Pupils from Pirniehall Primary School put their engineering skills to the test at a special event organised to encourage more young people into science, technology, engineering, or maths (STEM) related careers.
Organised by the Young Engineers and Science Clubs Scotland (YESC), a project of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), over 500 young people from 50 schools across the length and breadth of Scotland descended on the Glasgow Science Centre for the annual ‘Celebration of STEM’ event last Friday.
Set by leading national water retailer Anglian Water Business, the Pirniehall Primary School pupils worked as a team to crack the challenge and successfully set up a water infrastructure network, reaching key locations and keeping within a specific budget, in only three minutes.
Anglian Water Business is one of 20 industry partners that attended the event to inform young people on the wide range of careers open to those with a background in STEM. The event was attended by both primary and secondary schools from all over Scotland and classes competed for a range of prizes, including “Club of the Year 2017” which went to pupils from Mearns Primary School in East Renfrewshire and Monifieth High School in Angus.
Jane Martin, programme director of YESC, said: “YESC’s ambition is to grow interest and spark enthusiasm in STEM subjects by encouraging young people to get involved in exciting activities and challenges.
“The Celebration of STEM event is a fantastic way for pupils to engage with businesses that rely on these skills and see the many different careers that are open to them. I’d like to thank all our partner organisations for helping to make this event such a success.”
Tony March, Public Sector Manager from Anglian Water Business, said: “Congratulations to the pupils from Pirniehall Primary School on working so well together and cracking our water related STEM challenge. This event has been a great opportunity to show these talented young people the wide variety of careers open to those with STEM qualifications and get them excited about their future job prospects.
“For the UK as a whole, the utilities sector has forecast it will require 221,000 new recruits with a background in a STEM subject by 2027. Especially within the water industry, we are continually looking for people with a STEM background as it is these people who are integral in our day-to-day operations. This is why Anglian Water Business is committed to working with partners such as SCDI to help inform young people of the many different STEM career paths they can follow.”
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