Firm that promotes STEM subjects up for four gongs
An organisation that aims to inspire young people to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) has been nominated for a whole host of awards.
Paisley-based SmartSTEMs is up for diversity and community awards at four ceremonies over the coming weeks for its work with schools.
The charity has been shortlisted for Enterprise in Education at the ROCCO Awards, run by Renfrewshire Chambers of Commerce; Best Community Project at the GenAnalytics National Diversity Awards; Technology Networking Group of the Year at the Scotland Women in Technology Awards; and, Community Impact Award at the Scottish Cyber Awards.
Between events and outreach work, Abbey Mill Business Centre- based SmartSTEMs has made contact with 3,000 children this year.
It says more than 1,700 girls from 91 schools across Scotland have attended SmartSTEMs events over the last seven months and it is on track to reach another 500 children before the end of the year.
Each event caters for between 120 to 500 children aged 10 to 14 and gives them the chance to hear from inspiring speakers who work in STEM about their journey, speak to science and technology businesses about what kind of jobs they could do and get involved in hands-on workshops.
Pa i s l e y businessman Stuart Macdonald, founder of SmartSTEMs, said: “We are delighted that the generous and industrious efforts of our team and very many volunteers has been recognised so consistently across numerous awards.
“We are proud to be playing our part in making Scotland a great place to discover and pursue STEM careers.”
EDF Energy has been supporting SmartSTEMs as headline sponsor as part of its wider commitment to education, which includes the Pretty Curious programme that aims to change the perception of STEM subjects and help address the lack of women entering the industry.
EDF Energy’s Scottish business director, Paul Winkle, said: “It is great to see SmartSTEMs being recognised for the fantastic work it is doing to inspire more young people to study STEM subjects.
“STEM industries are facing a large skills gap, particularly when it comes to gender.
“At the moment, only one in five people working in core STEM industries in Scotland is a woman.
“We are committed to changing that, which is why we are pleased to support organisations like SmartSTEMs who share our ethos.”