Islay school is up for prestigious Rolls-Royce award
PORT Ellen Primary School on Islay has been shortlisted as a finalist in this year’s prestigious Rolls-Royce Science Prize.
The children received a special merit for their initial submission before going on to be chosen as one of only six projects to be supported by Rolls-Royce over the next academic year.
The project has been developed to build children’s understanding and experience of engineering, specifically around renewable energy.
Islay was home to the Limpet Wave Station and the island’s first community wind turbine is now up and running.
The project aims to build children’s understanding of renewable energy and how engineering can address environmental problems. Engineering is an area the school would like to develop and teachers have already started to encourage Engineering Habits of Mind.
As a cluster science mentor, Maggie Harrison, who is leading the project, is also hoping to involve other cluster schools in the project and work with the Islay Energy Trust.
Maureen MacDonald, head teacher of Port Ellen, said: ‘It is important that we equip our children with skills for learning, life and work.
‘Through our work in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), we have created a culture and environment that enables our learners to apply their thinking in real world applications.
‘When children are interested and engaged to this level, it not only helps to raise attainment and achievement, it also harnesses the enthusiasm of our parents, partners and community, creating a STEM domino effect. To have reached the final of the Rolls-Royce Science Prize is testament to the hard work of the staff and the ambitious ethos in the school.’
Neil Chattle, STEM ambassador from Rolls-Royce, visited the school last week to meet the children and the team involved in the project.
Neil said: ‘This year, as part of my STEM activities, I am mentoring Port Ellen Primary School as a finalist of the RollsRoyce (RR) Science Prize. The engagement and knowledge of all children was wonderful to see during my recent visit.’