蜜桃社区

Q&A with STEMunity

What would be your advice to educators who are working with colleagues going above and beyond, but are yet to nominate them for an 蜜桃社区 Education prize?

If you鈥檙e lucky enough to work with someone who gives their heart to this job, tell them and nominate them. So often in education, the people making the biggest impact are the ones too busy lifting others to pause and recognise their own contribution. A nomination is more than a form; it鈥檚 a moment to say, 鈥淚 see you, and what you do matters.鈥� It can be deeply encouraging, especially for those who rarely hear it out loud.

How did you first become interested in chemistry or science?

My love for science, and especially chemistry, began at school with the encouragement of my inspirational teacher, Mrs McIllraith. Her lessons were full of energy, care and creativity, and she made me feel like I belonged in science. She nurtured my curiosity and helped me grow in confidence, both in the subject and in myself.

That early interest was also shaped at home by my father and grandfather, who took the time to support my love of science. Whether through weekend trips, sharing books and resources, or teaching me to notice the chemistry happening all around me, they helped me see science not just as a subject, but as part of everyday life. Those moments laid the foundation for the work I do now and continue to inspire how I support young people in finding their place in STEM. (Laura Watford)

One of my earliest memories of science was carrying out a lung dissection in primary school during an assembly for the whole year group. I was fascinated by learning how the body works and understanding more about the world around me. That experience sparked my curiosity and made me want to explore science further.

My mum always motivated me to pursue science and encouraged me to ask questions and discover new things. This combination of hands-on experience and support inspired my passion for chemistry and science, and it continues to drive my interest in understanding how things work at a deeper level. (Jorden Birch)

Who or what inspires you?

One of the people who has inspired me most is our dear friend Dr Margaret Ritchie. She was with us at the very beginning of our journey to create STEMunity, and her influence continues to shape everything we do.

Margaret brought so much passion, enthusiasm and belief in young people. She had already done incredible work through STEM Academy Scotland, and she shared her time and wisdom with us so generously. She helped us shape our early ideas with care, always encouraging us to focus on people first and to stay true to the heart of the work.

What made Margaret truly special was the way she saw potential in everyone. She lifted others up quietly, consistently, and with such warmth. Her belief in the power of education and her deep respect for young people set the tone for the way we work today.

We often find ourselves thinking of her when we face a decision or celebrate a milestone. Her legacy lives on in every young person we support and in every inclusive opportunity we help create. We are proud to carry her inspiration forward. (Laura Watford)

Rachel Brooke, a chemistry teacher at Chapel-en-le-Frith School, has always been someone I look up to. Her passion for science, excellent pedagogy, and curiosity to try new things are qualities I strive to achieve in my own teaching. Rachel consistently goes above and beyond for her students and is committed to improving and developing her practice. She has been my role model in the classroom, inspiring me to bring enthusiasm and innovation to my lessons. Beyond being a professional inspiration, Rachel is also a dear friend, and her dedication continues to motivate me every day. (Jorden Birch)

What motivates you?

We are motivated by the young people who inspire us every day, whether in the classroom, at our events, or through the stories they share. Their creativity, resilience and curiosity keep us grounded in why this work matters.

We鈥檙e also driven by a personal hope to help build the kind of education we want for our own daughters: Elsie, Ada, Millie and Edith. An education that is joyful, inclusive, hands-on and full of opportunity. One where every child feels like they belong, where their ideas are valued, and where they can imagine themselves shaping the future. That鈥檚 what keeps us going.

What are the qualities that make your team special?

What makes our team special is the way we work together. The power of our team comes from collaboration, partnership, enthusiasm, passion and drive. We bring different skills and experiences to the table but we are united by a shared belief in the potential of young people and the importance of making STEM education inclusive and meaningful.

We listen to each other, support one another and stay focused on our purpose. Every project is shaped through teamwork and a real sense of care for the communities we serve.

That energy, trust and shared vision is what makes our team not only effective but also joyful to be part of. It is a privilege to build something that brings people together and helps create lasting change.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

Our advice to any young person considering a career in chemistry is to stay curious and believe that you belong. You do not need to know everything to get started. Some of the most exciting discoveries come from asking questions and being open to learning.

Chemistry is part of everyday life. It is in the food we cook, the air we breathe and the materials we use. If you have ever wondered how things work or wanted to make a difference in the world, there is a place for you in chemistry.

We have both worked with so many young people who never saw themselves in science at first, but who found their confidence and voice through hands-on learning and encouragement. You do not have to fit a certain mould to succeed. What matters most is your passion, your persistence and your perspective.

Find people who support you, take chances when they come along, and keep going even when it feels hard. The world needs more scientists who care, who question and who bring their whole selves to the work. We believe in you.

How can good science education support solving global challenges?

Good science education equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to tackle global challenges, but just as importantly, it inspires collaboration across borders. By nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity, science education helps students understand complex global issues such as climate change, pandemics, and sustainable development not as isolated problems, but as shared human responsibilities that require collective action.

Through our experience of working across five countries, we have seen first-hand how connecting learners and educators internationally strengthens global citizenship. Collaborative projects between schools and teachers in different regions allow students to share ideas, compare perspectives, and appreciate how science can be applied in diverse contexts. These interactions help young people see that progress depends on cooperation and understanding beyond national boundaries.

