A new curriculum which brings STEM to life is being piloted in pupil referral units and with army cadet students in the south of England. Students are asked to plan, develop and evaluate expeditions by using STEM learning.

This pilot project is aimed at engaging students from all backgrounds, with a key focus on developing learning for pupil referral unis, where students are unable to attend mainstream school.

Their world-class stem education fosters talent and enables young women with a passion for STEM the opportunity to fulfil their potential. By providing support, increasing confidence and supporting women from all backgrounds, the African Gifted Foundation are creating inspiring, future leaders.

The Spectris Foundation has provided a grant towards the African Gifted Foundation education program, to allow them to continue giving full scholarships to young women across Africa and contributing to reducing the gender gap in Stem learning.

The Tinkering Lab provides students the opportunity to learn hands-on science and technology in their school; the India Stem Foundation provide a qualified technician to teach the students and teachers, and help schools transform unused space into creative STEM classrooms. In 2022, the foundation has provided an initial grant to establish a science lab at The Bharat English School and Junior College in Pune. Students at the school are now attending electronics and mechanics classes.

EESW run Sustainable Farming in schools as part of their innovation projects. This is where pupils are introduced to the idea of producing a sustainable food source within an urban environment. Small groups design, manufacture and create their own working micro-greenhouse, controlled using a BBC micro bit and code they have written.

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s vision is a world in which the chemical sciences fulfil their potential as a force for good. They are a global charity who work to connect chemical scientists with each other and society.

In 2022 The Spectris Foundation and The Royal Society of Chemistry launched a project called Chemistry for Science Teachers. The project aims to enhance and build the skill levels and confidence of early career chemistry teachers and non-chemistry specialist teachers in delivering high quality chemistry lessons to address students’ lost learning during the pandemic. This project is being delivered online to make it realistic and accessible for all participants across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Technovation are a global tech education non-for-profit that empowers girls to become leaders, creators and problem-solvers. Their innovative program equips young women with the support of volunteer mentors and parents; girls work in teams to code mobile apps that address real-world problems and help them develop into our future entrepreneurs and leaders.

Formed in 1998 as a non-profit and the social innovation arm of CompTIA – the world’s largest (IT) industry association – CompTia Spark shares our ethos that technology should be exciting, accessible and inclusive.

Over the next two years, The Spectris Foundation are partnering with CompTia Spark to fund their TechGirlz programme. This initiative develops cutting-edge tech education curricula for girls ages 11-14. CompTia Spark offers an open-source library alongside in-person and virtual workshops. They use ranging topics, from designing mobile apps, Arduino programming, building websites and animation. Workshops are hands-on and designed to engage girls with no previous experience.

The Spectris Foundation awards a £10,000 grant to the SAE Foundation to help over 300 school children across to US gain practical Stem education!

During the next academic year the Spectris Foundation is funding a hands-on project to give quality stem education to K-8 school children across the United States. This program is called A world in Motion and is an inquiry-based learning experience that brings STEM concepts to life, setting students on a path of lifelong learning and discovery. All students participate and gain an insight to the creativeness and excitement of stem.

AWIM program sparks passion for STEM, Kei’Andre a student who participated in the project last year loved learning about Newton’s laws of motion and gravity. Through the Straw Rockets Challenge Kei’Andre created an interactive comic book where students could battle computer viruses.

Because of his experience with AWIM, Kei’Andre wants to become a scientist!

The goal of the program is to provide students with high-quality, STEM programming that ignites their interest in STEM subjects. As well as providing training for teachers which will increase their abilities and interest in STEM, thus helping many more young minds of the future.

The Spectris Foundation have awarded a grant to ENTHUSE Charitable Trust!

A £100,000 has been awarded to ENTHUSE Charitable Trust to deliver five new Stem Learning partnerships across the UK. Over the next two years we aim to support 200 teachers and 22,500 students, making a positive and long-term impact to STEM education where it is most needed.

