A project co-founded by a Portsmouth academic has won a prestigious award for inspiring over 10,000 underrepresented students nationwide
A UK charity working to build a community that creates inclusive, hands-on STEM experiences has been named as the winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Team Prize for Excellence in Secondary and Further Education.
STEMunity, co-founded by Laura Watford from the University of Portsmouth’s School of Education, Languages and Linguistics and Jorden Birch from Wales High School in Sheffield, has been recognised for its hands-on programmes and development of creative resources that make science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) more accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for all young people.
So far it has reached more than 10,000 young people in collaboration with schools, volunteers, and community organisations, and has partnered with organisations such as the British Council and EngineeringUK to deliver accessible and inspiring experiences.
In naming STEMunity as one of nine Excellence in Education Prize winners this year, the RSC credited the initiative ‘for transforming access to chemistry and STEM through inclusive, high-impact programmes that have engaged more than 10,000 underrepresented students across secondary and further education sectors in the UK and internationally.’
In recognition of their efforts, Laura and Jorden will share £3,000, a team trophy and a certificate, as well as each receiving a token of recognition.
They also join an illustrious body of prize winners, with 60 Nobel Prize laureates among previous recipients of RSC awards over the 150 years in which the learned society has honoured scientific excellence.
Reflecting on the award win, Laura, a Teaching Fellow at the University of Portsmouth and STEMunity’s CEO, said: “Winning this prize means the world to us because it recognises the young people who are at the heart of everything we do. Every resource we create, every event we run, every partnership we build, it’s all driven by the belief that every child deserves to feel seen, valued and inspired in STEM.
“This award is a celebration of their potential, their creativity, and the power of community to break down barriers and build something better.”
Through school partnerships, community events and projects like the 5PARK resource, they help children and families - many from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds - explore real-world science in ways that are practical, fun and empowering.
STEMunity also delivers projects for the British Council, giving their work international reach, and partners with EngineeringUK to bring STEM opportunities to schools across the country.
Jorden, COO at STEMunity said: “This award is a reflection of the incredible young people we work with; it’s their curiosity, resilience, and brilliance that inspire everything we do. We started STEMunity to create opportunities for those who are so often overlooked, and this recognition reminds us that grassroots, inclusive education can truly change lives.”
Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, added: “The chemical sciences are at the forefront of tackling a range of challenges facing our world. From fundamental chemistry to cutting-edge innovations, the work that chemical scientists do, has an important role to play in building our future.
“The inspiration, innovation and dedication of those who work in education is fundamental to the progress of the chemical sciences - shaping the future and setting our young people up to tackle the challenges and the opportunities facing our society and our planet.
“The STEMunity team’s work demonstrates an outstanding commitment to chemistry education, and it is our honour to celebrate their considerable contribution.”
The Excellence in Education Prizes celebrate inspirational, innovative, and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further education and higher education, including teachers, technicians and more.
These prizes recognise a wide range of skills - from curriculum design to effective teaching, and from personal development to working culture. This category includes specific prizes for teams and for those in the early stages of their career.
For more information about the RSC’s prizes portfolio, visit rsc.li/prizes.
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