Pupils get taste of STEM careers in competition

Stirling High pupils were among a group of S4 students from schools in the Forth Valley to excel in a new three-month scheme designed to launch young people into careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

The final of the EES4 competition - a bespoke programme developed in partnership with The Engineering Development Trust, Forth Valley College and Balfour Beatty- was held at the college’s Falkirk Campus last week.

ES4 is based on The Engineering Development Trust’s long-standing Engineering Education Scheme (EES) which was established 1984 in response to a problem which continues to face the UK economy: a shortage of young people with the required skills and experience choosing to enter STEM professions in the UK today. It provides pupils with an opportunity to develop their employable skills and knowledge of the STEM workplace, allowing them to make informed decisions at a stage in their lives critical to their future career paths.

“The pupils who took part are at a critical stage of their education and have some big choices to make about where they go next,”said Balfour Beatty community benefits advisor Joseph Drugan.“We are proud to support the local community by passing on some of our knowledge, experience and guidance to the next generation of engineers and construction professionals.”

Pupils from Stirling High joined colleagues from Graeme High, Falkirk High, St Mungo’s High, Braes High, Denny High and Bo’ness Academy. They were mentored by a passionate team of expert staff from Balfour Beatty, who also provided the real-world engineering problem which formed the basis of the projects. Pupils were challenged to develop their own solutions to a real problem encountered by Balfour Beatty in their construction of the new Forth Valley College Falkirk Campus: how to maintain temperature levels in the main reception area in an innovative and energy-efficient way.

Each school produced their own unique solution in the form of a written report, model, display board and verbal presentation, judged on the day by volunteer assessors from the college and Balfour Beatty.

Graeme High School scooped the top prize of Best Overall Project, whilst the Innovation Award was given to Falkirk High School. Pupils also got the chance to view each other’s projects and vote for their favourite, awarding the Pupils’Choice prize to St Mungo’s High School.