STEM Leader 7
SCQF Level 7 Award in STEM Leadership
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 the chance to gain an 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, therefore carrying relevant SCQF Credits for STEM Leaders who complete the award.
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. We are now accepting applications from potential students, anywhere in Scotland, who would like to gain this award via a fully-funded scholarship programme in the academic year 26/27.
STEM Leader 7 overview
People of age 16+ will complete the SCQF Level 7 Award in STEM Leadership by:
- Developing a project question of their choice
- 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 at our annual TEAS Summer Showcase at Strathclyde University
Examples of past project questions from Cohort 1 (24/25):
- Are brachycephalic dog breeds ethical and should we have more laws around the breeding of them?
- What are the barriers to accessing dental care for low-income populations and how can these problems be addressed?
- How do we get more children involved and wanting to pursue the sciences and why our current efforts may be flawed?
- In what ways can the use of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment improve the quality of healthcare provided to frail older people?
- How can we stabilise local ecosystems using plants?
- How can we make clean drinking water more easily accessible for people in developing countries?
- What are the barriers that neuro diverse people face in school and university that prevents them form careers in stem and medicine.
- Can hydrogen become a clean primary energy source that is reliable, economically viable and efficient.
- In what way can living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) affect young people's mental health and academic performance?
- How can the psychology of reminiscence promote wellbeing in a care home setting?
- What are the barriers to women and girls pursuing a career in engineering and how can we combat these to reduce the gender gap within STEM careers?
- How can we move forward in creating more opportunities for engineering positions for women in motorsports?
- How can artificial intelligence be utilised to create personalised learning experiences in STEM subjects to improve educational outcomes and engagement of students?
- How do we reduce animal cruelty in Scotland?
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.
Award options for 26/27
Option 1: STEM Leader 7
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The award starts in September 2026 with an online welcome meeting (Google Meet) on Wed 30th September, 5pm to 6.15pm. The award will run from September 2026 to June 2027. We fully understand many of our candidates will have other courses, prelims, exams and commitments and this is fully accounted for to reduce unwanted pressure and workload for all.
Key dates for this award
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 attend all sessions listed below:
- Session 1: Wed 30/09/2026, 1700-1815
- Session 2: Wed 28/10/2026, 1700-1815
- Session 3: Wed 25/11/2026, 1700-1815
- Session 4: Wed 27/01/2027, 1700-1815
- Session 5: Wed 31/03/2027, 1700-1815
- Session 6: Wed 28/04/2027, 1700-1815 (optional drop in)
- Session 7: Wed 26/05/2027, 1700-1815 (optional drop in)
Mandatory in-person Showcase:
- Wednesday 2nd June 2027, Strathclyde University, Glasgow.
Applications
By completing an application, you are accepting all of the following terms and conditions:
- Places on this programme are awarded by a judging team at The Education Academy Scotland and their decision is final
- Applicants must provide personal data which will be securely stored by The Education Academy Scotland
- 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
- 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
- Applications can not progress without all references being complete
- Successful applicants will commit to attending all online and face-to-face classes
- Successful applicants will take part in short surveys to evaluate the impact of the programme
- Successful applicants consent to in-class photography and its use to promote and celebrate the programme
- Applicants accept that completing the application process in no way guarantees their selection for the programme