ENTHUSE Partnerships, run by STEM Learning through Project ENTHUSE, brings schools and colleges together to work collaboratively, to develop an intensive two-year programme to raise aspiration and achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Each partnership works with a group of six-to-ten schools and colleges, providing access to continuing professional development, free resources, immersion in industry or university through teacher placements, STEM Ambassadors and enrichment activities.

The five new partnerships will be based in Malvern, Dundee, Crowborough, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Royston, will reach up to 50 schools. Our foundation will fund £20,000 for each partnership to support teacher professional development and raise engagement and achievement in STEM subjects, especially those from disadvantaged groups. This tailor-made project aims to inspire excellence in schools, and raise aspirations of the students and teachers.

In supporting an ENTHUSE Partnership, the Spectris Foundation joins organisations from across the charitable and business world, including such diverse names as ASDA, GSK, Goldman Sachs, Jacobs and the Vertex Foundation.

Anna Gawthorp, Strategic Partnership Lead at the National STEM Learning Centre, said:

“I am delighted to welcome the Spectris Foundation to join our ENTHUSE Partnership supporters. The Partnership will help STEM Learning’s mission to change the lives of thousands of young people, nurturing future talent for crucial STEM skills.”

This two year project will enable more young people, from all backgrounds, to progress in their STEM education, with more students entering high-value STEM-related careers as a result. By doing so, STEM Learning improves social mobility and the life chances of some of the UK’s most vulnerable young people.

The network works to empower the SEN (Special Educational Needs) in STEM and aims to make STEM more accessible for people living with a disability. The event took place at The Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

Rebecca Levy, The Spectris Foundation’s Director, was joined by Dominique Sleet, from the Royal Academy of Engineering, Tom Mansell and Anna Hoddinott from the John Lyon’s Charity, and Christina Fuentes Tibbitt from the British Science Association to discuss accessible projects in STEM. The speakers shared their advice and experience on the grant-making application process and ongoing management of grants.

“It was such a brilliant experience to talk at the Royal Observatory and meet inspiring people who use science as a tool of learning and engagement for people with Special Educational Needs. The Spectris Foundation have project partners who are working to improve attainment in science for students with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). We aim to develop progressive, skills-based, practical learning in STEM education – which is accessible for all. This event highlighted the importance of creative learning in the sciences, and I’m excited to see the outcome of these charities innovative projects!

I was asked to describe what accessibility, inclusivity and diversity mean to The Spectris Foundation. For us, it means togetherness, opportunities and skill. We are proud of be a funder of STEM education and even prouder to be providing grants which are making STEM inclusive and possible.” – Rebecca Levy, The Spectris Foundation Director.

Following the talks there was a range of questions from the attendees and fruitful discussions on the beneficiaries of SEN in STEM projects. David Jones from the Life Science Centre spoke to the importance of parents participation and inclusion in SEN projects. He explained how powerful it can be for parents to feel empowered in science and see the positive impact it is having on their child.

If you would like to find out more about The Spectris Foundation’s grants, please see our apply for funding page.

Throughout 2022, we awarded small grants to the following charities:

• The Sheffield UTC Academy Trust
• Saint Francis Hospice
• Taylor made dreams
• Baby2Baby
• Texas Adaptive Aquatics
• Preble Street
• Reengage
• ALL ENGLAND TAEKWON-DO ASSOCIATION
• Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice
• The Encephalitis Society – Yorkshire, UK
• BEAT for eating disorder
• Hospice in the Weald
• Retina UK
• Heart wings, The Amity Foundation
• Leg Up Farm
• Olivia’s House
• Bonterre CIC – Sensory Garden
• Malvern Youth and Community Trust
• Mary’s Community Meal
• Larmena – Lar do Menor Amparado
• Tecnológico de Monterrey – Asociación EXATEC Contadores
• New Life for Girls
• Boulder Emergency Squad
• Appledore Book Festival
• The Footsteps Foundation
• Ignite Adaptive Sports
• Bucks Youth Chess Association
• Waisman Center
• Aki Ambulanter Kinder
• Younger People with Dementia (YPWD)