A Highland-wide education and accreditation programme to encourage take-up of Science and Technology subjects, has received a £400,000 grant from the SSE Highland Sustainable Development Fund.
The award has been made to the University of the Highlands and Islands Development Trust to roll out the Highland CREST programme across the primary and secondary schools in the Highland region. Activities will be co-ordinated from the proposed Science Academy hub at the new Inverness Campus, where investment will be made in remote learning facilities to support the programme.
The Highland CREST programme, based on a nationally-recognised scheme developed by the British Science Association, will be delivered through a mix of interactive projects, challenges and events encouraging interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects. This will be backed up by extensive CPD (continual professional development) for teachers and the creation of networks between schools and with industry.
It will be the first time that a CREST scheme has been promoted and co-ordinated across the Highland area, where a significant skills gap has been identified in the oil, gas, renewable, engineering and life sciences sectors.
The initial target for the programme is to raise the number of schools with active Science and Engineering clubs from 35% (74 schools) to 90% (190 schools) by the end of year three, with an annual total of 3,000 students taking part in the CREST programme.
Sustainable Development Fund Panel Chair, Lord Jack McConnell, said:
“Young people growing up in the Highlands must have every chance to grasp the opportunities created on their doorstep. That’s why it’s vital to support and develop an interest in STEM subjects from an early age and create clear paths to rewarding careers in the engineering, energy and life sciences sectors.
“I am delighted that the SSE Sustainable Development Fund is able to support this development and encourage the young people of today to become the engineers and scientists of tomorrow.”
Dr Crichton Lang, Deputy Principal, University of Highlands and Islands said:
“The University of the Highlands and Islands is a partner in the STEM North of Scotland initiative which aims to increase the number of young people with STEM qualifications in the region. To achieve this aim we manage, support and promote a number of projects and activities designed to engage and excite young people in STEM subjects at an early age. This substantial grant award will provide a significant addition to the activities the university already carries out with schools in Highland.”
Provided as part of a community benefit programme from SSE’s onshore wind farm developments, the SSE Sustainable Development Fund is open to all non-profit making organisations, community groups and charities from across the Highland council region, with weighting given to community projects within SSE’s areas of development. Applications to the fund were accepted in three clear priority areas: Enhancement of the built and natural environment; community energy; and skills development and job creation.
This award is in addition to the 29 projects supported in May 2014 and takes the total funding from the first round of the SSE Highland Sustainable Development fund to £1,444,984. The fund is expected to re-open for applications in Autumn 2015.