Inspiring students in Scotland
Students from St Augustine's Roman Catholic High School, Edinburgh, were the winners for Young Science, Engineering and Technology Ambassadors Picture: © Aileen Lothian
175 minutes for chemistry
Professor Aileen Lothian is the director of Young Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Ambassadors, a programme designed to encourage young people across Scotland to consider careers in science, engineering and technology. Aileen tells us why she decided to set up the programme and how those involved have benefitted.
The programme links teams of pupils aged between 12 and 14 years across Scotland with ambassadors from SET companies. Under the guidance of these ambassadors, the students have the opportunity to work as part of a team, using their skills and talents to solve a real life problem.
The aims of the educational programmes are to encourage work related learning within an industrial atmosphere.
Young people benefit from personal development, enhancing their education and encouraging them to develop their creativity and innovation skills. The ambassadors are able to inspire the future generation and engage with communities and other industries on a local and national level. The students also gain valuable experience of
putting together presentations and writing reports, and the programme helps them to build links with industry for the future.
Students on the programme visited an Edinburgh Napier University lab Picture: © Aileen Lothian
Currently the Young SET Ambassadors are engaged with growing the educational hub and producing marketing materials. The latest addition to the educational display is book number five: Engaging Programmes in Energy and Renewables for Universities, Schools and Businesses. Four previous books have also been published, which contain programmes to support the engagement of young people with industry and university projects. All of the previous programmes have been very successful and we are currently working on plans to roll out the new programmes very soon.
The programme was hard work, but well worth it. I was immensely proud of my team and it was a great experience for them.
Graham McDonald, teacher at Gracemount High School, Edinburgh
Further information
You can find more information about the Young SET Ambassadors programme on their .