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Supporting our mission brings STEM to life and is an effective way for industry and commerce to engage with and influence your future workforce.

Our Projects

Carbon Capture and Storage

Carbon Capture and Storage in a box’ is an exciting project for P5–S2 pupils. All schools receive a free resource kit, training and support to explore this crucial technology. The kit contains all the equipment and learning materials schools will need to work through over 20 activities covering all aspects of CCS, including experiments from how to design and build a carbon dioxide storage facility to investigating carbon dioxide storage and transport and the role CCS plays in the wider global energy challenge.

Climate Smarter

Climate Smarter takes P5–S2 pupils on a journey of investigation and experimentation to look at how we can tackle the climate emergency. The project covers four key topics: renewable energy, water, forestry and smart technology. It culminates with pupils designing and building models of their eco-friendly future school to compete with other schools at our annual regional celebration events.

Hydrogen Challenge

The Scottish Schools’ Hydrogen Challenge is a competition that captivates students aged 12–14. Young innovators use hydrogen fuel cells and LEGO to design and build energy-efficient vehicles, sparking a passion for sustainable technology. Over two busy weeks, workshops delivered across each location culminate in regional finals where the brightest minds compete for the title of Scottish Hydrogen Challenge Champions.

Celebration of STEM

Our Celebration of STEM events have become a key fixture in school calendars across the country. These events provide pupils with a platform to present the STEM projects they have developed throughout the school year. Alongside showcasing their work, pupils take part in fast-paced five-minute STEM challenges designed in partnership with industry experts while gaining insight into real-world career opportunities. Each Celebration event combines education and energy, offering a welcoming and engaging space for pupils to explore the possibilities of science, technology, engineering and maths. The experience is designed to spark curiosity, build teamwork and inspire a lasting interest in STEM.

Marine Power

We are developing a new, hands-on STEM programme focused on Scotland’s marine and coastal industries. The Marine Project will engage P5 – S2 leaners through practical, curriculum-aligned activities that explore real challenges faced by industries operating in and around Scotland’s seas. While the contexts are marine-based, the heart of the project is skills: problem solving, teamwork, digital literacy and creative thinking — the same core competencies needed across Scotland’s future workforce. The project will launch in the 2026/27 academic year, with an initial pilot reaching 50–60 schools across multiple Scottish regions, before scaling in subsequent years.

Each year, we work with 10,000+ young people across Scotland – and just under 300 schools. That’s over 11% of all Scottish schools. From Shetland to the Scottish Borders, giving young people across Scotland the skills, curiosity and confidence to shape the future.

“Inspiring the next generation to consider STEM education and creating opportunities for young people to explore the exciting prospect of a career in the energy industry, is vital to help develop the skills and talent for the jobs of tomorrow. Stemovators is a fantastic initiative that supports this, and bp is proud to sponsor.”

Doris Reiter Senior Vice President, bp North Sea

“It is truly inspiring to see the incredible work being delivered through the Stemovaters programme to showcase the many opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). The Scottish Government’s funding for the Stemovaters programme aims to ensure as many children as possible are able to access and enjoy activities that bring STEM subjects to life. Events like this celebrate innovation and talent and demonstrate the power of partnerships in building a more inclusive and skilled future workforce in Scotland.”

Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Business

“The opportunity to see their ideas come to life and make a tangible impact is incredibly motivating for both pupils and teachers, while the hands-on activities and real-world challenges help build confidence, creativity, and crucial skills for future careers.”

Teacher, Fortrose Academy

Get in touch

Thomas Wild

Head of Stemovators

Thomas Wild

Head of Stemovators

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 Riddell

Programme Manager

Melanie Riddell

Programme Manager

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

Amy Childs

Programme Manager

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

Julie Fleming

Programme Co-ordinator

Julie Fleming

Programme Co-ordinator

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

Dave Craig

Projects Specialist

Dave Craig

Projects Specialist

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

Benjie Marwick Johnstone

Projects Specialist

Benjie Marwick Johnstone

Projects Specialist

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

Our Partners

Partners