Marvin OnumonuSTEM Starts Centre has opened in Elgin, marking the first of three new facilities planned across Moray as part of the £4.8m early years STEM project under the Moray Growth Deal.
The centre, based at Elgin Library, will offer hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering and maths for children aged 3-8.
The launch event was attended by children from local early learning and childcare settings, Business and Employment Minister Richard Lochhead, Moray Council and partner organisations.
The project is funded by £3.5m from the Scottish Government and £1.3m from Moray Council.
It is one of eight projects underway in the Moray Growth Deal.
The outreach service has also started, aiming to help educators, childcare providers and communities access STEM learning.
The outreach team will provide resources, training and activities for early years practitioners across Moray.
Richard Lochhead said: “Our £32.5 million investment in the Moray Growth Deal aims to boost skills and employment opportunities across the region.
“This new centre is a brilliant example of what we can achieve when we work together with Moray Council and local partners.
“By sparking children’s curiosity in science, technology, engineering and maths from an early age, we’re helping to give young people in Moray the tools to thrive.”
Lochhead added: “This is about investing in Moray’s future and ensuring local communities benefit from the jobs and opportunities that growth will bring.”
Leader of Moray Council, Councillor Kathleen Robertson, said: “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.”
Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Councillor Marc Macrae, said: “STEM Starts is about more than education – it’s about preparing Moray for the future.
“By connecting early years learning with real world skills and career pathways, this project helps build the talent pipeline that our local economy needs, particularly in high growth sectors such as technology, engineering and renewables.”
The project was developed with early years professionals and STEM experts, focusing on hands-on learning and industry-inspired activities.
Ian Phillips, regional managing director at Robertson Construction Northern, 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.”
The centre will welcome education partners and community groups from March, and outreach activities will roll out to early learning and childcare settings across Moray in the coming months.
