Ten years ago, a corporate social responsibility initiative by a Glasgow-based cybersecurity firm sparked what would become a movement for change.
That initiative, led by Stuart Macdonald of SERIC, brought 500 young people to Glasgow Caledonian University for a single-day event to explore opportunities in STEM.
On Friday 13 June 2025, SmartSTEMs returns to where it all began, Glasgow Caledonian University, once again welcoming 500 young people through the doors, not just to learn about science, technology, engineering, and maths, but to see themselves in it.
SmartSTEMs
Over the past decade, SmartSTEMs has reached more than 70,000 young people
SmartSTEMs has grown into a national charity with a mission to ensure that every young person, no matter their gender, background, ethnicity, location, or belief system, has equal and fair access to STEM education and career opportunities.
Over the past decade, SmartSTEMs has reached more than 70,000 young people and engaged with over 5,500 schools across the UK.
Looking back
Reflecting on the journey, Stuart Macdonald, SmartSTEMs founder, said: “What began as a one-off idea to support young people into STEM careers quickly revealed a gap far wider than we expected. We didn’t set out to start a charity, but the response from schools, young people and industry partners made it clear, this work was needed.”
“We know that great things happen when great people get involved; ten years later, we and our partners have had the privilege of working with tens of thousands of young people, and we’re only just getting started.”
Enduring relationship with schools
SmartSTEMs enduring relationship with schools like Hillhead Primary, who attended the very first event and continue to take part ten years on, is a testament to its lasting impact. A teacher from Hillhead Primary said:
“Our pupils… enjoyed everything from bridge building and code breaking to plumbing and wheel fitting. These events open up the world of STEM as a place where anything is possible for young learners, and STEM as a way we can shape the world we want. This is why we love SmartSTEMs and hope it continues and grows for many years to come.”
Focus on deeper development
In the early days, the charity’s core focus was on tackling gender imbalance in STEM
In the early days, the charity’s core focus was on tackling gender imbalance in STEM. That remains important, but as the STEM skills gap deepened, so too did their purpose.
SmartSTEMs plays a pivotal role in creating equity of opportunity by reaching pupils aged 10-14 at a crucial point in their lives.
This work is delivered not just through large-scale events, but increasingly through in-classroom experiences, targeted projects, and deep collaboration with both academia and industry.
Future-ready communities
This milestone event, supported by global digital transformation pioneer Atos, represents the kind of partnership that defines SmartSTEMs success. Atos shares their commitment to embedding STEM skills where they are needed most and understands the role of early intervention in building resilient, future-ready communities.
SmartSTEMs work isn’t just about the future of the STEM sectors, it’s about the future of young people. It’s about building confidence, raising aspirations, and breaking down barriers. It’s about showing young people that STEM is not only for someone else, it’s for them.
As they mark ten years of impact, they are proud to return to where the journey began, and even prouder of where it’s heading next. One day. 500 young people. Countless futures changed.
