Fife schools take home prizes at science competition

Pupils from schools across Fife joined forces to showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills, and learning as part of Stemovators, an award-winning STEM outreach programme.

Throughout the year, students have developed their expertise in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM), culminating in a celebration event in partnership with Shell U.K. Limited. By providing free resource kits and real-world challenges, Stemovators empowers young people to think critically, develop practical skills, and explore exciting career opportunities in STEM.

Young people and teachers gathered at Fife College’s Carnegie Conference Centre to exhibit their projects and compete for competition prizes. Industry volunteers and partners provided challenges which gave the young people an insight of the different career paths available in the STEM sector.

Thomas Wild, Head of Stemovators said: “The projects, in partnership with our industry funders, inspire pupils and helps them develop valuable skills and knowledge whilst encouraging uptake in STEM subjects and careers. The celebration event is a culmination of the project and gives an opportunity where young people can showcase their innovation and hard work whilst learning more about different career and education pathways.”

Carol-Anne Crawford, Lumphinnans Primary, added: “Through the Stemovators programme, children learn vital skills they can take with them throughout secondary school and beyond, such as creativity, problem solving, communication and team work. The celebration event is a wonderful way to showcase their learning. The children take full ownership of the project and amaze me with their knowledge and confidence to present their final project to the judges. In addition, they get to meet representatives from STEM industries and complete fun STEM challenges throughout the day.”

Pauline McGeevor, Community Liaison Officer Shell, Fife NGL said: “Science is crucial in addressing society’s biggest challenges. By making science fun for children in primary school, we can inspire them to pursue their interests in the future. Congratulations to all the pupils that took part and to all the winners!”

Pupils have participated in STEM initiatives with a focus on carbon capture and storage and the climate. These projects are funded by industry to provide free resource kits to schools.

The Climate Smarter project focuses on sustainable materials, energy storage and ‘smart’ technologies. This enables schools to create their entry for the celebration competition of a tabletop model of their future eco-school. Support for this project in Fife comes from Shell UK Limited with Crown Estate Scotland, Confor, Scottish Forestry Trust, Scottish Power, Totalenergies, HCI Skills Gateway, Kilgallioch Community Fund, Aviva Investors and Par Forestry supporting the project in additional regions around Scotland.

The Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) initiative covers a variety of different aspects of CCS, including experiments from how to design and build a carbon dioxide storage facility to investigating carbon dioxide storage and transport and the role CCS plays in the wider global energy challenge. This is funded by Shell U.K. Limited.