Ocean Winds has appointed SSERC to support to develop STEM programmes for Ocean Winds staff who volunteer in local schools around existing Ocean Wind locations in Edinburgh and Fraserburgh, and from next year, Buckie.
Support for schools has already been confirmed through sponsorship of several STEM programmes in Scotland including SusSTEMability, First Lego League, Techfest STEMNext essay competition, new career videos and an extension to the Young STEM Leader Programme.
Wind turbine kits with support material and suggested experiments have also been provided to schools through the Environmental Science Professional Learning course.
SSERC will guide the training of a new cohort of eight OW STEM ambassadors, match them to schools and colleges, utilise proven delivery models and develop classroom resources to give the Ambassadors and teachers great communication tools.
The agreement between OW and SSERC spans two years to ensure the programmes can be implemented and sustained.
Assisting mostly secondary school students understand the diverse and stimulating career pathways available through STEM subjects is one part of the OW programme. The OW programme will engage in collaborations to stimulate awareness, support relevant curriculum development at Further and Higher Education and create clear career pathways into the sector.
Adam Morrison, UK Country Manager for OW, commented: “I am delighted that we are enhancing our long-standing STEM support with this new collaboration. SSERC have the relationships with educators, understand the curriculum needs and how to connect with young students so that the time of our STEM Ambassadors can be used most effectively to promote our exciting and growing sector to young people.”