Spartans Community Foundation is the first community learning and development provider to achieve the STEM Nation Award from Education Scotland.
Acknowledging that science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills are important this award is the cornerstone of The Scottish Government’s education and training strategy. To gain the award education providers must gather and submit evidence demonstrating leadership and examples of STEM learning.
Since launching a STEM pilot in 2020, the Spartans Community Foundation initiative has grown significantly and is now embedded in five local schools where they deliver more than 350 sessions and engage with more than 1,000 participants. The Foundation’s clear and ambitious STEM vision is supported by strong leadership and a collaborative team culture, with staff empowered through ongoing professional development. Validators said that the Foundation is committed to creating a “comprehensive pathway from P1 to P7”. There are also activities provided during lunchtime and after school and the feedback from young people, their families and schools shows the positive impact on engagement and learning.
David Service, Senior Education Officer at Spartans Community Foundation, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised nationally by the STEM Nation Award. Over the last 5 years, STEM has played a huge part in our educational outreach within North Edinburgh. Through the dedication of staff and volunteers, we’ve developed a STEM Pathway that enables young people to access STEM materials both in the classroom and in a youth work capacity. I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone who has helped us on this journey and allowed us to dream big and dream fierce.”
Debbi McCulloch, CEO at Spartans Community Foundation, said: “We are honoured to receive the STEM Nation Award, as it is a proud moment for us all as we receive national recognition of the outstanding STEM initiatives taking place here at the Spartans Community Foundation, and within the local primary schools we work with. I feel deeply proud of our staff whose dedication and innovation has made this possible. The broader range of STEM pathways now available in North Edinburgh is enabling young people to enjoy lots of fun STEM activities whilst providing a positive, and engaging, learning environment and the chance to try new things.”
John Galt, Community Learning and Development Education Officer at Education Scotland, said: “I’m delighted to see Spartans Community Foundation become the first organisation in Scotland to achieve the STEM Nation Award for CLD providers. The work of the Foundation shows the power of using community learning and development approaches to make STEM engaging, relevant and fun for local young people. By linking STEM activities with sport and community programmes, they are helping young people build their confidence and develop new skills. This achievement is a great example of how CLD can support inclusive, creative pathways into STEM.”
Graeme Logan, Interim Chief Executive of Education Scotland, said: “Congratulations to Spartans Community Foundation on becoming the first community learning and development provider to achieve the STEM Nation Award. Spartans does a lot of great work to empower the local community including its signature STEM learning programme for schools encouraging exploration, imagination and perseverance using codeable robots. This success is very well deserved and we hope it will encourage other community learning and development providers to apply for the STEM Nation Award.”
Minister for Higher and Further Education Graeme Dey said: “This award is testament to the commitment and hard work of dedicated staff at Spartans in providing opportunities for young people across communities to gain the valuable skills needed for learning, life and work.
“It underlines the impact which community learning and development can have in empowering people, individually and collectively, to make positive changes in their lives and in their communities.”
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