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 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.