National recognition for education tool which promotes STEM careers

A team of researchers from Northumbria University are celebrating after one of their educational resources was named among the finalists of the prestigious Bett Awards, after making the shortlist in Early Years Product or Service category.

Play, Be, C, an online teaching resource aimed at educators of children aged between three and five-years-old, was developed by researchers from the outreach group NUSTEM at Northumbria University. NUSTEM works with schools across the North East region to provide activities and opportunities for children to engage with the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Aimed at supporting teachers to provide high quality STEM-focussed learning in their setting, Play, Be C challenges pre-conceived ideas of gendered jobs, while increasing knowledge of careers linked to STEM subjects. The resource is organised into ten units, each themed around careers such as pharmacist, glaciologist and marine engineer. The children experience the careers through playful and interesting activities. Each are chosen to inspire discussion and ideas from youngsters with the aim of broadening aspirations from an early age.

Melanie Horan, NUSTEM Outreach Officer who worked as a primary school teacher for almost 20 years, was responsible for designing and developing the resource. She explained: “Play, Be, C was designed to be fully flexible and encourages children to play and engage with science, while developing a broader understanding of careers in the world around them.

“It was wonderful to attend the Bett Awards, to meet others working in the same space, and to hear first-hand about the ways technology is being harnessed to support teaching and learning.”

The Play, Be, C resource has already gained recognition after winning the STEM Initiative Award at the 2024 Educate North Awards, the North of England’s most prestigious education awards, held last April.

Professor Carol Davenport, Director of NUSTEM, said: “The Bett Awards are the highest accolade in the UK education industry, so we were all delighted to see the project shortlisted in the Early Years category and grateful for this recognition of the NUSTEM team’s work.”

Professor Graham Wynn, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) at Northumbria University, added: “Experiential learning in the form of live projects, placements, internships, exhibitions and industry collaborations with external partners are integral to teaching and learning at Northumbria, ensuring the University is providing students with valuable networks and career-enhancing opportunities.

“It’s fantastic to see NUSTEM’s Play, Be, C resource also using experiential learning to help even the youngest learners to explore possible future careers through educational experiences, and for this work to be recognised at a national level.”

Organised in association with The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), the Bett Awards recognise and reward the UK’s most outstanding education technology initiatives and are widely recognised as a benchmark of excellence.

The 2025 Bett Awards took place on Wednesday evening (22 January) in London with leading national and international organisations shortlisted across 21 categories. Recognised by many as the most important awards in the industry, Bett finalists are seen to be at the cutting-edge of educational technology across the UK and around the world.

Bett Show Portfolio Director, Duncan Verry, said: “The Bett Awards offer a great opportunity to honour the remarkable creativity and innovation within EdTech. We received an overwhelming number of high-quality entries across various categories. We’re proud that the awards serve as a strong platform to recognise success, showcasing both exceptional innovation and tangible impact. It was a fantastic evening – congratulations to all the finalists and winners.”

To learn more about the services NUSTEM at Northumbria University offers for schools, families and employers, visit nustem.uk

Discover more about study options at Northumbria University and book your place on an upcoming open day by visiting northumbria.ac.uk