Million Plus

UHI STEM engagement was established as a response to issues around access to resources, particularly amongst rural and remote schools. Supported through the SSE Highland Development Fund, the project’s objectives and delivered activities aligned with the fund’s key theme of creating opportunities for education and employment through activities to develop skills and improve an individual’s chance of entering the workplace.

The UHI STEM team has achieved a strong level of engagement, with around:

• 75% of Highland schools participating;
• 600 teachers engaged;
• an estimated 16,000 pupils reached by project activity.

Councillor John Finlayson, Chair of The Highland Council’s Education Committee said: “The STEM outreach project was a huge success in Highland. The in-depth engagement with schools was well received by teachers and pupils alike and I believe it has helped to build STEM capacity and confidence amongst students and teachers across all areas of Highland.”

Lord Jack McConnell, Chair of the SSE Renewables’ Highland Sustainable Development Fund panel, praised the university’s approach: “It is fantastic to support a project aligned with the fund’s key theme of creating opportunities for education and employment through developing skills… we are delighted that the evaluation has shown what a significant impact the work has had in the region.”