STEM Together Midlothian Launch

Midlothian school kids have been become the latest in Scotland to benefit from Nil by Mouth’s STEM Together programme.

The programme provides schools free access to state of the art kits which enhance children’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) abilities as well as offering classroom workshops looking at different identities in Scotland. It was launched at Rosewell Primary with a combined session for pupils from both Rosewell and St Matthew’s primary schools. 

Pupils and staff from St Matthew’s & Rosewell Primaries help Dave Scott and Cllr Ellen Scott launch the programme.

The project is aimed at supporting key transition stages and helping young people make meaningful connections between classroom learning and real‑world applications. Pupils work in small teams in 70‑minute sessions using kits, which include high‑quality components, tools and challenge packs. There is a strong emphasis on visual learning, collaboration and applied problem‑solving, with activities designed to appeal to a wide range of learning styles. In total, the programme provides access to 24 different STEM challenges, covering construction, hydraulics, conceptual thinking and team working.

One of the flagship activities involves designing, building and testing a go‑kart, allowing pupils to explore construction techniques, simple mechanisms such as wheels and axles, fastening systems like nuts and bolts, and creative problem‑solving strategies. Pupils are assigned specific roles within their teams to encourage participation and highlight the importance of working together to solve problems. STEM Together is being offered free of charge to Midlothian schools thanks to external funding support by the HCI Skills Gateway via Edinburgh Napier University.

Midlothian Schools participating in the STEM Together project during February are:

• Rosewell Primary School

• St Matthews Primary School

• St David's Primary School

• Stobhill Primary School

• St Andrew's Primary School

• Cuiken Primary School

• Sacred Heart Primary School

Nil by Mouth’s David Scott said:

“STEM Together is about much more than science and engineering. It’s about confidence, communication and teamwork. By giving young people the chance to learn through doing, we help them see how classroom learning connects to real‑world problem‑solving. Children who might not always shine in the classroom really come into their own when they’re working practically and as part of a team and we always seek to highlight the importance of working collaboratively with people who might have different backgrounds, faiths or traditions to you. We are very grateful to HCI Skills Gateway and Midlothian Council for their support in delivering this programme to hundreds of pupils across the county.’’

Welcoming the programme, Cllr Ellen Scott, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Education said:

“STEM Together offers young people in Midlothian a hands‑on way to develop important skills such as teamwork, problem‑solving and confidence. It supports our schools and also helps pupils prepare for the transition to secondary education in an engaging and inclusive way.”