Shetland Aerogenerators is pleased to be supporting a project to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities and education in local schools.
The project will be financed by a £68,000 grant over five years from the Shetland Aerogenerators Community Benefit Fund, managed by Shetland Community Benefit Fund Ltd. There are two components to the project:
1. Over £6,000 spent in 2024-2025 on new equipment for the Science Investigations programme for local science technicians based at the Anderson High School to use across all of Shetland’s schools at all levels and by senior pupils in STEM Leaders Clubs.
2. Re-introduction of an annual Shetland Science Fair which last took place in 2009. A four-year plan will start in 2024, initially on a relatively small scale, but building up each year to a larger-scale festival in 2026-2027.
The grant is being awarded to Brae High School Parent Council to implement the project for the benefit of all students across Shetland.
The Anderson High Science Department provided considerable time and expertise to develop both aspects of the project which will also be supported by the Shetland Aerogenerators development team. A wide range of local and national specialist science organisations are being engaged to support the science fair and to grow it year on year.
A steering group will be formed to shape the project, make key decisions, align the programming with curriculum, and organise school calendars and travel. The steering group will include initially:
- Brae High School Parent Council
- Anderson High School Parent Council
- Anderson High School Science Team
- Shetland Islands Council Education & Youth Services Departments
- Developing the Young Workforce
- UHI Shetland
- other key STEM coordinators
SCBF chair Chris Bunyan paid tribute to the work of everyone involved in developing the project. “When SCBF and Shetland Aerogenerators agreed the community benefit fund it was always the intention to focus on promoting STEMs work in local schools. We have to ensure young people have the necessary skills to work in the emerging new technologies.”
Shetland Aerogenerators Project Manager Andi Grochowski said “While collaborating with the science educators and STEM coordinators at the AHS in Shetland, a gap was identified that this project will address. A key intention is to take the burden of coordination away from the schools. The attractions planned and ‘hands-on’ engagement with STEM topics takes the learning off the pages and out of the books to encourage the interest and enthusiasm among Shetland’s youth. We hope it can also showcase the opportunities available for their futures and build a passionate workforce for Shetland. We are really excited to see this project go forward with the support of Brae School Parent Council, the AHS, and individuals and organisations driving STEM programmes.”
The Shetland Aerogenerators Community Benefit Fund recieves payments from Luggie's Knowe windfarm (Phase 1).
