MORAY’S first STEM Starts Centre has officially opened its doors in Elgin marking a major milestone for the region’s £4.8 million early years STEM (EY STEM) project.
Robertson Construction Northern was main contractor on the Moray Council project to create the facility, which is based at Elgin Library.
The centre formally launched at aN event attended by children from local early learning and childcare settings alongside Scottish Government business and employment minister Richard Lochhead, representatives from Moray Council, and partner organisations.
The centre is the first of three STEM Starts facilities planned across Moray, designed to give children aged 3-8 early, hands on experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The launch also marked the official introduction of the EY STEM outreach service, which will work with educators, childcare providers and communities across Moray to extend access to high quality STEM learning beyond the centre itself.
Ian Phillips, Robertson Construction Northern regional MD, said, “We have worked with Moray Council across a wide range of projects over many years, with education playing a key part and the STEM Starts Centre gives young children the opportunity to explore and learn through practical, hands-on experiences. Targeting investment like this through the Moray Growth Deal helps deliver facilities that provide long term educational and economic benefit for communities across Moray.”
Leader of Moray Council, councillor Kathleen Robertson, added, “The launch of the STEM Starts Centre is a proud moment for Moray and a key milestone for the Moray Growth Deal. By engaging children with STEM learning from an early age, we are laying strong foundations for future skills, confidence and opportunity. This centre – alongside the outreach service – will help ensure that young people across Moray can access exciting, practical learning experiences that support aspiration and achievement.”
