M-SParc has officially branded its skills outreach work, with the launch of Sgil Sparc, set to inspire the next generation through curriculum-based workshops, programmes and activities. Designed and developed by a team of Educators, Sgil Sparc will be a channel of resources and opportunities for children & young people, parents & guardians, and teachers & educators.
The aim of Sgil Sparc is simple and essential; to create opportunities for children and young people to engage with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). By ensuring all the activities tie into the new Curriculum for Wales, Sgil Sparc is ensuring that STEM learning is exciting, accessible and directly relevant to young people’s education. All the programmes are funded via M-SParc, leaving no barriers for participation, and this separation allows M-SParc’s main channel to keep its focus on business support, innovation, and the wider ecosystem.
In a timely recognition of the work, Sgil Sparc has been shortlisted for STEM programme of the year at the Wales STEM Awards, with team manager Emily Roberts shortlisted for STEM Woman of the Year.
Emily, Outreach and Community Manager, said:
“M-SParc is home to over 50 tenant companies, and our ecosystem is growing. It was disheartening to hear employers saying that they struggle to find the skills they need locally, and on the other hand to hear that young people feel they have no options in the region when they grow up. Rather than wait for a solution, we decided to create one. That these programmes are recognised on a national shortlist is the cherry on the cake for this launch, we’re very proud of our work and pleased to be able to showcase it on such a platform.”
The Sgil Sparc programmes currently focus on Entrepreneurship, Creative-Digital, and Energy, and have been designed and tested over 12 months with education leads, local authority, and industry feedback to ensure they map against both the Curriculum for Wales and local industry need. Each one takes up to a week to deliver, providing an in-depth project-based learning opportunity for pupils and teachers. The development of literacy, numeracy and digital competence is at the core of the programmes, as well as a link to the local area to ensure that the projects are as relevant and as current as possible for the children and young people.
Our work to bridge the skills gap continues after the bell rings, as Emily elaborates:
“As well as our dedicated Sgil Sparc programmes, we have Clwb Sparci activities for under 11s, and GOFOD for older children, allowing us to deliver taster and one-day sessions to wet people’s appetite and showcase how accessible STEM can be. All of these are carefully curated by our STEM Officers, who have teaching experience and knowledge of the curriculum for Wales.”
The new brand was officially launched at the National Eisteddfod, one of Wales’ most celebrated cultural festivals. Audiences enjoyed an showcase of live STEM with the debut of “The Big Science Show” that featured hands on activities, providing an introduction of what Sgil Sparc has to offer.
Now, The Big Science Show is making its way into schools, bringing STEM programmes and “Clwb Sparci” activities to pupils across north Wales in one-day events, enabling everyone to be a part of this exciting future. The in-depth Sgil Sparc programmes will continue in those schools able to make the commitment to longer learning experiences. The Sgil Sparc team is keen to hear from schools in north west Wales who wish to participate, and a booking system will soon be in place.
STEM skills are vital for the future of the workforce and Sgil Sparc aims to help and encourage young people to be able to acquire these skills. By introducing Sgil Sparc, M-SParc is reinforcing its role as a driving force for innovation and community impact, ensuring that the benefits of its work extend far beyond the business world and into the lives of families and schools.
STEM and Skills Senior Officer Ffion Medi said:
“The excitement and enthusiasm that the young people we work with have for learning about science, technology, engineering, mathematics and entrepreneurship is contagious, and a privilege to witness every week. I’m honoured to be opening the eyes of future pioneers to the potential career paths here in North Wales regularly. The future is bright, and it’s lovely to see our work being celebrated nationally with these nominations. Watch this space, because we have exciting things planned for igniting ambition and bridging the skills gap.”
This is just the beginning for Sgil Sparc. With a dedicated team and plans to expand activities further, Sgil Sparc is about giving children and young people confidence to explore their potential. By nurturing ambition and creativity from an early age, Sgil Sparc is helping to prepare a new generation to embrace the opportunities of the future.
