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Qualifications and Awards > STEM Leader 7

STEM Leader 7

SCQF Level 7 Award in STEM Leadership

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  • Part of the Scottish Government Young STEM Leader Programme 

  • Credit rated by SQA ​

  • Develop your leadership skills and STEM knowledge 

  • Opportunity to work with university and industry experts

  • 60-hour single unit award

  • SCQF Credits and UCAS Tariff enabled

  • Perfect for CV enhancement and UCAS application

  • Independent, self-led research project in STEM

  • Blend of remote learning with an in-person final showcase

The Young STEM Leader Programme (YSLP) is a national leadership programme in Scotland which spans seven levels of our 3-18 curriculum, the highest of which is STEM Leader 7.

 

Also known as SL7, this pinnacle level of the programme gives students of Saturday School Ltd the chance to gain a SQA Credit Rated Award that sits on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework at Level 7, that's the same level as Advanced Highers and HNCs.  Furthermore, this award carries relevant SCQF Credits and is included in the UCAS application to ensure STEM Leaders can gain enhanced recognition with employers, colleges and universities.

 

Candidates who take this award will develop their leadership skills, qualities and behaviours in a way that is unique to YSLP.  Completing SL7 gives candidates huge ownership and design of their learning, asking them to create and complete a research project which align with their own interests, skills and ambitions.

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STEM Leader 7 overview​

People of age 16+ will complete the SCQF Level 7 Award in STEM Leadership by:

  • Developing a project question

  • Gaining the support of an individual, group or organisation who will inform, advise or contribute to their project

  • Linking their project to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Answering their project question through research and activity​​

  • Sharing their findings in a format of their choice

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Examples of past project questions:

  • How can I encourage healthier eating habits in junior pupils at my school?

  • What will the aviation industry look like in 20 years?

  • Who do we make science subjects more attractive and accessible to young people?

  • What are the impacts of stem extra-curricular clubs in schools?

  • How can I increase recycling on campus?

  • How can we encourage more active transport among students?

  • How do we reduce animal cruelty in Scotland?

  • Do we have good air quality in our local area?

  • How do make STEM careers truly accessible for all people?

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There is no summative assessment or exam for SL7, candidates are assessed and awarded based on their ongoing completion of a digital log and of course, how they share their findings at the end of the project.  

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For anyone interested in completing this award with us, there are two options for academic year 24/25, see below for more information.

Option 1:

STEM Leader 7 - Powered by Ocean Winds

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Timescale:

The award starts in September 2024 with an online welcome meeting (Google Meet) on Thursday 19th September, 5pm to 6.15pm.  The award will run from September 2024 to June 2025

Length of award:

Suggested 60 hours of core learning with additional remote self-study and independent learning by the candidate

Context of project:

There is no set context to this option, STEM Leaders (candidates) can choose any area of STEM to explore, it is recommended however that candidates explore a relevant/topical issue in STEM that an audience would benefit from hearing about

Cost:

This option is fully funded by Ocean Winds and free to the candidate

Course delivery:

Mostly independent, self-study research but with a small number of online classes and check-in sessions led by Saturday School staff

Sharing of findings:

STEM Leaders will present their findings by poster presentation (template provided) at a showcase event at The University of Edinburgh

Please note that the poster presentation is not an individual stage-style presentation, it is a relaxed, discussion-based group exhibition where guests will circulate and informally chat with all STEM Leaders who are presenting on the day

Date of showcase:

Wednesday 11th June 2025.  Support with travel costs to the showcase event will be provided

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Applications: 

Candidates aged 16+ who are in upper secondary school, at college or 1st year university can apply via the button below, there are 20 places available for this award - applications close on Friday 6th September 2024.

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Option 2:

STEM Leader 7 - Chemistry for me, Chemistry for all

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​Maximising access to study and work in the chemical sciences.  An opportunity for anyone in Scotland currently studying chemistry at National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher or 1st year undergraduate. 

 

This project is closely linked to the Royal Society of Chemistry Inclusion and Diversity Strategy and is about empowering and mobilising the very people we seek to recruit more of in science.  As a Chemistry student why did you choose the subject?  Why do some people not?  This project will learning from student experiences in chemistry and look at what they deem necessary to continue to widen access to chemistry for all, based on what those who know best tell us.
Their findings will also be published online for those in education to study.

 

Timescale:

The award starts in September 2024 with an online welcome meeting (Google Meet) on Thursday 19th September, 5pm to 6.15pm.  The award will run from September 2024 to June 2025

Length of award:

Suggested 60 hours of core learning with additional remote self-study and independent learning by the candidate

Context of project:

See above - a study on how we can maximise access to chemistry for everyone, presenting findings to key figures in chemistry industry and academia, including The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).  Your project question should investigate participation in chemistry but in an area of your choice

Cost:

This option is fully funded by RSC and free to the candidate

Course delivery:

Mostly independent, self-study research but with a small number of online classes and check-in sessions led by Saturday School staff

Sharing of findings:

STEM Leaders will present their findings by poster presentation (template provided) at a showcase event at Strathclyde University

Please note that the poster presentation is not an individual stage-style presentation, it is a relaxed, discussion-based group exhibition where guests will circulate and informally chat with all STEM Leaders who are presenting on the day

Date of showcase:

Wednesday 18th June 2025.  Support with travel costs to the showcase event will be provided​

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Applications: 

Candidates aged 16+ who are in upper secondary school, at college or 1st year university can apply via the button below, there are 20 places available for this award - applications close on Friday 6th September 2024.

Key dates for this award:

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​The majority of this award is carried out by independent, self-study and research by the student.  However, around 10 hours (of the total 60 hours) are direct taught, tutor-led online sessions delivered via Google Meet and Google Classroom.  All students must aattend all sessions listed below:

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Session 1: Thursday 19th Sept 2024 at 1700-1815

Session 2: Thursday 24th Oct 2024 at 1700-1815

Session 3: Thursday 28th Nov 2024 at 1700-1815

Session 4: Thursday 19th Dec 2024 at 1700-1815

Session 5: Thursday 23rd Jan 2025 at 1700-1815

Session 6: Thursday 20th Feb 2025 at 1700-1815

Session 7: Thursday 20th Mar 2025 at 1700-1815

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Please also note the in-person showcases for each option are:

Ocean Winds - Wednesday 11th June 2025, University of Edinburgh

RSC - Wednesday 18th June 2025, University of Strathclyde

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Applications

 

By completing an application, you are accepting all of the following terms and conditions:

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  1. Places on SL7 are awarded by a judging team at Saturday School and their decision is final

  2. Applicants must provide personal data which will be securely stored by Saturday School Ltd

  3. Successful applicant data will be stored for up to 12 months after the award is complete, applicants not chosen will have their data deleted immediately

  4. Applicants must provide the email address for a current teacher/lecturer or another suitable person in their school/college/university who will be asked to provide a reference on the suitability of the applicant for this programme; applicants must have the permission of this person to share their email address with us

  5. Applications can not progress without all references being complete

  6. Successful applicants will commit to attending all online and face-to-face classes 

  7. Successful applicants will take part in short surveys to evaluate the impact of the programme

  8. Successful applicants consent to in-class photography and its use to promote and celebrate the programme

  9. Applicants accept that completing the application process in no way guarantees their selection for the programme

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