Fife secondary schools are given £15,000 injection from industry

Fife secondary schools have been handed more than £15,000 worth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) equipment by ExxonMobil’s Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP).

The schools to benefit are Beath, Lochgelly, Inverkeithing and Kirkcaldy high schools and Woodmill High in Dunfermline, which suffered a fire last August.

The plant liaised with STEM teachers at the schools to come up with a shopping list of equipment which would be a key part of the curriculum.

This week the schools took delivery of projection cameras, storage cabinets, scientific calculators, safety glasses and dozens of stationery sets, as well as copies of the periodic table.

Stephen Ross, rector of Beath High School, said: “Our thanks go to FEP for this very generous support. This will be a very different school year than usual and this extra help will certainly be put to good use.”

Fife Council head of education and children’s services Maria Lloyd said: “This resource will be a real boost to all the schools that are benefiting.

“Our young people will put this equipment to very good use to support their learning.

“Thank you to ExxonMobil for its generosity.”

Jacob McAlister, plant manager at Fife Ethylene Plant, said: “We have long supported local schools with a focus on important STEM subjects and we are proud to be able to help out in what are very challenging times for everyone.

“This contribution forms part of our ongoing local education programme which we are continuing to develop with some exciting new initiatives.”