Early Years and Primary School STEM Engagement

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Over the last six years, the UHI STEM Team has developed a successful STEM outreach model for early years and primary school learners. The ‘Lend a Lab’ kits contain themed content, resources and learning plans aligned to Curriculum for Excellence. The UHI STEM Coordinator will bring a ‘Lend a Lab’ of your choice to your school and will work alongside the class teachers to deliver the STEM topic in an engaging way. The sessions are supplied at no cost to the school and, if you would find it helpful, there is also support for teachers to develop confidence in their own STEM knowledge and confidence.

‘Lend a Lab’ kits available: content

‘Lend a Lab’ kits available:

Topic	Level	CfE Links
Environment – Oil Spill This session aims to introduce pupils to the formation of oil and its impact upon the environment. Pupils will have the opportunity to design a prototype device to clean up an oil slick.	Second level	SCN 2-04b, TCH 2-07a
Science: Senses This session aims to encourage pupils to investigate their own senses using simple everyday materials.	First and Second level	SCN 1-12b, SCN 2-12b
Science: Electricity (4 topics) Circuit building - This session aims to make learners familiar with using snap circuit components to create simple circuits. Learners will be introduced to series and parallel circuits and resistors. Conductors and insulators -This session aims to introduce pupils to the properties of conducting and insulating materials. Building a battery - This session aims to introduce pupils to the concept of a chemical cell. They will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and build a chemical cell (battery) out of simple materials. Building a games controller - This session aims to allow pupils to design a simple computer game and then use conductive material to build a games controller.	Second level	SCN 2-09a, SCN 2-10a, TCH 2-09a TCH 2-14a
Early Years Technology: Computing This activity aims to introduce learners to sequencing and encourages them to give a device a series of instructions.	Early level	TCH 0-15a
Sphero: Coding This session aims to introduce the concept of an algorithm and computer languages. It will introduce pupils to Spheros. Pupils will also explore maths concepts including speed / distance / time and angles. This session aims to teach the computing concepts of variables and conditional repetition. Pupils will practice building computer programmes that include these concepts. Note - Requires advance booking	First and Second level	TCH 1-14a, TCH 1-14b, TCH 2-14a, TCH 2-15a, ,MNU 2-10c, MNU 2-17c
Engineering: Kapla Early: This session aims to introduce early level pupils to construction and engineering. Pupils will be encouraged to problem solve and improve designs through trial and error. First and Second: This session aims to introduce pupils to construction and engineering. Pupils will be encouraged to problem solve and improve 2D and 3D designs through trial and error. Note - Requires advance booking	All levels	TCH 0-09a, ENG 0-12a, MTH 0-13a, MTH 0-19a, TCH 1-09a, TCH 1-12a, MTH 1-16a, TCH 2-09a, TCH 2-12a
Engineering: MTA Kits This session aims to develop pupil’s knowledge of engineering by completing construction projects using super-sized building materials. Note - Requires advance booking	First and Second level	TCH 1-09a, TCH 1-12a, MTH 1-16a TCH 2-09a, TCH 2-12a

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If you would like to get in touch to book a ‘Lend a Lab’ session and/or in-school teacher support with STEM engagement, please contact me your local STEM Coordinator. Alternatively, you can find out more and contact us at STEM Team - UHI

You may be aware that the BBC are currently providing free micro:bits to schools. BBC micro:bit the next gen - Registration Form We have learning plans to support teachers to use micro:bits in the classroom.

Our focus from January 2024 will be to develop early and first level resources. We would be most grateful if teachers in your school could complete the following brief survey to ensure that we are developing ‘Lend a Lab’ kits that will complement the learning in your school. Lend a Lab survey.