Science never stays still, and as the supremo of Stemovators, Thomas’s job requires him to constantly update his knowledge and he learns something new every day.

His day-to-day work involves overseeing all of Stemovators’s diverse education programs and partnerships in science and technology. With his team, Thomas develops science resource kits, experimenting with new ideas and distributing them to schools right across Scotland. He gets to travel around the country to deliver school workshops, teacher training CPDs, and events, while meeting with partners to secure funding, co-develop STEM activities, and arrange volunteering opportunities.

When not working, you likely find Thomas up a hill somewhere with his friends, or maybe taking apart a bit of his house to begin a new DIY project.

thomas.wild@stemovators.scot

Melanie’s work is varied and diverse and she welcomes every opportunity to contribute to Stemovators’s growth and success.

She enjoys collaborating with schools, and forging strong ties with other STEM providers. As well as planning and implementing innovative activities and events for the project, Melanie helps organise teacher training workshops and creates engaging marketing materials, social media updates and project evaluations.

Outside work, you can usually find Melanie indulging her creativity with all kinds of crafts, both traditional and digital. However, crafting regularly gets put aside for walks with her energetic cocker spaniel puppy, Nova.

melanie.riddell@stemovators.scot

Julie just loves her work with young people.

She thinks it’s brilliant to travel around the country to attend events and see the students’ enthusiasm for STEM first hand. Julie particularly enjoys working closely with schools, industry partners and other STEM providers to promote, grow and expand the project’s reach. She plays an important role coordinating Stemovators communication and marketing, distributing project and resource kits to schools across the country. Julie also organises our school workshops, teacher training and celebration of STEM events.

When not working, Julie can be found at the gym or out walking in local hills with friends.

julie.fleming@stemovators.scot

Amy is an experienced science communicator who is driven by a passion for making everyone feel like STEM is for them. She really enjoys being part of lightbulb moments, when a young person realises they have the curiosity and skills needed in science.

Much of her time is spent overseeing the Climate Smarter programme, which inspires young people to work together and design solutions for some of the planet’s biggest issues, as well as supporting teachers to facilitate STEM lessons in their classrooms which are exciting and relevant.

In her spare time Amy enjoys reading, listening to records and cuddling her cat. She is also a huge movie lover and is learning silversmithing.

amy.childs@stemovators.scot

Benjie has been taking things apart to find out how they work since he was tiny – but putting them back together again wasn’t always so easy!

This inquisitive mind has proved useful in his work with Stemovators, where he designs STEM projects, hosts teacher training workshops and delivers pupil events. Benjie was responsible for the popular Go Forth challenge – which involved designing a 2 metre bridge from lollipop sticks and cable ties, strong enough to support 50 standard bottles of water – and many similar projects. As an electronic engineer by trade, he also works with Edinburgh Laser Optics, Cramasie and CreativEnergie alongside Stemovators.

Benjie can often be found wandering in the countryside or making large pots of vegetable curry.

bmarwickjohnstone@stemovators.scot

Dave’s long experience in STEM subjects (36 years as an Engineer and 5 years as a Physics teacher) is perfect for his work with Stemovators, where he develops science, engineering and maths activities.

He really enjoys presenting them to young people when he gets the chance. It’s important to Dave that he makes sure that Stemovators present accurate and relevant science in simple language to young people, and of course, that it’s good fun!

When not doing science stuff, Dave likes to bag Munros (slowly), is trying his hand at curling, or can be found fixing up his cottage in Orkney.

dave.craig@stemovators.scot