The national STEM Reference Group will provide external support and challenge to the Scottish government during the development of the strategy. It will be co-chaired by Professor Sheila Rowan, Scotland’s chief scientific adviser, and Professor Iain Hunter from the University of Strathclyde.
The announcement was made by Shirley-Anne Somerville, higher education, further education and science minister, at a conference in Edinburgh.
She said the STEM strategy would seek to inspire more people to specialise in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects to enable them to maximise their career opportunities, and outline how the numerous STEM activities, programmes and initiatives already being carried out in Scotland could be better aligned to maximise their impact.
The minister also confirmed the publication of an analysis of contributions to a recent consultation on the draft strategy.
Somerville said she wants to make STEM education, training and lifelong learning the “very best it can be” for individuals, educators, employers and the wider economy.
“Our draft strategy is about helping to raise the levels of STEM skills and capability for everyone,” she said. “It is also about encouraging and inspiring more people to specialise in STEM, during their education and training - but also to return to or progress their STEM learning as adults – so they can make the most of those job, career and life opportunities.
“We need the different STEM activities, initiatives and programmes to be better aligned with one another to maximise their impact.
She continued: “In other words, we need a plan that makes the excellent practice that already exists in individual schools, colleges, universities and communities systemic across the whole country.”
She said the strategy will be “dynamic” and will constantly evolve to meet the challenges of the future.
“We will establish a reference group to provide external support and challenge to the government during its development,” she added. “I am pleased to say that the chief scientific adviser, Professor Sheila Rowan, will co-chair that group with Professor Iain Hunter from the University of Strathclyde.”
