Scottish Schools explore real-world Maths with new programme

  • Aberdeen charity, TechFest, has launched its ‘Maths into Wind’ programme in celebration of mathematics and its real-world applications across Scottish schools.
  • ‘Maths into Wind’ is the latest programme in TechFest’s ‘Maths into’ series; an exciting initiative for S2-S4 students to witness firsthand how mathematical concepts taught in classrooms translate in industry context.
  • The project, sponsored by Stromar Offshore Wind Farm, kicked off with an event day in Fraserburgh, where schools could travel and experience the content in one day. A further format is also being delivered in Bucksburn Academy using a modular approach, allowing a longer term and tailored approach to suit pupils needs.
  • Martha Gavan, Deputy Managing Director of TechFest, said: “Maths is at the heart of innovation, and ‘Maths into Wind’ helps students across Scotland see its power in action. By exploring real-world applications and connecting with industry professionals, we’re inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.”

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TechFest, an Aberdeen-based charity, has launched ‘Maths into Wind’ to celebrate mathematics and showcase its practicality in the workplace.

The initiative, designed for S2-S4 secondary school students, kicked off with an event day in Fraserburgh, giving students the chance to engage with hands-on STEM experiences in just one day.

Sponsored by Stromar Offshore Wind Farm, the programme enabled students to explore the mechanics of electrical generation, compare energy sources and tasked them with real-world challenges like designing their own wind farm.

It was also made available in a six-week modular format in Bucksburn Academy, offering flexible learning for schools and pupils.

Both methods of delivery entailed interactive presentations, hands-on demonstrations and practical calculations to explore energy concepts and the power of wind generation.

TechFest is a charity focused on making STEM education more engaging and inclusive in schools throughout the country whilst helping to connect STEM to various sectors and delivering a new generation of talent for the industry.

Martha Gavan, Deputy Managing Director of TechFest, said: “Our ‘Maths into Wind’ programme demonstrates how the skills students are learning in the classroom can be applied in an industry context.

“We want to use our industry connections to create real opportunities for students. By connecting them with professionals in the field, we’re not only making STEM more engaging, but also changing the status quo in STEM education.

“Together, we’re helping inspire the next generation to explore STEM and opening doors to exciting future career opportunities.”

The programme was sponsored by offshore wind farm, Stromar, as part of TechFest’s mission to host fun initiatives that make STEM education more engaging and inclusive in schools throughout the country.

Nicholas Ritchie, Project Director at Stromar, said: “We’re really excited to partner with TechFest on this mission to show students how maths applies in the real world and help them see its practical value.

“’Maths into Wind’ provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain hands-on industry experience while building their ambition and confidence as they take their first steps in their career.”

Jon Scally, teacher at Bucksburn Academy, said: “‘Maths into Wind’ has allowed our pupils to gain hands-on experience while deepening their understanding of wind energy.

“With the support of the team at TechFest, we’ve seen them grow in confidence and develop the skills they need to showcase their knowledge of the industry.”

The project-based learning programme is the second instalment in TechFest’s “Maths into” series, which aims to reduce barriers to STEM engagement and attainment across Scottish schools.

The ‘Maths into’ series also includes ‘Maths into the Energy Mix’ and the third instalment, ‘Maths into Hydrogen’ is set to be released later this year.

Venture Scotland: New programme

🎉We have a programme starting on 21st October! 🎉

If you are aged 16-30, living in Edinburgh and experiencing challenges in life,* Venture Scotland is offering you a FREE opportunity to make some positive changes to your mental, emotional and physical health.

This year’s autumn/winter programme will run up until 18th December and consists of the stages Challenge and Discover.

What you can expect:

🌿Regular skills and wellbeing sessions.

🌿Regular activity days getting outdoors and taking part in activities such as canoeing, hill walking, rock climbing, orienteering, and more.

🌿Residential trips to remote Bothys (simple cottage) in the Borders and to our Bothy in the beautiful Glen Etive.

🌿The opportunity to challenge yourself and make positive changes, all in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.

🌿Gain skills such as confidence, communication, teamwork, emotional awareness and trust in others.

If you are interested and would like to know more, please see our website for more details and for our referral form: https://venturescotland.org.uk/

You can also contact Louisa who is our Outreach and Support Worker via email at louisa.selwood@venturescotland.org.uk ; on Facebook Messenger Louisa Venture Scotland; or phone/text/WhatsApp 07535 164 285.

*Please note we are currently only taking on participants from particular postcodes in Edinburgh, this can be discussed upon receipt of a referral form.

