The Spectris Foundation

We are excited to share that we’re on the lookout for a new Trustee to join the Spectris Foundation. If you’re passionate about advancing access to quality Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education, particularly in underrepresented groups, this could be for you.     You will: ✅ Play a vital role in shaping our strategy and impact ✅ Collaborate with supportive and inspiring fellow board members ✅ Be supported with training and mentoring to equip you for the role ✅ Ideally have experience in the charity sector/charity law/safeguarding   You can read the full job description here: https://lnkd.in/eAfiyf5y. To find out more or apply for the role, please contact Sarah or send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] by 26 September.

We were delighted to participate in the recent launch event for Squar3roots, a new youth-led STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) podcast from our charity partner, the Lightyear Foundation. This innovative podcast, produced in collaboration with Inclusive Change at Work CIC, brings the voices of disabled and neurodivergent young people to the forefront of STEM conversations. The podcast aims to create an inclusive space where young people who, as described by one attendee, can often feel like "square pegs in round holes" can connect through their shared experiences and love of STEM. The project has been met with whole-hearted enthusiasm from its young participants. One described it as "a phenomenal experience," while another expressed eagerness to participate again. Click here to read the full story -> https://lnkd.in/ezEYbpde

During the school summer term, Spectris Foundation charity partner, Apps for Good, held its annual Showcase event, celebrating the most innovative tech product ideas from students who completed their courses. This year, volunteers from Spectris plc played a crucial role in the shortlisting and judging process in the ‘Future Founders’ category, offering their expertise to support these budding innovators. The Showcase event is a culmination of the students' hard work, offering them a platform to present their tech ideas for social impact and receive feedback from industry professionals. Five volunteers from Spectris participated in the virtual shortlisting process and two volunteers served as judges for the finals, where finalists pitched their ideas virtually. A special thanks to Spectris plc Group employee volunteers - Ian Johnson, Maria Luísa Almeida, Hugo Maule, Eliza Unwin (Cert. ICSA (ESP), FCG) and Oliver James McHenry for their commitment and expertise. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/efNuR_af

At the Spectris Foundation, we are dedicated to ensuring that STEM education is accessible to everyone. Our charity partner, The Lightyear Foundation, is breaking down barriers that young people living with a disability can face when it comes to participation in STEM activities. In an exciting piece of collaborative work, a group of thirteen young people aged 16-19, who study at a special education needs school, attended a Work Inspiration Trip arranged in partnership with Malvern Panalytical, the Spectris Foundation, and the Lightyear Foundation. Ten brilliant volunteers at Malvern Panalytical organised an immersive visit where the students were able to engage in a variety of hands-on activities that brought STEM concepts to life including using microscopes and experimenting with laser technology. Jeff Banks, CEO of the Lightyear Foundation, emphasised the importance of such initiatives in sparking curiosity and breaking down barriers for disabled youth in STEM. We’re very proud to support these efforts and create a more inclusive STEM community. A huge thank you to the Lightyear Foundation and the Malvern Panalytical volunteers for making this trip a success! You can read more about the day and our partnership here: https://lnkd.in/dvFQZRwt #STEMeducation #STEMInclusion #DiversityinSTEM #SEND Michele Carboni, Mary Goodwin-Trotman, PhD, Paola Sestito, Joanne Wilkinson, Sue Gilmore, Rosie Fatscher, Jennifer B., Andrew Davies, Leah Ashley, PhD, Nik Borton, Sarah Smith

Our charity partner, Enthuse Charitable Trust, is making a huge contribution to the provision of quality STEM education through their Enthuse Partnerships and Continued Professional Development (CPD) program for teachers. Foundation Director, Sarah Smith, joined 22 teachers who are new to teaching A-Level Chemistry in an interactive training session aimed to equip them to deliver exciting lessons in the new academic year. One teacher said, “This training is so valuable. It has given me lots of ideas I can take back to the classroom.” Thanks to Danny Knight at STEM Learning UK for a brilliant tour of the National STEM Learning Centre and to Enthuse Charitable Trust for creating opportunities for teachers to be inspired, enabling them to deliver impactful STEM education to their students. #STEMeducation #CPDtraining #Chemistry #EnthusePartnerships

Last month, seven Spectris plc Group employees took part in a volunteering opportunity with our charity partner, Apps for Good, at the “Climate Change & Digital Innovation Summit” in partnership with Chiltern Learning Trust. This was a remarkable event showcasing the innovative app ideas of young minds dedicated to addressing important climate change issues. At the summit, our volunteers supported and encouraged students, listened to their app pitches, and provided valuable feedback. The volunteers thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with Apps for Good to inspire these promising innovators to pursue their passions and make a meaningful impact on the world. You can read more about the day and hear about what our volunteers had to say here - https://lnkd.in/e9vhV6Pm Thank you to everyone who took part in this event and congratulations to all of the winners! Andrew Heath, Adam Forde, William Noble, Anna-Lisa Miller, Tamlynn Deacon, Ross Grant, Jay Patel #Volunteering #STEM #Impact

At the Spectris Foundation, we are committed to empowering communities and supporting initiatives that are meaningful to Spectris plc Group employees through our employee nominated grants. Last year, Scott MacLaughlin, from Particle Measuring Systems, nominated the Boulder Emergency Squad (BES) for their proactive efforts in increasing the number of members certified in wildland firefighting. Our £5000 grant helped BES to equip five brave women with specially designed protective gear, ensuring their safety and effectiveness on the frontlines of Colorado's wildfires. We're incredibly proud to support initiatives like this, making tangible differences in our communities. You can read more about this impactful project here - https://lnkd.in/eVCYVvMS #EmpoweringCommunities #EmployeeNominatedGrants #SpectrisFoundation #WildfireSafety

Happy Micro-Volunteering Day, a day that serves as an important reminder of the power each of us holds to make a positive difference, even in the smallest of actions. We have been busy creating volunteering opportunities for employees across the Spectris plc Group to enhance the impact of our grants – you can read about some of these stories by visiting our website here: https://lnkd.in/e2-U77Ts Micro-Volunteering Day serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of making meaningful contributions, no matter how small they may seem. We are looking forward to working even closer with more of our charity partners this year through volunteering opportunities and impactful grant making.

On the 22nd March our Foundation Director, Sarah Smith, had the privilege of attending the Stem Cymru EESW 6th Form Project Awards day in Swansea. The EESW 6th Form Project serves as a platform to introduce young minds to the possibilities within engineering careers by immersing students in real-life engineering challenges. Among the impressive projects showcased, we presented the "Spectris Foundation Award" for the best use of IT and coding to the team whose solution harnessed energy generated by students and staff on staircases to power the school's electrical systems. A big thank you to EESW for organising such an engaging event and for showcasing the potential of our future engineers! You can read more about the day below: https://lnkd.in/eVcBZA6g #STEM #Learning #Engineering #Careers

Last week, we were delighted to participate in the First Lego League events in Cardiff and Swansea, hosted by Stem Cymru EESW (Engineering Education Scheme Wales), a Spectris Foundation charity partner. EESW runs schemes such as First Lego League to inspire and motivate young people aged 8-19 to choose careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). First Lego League is a global science and technology competition aimed at fostering interest in real-world issues and developing STEM skills among teams of students. A number of employees from across Spectris plc took up the exciting invitation to be volunteer judges for the events. Thank you to Clare Fenwick-Hyde and Chris Cronin from Malvern Panalytical and Hugo Maule and Helena Nathan-King FRGS from Spectris plc! You can read more about their fantastic experiences and recap of the day using the below link! https://lnkd.in/ecd2S7y2 #STEM #Education #Volunteering #Technology