TechFest, an Aberdeen-based charity, has launched the programme ‘STEM into Innovation’ to enhance students’ awareness of innovation processes used within the design and manufacturing sectors.
STEM into Innovation targets secondary school students, offering both in-school tuition and live masterclasses held in Scottish cities. The initiative aims to equip young people with STEM and entrepreneurship skills and knowledge for further academic or STEM careers.
It kicked off with “Pioneers of Progress” in February, an exciting initiative exploring the evolution of instant communications and an introduction to design.
This free programme, which is still available to access via TechFest’s website, is delivered in classrooms through video content accompanied by follow-up challenges that aim to enhance all participating students’ mathematics, writing, design, marketing and teamwork skills.
It is designed for teachers across all subjects, providing a variety of resources for classroom instruction from TechFest, such as student activity booklets and interviews with industry professionals.
Sarah Chew, Managing Director of TechFest, said: “STEM into Innovation taps into Scotland’s rich design and manufacturing heritage, equipping students with the skills and mindset to become Scotland’s next STEM leaders.
“It is a CREST-accredited programme that empowers students to unlock their full STEM potential, strengthens their CVs and UCAS applications while equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to bridge the industry skills gap.
“STEM into Innovation is committed to creating greater diversity and equality through encouraging more young people to consider a career in the engineering or science industries.”
TechFest delivered a range of masterclasses for students as part of STEM into Innovation, where students could roll up their sleeves and dive into hands-on product design.
The masterclasses were held in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, and provided an opportunity for young people to gain insights on entrepreneurship and product development from industry professionals.
A masterclass conducted by Horizon Educational, organisers of the Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP), concluded the 2024 programme on the 23rd of November in Aberdeen with a focus on engineering design and innovation.
Tobias Lundsgaard, Product Development Manager at Horizon Educational said: “Being able to bridge the gap between the products we develop in our R&D centre and the students we serve has been an invaluable aspect of TechFest’s STEM into Innovation programme.
“Getting to know these students – and being able to give them a glimpse into my own process of product development has reminded me of why I chose to pursue a career at Horizon Educational: to help build future leaders with a passion for STEM and Conscious Design.”
Participating students will now have the necessary knowledge to design a product, as well as practical insights and skills which will enhance their future academic and career prospects.
Other masterclasses were held throughout Scotland by other organisations including Scottish Enterprise, TL Tech, National Robotarium, Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc’s (MSIP), Dr John N A Brown from the Robert Gordon University and Scott & Fyfe.
Stuart Robertson, SMAS Specialist at Scottish Enterprise, said: “The Innovation Masterclass is a fantastic opportunity for young people to get first hand, close interaction with industry and support agencies, aimed to stimulate interest and ambition that could allow them to start to form their career path.”
Caroline Lawrenson, Managing Director of TL Tech, said: “It can be hard for young people to know what they want to do when they leave school, but there is often a common thread where they talk about how they want to make a difference. Innovation at its heart is about solving problems and making a positive impact. The Theory of Change framework is a great way to investigate a problem and define how you will make the best use of your resources.
“During the workshop it was wonderful to see the young people apply this knowledge about the Theory of Change and their own experiences of STEM education to TechFest as an organisation to identify areas of growth and a vision for the future.”
Michelle Quadrelli, Managing Director at Scott & Fyfe Ltd, said: “Scott & Fyfe were thrilled to participate in the TechFest Innovation Masterclass event in collaboration with SMAS on Saturday morning.”
“This fantastic event provided a unique opportunity to showcase the importance of STEM and innovation in driving Scottish manufacturing forward, while students engaged in their own hands-on production line experience”.
“The energy, enthusiasm, and talent in the room were both impressive and truly inspiring.”
STEM into Innovation was designed to equip students with in-demand entrepreneurial skills for employers and higher education institutions, enhancing their academic and career prospects in STEM fields.
This CREST-accredited programme: Pioneers of Progress runs throughout the academic year, alongside all other STEM into Innovation events and will continue to be available in the next school year, offering students ongoing opportunities to engage with STEM.
Following the success STEM into Innovation, next academic year, TechFest will host a cross-curricular design project for secondary school pupils to build on their previous programme experiences.
