Moray’s Early Years STEM project reaches major milestone
Moray’s Early Years Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) project has been given the green light by major funder, the Scottish Government.
The project is part of Moray’s £100m Growth Deal. The project is funded through £3.5m in capital from the Scottish Government and £1.3m from Moray Council, along with £1.6m in revenue support from Moray Council.
By focusing on STEM engagement with children in their early stages of learning (age 3-8), the project aims to positively change attitudes towards STEM and encourage young people to enter a STEM related career.
The project will invest in state-of-the-art hub facilities in community settings across Moray, each offering a unique experience that can be delivered flexibly across the region, including mobile and outreach offerings.
The first phase of delivery will see the development of an Early Years STEM Discovery Centre and Community Learning Hub, hosted within Elgin Library at Cooper Park, a mobile solution that will enable the team to reach schools throughout Moray and the provision of outreach materials for schools to use. Proposals for the hub are currently being developed by Moray Council in collaboration with exhibition designers, Glasgow Science Centre and Unusual Projects.
The STEM Discovery Centre will host a series of interactive exhibitions themed around life and work in Moray and will offer STEM workshops linked to the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. Activities include science investigations, engineering challenges and coding with LEGO® and other digital resources.
This facility will be a focal point for early years STEM education in Moray, offering innovative STEM learning experiences, opportunities for training and skills development, and coordinating STEM activity across the region. The centre will act as a shared STEM resource for local nurseries, schools, and home educators; while offering accessibility to the wider community, including weekend family sessions and support for community groups to host STEM events and clubs.
The centre is expected to open for the start of the 2025/26 academic year.
Following phase one, the Early Years STEM project will extend the reach of engagement and expand the offer throughout Moray, with further Hubs planned for Forres and Buckie.
Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, said: “Having the Scottish Government endorse the full business case is a major milestone for this project, and I look forward to seeing it come to life. The Early Years of learning for any child are some of the most important and this first phase of the project is a huge step to support children in our area into STEM careers.
“The milestone also marks six Growth Deal projects in delivery and progressing well. There is no doubt the Growth Deal is delivering for Moray in exciting and innovative ways.”
More details about the Early Years STEM project can be found on the MyMoray website.