South Lanarkshire pupils showcase their Skills & Creativity in STEM Competition
S1 and S2 pupils from nine schools in the South Lanarkshire area have successfully completed a 12-week Science, Technology, Engineering and Math's (STEM) project designed to introduce them to the exciting and rewarding careers available in STEM.
The project is sponsored by Viridor, one of the UK's leading resource recovery and waste management companies, who work with local authorities across Scotland. Viridor’s facilities are integral to the Scottish Government’s ambitions to deliver a zero waste, circular economy which encourages waste reduction, boosts recycling, and recovers vital low carbon energy from any non-recycled waste that remains.
The competition is organised and run as part of a national programme delivered by EDT (The Engineering Development Trust) with Viridor as a supporting partner. It enables pupils to gain an insight into the STEM sector, whilst building the skills necessary for careers in STEM.
The project teams, made up of up to six pupils, chose and completed a STEM challenge focused on either the circular economy, mental health, or sustainability.
Pupils displayed their work to panels of expert judges, guests from industry, and government, as well as their family and friends at the Assessment and Graduation event on Tuesday 25th March at South Lanarkshire Council Headquarters, Hamilton.
The teams involved were from the following schools:
· St John Ogilvie High School
· Trinity High School
· Hamilton College
· Duncanrig Secondary School
· Strathaven Academy
· Stonelaw High School
· Calderglen High School
· Lanark Grammar School
· Carluke High School
Three Prizes were available: Project of the year, Teamwork award both determined by the assessment panels, and the Pupils’ Choice award. The Project of the year trophy was awarded to the team with the best and most innovative project and was won by Trinity High School who will now go on to compete in the Scottish National Final in June.
The Teamwork trophy was won by St John Ogilvie High School, and the People’s Choice trophy, the pupils’ favorite project, was taken home by Carluke High School.
All pupils have shown remarkable perseverance and resilience, and all participating schools produced excellent, innovative projects with no shortage of creativity. All pupils graduated from the project as Bronze Industrial Cadets.
As part of the project pupils are offered an exciting site visit to Viridor’s Bargeddie site, allowing them to see behind the scenes of their local authority’s waste journey.
A Bronze pupil commented, “I loved the experience! I learned so much on the day and had lots of fun”
A Bronze teacher said, “It was a brilliant opportunity for the pupils to see the waste journey from start to finish”
Steven Don, Head of Local Authority Contracts Scotland for Viridor, said: “Viridor is delighted to be part of a partnership which offers young people across South Lanarkshire the opportunity to work on such an exciting project. The development of key skills and knowledge adds to the value of this important environmental project.”
