New and interesting careers showcased at the STEM Open Evening

The STEM Open Evening will feature an exciting showcase of hands-on activities for school pupils to learn about careers in STEM. It’s free to attend and pupils will get involved in blood-smear analysis techniques, creating stamp rockets, and even extracting DNA from strawberries.

The event takes place on Wednesday 11 March from 7pm to 8.30pm in the Robert Rendall Building within the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus in Stromness. The campus is designed to grow existing research and innovation in the area and expand on Orkney’s world-leading marine renewables, energy and low-carbon sector.

Part of the team organising the event on behalf of Robert Gordon University (RGU) is Lecturer Rebecca Wright, who was awarded the title of Champion of Biomedical Science in 2019 for her work in the community to widen access to STEM subjects.

Rebecca says: “There are exciting technological advances happening all the time – particularly in the field of AI and machine learning, which offer multiple potential opportunities to think creatively about the way we work and live. This is an exciting time to start a career in STEM.

“If someone in your family is thinking about studying for a career in these subjects, by the time they graduate, new, interesting and challenging roles could be available to them. Bring them along to the STEM Open Evening and show them what some of those possibilities could look like.”

Among the organisations set to share exciting opportunities with pupils at the event are the European Marine Energy Centre, Xodus and Roving Eye Enterprises, and NOV Completion & Production Solutions.

RGU’s Academic Strategic Lead for Biological Science, Dr Marie Goua, says: “Engaging with pupils at an early age is absolutely vital for science to progress to higher levels among the next generation. RGU has a strategic commitment to widening access to higher education across the board and we are putting STEM subjects at the forefront of these efforts.

“By working with schools and continuing to develop innovative and leading programmes, I am confident that we can ensure Scotland’s scientific future is a bright one.”

The STEM Open Evening is funded by donations from Science Aberdeen, and the Royal Society of Biology. As part of the open evening, a tour of the Robert Rendall building will be offered to highlight key research being undertaken in the area.

British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths between Friday 6 to Sunday 15 March.