Over the course of last week, Monifeith High School pupils ranging from S1 to S6 took part in a host of interactive science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) sessions which included presentations from members of Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm and SSE.
Monifieth High School, one of SSE’s Strategic Partnership Schools, wanted to offer as many practical workshops as possible which covered a variety of topics each day.
On Wednesday morning, Seagreen Offshore Wind Site Operations Manager, Robert Young and Nicole Pearson, Seagreen Environmental Manager, provided S3 pupils with engaging sessions about careers as well as environmental protection and sustainability. There were also sessions from the team at Rewise Learning using interactive energy mix kits made from sustainably sourced materials.
In the afternoon, pupils were then shown a 360-degree film of Sam O’Connor, Regional Customer Relationship Manager at SSEN, introducing the Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and Transmission infrastructure. The students watched the video using Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets which were loaned to the school from Developing Young Workforce (DYW). Dundee and Angus representatives from the new Skills for Future Lab in Arbroath were also on hand with VR headsets that allowed students the opportunity to navigate their way around the inside of an offshore wind turbine.
Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm, located around 27km from the coast of Angus, is committed to working with young people to help inspire and develop the future workforce and provide a pathway for school leavers into the offshore wind and wider energy sector.
A designated STEM fund for the project has already supported and facilitated virtual engagement with over 3,000 children in Dundee and Angus through an education programme with Engineering Development Trust (EDT) and more recently the fund supported the creation of the new Skills for Future Lab at Arbroath with Dundee and Angus College.
"When we were approached by Monifieth High School about participating in their STEM week we couldn’t wait to get involved. We are always eager to work with young people and help inspire the future workforce.
Pauline Allison SSE Renewables Stakeholder Manager for Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm
The team on the day enjoyed giving project presentations about careers, the environment and networks and transmission infrastructure and received a lot of positive engagement from the pupils so it was great to see them take onboard what our teams were saying.
Seagreen remains committed to supporting STEM events like this and are really proud of the interaction and investment to date including the full investment of the £400,000 STEM fund within the Dundee and Angus area."
"SSE runs a dedicated STEM engagement programme for secondary schools in 25 priority locations, which supports pupils with curriculum aligned content by showcasing the energy sector.
Sam Geer Education & Employability Manager
Our Renewables business plays a significant role in this programme offering subject matter experts to create content, managing the local school partnerships, delivering STEM sessions and inspiring pupils by describing their own route to their current role and what it entails.
We have recently launched a suite of primary school content around transitioning to net zero which has been designed by Primary School teachers and will be available for both primary and assisted supported needs schools to utilise."