Breaking Barriers to STEM Careers: Dundee Science Centre’s multi-engagement pathway for young people.
As a mission led charity, Dundee Science Centre’s vision is that our communities are inspired to explore and connect with science by providing access to memorable Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) inspired experiences.
Dundee Science Centre’s mission is to make science accessible. When considering STEM Career Pathways, we consider the multiple engagement process key in inspiring our scientists and engineers of the future.
We delivery multiple engagements through a variety of different activities including:
- engagement in community settings through, curriculum linked workshops delivered in school settings, career events, festival events with activities and experiences for the whole family.
- experiences in Centre through school visits, STEM Club Holiday Programmes and family visits.
Building on the excellent STEM engagement opportunities available, we knew we needed to expand the programme and support in overcoming the challenges the sector faces in attracting young talent into STEM Career Pathways. Having identified the barriers that our young people face within our region which include:
- gap in local provision.
- youngsters that are not ‘job ready’.
- provision that supports broad skill development.
- access to a wide array of STEM and business professionals.
- access to industry training specialists.
- pastoral care building confidence and belonging as well as possible selves.
In partnership with the University of Dundee, Career Ready and Coffee Conscience we have facilitated fourteen 4-week paid placements for 5th and 6th year pupils since 2022. The programmes key focus of enhanced pastoral care as well as high quality and intense job skills training ensured our aim of expanded their science capital, whilst creating tangible work experience that would ultimately lead to employment that supports their STEM Career Pathway journey. Following completion of their placement 8 of the 14 were successful in securing paid employment with Dundee Science Centre with 6 still in employment.
We understand the challenges the STEM Industry and Further and Higher education establishments face in recruiting youngsters into these career pathways and identified an opportunity to expand the programme to pupils as part of the S3 core work experience programme.
Supported by the NCR Foundation we piloted a S3 work experience programme for 30 youngsters from 2 schools with pastoral care and high-quality skills development the focus areas.
Our youngsters gained a new perspective on the diverse array of opportunities available at Dundee Science Centre, discovering roles they might not have previously been aware of. They have also developed some transferable skills which they can refer to when they’re building their CVs and applying for jobs, college or university.
In order to further cement our commitment, we signed up to the Young Person’s Guarantee, promoted by Developing the Young Workforce (Tay Cities) and supported by the Scottish Government. The scheme is a commitment to connect every 16- to 24-year-old in Scotland to an opportunity as they prepare for and take their first steps into the world of work.
In light of the success of Career Ready Programme and Work Experience pilot, we worked in collaboration Dundee City Council to support all 8 secondary schools within the Dundee region with five S3 work experience placements each academic year. To date we have supported 97 youngsters with an invaluable opportunity and insight, helping them make informed decisions about their futures and inspiring young people for life beyond school.
As noted earlier multiple engagements are key to success and we can see this positive impact that this is having with our young people. We recently hosted an S3 Pupil, who attended a number of our STEM Clubs in Primary School and requested that her work experience placement be at Dundee Science Centre, she ultimately wants to go into medicine and wanted the opportunity to see STEM careers from a different perspective.
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Ayo Alli, Career Ready Intern 2022 and Visitor Experience Assistant at Dundee Science Centre
Being part of the Career Ready programme and getting to work at Dundee Science Centre has been a fantastic opportunity for me. I have learned a lot of transferable skills in communication, adaptability and customer service. The whole experience inspired me to study Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, which I look forward to starting in September. The opportunities I received here opened doors I never knew existed.
Rae Garvock, Career Ready Intern 2023 and Visitor Experience Assistant at Dundee Science Centre
Throughout this internship, I have been given a mountain of opportunities which I am extremely grateful for. Before starting at Dundee Science Centre, I was shy and nervous to talk to people because I was isolated during lockdown. My time here has helped me develop my confidence and given me new ideas about the career I want to pursue.
Scott Cameron, Employer Liaison Officer at Developing the Young Workforce (Tay Cities)
Dundee Science Centre is a huge advocate for inspiring and aspiring young people for life beyond school, especially around STEM careers. The Centre is also a key DYW partner, regularly participating in career events for both primary and secondary schools. The Science Centre also makes a huge contribution to the local community in terms of delivering bespoke events and activities for young people and families currently facing barriers and social issues, and the YPG is fitting recognition for the work that they do. Through this new work experience programme, pupils gain an invaluable opportunity and insight, helping them make informed decisions about their futures.
Stewart Hunter, Children, Families and Communities Convener at Dundee City Council
The Dundee Science Centre placements present an incredible opportunity for our young people, particularly as it can be challenging to identify engaging placements around STEM, especially for this age group. “But, while the Science Centre is focused on STEM, the pupils have gained so much more and developed some valuable transferable skills that will stand them in good stead for the future. “As well as learning how, the team engages with the public around STEM activities, they’ve been involved in all aspects of the business, from marketing and reception work to retail, barista training, and even health and safety. Through these placements, they are much more likely to achieve a positive destination, whether it’s rewarding employment, college, or higher education.”
Nicola Stanley-Wall, Professor of Microbiology and Academic Lead for Public Engagement for the School of Life Sciences - University of Dundee
At the University of Dundee, social purpose is at the heart of what we do, both in our research and wider communities. It is a privilege to be a part of the Career Ready family, sharing the opportunities that science can offer while supporting talented young people to achieve their goals.