Introduction
Eko 25/26 reached over 8,000 pupils across 60 Scottish schools this year — with 42.5% of those learners living in the country’s most deprived communities. Delivered by EqualEngineers and STEMAZING, the programme placed women and non-binary STEM role models at the centre of every session, built on a simple principle: young people need to see it to be it.
Reach and Demographics
The programme reached a broad and diverse group of learners: 50.4% of pupils were female, 15.6% were from ethnic minority backgrounds, 37.4% were identified by teachers as having Additional Support Needs (ASN), and 30.1% were eligible for Free School Meals. Combined with the deprivation figure above, this confirms Eko’s reach into communities where inclusive STEM engagement can have the greatest impact.
Impact
Across pre- and post-engagement surveys, teacher evaluations and focus groups, the shift in pupil confidence and aspiration was clear:
- Pupils strongly agreeing they know what STEM is rose by 29 percentage points
- Pupils who could see themselves in a STEM career rose by 22 percentage points
- 97% of teachers reported greater confidence answering pupils’ STEM questions
- 99% of teachers said the engagement increased pupils’ aspiration to pursue STEM
- 99% of teachers rated the sessions accessible for all pupils, including those with ASN
Qualitative feedback from pupils, teachers and role models further demonstrates the value of the programme. Pupils described the workshops as fun, exciting, practical and different from usual lessons, while teachers highlighted the clarity of delivery, inclusive approach, hands-on learning and strong organisation. Focus group findings also suggest that pupils developed a broader understanding of STEM careers after the engagement, with fewer pupils responding “I don’t know” when asked about future STEM jobs and more pupils recognising that STEM can be found across many different careers.
We’ve also received some feedback from a representative of SSERC, the STEM Ambassador Scotland Delivery Partner.
“Our STEM Ambassador volunteers who have been involved in the Eko STEM programme consistently rate their experiences very highly and can often be found encouraging other STEM Ambassadors to get involved. Michelle from STEMAZING and Kat from EqualEngineers have created an incredibly supportive community of volunteers, where those passionate about STEM can find training, resources, and opportunities to visit schools, break down stereotypes, and inspire young people to consider STEM subjects. On top of that, the Eko STEM programme is a fantastic avenue for volunteers to build their confidence and develop skills for independent STEM outreach.” - Representative of SSERC, the STEM Ambassadors Scotland Delivery Partner
The STEM Ambassador Scotland website has shared a write-up of one of our workshops; this can be accessed at the following link: EkoSTEM and STEM Ambassadors.
Case Study: Grangemouth High School ASN Class
Alongside mainstream delivery, we worked directly with specialist ASN classes to ensure every learner could take part fully, tailoring our approach to their needs. At Grangemouth High School, our team worked closely with staff to adapt the session for their dedicated ASN Science class — and the response spoke for itself. After the workshop, the pupils made us thank-you cards, entirely unprompted. It’s a small gesture, but it tells us more than any survey could: STEM engagement done well works for every learner, not just some.
Continuous Improvement
A programme this size doesn’t stay this good by accident. It takes honest evaluation. This year that meant strengthening our teacher focus groups, sharpening the careers links within each session, and expanding accessible delivery for ASN classes. Looking ahead, we’re focused on collecting more consistent post-engagement data, particularly at secondary level, and recruiting more role models.
Final Thoughts
Eko 25/26 shows what’s possible when STEM engagement is designed with reach and inclusion at its core: measurable shifts in pupil confidence and aspiration, delivered into exactly the communities where that shift matters most.
We’re now planning our next phase of delivery by expanding our role model network, deepening our secondary offer, and reaching further into the communities who stand to benefit most. If your organisation is looking to partner on STEM engagement that delivers evidenced, inclusive impact at scale, we’d love to talk.
