Plockton set for 'Newton Room' STEM power-up as Science Skills Academy takes four-month programme on the road
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SSEN Transmission and the Science Skills Academy (SSA), run by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), are joining forces to power up science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills for hundreds of school pupils across rural Scotland with a four-month Pop-Up Newton Room programme.
The out-of-classroom, hands-on sessions for school pupils, from 10-14 years old, aim to ignite interest in STEM subjects and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
The pop-up sessions started in Portree in January and will run until early March before moving to Plockton later that month, and then onto Nairn for a week in April. Supporting in-person pop-up classes, additional online sessions will be run in collaboration with the Glasgow Science Centre, reaching more rural areas beyond the Highlands.
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Dr Emma Plato, the Science Skills Academy’s STEM manager, welcomed the support of SSEN Transmission: “Research tells us that engaging young people early with hands-on activities is key to helping them see their future in STEM. Working with SSEN Transmission will help us bring careers to life, as well as highlighting the 400+ jobs they are creating across Scotland this year.
“We welcome their commitment to developing young people in the Highlands, as they will be at the centre of Scotland's energy transition, as well as space and blue economy sectors in the years to come.”
SSEN Transmission’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Chris Bell, said: “As we deliver our £20bn investment programme in the north of Scotland over the next decade, it’s important that we leave a positive lasting legacy for communities in the areas we’ll be operating in.
“Partnering with the Science Skills Academy, who have an excellent track record in reaching school pupils across the Highlands, will help create the next generation of scientists and engineers and is one way we can work towards delivering that legacy.”
The school children are taking part in the highly-acclaimed Scandi-inspired Newton modules, and in this series the focus will be on energy. The full-day learning sessions are delivered by SSA STEM engagement officers. The young people carry out practical projects and have access to STEM kit not available as standard in classrooms.
The Pop-Up Newton Room complements SSA's permanent Newton Rooms in Thurso, Dingwall, Inverness, and Fort William. The collaboration with SSEN Transmission supports SSA’s aim to reach P6-S2 pupils in more rural areas, offering them an opportunity to explore STEM subjects first-hand.
About SSEN Transmission
SSEN Transmission is responsible for the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland, investing in and maintaining the high voltage 132kV, 220kV, 275kV, 400kV and HVDC electricity transmission network.
SSEN Transmission’s strategic objective is to enable the transition to a low carbon economy. It does this by building the electricity transmission network infrastructure required to connect and transport renewable electricity from the north of Scotland to areas of demand, as it delivers a network for net zero emissions.
SSEN Transmission is owned 75 per cent by SSE plc and 25 per cent by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board.
About Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is the Scottish Government’s economic and community development agency for a region covering more than half of Scotland, including more than 90 inhabited islands. We work with communities, enterprises, and stakeholders to unlock our region’s potential for growth and progress, while driving fair work and net zero practices.
Its stated purpose is to build and sustain a greener, fairer and more resilient region that benefits everyone. It offers support and investment to a wide range of projects that deliver on its priorities, which include a growing workforce, increased productivity, innovation and wages, and a just transition to net zero.
