependent world.

Summary Notes and Guidance for running your own STEM By Nature Professional Learning Programme (as a programme or as individual sessions) are available to download for free.

Contact us for advice and to discuss ways we can tailor STEM By Nature residentials, outreach and Professional Learning support.

FSC Scotland, Citizen Science & STEM

“The Field Studies Council (FSC) has a 75-year tradition of bringing people together to monitor, survey, record and analyse all aspects of the natural world.”

STEM By Nature Case Studies and Testimonials

STEM By Nature – Background

STEM learning is now a Scottish Government priority. It has “a vision of Scotland as a STEM nation: with a highly-educated and skilled population equipped with the STEM skills, knowledge and capability required to adapt and thrive in the fast-paced, changing world and economy around us”.

Grant funding from the Scottish Government is part of the £1.3M awarded in the latest round of the Education Scotland Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Programme. It’s estimated that around 716 educational establishments and 13,733 teachers and practitioners will benefit.

Education Scotland Strategic Director Alan Armstrong, said: “This funding will be invaluable for enhancing the professional learning available to all practitioners involved in STEM-related learning, teaching and assessment. We received an overwhelming number of bids which shows the real priority practitioners place on developing their skills to help improve their learners’ STEM experiences.”

Katie Rudge, Education Officer for FSC Scotland said: “I am excited by the opportunity to bring nature, STEM skills, and Learning for Sustainability to life for teachers in Tayside and to hopefully engage with practitioners that may not be able to visit FSC Centres.”

John Muir Trust Scotland Education Manager Rebecca Logsdon said: “The John Muir Trust has inclusion as a core part of its mission to help people of all ages and backgrounds connect with, enjoy and care for wild places. STEM By Nature is another approach that helps make connections between learning, teaching, and the natural environment.

“The Trust welcomes the opportunity to work in partnership with the Field Studies Council to build on its delivery against policy drivers including equity and attainment, Learning for Sustainability, STEM and Improving Gender Balance. This pilot provides inclusive opportunities with a lasting impact for practitioners, learners and the wider community”