Scientists and engineers from INEOS will be on hand to assist Forth Valley College lecturers at an exciting STEM summer school at the Falkirk Campus (from Monday 3- Friday 7 July).
The mentors will enhance the high standard of teaching on offer at the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Summer School, which will help youngsters have a fun and inspiring experience, as they spend part of their holidays learning and improving their career prospects at the same time.
INEOS Mentors Operational Engineer Craig Kat, Shift Manager Bradley Gardner, Project Services Manager Jennifer Yeardly and Development Chemist Neil Davidson, were delighted to pop down to the campus on Wednesday 28 June to check out the lab teaching facilities at the college. Fellow Mentors PCN Engineer Rena Kotzaoglan and Graduate Engineer Ruaridh MacDonald will join the group during the Summer School.
Fiona Jackson, FVC Curriculum Manager in the Department of Applied Science, Maths and Mechanical Engineering, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside INEOS on the summer school and their support both financially and through the mentors is very much appreciated. We are sure the young people who are coming along for the summer school will benefit from the expertise and industry knowledge of the INEOS mentors.”
Curiosity will be the key for young people as they discover what’s in Irn Bru (liquid chromatography), and find out more about instrumental techniques, atomic absorption, blood sampling and augmented reality through a fantastic mix of hands-on practical workshops and project work.
Craig, said: “I am looking forward to helping the youngsters develop their planning skills.”
Bradley – who completed an HNC in Chemical Engineering at the old Falkirk College of Technology - said: “I have benefited from studying at this college myself, so I want to assist young people develop their interest in science and engineering.”
Jennifer – who was one of the first ever female apprentices to study at the Falkirk Campus – said: “My son is going to be coming along to the STEM Summer School, so it is going to be a generational thing for me. It will be great to share my knowledge and experience with all the youngsters.”
Neil, added: “I think this will be a great chance to pass on knowledge and skills to young people and get them interested in science and STEM subjects.”
Ian Little, INEOS Site Business Development Manager, said: “As a large petrochemical organisation, science, engineering and technology are fundamental to our business. It is fitting as a local employer that we are specifically encouraging STEM subjects in local schools via this programme.”
Aimed at pupils in the Forth Valley area aged between 11-14, the school will open up a whole new world to young people who want to reinforce the path they want to take when they leave school, and also to those who are looking to turn that spark of interest in a subject into a full blown career.
The photograph shows - Back row (from left to right) Kenny MacInnes Head of FVC’s Applied Science, Maths and Mechanical Engineering Department (ASMME), Ian Little INEOS Site Business Development Manager, Fiona Jackson Curriculum Manager in FVC Department of ASMME and Pauline Barnaby FVC Development and Fundraising Manager.
Front row (from left to right) INEOS Mentors Craig Kat (30) Operational Engineer, Bradley Gardner (37) Shift Manager, Jennifer Yeardly (44) Project Services Manager and Neil Davidson (58) Development Chemist.