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Heriot-Watt University has joined with the University of Stirling to help to address the shortage of teachers in STEM subjects by training a cohort of chemistry and physics secondary school teachers.
The ability to engage young people in STEM subjects through-out the education life-cycle is vitally important to the future prosperity of Scotland.
Set up with additional funding from the Scottish Government, the innovative programme will combine Stirling's excellence in education with Heriot-Watt's excellence in sciences.
The first cohort have now started their studies and will lead the way for future generations of STEM-subject teachers.
Gillian Thomson, Director of Learning and Teaching in Heriot-Watt's School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, said, “We are delighted to be part of such a forward-looking initiative to combat the shortage of STEM teachers in Scotland. The ability to engage young people in STEM subjects through-out the education life-cycle is vitally important to the future prosperity of Scotland."
Next generation of science teachers
Dr Sandra Eady, Director of the Initial Teacher Education programme at the University of Stirling, said, “Teachers qualified in the STEM subjects are vital to helping more children engage with science. With a track record in delivery the very best in education training, we will ready our students with the theoretical and practical experience to teach chemistry or physics in secondary schools.
“We believe having the best teachers in place will ensure the pupils they go on to educate will one day attain highly-skilled jobs that are reactive and relevant to the needs of today's economy. We look forward to working with Heriot-Watt to help deliver this pioneering new course and the next generation of science teachers for Scotland.”