Teaching Young Minds to Master Money

For seven years, we have been on a mission to ensure Edinburgh's children and teenagers develop the financial skills they need to thrive.

Our Story

Solar-trace began with a simple observation: young people were entering adulthood without fundamental financial knowledge. University students struggled with budgets. Young professionals made costly mistakes with credit. The pattern was clear and troubling.

Founded in 2017 by educators and financial professionals, we set out to change this trajectory. Starting with after-school workshops in a single Edinburgh primary school, we have grown to serve hundreds of families across the city and beyond.

Our philosophy centres on practical learning. Theory matters less than application. We want young people to experience financial decision-making in safe environments, building confidence before real stakes enter the picture.

What Guides Our Work

These principles shape every programme we deliver

Learning by Doing

Abstract concepts become real through hands-on exercises, simulations, and practical challenges that mirror actual financial decisions.

Age-Appropriate Approach

What resonates with an eight-year-old differs vastly from what engages a teenager. Our programmes are carefully calibrated to each developmental stage.

Family Partnership

Parents are partners in this journey. We provide resources and guidance to help reinforce lessons at home, creating consistent messages about money.

Safe Space to Fail

Making mistakes with play money teaches valuable lessons without real consequences. We encourage experimentation and learning from missteps.

The People Behind the Programmes

Educators and finance professionals united by a shared mission

EM

Eleanor MacPherson

Founder & Lead Educator

Former primary school headteacher with fifteen years in education. Eleanor combines pedagogical expertise with a passion for financial empowerment.

DR

David Robertson

Financial Curriculum Director

A chartered accountant who spent two decades in wealth management before redirecting his expertise toward youth education.

AK

Anya Kowalski

Youth Programme Coordinator

Specialises in engaging teenagers with financial concepts through relatable scenarios and interactive workshops.

Our Impact So Far

Since opening our doors, we have worked with over 850 young people across Edinburgh. Our programmes now partner with twelve local schools, bringing financial education directly into the classroom.

Feedback from parents consistently highlights behavioural changes: children asking about the cost of items, teenagers opening savings accounts unprompted, and families having more productive conversations about household finances.

These shifts matter. Research indicates that financial habits established in youth persist into adulthood. Every young person we reach today is better prepared for the financial decisions that await them tomorrow.

Join our community
850+
Students taught
12
Partner schools
94%
Recommend us
7
Years operating

Ready to Get Started?

Enquire about enrolling your child in one of our programmes

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