Science Skills Academy: Highlands & Islands Enterprise coach STEM subjects to pupils with free lessons

Programming robots; dissecting lungs; launching rockets; generating renewable electricity; and exploring salmon nutrition. These are just some of the real-life, hands-on experiences that a pioneering science education programme is bringing to Scotland’s most rural mainland school pupils.

199 Highland schools are involved, with permanent Newton Rooms in Thurso, Dingwall, Inverness and Fort William and pop-up room for Skye & Lochaber, Badenoch & Strathspey, and Wester Ross. Picture Credit Tim Winterburn

The Science Skills Academy (SSA) was set up in Highland to deliver high-quality science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) learning to 10-14 year-olds in state-of-the-art Newton Rooms. A model originating in Norway, the Scottish Newton Rooms serve as a centrepiece for SSA to bring Highland P6-S2 pupils out of the classroom for free, full-day activities aligned with the curriculum.

SSA has worked with 98% of all Highland schools, and has more than 20,000+ engagements with young participants, teachers and families. The initiative has been praised by industry leaders for its role in setting out the pathway for the next generation of scientists, engineers and skilled workers across a wide range of sectors.

The SSA, led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) with the Highland Council, operates as a multi-partnership project, with initial funding through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal. HIE is inviting industry partners and organisations across all STEM sectors to get involved in SSA’s future - collaborating, investing in, and nurturing a shared, strategic approach to rural STEM skills development.

SSA addresses inequalities in STEM learning for rural areas. Communities in Highland can be up to five hours from one of Scotland’s national science centres. Submitted image

Industry opportunity

SSA has recently partnered with the Glasgow Science Centre and is exploring plans to widen its reach into the Northern and Western Isles and Moray.

Morven Fancey, HIE’s Head of Universities, Education, and Skills, said: “SSA plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between industry and STEM skills in rural areas. With Scotland on the cusp of unprecedented investment in sectors such as space, advanced technology, hydrogen, renewables, offshore wind, and marine biotechnology, the demand for skilled workers is set to rocket. To fully capitalise on emerging opportunities, many of which will land in rural Scotland, it’s vital we have a robust pipeline of talented young individuals with aptitude in STEM fields.”

“The SSA presents a massive opportunity for employers to stimulate interest in their respective industries and cultivate skills at an early stage. And above all else, every child deserves an equal opportunity to explore their potential in the next generation of scientists, engineers, and skilled workers - regardless of their location.”

More than three quarters of 5,000 Highland pupils said their Newton Room experience has made them more aware of careers in STEM. Picture Credit Angus Mackay/HIE

The opportunities will be real, and immediate, too, with Oxford Economics predicting a 4% increase, or 42,600 new skilled jobs, in STEM related employment in Scotland from 2015 to 2027. SSA addresses the challenges head on.

Morven added: “The journey SSA offers throughout a young person’s school career, with multiple touchpoints that build on each other and are linked to further study and to industry, will help create a STEM-capable workforce that is adaptable, creative, and innovative.”

Find out more: www.scienceskillsacademy.co.uk/get-involved or contact SSA STEM engagement manager: [email protected]