Paisley Kids Crack The Code

Nil by Mouth’s schools programme has received a boost thanks to a donation from one of Scotland’s most successful financial services businesses.

Primary 6 pupils from Mossvale and St. James’ Primary Schools in Paisley helped the charity launch the latest version of its STEM Together programme which provides schools free use of state-of-the-art equipment which develops children’s construction and engineering abilities.

Children from Mossvale & St James show off the new equipment joined by Emma Alexander

The promotion of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) has become a hugely important part of the school curriculum and recognises the importance of those sectors to the economy and job market.  Nil by Mouth believe that STEM can also be used to promote equality in the classroom by bring children from denominational and non-denominational schools together to work collaboratively. Pupils are broken into groups and assigned specific roles to maximise participation and underline the importance of working together to solve problems. Children also take part in Nil by Mouth’s anti-sectarianism workshops which explores issues around identity and prejudice.

The project has attracted the support of AABIE, the charitable platform which enables all at the AAB group of businesses (AAB) to invest in the communities in which they operate. AABIE seeks partnership with charities and invites applications from worthy causes for donations and grants from the initiative. AABIE also encourages AAB employees to use their time and skills to support local charities through projects and volunteering events.

A four-figure donation from AABIE has allowed Nil by Mouth to purchase equipment which will allow pupils to work together to learn more about robotics and coding and the charity to offer special STEM days for staff, pupils and families to meet and develop their skills.

Nil by Mouth Partnership Manager Emma Alexander said:

‘Since its launch in April 2025 STEM Together has become one of our most successful programmes with dozens of schools and thousands of pupils from right across Scotland signing up to come together and take part. We know schools are finding it difficult to afford these sorts of resources so being able to access them through our programme free of charge is of huge benefit. This fantastic donation of equipment will help us grow the programme even more and offer exciting new ways of bringing young people together and helping them both better understand and appreciate difference. It’s also opening new doors to us with schools like the shared campus here in Paisley becoming involved in our work for the first time and corporate support like this also helps keep all our work in schools free of charge.’