Bright Sparks scheme aims to develop and enhance STEM skills

THE Scottish Government has identified the need to increase the number of young people taking up careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The STEMNET programme aimed to increase take up by recruiting STEM ambassadors to work with schools.

The Bright Sparks programme aims to develop and enhance STEM skills in Argyll and Bute. Kirsty Jackson- Stark delivers the programme in her role as education and skill development officer and is an approved STEM ambassador working with secondary school pupils across the region. ScottishPower Renewables in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council is funding Kirsty’s post for three years from the community benefit fund distributed from ScottishPower Renewables’ Beinn an Tuirc windfarm on the Kintyre Peninsula. This funding enables Kirsty to work with young people to: • engage them in STEM activities. • develop and enhance their STEM skills. • introduce them to role models demonstrating that STEM careers are attainable and that there are a wide variety of career paths. • help them to begin their journey towards a STEM career through the assistance, information and advice provided by Kirsty. Kirsty will encourage people with a degree in either science, technology, engineering or maths to become STEM ambassadors with the STEMNET programme. The project will also recruit junior STEM ambassadors who will work with younger school pupils cascading their knowledge while further developing their own skills.

ScottishPower Renewables funding ensures that the programme reaches a large number of young people. It will also create a STEM junior network across Argyll and Bute to enable networking and skill sharing opportunities to enhance the skills of junior ambassadors.