Maths Into the Energy Mix
Maths into the Energy Mix was piloted in March 2023, this event was sponsored by Emerson. The event was met with enthusiasm by students and teachers alike, and with the help of the industry volunteers from Emerson the students spent the day working through Mathematical challenges associated with different energy sources; all focussed around the context of a fictional village. The student teams spent the day calculating the energy required, and working on solutions for how the village was able to meet the demand; using both fossil fuels and renewable energy sources.
The day was also designed with Meta skills in mind; these are identified by Skills Development Scotland as being essential skills in creating adaptive learners and increased chances of success in the context of the future of a young person. These skills are inherently part of STEM activities, and throughout educational settings there is a renewed focus on supporting young people to identify these qualities within themselves.
The main skills focussed on with this event were teamwork, problem solving, creativity and communication. Additional skills associated with social intelligence, innovation and self-management are developed when young people work through project-based learning opportunities such as this.
This programme was offered to all Secondary schools in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire in the winter term of 2024. During February and March 2024 we have been delighted to welcome pupils from 10 schools to take part in three Maths into the Energy Mix events thanks to support and sponsorship from SPE Aberdeen Section, and Emerson.
Pupil Comments:
"Really opened my eyes.. I like things like proposals, planning and analysis. An addition of STEM made it even more interesting." - BoD Pupil
"I have learned loads about different careers and outcomes in the sector of energy by talking with the volunteers and staff. I personally want to persue Geology." - Fraserburgh Pupil
If anyone would like to discuss future sponsorship of this event please contact Dr Yashka Smith; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This series is supported by Bluewater Private Equity and is part of our Blueprint Challenge: A Future High Street project.
For this series, our podcast host Arushi Rastogi talks with a Net Zero Consultant Dr Gillian White, an Urban Designer Dr Quazi Zaman, a consultant psychiatrist Dr Olga Runcie and transport and sustainability researcher Dr Kate Pangbourne about how bringing energy, architecture, technology and nature together we can create a high street of the future that employs innovative technologies and mechanisms in the drive towards net-zero.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
Register your interest for Blueprint Challenge: A Future Highstreet 2024 today.
Congratulations to all the students who took part in Blueprint Challenge: A Future Highstreet 2023!
About TechFest’s Blueprint Challenge: A Future High Street Competition
The city High street plays a unique and fundamental role in today's society. More than just a place to shop, the high street is also an area of cultural, social and economic importance. However, it is a sad fact that most high streets are poorly equipped to address the threats that urbanisation places on natural resources, ecosystems and the climate. If left unchecked, this places a very real threat on our overall wellbeing and the future of our planet. We must work together as champions of nature to create urban spaces that work for both people and the planet in order to ensure their long-term viability.
Imagine a high street where buying your favorite products leads to more nature, not less, where natural wealth is celebrated and economy thrives, where the air you breath is pure and fresh, and birdsong no longer competes with traffic.
For the Blueprint Challenge: A Future High Street project, TechFest, supported by Bluewater, challenged S3 - S6 students to design a high street and create a space that allows society to thrive whilst simultaneously celebrating the natural world.
This project spans a range of different disciplines (engineering, architecture, art and design, health and wellbeing, etc.), and as such we recommended that students create diverse teams showcasing different skill sets. By bringing energy, technology and nature together there is the opportunity to create a high street that employs innovative technologies and mechanisms in the drive towards net-zero, nature-positive urban areas.
2023 competition winners
1st place: Las Chicas team from Oldmachar Academy, Aberdeen
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2nd place: CBGKS team from Mearns Academy, Laurencekirk
The Creativity Award went to: Streets Revive Team from Morgan Academy, Dundee
Highly Commended nomination: OLSP LfS, Our Lady & St Patrick's High School, Dumbarton
Congratulations to all the winners!
For any queries related to this project, please contact Gabija Blazyte at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Aberdeen Science Centre and TechFest support and deliver STEM education across the North-East of Scotland and beyond. In 2023 we launched the first ever STEM Youth Board in Scotland. STEM Youth Board members have been successfully working with both organisations to ensure STEM activities, programmes and events have appropriate input from one of our more significant demographics making delivery more relevant and peer led.
Registration to join the STEM Youth Board for 2024- 2025 is now closed.
The STEM Youth Board
Participants on the STEM Youth Board
The Person Specification for participating in the STEM Youth Board
Lengh of service
A member may remain on the STEM Youth Board for a maximum of 2 years.
Potential stakeholders
Whilst the STEM Youth Board will be a shared project that is run and delivered by Aberdeen Science Centre and TechFest, there will be a number of potential stakeholders who could be invited by the Youth Board to support the initiative. The following is neither an exhaustive list nor will all be invited to participate:
If you have any questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Looking for other opportunities, don’t forget to check out ABZ works here.
Supported by
TechFest's STEM In The Park, sponsored by TAQA has been desgined to engage all ages in science activities that are done in parks by utilising teamwork, creativity and most of all having fun while learning.
This project is sponsoder by
If you are passionate about promoting STEM, enthusiastic about events or enjoy working with children, then TechFest has a variety of opportunities for you to get involved with!
How to register for volunteering;
To find out more about volunteering please contact Yashka Smith on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PVG Scheme
TechFest supports the PVG scheme for all volunteers either as a STEM ambassador or through TechFest for in person volunteering. Your PVG records will be kept on file for 7 years. TechFest’s basis for keeping this information on file will be legitimate interest. There is no cost to yourself for joining the scheme as a volunteer for TechFest. Once you have registered your interest in volunteering with TechFest we will contact you with further details to join the PVG scheme if appropriate.
If you would like any further details regarding volunteering please contact Yashka Smith This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In this TechFest Talks series, girls who are part of the Girls in Energy programme, interview professionals from the Energy industry.
During these interviews, young women have a chance to ask questions about the industry and build new skills and knowledge to help their future careers in the energy industry.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
The Mockcop 26 event was the last stop of The DGA Roadshow 2021 that travelled across the UK. It took place in October at the Aberdeen Science Centre's Shell Learning Zone. Pupils from Hazlehead Academy and Oldmachar Academy then got the opportunity in December 2021 to take on the role of world leaders and climate experts at a mock COP26 event.
Inspired by the Mockcop 26 event we continue to spread awareness about the energy transition and its role in climate change. Taking place in the Town and County Hall in Aberdeen, the event explains the aims and objectives of COP26 to the students, emphasising how the energy transition is an integral part of the discussions on climate change and how as the next generation, youngsters have a unique role to influence and persuade world leaders to make important changes.
Pupils from across Aberdeen got the opportunity in March 2022 to take on the role of world leaders and climate experts at a mock COP26 event.
Watch the interview with them below:
Student feedback:
''Really great but needs to happen more. Feel there is not enough of these events''
''I enjoyed thinking of ways to fix the climate''
''I enjoyed the group exercises being mixed into different groups with different people''
''Very well organised and engaging''
''I enjoyed working in groups and being able to share my opinion''
Check out our Event Listing page to see our upcoming events.
This project is kindly supported by:
