SmartSTEMs
CASE STUDY
Digital inclusion workshops for school children in Glasgow
Over the past two years SmartSTEMs, in partnership with Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life, has delivered a range of STEM-focused digital learning initiatives to young people throughout Glasgow, with aims to inspire the next generation towards a future in science, technology, engineering and maths.
The project began by delivering workshops to 25 primary schools across five Glasgow City Council learning communities, with phase two of the project expanding the programme into libraries and secondary schools with the aim to engage more young people in STEM learning.
Using an adaptive approach, developed through teacher and pupil feedback the project is a example of the inclusive agenda, designed to address issues of digital inclusion and the gender gap in STEM education and subsequent careers: reaching young learners as early as possible in their education ensures every child, no matter their background, has equal and fair access to STEM education and career opportunity.
Lessons in Robotics, Coding and Data Science give pupils hands on experience of the relevance of skills to the careers of today and tomorrow. These sessions also highlight the digital skills taught to career paths by inviting professionals to share their work experience, giving young people real time insights into how their lessons in STEM lead to future career opportunities.
Jennifer McGhee, teacher at Garrowhill Primary School said of working with SmartSTEMs:
"I think one of the really great things that smart STEMs introduced the children to was someone who was working in a STEM job they got to speak to that person on the day and learn about their experiences and their skills and how they got to be where they are today and I just think that really inspired the children to kind of see oh this is what I can do with this kind of isolated subject and what it can become if I work hard."
"The ease of access that the children have is definitely something that's inspiring. They have a go at something in class so maybe having a go at a little bit of coding or a little bit of garage band or creating some sort of digital art and they get a kind of flavour for it and then they realize oh actually this is something that I would like to kind of practice and hone my skills at. It does inspire them to kind of take those STEM skills forward and then have an access through the Glasgow Council, iPads means that they can develop those skills.
I think so many of them will have jobs that don't exist yet so us giving them the skills that they might need in the future is something that you hope to do."
SmartSTEMs: Case Study
Glasgow Life’s Glasgow Code Learning (GCL) programme is a digital skills initiative delivered in partnership with Glasgow Clyde College and supported by Glasgow City Council and CGI. The programme provides accelerated learning pathways for careers in the digital technologies sector, targeting those facing barriers to conventional education and employment.
GCL offers a range of industry recognised, SQA accredited qualifications from the basic digital skills required for work, to courses in A.I. and Data Science, Software Development and Cyber Security. All courses are delivered flexibly and at no cost to the learner. Along with one-to-one mentoring and employability support, this ‘support for learning’ model has given GCL a proven track record in attracting those from minority groups.
In line with initial findings of Glasgow's Local Employability Partnership’s on-going review of the existing employability structure, a review of the city’s digital skills ecosystem carried out by Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life in 2023, also identified a need for improved employer engagement to bridge the gap between those emerging from provision and entering employment.
In response, GCL worked collaboratively with Jobs and Business Glasgow (JBG) to plan the pilot of paid internships based on JBG’s existing Transitional Employment Programme model. Through their networks, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce invited employers to express their interest in hosting an intern.
Max was one of the first participants to trial GCL’s new internship model having just completed the programme’s Cyber Security course at SCQF level 6.
Max received tailored support to help him on his path towards a career in software development.
Max had previously been working in the hospitality industry but after being made redundant, sought a more sustainable and fulfilling career. His interest in coding led him to applying for the GCL programme, encouraged by family members who had undertaken similar digital upskilling courses. The programme's flexible, part-time delivery model and supportive learning environment allowed Max to balance learning with other commitments seamlessly.
Max said:
"I looked into a lot of opportunities, after working in hospitality for two years I knew it wasn’t really my thing. I couldn’t see a job like that sustaining me for life, so I was looking to get in to a new career...
It was a nine week course. I managed to get the work done on time, every time. I was also working while doing the course. I could take my time...
Having the teacher there was really good. I’ve done previous online courses and if you get stuck - I was having to do my own research and problem solving, which takes a lot more time. Having the tutor on hand was great to guide to simplify information. It made it a lot easier to learn."
Max was provided with a work placement at the end of the programme with Glasgow company STAR Refrigeration, giving him a direct route to professionally develop the skills he learned during the course.
Max said of his time during placement:
"I working on projects and getting stuck into different areas of the business, which was great. I could see what the day-to-day work was like. They got me in to meetings and I was able to contribute with knowledge I picked-up on the cyber security course... The placement has been very beneficial to my career path - what I am learning and doing is relevant to where I want to be in the future"
Upon completing his placement Max was offered an extended internship with STAR Refrigeration, which will see him gain further industry experience.