ABERDEENSHIRE youngsters have just been given an early month taste of the skills and challenges encountered in industry at a science and engineering showcase day in the Granite City.
At the fourth annual Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) showcase, children from 12 schools put on show science and engineering projects they have carried out at school.
Their projects, from circuit boards powering model traffic lights to a model of an eco-home complete with solar panels, were on display at BP’s Dyce headquarters.
They also undertook a number of challenges, from a mini-ROV skills task, to using valves to move pretend oil in a model representing the infra-structure from a platform to refineries and storage tanks, plus they were challenged to build a platform.
All 12 schools were judged on both challenges. Clerkhill Primary School and Alford Academy won the technical challenge.
Platform building challenge winners were Tullynessle School and Bucksburn Academy.
Diane Pressley, science co-ordinator and primary school teacher at Clerkhill, said the children learned a lot from the challenges, especially team work and co-operating with each other.
“They also learn problem solving and to use their knowledge and manage their combined knowledge.
“It is at the primary level that you have to get them interested in science and get the inquiry skills starting.”
Ian Armstrong, SCDI north east manager, said: “We have had a great response from schools and the industry which set challenges.
“The children get exposed to a whole range of science and engineering disciplines and what happens in the real world. But also taking part in the challenges really does engender teamwork. It is a skill they clearly need to develop for real life. We hope some decide on science and engineering and to at least open their eyes to what is out there and the rewards, that could be quite substantial.”
Other schools taking part were Hill of Banchory School, Johnshaven School, Kemnay Primary School, Kingswells Primary School, Mearns Academy, Newtonhill Primary School, The Gordon Schools and Torry Academy.
The event is supported by BP and Shell.
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