Youngster science outreach scheme wins top award
Nortumbria UniversityAn outreach programme encouraging youngsters from all backgrounds across the north-east of England to get involved in science-related subjects has won a prestigious award.
Northumbria University's NUSTEM engages with families, schools and businesses to promote a broader understanding of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
Its work to inspire future generations and support efforts to diversify the sector has gained it the Royal Society Athena Prize 2026, which will be awarded at a ceremony in London in November.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Professor Carol Davenport said it was delighted and encouraged to receive such an endorsement of its work.
NUSTEM was set up in 2014 to give families positive experiences of STEM, develop resources and workshops, and provide training and coaching to help teachers embed STEM learning in the curriculum.
Since then it has partnered with 48 primary and 20 secondary schools across the North East, and its resources are also used by others across the UK.
During that time there have been more than 150,000 interactions with children and young people, and nearly 33,000 with teachers, parents and carers, and the broader STEM community.
It supports companies in developing their own outreach activities, and its approach to career-related learning has been adopted by organisations such as the British Science Association and the Science and Technology Facilities Council's public engagement teams.
Professor Carol Davenport said: "The NUSTEM team is delighted to have our long-term work... recognised by the Royal Society.
"Our approach has always been to meld high-quality engagement practice with excellent research in the field of STEM engagement.
"Knowing that this approach has now been endorsed by the Royal Society is a strong encouragement to the team."