The exciting STEM Ambassador programme is now open to IHW staff. STEM ambassadors are volunteers from a wide range of science, social science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related jobs and disciplines across the UK. They offer their time and enthusiasm to engage with children and young people in and out of the classroom.

Photo of STEM activity in IHWPossible activities include careers talks, competitions, Q and As or hands-on practical work. STEM Ambassadors are a free of charge resource for teachers and others engaging with young people. Schools and youth groups register with the programme and submit requests for school visits and activities, specifying the subject areas they are interested in. Ambassadors receive an updated list every month of these requests and can choose which ones to follow up.

Ambassadors are particularly in demand during national ‘Awareness Weeks’ such as Alcohol Awareness Week or Sexual Health Week. Pictured is the school corridor of Motherwell Cathedral School where some researchers from GPPC visited for STEM Week. During the visit, P6 students got to be social scientists for a day and worked as mini-researchers to survey their classmates and analyse and present the results.

Becoming a STEM Ambassador involves completing online induction modules before attending a Kick Off session. The next Kick Off session is scheduled for 11 March. The training covers the purposes of the STEM Ambassador's Programme, information about schools, and advice for working with young people.

Please find more information about the programme and how to join on the West of Scotland STEM Ambassador Hub webpage.

First published: 28 June 2018

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