Fair turns pupils on to STEM subjects

Coatbridge’s college campus staged a “big bang fair” for secondary school pupils to try out science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills.

Pupils from Airdrie Academy and Coatbridge, St Ambrose, St Margaret’s and Chryston high schools were among 160 taking up the challenge at New College Lanarkshire on Kildonan Street.

The S1 and S2 students visited its high-tech dental and science facilities, learned about recording techniques in the sound studios, got to grips with Lego robots and tried out Microbit fitness trackers.

Youngsters also met employers including NHS Lanarkshire, the Royal Air Force, Di Maggio’s, Construction Industry Training Board, Institution of Civil Engineers, Dawnfresh and University of the West of Scotland.

Groups were accompanied to their activity sessions by student volunteers from the college; and each participant received a goodie bag including a sweet treat from Tunnock’s.

Company owner Boyd Tunnock is a Fellow of New College Lanarkshire and supported the event by attending the similar session taking place at the Motherwell campus.

He said: “First and second-year at school is the best stage to interest young people and show them what they can do. Technology is very important to us at Tunnock’s – we’re continually training people and bringing in modern equipment to improve our business.”

The big bang fair – the first of its kind to take place in Lanarkshire – is organised by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and ESP.

DYW programme manager Alison Nimmo said: “Big Bang presents a fantastic opportunity for our young people to gain an inspirational insight into a wide range of interactive STEM-related activities and related careers.”

Matthew Smith, the college’s head of computing and creative industries, said: “STEM subjects are important to the college and vital to the future of our economy, and this event allows S1 and S2 pupils to gain an insight into the breadth of subjects offered and available to them once they leave school.”