Moray's Early Years STEM Project Hits Two Exciting Milestones

MORAY’S EARLY YEARS SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING AND MATHS (STEM) PROJECT HAS REACHED TWO MILESTONES, WITH THE CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED AT THE NEW STEM STARTS CENTRE IN ELGIN LIBRARY AND A MOBILE OUTREACH PROGRAMME NOW READY TO BEGIN

The Early Years STEM project, known as STEM Starts, is part of Moray’s £100m Growth Deal. It’s funded through £3.5m in capital from the Scottish Government and £1.3m from Moray Council, along with £1.6m in revenue support from Moray Council.

At Elgin Library, the heavy construction phase of the new STEM Starts Centre has now been completed and work is moving onto installing the specialist exhibits, interactive displays and creative play zones. The centre, which is being created in collaboration with Glasgow Science Centre and Unusual Projects, is anticipated to open in early 2026.

Elgin Library will be the first venue in Moray to host a specialist STEM facility, a base for interactive and curriculum-aligned learning experiences primarily for children in early years and primary school. The project aims to spark curiosity, build confidence and nurture a lifelong interest in STEM that could inspire future career choices.

Exhibitions will be themed around life and work in Moray, supporting key aspects of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. The project will also provide materials for schools to link into the centre’s learning pathway. Some of the design concepts can be viewed here.

While the centre takes shape, STEM Starts mobile outreach programme is ready to hit the road. A specially fitted, electric van will travel across Moray bringing STEM resources directly to schools, nurseries, and community groups. It’s equipped with interactive kits, digital tools and exciting play equipment designed to make science and technology come alive for younger learners. The van will also appear at community events, offering fun activities for families and opportunities to discover more about STEM together.

Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Communities and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “STEM Starts will not only provide exciting new opportunities for our youngest learners, but also help teachers and schools by linking classroom activities with inspiring real-world experiences. By encouraging an early interest in science, technology, engineering and maths, we are helping to lay the foundations for skills that will support Moray’s future workforce and economy."

Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, said: "This project is about creating opportunities for children and families across Moray to get hands-on with STEM in ways that are fun, accessible and inspiring. With the centre now moving into its fit-out stage and the mobile outreach van ready to hit the road, we’re starting to see the vision for STEM Starts becoming a reality."

Glasgow Science Centre’s Director of Experience, Dr Gillian Lang, said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this exciting development for Elgin and its surrounding area to bring science in Moray alive through interactivity and play. The creative exhibits and play zones in Elgin Library’s new STEM Starts Centre will help to engage young children from an early age in science concepts and learning, in a way that is accessible, inclusive and fun.”

Unusual Projects Managing Director, Carol Fenner, said: “We’re thrilled to be collaborating on the STEM Starts Centre at Elgin Library - this is exactly the kind of project that aligns with Unusual Projects’ ethos: playful, purposeful design that sparks curiosity and makes learning irresistible. From interactive exhibits to imaginative play zones, our goal has been to create an environment where children feel empowered to explore, experiment and dream big. It’s been a joy to work alongside Moray Council and Glasgow Science Centre on a project that puts community, creativity, and the future of STEM learning at its heart.”

Anyone interested in finding out more, or in arranging a visit from the mobile outreach van, can get in touch with the STEM Starts team at stemstarts@moray.gov.uk.