Education Scotland is delighted to announce that Spartans Community Foundation, in Edinburgh, is the first community learning and development provider to achieve the STEM Nation Award. 

The sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Nation Award celebrates, promotes and builds on effective practice in STEM education across Scotland. Education Scotland’s STEM Nation Award is the cornerstone of the Scottish Government’s STEM Education and Training Strategy for Scotland. The Government strategy sets out a vision of Scotland as a world-leading STEM nation with a highly-educated and skilled population equipped with the STEM skills, knowledge and capability required to adapt and thrive in a rapidly-changing world.  STEM skills are crucial as Scotland seeks to transition to net-zero and as the demand for STEM skills grows to support our key economic sectors including: green economy, energy, space, advanced manufacturing, engineering, life and chemical sciences, food and drink and creative and digital media.

After celebrating the 50th setting to achieve the prestigious award earlier this year, Education Scotland is excited to share that Spartans Community Foundation is the first community learning and development provider in Scotland to achieve the STEM Nation Award. In order to achieve the full STEM Nation Award applicants must gather and submit evidence demonstrating leadership, STEM learning in the community, employability and partnership working, STEM curriculum and learner pathways, and equity and equality. After achieving all five elements, applicants upload their STEM action plan for review by Education Scotland and a discussion is then held to explore this in more depth.

Since launching a STEM pilot in 2020, the Spartans Community Foundation initiative has grown significantly and is now embedded in five local schools, delivering over 350 sessions and engaging 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 highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to creating a comprehensive education pathway from P1 to P7, alongside STEM activities during lunchtime and after school. Programmes are tailored to meet the needs of the local community, fostering inclusion and building STEM capital. Feedback from young people, families, and schools reflects the positive impact of the initiative on engagement and learning. 

Spartans Community Foundation are committed to sustaining and growing their STEM work through strategic partnerships and continued investment in staff development. These partnerships have been instrumental in the programme’s success, helping to strengthen delivery and ensure long-term impact across the community.

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.'

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.'

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.'

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.'