How Dingwall STEM event helped make vital science, technology, engineering and maths topics fun for kids
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A determined bid to help bolster uptake in vital science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects has found a way to make it fun for kids.
Around 70 people attended a morning of family-friendly STEM activities at Dingwall Town Hall, in partnership with the Newton Room and Science Skills Academy.
Those turning up were made up of over 20 families on the day, many of the young people involved also participating in the Highland Festival of Maths project funded by Multiply.
This event existed to provide opportunities to learn new skills together as a family in a fun, accessible way, creating positive maths memories legacy for future generations.
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Kirsty D’Ambrosio, High Life Highland’s adult learning coordinator, said: “It was great to see the different strengths and skills we have across our team, and how pulling them together resulted in a fantastic learning experience for everyone involved.
“The high turnout to the event was incredibly rewarding to host, and to see families enjoying the wide range of activities on offer was certainly an all-round achievement.
“Feedback from the event has been very positive overall, which has been such a delight to relay to staff who were involved on the day – the achievements of learners, partners, and the team, is worth celebrating.”
During the event, High Life Highland adult learning team offered a range of staff-led workshops, including: how to make a catapult, origami frogs, hanging decorations, finger painting by numbers, well-loved Bookbug sessions, and early years numeracy activities.
All of these were brought together alongside self-directed activities based on STEM themes.
The Science Skills Academy offered Techno bots and Land Yacht workshops, challenges, and presented interactive displays and activities from the Glasgow Science Centre.
Families were provided with transport, refreshments, and lunch from local café Betty’s Baps. At the end of the day, families were encouraged to take away resources and ideas for supporting their children and themselves with learning related to numeracy.
Rachel Martin, High Life Highland’s adult learning coordinator, added: “What a fantastic day in Dingwall – it was wonderful to see so many families in attendance, trying lots of new activities to show how much fun numeracy can be.
“There was a real buzz about the place and so much creativity on display. A lot of fun for all involved!
“It was so encouraging to see families working really well together to try different challenges, crafts, and games; they have hopefully come away with many entertaining, low-cost, and
engaging ways to use numeracy in the home.”
Anonymous feedback from parents:
“It’s helped me loads to come up with things to do at home with the children.”
“I enjoyed getting out and about and meeting new people.”
“I can see what activity my child enjoys and start planning her home activities focusing on the games she enjoys most.”
“My child enjoyed the robot car the most. It was the first time she could play with this kind of game.”
“We really enjoyed the activities and thought it was so well organised and thought out.”
Anonymous feedback from children:
“We loved everything we did today.”
“I loved playing pool.”
“Can we come back tomorrow?”
