INEOS sponsored STEM Summer School proves popular

An exciting STEM Summer School based at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus once again proved to be a winner for school pupils during the holidays.

Running from Monday 5 to Friday 9 August, the STEM Summer School included a fantastic mix of hands-on practical workshops and project-work, led by a combination of lecturing staff, alumni and industry experts.

With the generous support of INEOS, the 19 young people taking part had the fantastic opportunity to take part in a range of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) related workshops, whilst working towards achieving their Bronze Crest Award. These included: Microbiological Techniques, Analytical Forensics, Biological Forensics, Working with Algae. 

During the week-long course the youngsters also enjoyed a site visit to INEOS in Grangemouth, giving them a valuable insight into high performance chemicals and materials production. As well as a tour of the facilities which included a behind the scenes look at the control room and an interactive visit to the lab, there was also an opportunity to discuss different employment opportunities and routes into STEM careers.  

Isabella Frost, Optimisation and Planning Specialist and the INEOS organiser of the Summer School, said: “As we drive towards a more sustainable future for petrochemical manufacturing in the UK, it is vital that we encourage the next generation to take up STEM subjects at high school and beyond. The STEM Summer School pupils have already demonstrated their curiosity for the subjects by applying for and being successfully selected to be part of this year’s programme. They showed great interest in the work we are doing at Grangemouth, were very inquisitive and asked some very insightful questions of our volunteers.”

Fiona Jackson, Curriculum Manager in the Department of STEM and Construction, said: “Our STEM summer schools are always very exciting and thanks to INEOS this year was no exception. I know for a fact that all the pupils who took part got an awful lot out of the activities that were organised throughout the week.”

Pauline Jackson, FVC Development and Fundraising Manager, said: “Thanks to the amazing support from INEOS we were once again able to offer our amazing STEM Summer School. The young people taking part had access to a unique experience and an insight into STEM careers which we hope will help inform their future choices.”

To find out more about FVC Summer Schools visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/ways-to-study/summer-schools/