Families across Moray will have more opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering and maths this summer as the STEM Starts Discovery Centre in Elgin expands its public programme.

The centre has announced three weeks of free sessions following strong demand from parents and children eager for greater access to the popular attraction.

Previous pilot sessions have regularly been oversubscribed, highlighting growing interest in hands on STEM learning experiences for younger children.

The STEM Starts Discovery Centre forms part of the Moray Growth Deal’s £4.8 million Early Years STEM project and aims to inspire curiosity, build confidence and support skills development from an early age.

The summer programme will run over nine days across three weeks, offering a total of 36 sessions for children aged between three and eight alongside accompanying adults.

Sessions will take place on 14, 15 and 16 July, 21, 22 and 23 July, and 28, 29 and 30 July.

Organisers say the programme has capacity for more than 1,800 children and adults during the summer opening period.

Since opening in February, the centre has welcomed 1,900 children and 790 adults through school visits, early years activities and a limited number of public sessions.

Its popularity has prompted discussions about how the centre could develop in the future, including potential service models that may involve paid public access.

Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said:

“This next series of taster sessions is an important phase in the development of the STEM Starts Discovery Centre as we explore opportunities to expand our offering, enabling more families to benefit from this unique, high-quality, hands-on STEM experience.

“Widening access allows the programme to continue to support its core mission of providing meaningful and engaging learning opportunities that inspire the next generation and strengthen future pathways into STEM.”

The expansion comes as schools, educators and employers increasingly focus on encouraging children to engage with science and technology subjects from an early age.

Tickets for the summer sessions will become available from 6pm on Wednesday 8 July.

For families looking for educational activities during the school holidays, the additional sessions offer another chance to experience one of Moray’s most popular new attractions.

For more information about the sessions and how to book, click here