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Scotland's continued
struggle (along with virtually the rest of the planet) to plug skills
shortages in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has
been given a timely boost by a group of teens who beat off stiff
competition from hundreds of their peers to lift the UK's leading Junior
Engineering Award.
It's timely given warnings of a rising threat of failing to properly
focus on STEM education leaving Scotland facing a skills crisis in years
to come in this Digital Age.
OPITO warns more must be done to engage teachers and parents, adding
unless there's more emphasis on the value of STEM: "Scotland will
struggle to make good on its target" of a renewable net zero economy.
The global not-for-profit skills and standards body has called for a
thorough "futureproofing and recruitment" of the next generation
workforce in the four inextricably-linked disciplines.
The highly-prized STEM award was made at the Big Bang Fair at
Birmingham's NEC, when Lanarkshire's St Aidan’s High School at Wishaw
won for their innovative ‘Theme Park for the future’ using kinetic,
solar and wind power.
Senior pupils Genevieve Brennan, Jamie McShane, Kevin McGuigan, Naimh
Clarke, Rosa Hodge and Sam Brown impressed judges with their project
that came up with ways to make a theme park more sustainable.
Also taking a note of the accolade were Big Bang partners in attendance
including Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Zoolab, JCB, Johnson &
Johnson, and easyJet.
The group researched different eco-policies of British theme parks and
found that not many of them had ambitious enough targets.
"We planned, designed and modelled rollercoasters that used renewable
and sustainable energy sources.
"Our three main ideas were to use wind, solar and kinetic energy
produced by park visitors.
"We also considered ways to minimise the park’s carbon footprint, for
example, by looking into locally produced food for park goers”.
Of their research findings and working 3D printed model the judges said
it attracted the "Wow" factor, where team members readily identified
what key roles
The panel added they were impressed to witness how their tests and
designs come to life through models, sketches and proposals.
Also by the level of research in the different areas involved ranging
from the waste, renewable energy and the weather forecast to show the
viability of the site.
The Big Bang Competition is a nationwide competition for young
engineers, scientists and technologists and the complementary fair is
the UK’s largest celebration of STEM for young people.
Chief executive Dr Hilary Leevers described the winners as "great
advocates for STEM."
 
The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers competition recognises and
rewards young people's achievements in all areas of STEM, providing them
with the opportunity to build their skills and confidence in
project-based work. It is open to 11-to-18 year olds.
The fair is the largest celebration of STEM for young people in the UK
as an award-winning combination of inspirational talks, interactive
workshops, hands-on exhibits and careers information from STEM
professionals.
EngineeringUK is not-for-profit, working closely with innumerable
corporates and hundreds of organisations. It leads collaborative efforts
to improve the impact of all engineering and tech inspiration and
careers activities for young people.
STEM ambassador in a classroom
Great stress is laid on igniting a passion for STEM among young people
from all backgrounds through school engagement programmes including
sharing teachers sharing careers resources helping them to brint the
STEM curriculum to life and ultimately workforce planning and plugging
vital skills shortages. |
