Apps for Good, a charity partner of The Spectris Foundation since 2023, recently held their Showcase finals. This marked the completion of an illuminating STEM experience for hundreds of schoolchildren, with Spectris colleagues involved every step of the way.

Tech innovation and STEM empowerment in UK schools is the focus of Apps for Good. Read more about their incredible work and our partnership with them here. Their Showcase encourages children to develop skills and design apps that address real-world challenges, from climate change to social issues.

Volunteer heroes: Spectris colleagues champion STEM students

Spectris colleagues kindly volunteered their time to shortlist entries, using their experience as professionals in STEM to deliver insightful and bespoke feedback. With colleagues reviewing an incredible total of 247 apps, no time was wasted putting the Spectris value ‘Aim High,’ and the KKR value ‘Stay Curious, Be Creative,’ into action! Foundation Director, Rebecca Levy and The Spectris Foundation Trustee, Laura Hughes-Onslow, also reviewed apps, dedicating their time to engaging the inventors and pioneers of tomorrow.

Tatiana Pinheiro Tiago, Product Manager at Malvern Panalytical, volunteered as a shortlister. Tatiana said, “I was inspired by the youngest generation, it was really great to see the ideas and effort put into the apps.” Tatiana’s favourite app was eventual finalist ‘Doer,’ created by 12-year-old Mithulesh. Doer, a safety app, impressed Tatiana with its ‘design thinking’. Similarly, Anin Maskay, Application Engineer for HBK, said, “It was great reviewing the entries and I was very impressed by the creative ideas.”

The finals: Presentations that sparked hope

The highest scoring apps made it through to the Finals. Foundation Director, Rebecca Levy, was a judge for the Future Founders category. The winning Future Founders app, Luton Go, encouraged local exploration with an emphasis on community and safety. The team impressed judges with their attention to detail, problem solving and collaboration. Winners for all the categories can be found on the Apps for Good website here.

The finalist presentations were a true reminder of the confidence, STEM skills and social awareness fostered by the Apps for Good Showcase, and of what our colleagues across Spectris make possible when they volunteer with the Foundation.

The future of STEM looks bright

We are deeply grateful to Laura and to all Spectris colleagues who dedicated their time and expertise to the Showcase and to engaging children in real-world STEM. We are also inspired by the ingenuity, ambition and innovative spirit shown by all children who entered. In the light of the Showcase awards, the future of STEM looks bright.

If you run a STEM charity and are interested in applying for funding, please get in touch or submit an Expression of Interest. You can review our funding criteria and find out more about the application process here.