Curiosity in Action: Action Research Programme
About the programme
Curiosity in Action is a two-year programme that involves youth workers and researchers across Scotland working together in long-term partnerships to develop and deliver STEM-themed activities with youth groups. The programme focuses on understanding how these activities impact young people's social development, foster their resilience, communication, teamwork, and overall wellbeing.
We are currently in the second year of the programme with the partnerships phase due to finish up in June 2025. This will be followed by a sharing phase and a wider celebration event in September 2025 to share our learning with the wider sector.
The programme is funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), facilitated by Science Ceilidh with the support of a steering group.
How does this work in practice?
Each youth group is matched with a researcher who acts as the group’s ‘scientist-in-residence’ for 9-months. In some cases, the partnerships have carried into the second year of the programme meaning they will work together for 2 years.
Each year started with an in-person action research meeting in Edinburgh to bring all the partnerships together to map out the groups’ priorities and hopes for the programme. Throughout the year, online action research meetings are held every 2-3 months providing a space for sharing, reflection and supporting each other.
In between action research meetings, each partnership meets to plan, develop and deliver STEM-themed sessions together in a way that works for them. For example, one group runs 2 blocks of 6 weekly sessions while another hosts 1 session per month.
Impact & learning
Our Year 1 learning report will be published soon! We will be chatting through this learning at our next Network community of practice online on the 27th of March, book a place here. You can also read about some of the impact so far in our blog posts.
Check out our latest blog posts
Meet the partnerships
Year 2
You will recognise some familiar faces who will be continuing with the programme from year 1 and some new youth workers and researchers getting involved for the first time!
Think Circus uses the art of circus to uplift communities across Scotland through performances, workshops, and youth programmes. In Edinburgh, their impactful projects include the Girls Forest Circus and the excitement of circus arts.
Who is their ‘Scientist-in-Residence’?
Dr Rebekka Puderbaugh who specialises in Linguistics and English Language.
Eat Sleep Ride CIC empowers young people and supports the community through equine experiences in the Scottish Borders. They focus on youth development, environmental stewardship, and therapeutic services, creating opportunities for connection and growth.
Who is their ‘Scientist-in-Residence’?
Dr Benjamin Bose from the University of Edinburgh.
“Since doing Science Ceilidh stuff, we've done our summer STEM and we had all the books and stuff that we had out, we started taking that dive into science before we did this but I feel more sure doing it where I'm like, no we can do this, it's just science.” - Kieran McPhail
Who are their ‘Scientists-in-Residence’?
Dr David Boldrin and Connor Inglis based at the University of Glasgow and Raj Kumar from the University of Strathclyde.
“You matched us up really well with the scientist. She was really engaged when she first came in, she introduced herself to the children, and she came in with books with various different activities that they could do so they could see how the experiments and things could work, and what they could do and what they couldn't.” - Pauline Mathers
Who is their ‘Scientist-in-Residence’?
Ruth MacKay from the University of Aberdeen.
Heart of Midlothian FC Innovation Centre
“Being honest with the kids and open and raw with them has led me to be a better community worker and educator…I'm learning with them too, it's really nice to see them kind of respect that” - Neve Chambers
Who are their ‘Scientists-in-Residence’?
Dr Logaheswari Muniraj based at Heriot-Watt and Dr Sarah Farrukh based at the University of Edinburgh.
Auchinleck Community Development Initiative
“I didn't really know about STEM until I came here. It was never something that we ever really had that much knowledge in, so it was nice for me to learn as well” - Rachel Alexander
Who are their ‘Scientists-in-Residence’?
Dr Andrew Spencer and Dr Christopher Berry from the University of Glasgow.
Year 1
Paisley YMCA is a youth and community space dedicated to fun and digital inclusion in the heart of Paisley. They provide free youth work activities and opportunities for young people to explore, innovate & create!
Who is their ‘Scientist-in-Residence’?
Dr David Boldrin based at the University of Glasgow.
Ormlie Community Association carry out a variety of activities for children aged from 5 to 16 years.
“I am looking forward to developing children's appreciation of Science and how science fits into their world around them as this can open up opportunities, which can be developed towards work in later life.” - Pauline Mathers
Who is their ‘Scientist-in-Residence’?
Ruth MacKay from the University of Aberdeen.
The Multi Cultural Family Base Safe Haven group is a group of wonderful refugee young people aged 8 to 14 who are affected by trauma. The group aims to provide a safe space for them to try activities that improve their mental health, build friendships, connect with their culture and settle into their new community.
Who are their ‘Scientists-in-Residence’?
Dr Clara Pennock and Dr Alison Young based at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh.
Heart of Midlothian FC Innovation Centre provides a fun, engaging and inclusive environment for young people, including those from underrepresented groups, to gain digital education and STEM skills via their free afterschool clubs and holiday workshops.
Who is their ‘Scientist-in-Residence’?
Jacob Allitt from Heriot-Watt University.
Auchinleck Community Development Initiative provides young people from Auchinleck and the surrounding area aged 8-12 a range of activities and an opportunity to socialise out of the school environment.
“We love providing new experiences and challenges that capture the imaginations of the young people who come along and that's why being paired with a scientist as part of the Curiosity in Action project is so exciting for us.” - Stuart Mitchell
Who are their ‘Scientists-in-Residence’?
Dr Juliano Morimoto, Dr Charles Wang and Sophie Laurie all working at the University of Aberdeen.