Youngsters across the North-east will have the chance to learn about wind energy thanks to a new mobile wind turbine exhibit donated to Aberdeen Science Centre.
The centre has been awarded £7,500 in sponsorship by the Energy Transition Zone Ltd (ETZ) to purchase the mobile exhibit, which will be used to help children and young people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire learn more about wind energy and the significant role it plays as part of the energy transition.
The tabletop unit will be used as part of ASC’s outreach programme to deliver 10 community engagement sessions to underserved and underrepresented audiences across the region in 2024/2025.
At least two of these sessions will take place in Torry, the neighbouring community of the Energy Transition Zone.
When not being used by the outreach team, the exhibit will be set up at ASC’s energy zone, where it will be used by school groups visiting the centre.
Part of the funding will be allocated for staff time to develop engaging and fun content around the exhibit to ensure participants benefit from a rounded learning experience.
As well as including information on renewables as a source of energy, the sessions will cover skills used in the renewables sector and career opportunities.
Steph McCann, fundraising manager at ASC said: “We’re very grateful for the funding we’re receiving from ETZ. Support such as this is vital in helping us to continue to develop our outreach programme to reach as many people as possible.
“This funding will enable us to give young people across many of our underserved communities increased access to learning about the opportunities and options available to them if they consider following a STEM-focused career path.
“It will also help them develop their knowledge and understanding of the energy transition journey and why that is important as we move towards net zero.”
Lauren Braidwood, project manager at ETZ, and Bryan Snelling, chief executive of Aberdeen Science Centre, with the new exhibit
ETZ is a private sector led, not for profit company which is spearheading North-east Scotland’s energy transition ambition. It receives funding from the Scottish and UK Governments and has a clear focus on repositioning the region as a globally recognised new and green energy cluster.
The funding for ASC is part of its commitment to engage with the local community, highlighting career possibilities and technology and ensuring the energy transition is a just transition.
Lauren Braidwood, project manager at ETZ, said: “We are delighted to be supporting ASC in promoting energy knowledge and skills throughout our local communities. We want to ensure energy careers are accessible and inclusive to all, and outreach activities are essential in communicating opportunities across the region.
“Young people are the north east’s workforce of the future and inspiring them into STEM and energy careers is critical to ensuring a just energy transition. Everyone has a part to play in achieving a net zero future, so it’s more important than ever that we bring local people along on this exciting journey.”
Aberdeen Science Centre works with communities across the north of Scotland, including Moray and parts of the Highlands and Islands delivering a wide range of workshops and events for people of all ages.
The focus of these is to show that engaging with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is fun as well as educational and demonstrates how science is everywhere and part of everything we do.
The tabletop mini turbine is part of a range of interactive exhibits specifically developed as science-focused exhibits covering a range of technologies.
Based on Constitution Street near Aberdeen beach, ASC is home to almost 65 interactive exhibits, allowing people of all ages to discover topics including Space, Energy, Life Sciences, Engineering, and much more.
Open seven days a week, Aberdeen Science Centre also offers exclusive venue hire and birthday parties as well as room hire for corporate, social and private events.
To book a visit to the centre, visit https://aberdeensciencecentre.org