SSEN Transmission supports next generation of Shetland STEM superstars
The Celebration of STEM event took place in Lerwick Museum
Shetland school pupils have been welcomed to two STEM-focused events to inspire them to become tomorrow’s engineers in the future of net zero and renewable energy.
SSEN Transmission sponsored the two events which took place last month in Shetland to help inspire pupils to take up a career in STEM and showcase the opportunities available.
SSEN Transmission, along with SSE Renewables, once again supported this year’s Celebration of STEM event held at Lerwick Museum, which welcomed over 80 pupils along to try out various industry-led challenges. The event is organised by Prosper and Young Engineers Science Club (YESC), who set a timed challenge for pupils to complete in the best time.
One such challenge – named Power Path - was inspired by the green energy exploration in Shetland. It involved teams building marble runs to represent subsea cables transferring electricity from sustainable sources.
This year’s Regional Winner was Ollaberry Primary school, who completed the challenge in the fastest time.
Also visiting Shetland in May was a team from Edinburgh Science, who created a specially crafted STEM ‘Electrical Explorers’ workshop which hit the road to visit 10 schools across the island. Sponsored by SSEN Transmission and Hitachi Energy, the events aimed to share more about the importance of science and technology in the global fight against climate change, how electricity is transported across the country and the opportunities available in the energy industry.
Over 80 pupils got involved in the challenge
Mark Balfour, Principal Teacher from Aith Junior High School said: “‘Our primary 6 & 7 pupils recently had the chance to discover the wonders of electricity first-hand in a stimulating interactive workshop led by scientists from Generation Science. Pupils explored the workings of circuits and components by using their own movement to generate green electricity and find out how it is stored.
“The highlight came at the end where pupils charged up mini-robotic creatures for a race around the track!
“Our pupils were captivated by the workshop. The visiting specialists made complex concepts accessible and engaging, highlighting the importance of understanding electricity in our technology-driven world, and how it can be generated sustainably. We greatly appreciated this valuable learning opportunity being provided free of charge at a time when our school budget is squeezed as never before.”
Thea Groat, SSEN Transmission Community Liaison Manager, said: “It’s been fantastic to support two brilliant STEM events in Shetland this year. We were delighted to jointly sponsor this year’s Celebration of STEM event for a second year with SSE Renewables, and it was really wonderful to welcome 80 enthusiastic pupils to take part in the Power Path challenge this year.
“The team from Edinburgh Science visited 10 schools across Shetland to take their Electrical Explorers workshop on the road, and the feedback from both teachers and pupils alike has been excellent. We’re so pleased we’ve been able to co-sponsor the events along with Hitachi Energy.
“It’s so important for pupils to be engaged in STEM and realise the huge amount of opportunities available in a career in energy and STEM, particularly right here on Shetland. We’re continually impressed by the pupils enthusiasm and knowledge, and it’s been great to be involved in these events this year.”
Shetland is gearing up to be fully connected to the GB electricity transmission grid for the first time, with SSEN Transmission creating the 260km Shetland High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea cable to the GB mainland, which is expected to be energised later this summer.
Ollaberry Primary were this year’s Regional Winners