Venture Scotland new programme

📣We have a programme starting on 24th June! 📣

This opportunity is for anyone aged 16-30 living in the City of Edinburgh experiencing poverty, dealing with unemployment, struggling with mental ill health, feeling socially isolated, or living in challenging circumstances and is keen to make some positive changes in their life.

Venture Scotland’s Journey Programme is a free, 12 week-long personal development programme based in the outdoors.

What to expect:

🌿Regular activity days, like canoeing, gorge-walking, coasteering, hill walking, rock climbing, orienteering, and more.

🌿Regular skills and wellbeing sessions*.

🌿Residential trips to a remote bothy (simple cottage) in the Borders and to our Bothy in the beautiful Glen Etive.

🌿The opportunity to challenge yourself and make positive changes in your life, all in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.

🌿Gain skills such as confidence, communication, teamwork, and leadership.

If you are interested and would like to know more, please see our website for more details and for our referral form: https://venturescotland.org.uk/

You can also contact Louisa who is our Outreach and Support Worker via email at louisa.selwood@venturescotland.org.uk ; on Facebook Messenger Louisa Venture Scotland; or phone/text 07535 164 285.

Pilton Youth & Children’s Project: New programme starts next week

✨ New Term Programme ✨

Our new term starts next week! Clubs are back on as normal and we’re excited to see all our children and young people every week until Summer!!

If you are new to us, please pop in for a consent form and make sure it’s signed by your legal guardian!

#YouthWorkMatters

#YouthWorkWorks

Funding to help nature projects grow

Supporting and scaling up responsible investment in nature

Environmental organisations, community groups, land owners and farmers will be eligible to apply for a share of £1.8 million funding to help grow their nature projects.

The Scottish Government and NatureScot, working in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and with support from the Green Finance Institute, are launching a new programme of support to help scale up private investment in Scotland’s natural capital.

Grants of up to £240,000 will be offered to organisations and partnerships to help develop a viable business case and financial model, to attract investment in projects that can restore and improve the natural environment, such as, but not limited to, woodland creation, marine enhancement and peatland restoration. Successful projects will also demonstrate the means to engage and share benefits with communities, contributing to a just transition.

The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland programme also aims to ensure that investment in, and use of, Scotland’s natural capital creates benefits that are shared.

Minister for Environment and Land Reform Mairi McAllan said: “The Scottish Government has already significantly increased public investment in nature restoration through, for example, our £65 million Nature Restoration Fund.

“But public investment can’t do it alone. The finance gap for nature in Scotland for the next decade has been estimated to be £20 billion – that’s why we are working to find ways to bridge this finance gap through leveraging responsible private finance. 

“The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland programme will enable swifter, easier and scaled up development of nature-based investable projects across the country. It has the potential to grow natural capital markets that reach across rural, urban, terrestrial and marine settings, and to support a wide variety of natural assets and ecosystem services.”

NatureScot’s Director of Green Economy Robbie Kernahan said: “Scotland’s nature is in crisis: its unique habitats and ecosystems will only continue providing the benefits to our wellbeing if we act now to value it and invest in it.

“The new Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland is a vital opportunity to stimulate that investment and will help us halt nature loss – we must grasp it with both hands.”

Heritage Fund Director for Scotland Caroline Clark said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we are delighted to support this programme which will ensure more of Scotland’s natural capital can be unlocked for the benefit of the environment and communities.

“FIRNS offers an exciting opportunity to explore ways of diversifying income for Scotland’s nature sector and building skills, capacity and resilience for the communities and organisations who are caring for the future of our natural world in a time of immense change.” 

PYCP’s 2023 programme

Happy New Year 🥳

Above is our new programme which starts on the 17th! We hope to see all our young people back next week and welcome any new faces who want to join us!

If you completed a consent form last year, you are good to go – if you haven’t, pop in and see us for a form!

We’re so excited to get back to it 🤩🤩

Dr Bell’s Family Centre programme

HEALTHIER FUTURES FOR FAMILIES IN LEITH

Our new programme is live & starts on Monday 22nd August 2022.

If you live in the Leith area, have at least one child under the age of 5 you can sign up to some of our fantastic groups. Dads are welcome to join us too!

Please email us for more info at info@dbfc.org.uk

New programme at Leith’s Dr Bell’s Family Centre

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Our new programme is live

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Starting Monday 25th April. If you live in Leith, have at least one child under the age of 5 you can sign up to some of our fantastic groups. If you would like to know more information or sign up, please drop us an email at info@dbfc.org.uk

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Dr Bell’s Family Centre@drbellsfamily

Our new programme is live Starting Monday 25th April. If you live in Leith, have at least one child under the age of 5 you can sign up to some of our fantastic groups.

If you would like to know more information or sign up, please drop us an email at info@dbfc.org.uk