Inclusive and inspiring science education, therefore, does more than build scientific literacy; it builds global citizenship. It empowers young people from all backgrounds to contribute ideas, share innovations, and work together across nations to create equitable and sustainable solutions. In this way, good STEM education not only prepares future scientists and engineers, it cultivates a generation ready to cooperate globally to solve the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges.

Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?

One scientific development we are especially excited about is the work of Dr Daniel Stewart from Viridi. Daniel has been a part of our journey since the early days of STEMunity, when he kindly supported us in creating video content to bring chemistry to life for young people. He continues to make time to visit schools and inspire students, which means so much coming from someone leading such groundbreaking research.

His work focuses on sustainable chemistry and developing CO鈧�-based solutions to tackle climate change. He once told us his aim is to ""save the world using chemistry"" and we have never forgotten that. It is a bold and powerful statement, and what makes it so inspiring is that he is actually doing it. His research and innovation are not only scientifically exciting but filled with purpose and hope.

What we admire most is that, despite running a successful company and being at the forefront of sustainable science, Daniel always takes the time to connect with young people. He shows them what is possible through chemistry and helps them imagine a future where they, too, can be part of real, meaningful change.

That combination of cutting-edge science and a commitment to education and outreach is exactly the kind of future we want young people to see.

Why is chemistry important?

Chemistry helps us understand how the world works. It explains the changes we see every day, from cooking and cleaning to how our bodies function and how we respond to global challenges like climate change and healthcare.

More importantly, chemistry gives us the tools to imagine and build a better future. It plays a vital role in developing sustainable energy, life-saving medicines, cleaner materials and solutions to protect our planet.

For us, chemistry is also about possibility. It shows young people that they can be part of real change. It encourages curiosity, critical thinking and creativity, which are all skills that stay with them for life. That is why chemistry matters and why we are committed to making it accessible and inspiring for every learner.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

One of the biggest highlights for us has been watching STEMunity grow from a simple idea into something that has reached thousands of young people across five different countries. When we started, we had no funding and no formal team. What we did have was a shared belief that we could create something more inclusive, more creative and more meaningful for learners who were too often left out of STEM.

A moment we will never forget was seeing students use the 5PARK classroom resources we had created. Watching them explore, ask questions and light up with confidence reminded us exactly why we do this work. It felt like a turning point, where all the ideas and hopes we had began to take shape in a real and powerful way.

Another highlight has been the people we have worked with along the way. From teachers and volunteers to partners and friends, we have been surrounded by others who care just as deeply about making education better. Being able to build something together that puts young people at the centre has been one of the most rewarding parts of our journey so far.

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

One of the biggest challenges for us has been finding the confidence to lead something from the ground up. We came into this as teachers, not founders, and there were moments early on when we questioned whether we were the right people to build something like STEMunity.

It can be hard to hold onto your vision when working outside traditional systems, especially when you are trying to do things differently. Building something inclusive, creative and community-led takes time, and often happens quietly, without recognition or guarantees.

What helped us push through those challenges was staying grounded in our values and the young people we serve. Every time a student told us they felt inspired, or a teacher shared the impact of our work, it reminded us why we started. We have learned to trust that small steps, taken with care and purpose, can grow into something powerful.

That sense of purpose, along with the support of each other and our wider community, has helped us keep going even when it felt uncertain.

How are the chemical sciences making the world a better place?

The chemical sciences are helping to solve some of the most urgent problems facing our world. From creating life-saving medicines to developing new materials that are safer and more sustainable, chemistry plays a vital role in improving lives and protecting the planet.

Chemists are finding new ways to reduce carbon emissions, clean up pollution and create greener energy solutions. They are helping us understand how to use resources more wisely and how to design products that have less impact on the environment.

The impact of chemistry also goes beyond the lab. It is about education, empowerment and opening up new possibilities. When young people learn about chemistry in a way that feels relevant and exciting, they begin to see themselves as part of the solution. That sense of purpose and possibility is powerful.

We believe the chemical sciences are making the world a better place not just through innovation, but through the values they help us share. Curiosity, care, collaboration and the belief that positive change is always possible.

Why do you think teamwork is important in science?

Teamwork is essential in science because the best ideas often come from different people bringing their strengths together. No one has all the answers, and science thrives when we share knowledge, ask questions, and learn from each other.

In our work, we see how collaboration makes science more creative, more inclusive and more powerful. Whether it is designing classroom resources, running events or supporting research, working as a team allows us to build something greater than any one person could achieve alone.

Teamwork also teaches us to listen, to value different perspectives and to solve problems together. That is not just good science, it is good community. When young people experience that kind of collaboration early on, it helps them see science not just as a subject, but as something they can be part of. Something built together.

Finally for a bit of fun...What is your favourite element?

Our favourite element is hydrogen. It is small but powerful, often overlooked but absolutely essential. We love that it reminds us of the young people we work with: full of potential, energy and possibility.

Hydrogen shows that even the simplest things can spark something big. That is how we see inclusive STEM education, too. When young people are given the chance to connect, explore and feel excited, it can lead to incredible change.