Orsted is investing in a Liverpool-based education initiative using wind power-themed content to make STEM topics more “exciting and accessible”.
The developer has made a £100,000 regional investment as a founding partner in the Eureka Mersey project to develop a “world-class” science and discovery centre in the Wirral, Liverpool.
The new partnership aims to continue the regeneration of the Wirral waterfront and address a potential “skills gap” by boosting engagement in STEM subjects.
The visitor attraction, situated two minutes’ walk from Orsted’s King’s Wharf operations and maintenance base, aims to make STEM subjects exciting and accessible to boost aspiration in science-based careers, such as offshore wind.
To ensure the highest impact among the target audience (six to 14-year-olds), the centre’s content is being designed in close collaboration with local schools and industry.
Over the past two years, Orsted has worked closely with the Eureka team and pupils at The Mosslands School, Wallasey to co-create wind-energy themed content.
Turbine technicians will tell the story of how skilled technicians ensure that Orsted’s offshore wind turbines keep working well.
The immersive and interactive experience will focus on how technicians repair turbines, involving choosing the right person and right equipment for the task.
Children will be challenged to detect and diagnose faults using a diagram of the turbines and then to choose the equipment needed for the job, whilst keeping a check on the weather conditions.
Through a digital AV experience, they will journey across to the Turbine and engage with mechanical challenges to fix the diagnosed issues. Their reward for a job well done will be a beautiful view out to sea to catch the sunset.
Orsted UK region head Duncan Clark said: “Offshore wind has already become a key figure on the Wirral waterfront and the region has established a well-deserved reputation as a centre of excellence for clean energy.
“We’re very proud to have been operating in the North West for more than 10 years and it’s our aim to create a lasting positive impact.
“Especially now, projects with real purpose, such as Eureka Mersey, are part of what the region needs. By boosting engagement with STEM subjects and aspiration in science-based careers, we can open up the world of future possibilities to future generations of scientists & engineers across the region.”