STEMM Capability Project picks up steam with support from Trust Horizon
A STEMM education project coordinated by Eastbay REAP is fast gaining momentum, with the support of a $225,000 grant from Trust Horizon.
In early 2024, a STEMM Action Plan was co-designed with the goal of lifting the Eastern Bay’s capacity and capabilities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Mātauranga Māori (Māori traditional knowledge).
The plan aimed to engage with educators, students, businesses, community organisations, iwi and hapū providers, to identify existing and new opportunities for STEMM learning – both within schools and out in the community.
As a long-time champion of STEMM learning, Eastbay REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) was a natural fit to coordinate and implement the plan.
“We take a collaborative approach to education, leaning on relationships and local knowledge to activate local opportunities,” says Eastbay REAP CEO, Ryan Morrison. “It makes sense for us to take on the coordinating role, bringing people together to expand STEMM education across the region.”
Trust Horizon and BayTrust partnered to fund the coordination and implementation of the plan, providing a multi-year grant of $225,000 each, totalling $450,000 from 2025 to 2027.
The funding enabled the project to take a major leap forward in July this year, with the appointment of Amy Hayes as STEMM Coordinator.
“Through her work with Kawerau’s Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme, Amy has a wealth of experience connecting young people with training and work opportunities,” says Morrison. “She has built strong relationships in both business and education, understands all the sides to the conversations, and brings a level of excitement and enthusiasm that helps communities realise what’s possible.”
Now, as the STEMM Capabilities Project takes off, the extent of ‘what’s possible’ already appears endless.
The team is opening up conversations about vocational pathways with industry leaders, and engaging with local libraries to bring STEMM to the term 3-4 holiday programmes. A community hui is also planned for 6pm Wednesday 24th September, at Kawerau Library. The hui with local iwi, teachers, parents and STEMM enthusiasts, aims to identify the initiatives that already exist and where the gaps and opportunities lie.
Meanwhile, on Sunday 28th September, 50 students from Murupara, Ōpōtiki, and Kawerau will be travelling to Tauranga to attend the award-winning STEMFest event. Ōpōtiki and Kawerau still have several tickets left, and Hayes encourages any parents of children interested in STEMM to reach out directly to amy.h@eastbayreap.org.nz for details.
Since starting the coordinator role, Hayes has been laying the groundwork for the next three years of Eastern Bay STEMM. Year one’s goal is to spread knowledge and excitement for STEMM, and year two is to broaden extra-curricular offerings out in the community.
“In year three, we hope to shine a light on the numerous career options in the space, and start producing STEMM legends here in the Eastern Bay,” says Hayes. “Everything we need to raise STEMM capabilities in the rohe is right here. We just need to get out of our silos, connect the right dots, and create the right opportunities.”
With work-ready rangatahi a key priority, Trust Horizon was pleased to be able to help initiate and support the STEMM Capability Project. “Many of the world’s fastest-growing and highest-paid roles involve STEMM, so building the skillsets of Eastern Bay students at every level is crucial for a future-proof workforce,” says Trust Horizon Trustee, Merrin Stables.
At Eastbay REAP, excitement for the project’s potential is high. “In education we’re always looking for ways to contribute something meaningful to the community, and this funding is enabling that,” says Morrison.
“More than just ‘thank you’, we’d like to express our sincerest appreciation for Trust Horizon and BayTrust’s willingness to connect with, support, and make a difference in our communities.”
Read more about Trust Horizon’s projects here.