PUPILS at a Clacks nursery and at a primary school are benefiting from outstanding science learning opportunities thanks to efforts to earn a STEM award.

Sauchie ELC and Tillicoultry PS have both achieved a full STEM Nation Award as part of an Education Scotland scheme.

Staff in Sauchie were praised for encouraging learners to become STEM Ambassadors and deliver STEM experiences to peers with educator support.

They have also been delivering a range national programmes and community-based partnerships to support sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

One project Sauchie ELC has piloted is a STEM learning intervention to increase staff confidence in identifying STEM learning opportunities.

The ELC has developed mind maps for each of the core texts for reading comprehension in order to build connections across the curriculum.

These mind maps are in turn being used to support practitioners at the ELC by identifying possible provocations, resources, STEM challenges and skills for learners exploring the texts.

Yvonne Lindsay, acting head at Sauchie ELC, said: “We are thrilled to receive our STEM Nation Award at Sauchie ELC. Our curious and inquisitive learners explore a range of learning opportunities daily with the support of our skilled educators to encourage learners to take learning forward into lines of inquiry and investigation.

“STEM skills are embedded across all areas of our learning environment and are inclusive to all children. Learners are presented with dilemmas and challenges often to develop their thinking and problem solving skills further which encourages them to become confident individuals and successful learners.

“The STEM Nation Award celebrates all that we do at Sauchie ELC together with our learners.”

Tillicoultry PS was praised for its passion and enthusiasm for STEM, its successful STEM careers fair and world of work activities for P5-7 pupils.

The school also used STEM to improve literacy and help reading comprehension among boys at the school.

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Fiona Duncan, principal teacher at the school, said: “We are so excited to have achieved this award.

“At Tillicoultry Primary School we have a team of pupils, parents and staff who have worked together to make this happen.

“We have worked hard as a school to embed STEM across our curriculum and provide engaging and relevant STEM opportunities for all learners.

“Our pupils have experienced lots of opportunities for engaging in STEM in different ways, e.g. coding using robots, STEM careers fayre with community partners and lunchtime clubs.

“This award is a reflection of our collective commitment to nurturing a passion for STEM among our learners and we are so proud to achieve it.”