Elgin High pupils branching out with STEM
Pupils from Elgin High School visited RAF Lossiemouth recently as part of an engineering challenge.
The group are part of a nationwide Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) initiative to encourage young people into engineering careers.
RAF Lossiemouth is sponsoring the local team in the ‘Go4Set’ challenge run by the Engineering Development Trust.The 10-week project for 12-14 year olds enables local companies to assist a school team with an engineering challenge and provide a mentor.
Sergeant Stuart Rolfe, who is part of the squadron that maintains RAF Lossie’s IT & communications requirements, has been the young team’s mentor and arranged the visit as one of the activities associated with the project.
Whilst on the base 13 youngsters were shown the variety of manufacturing and engineering processes and facilities of the General Engineering Flight.This was followed with a visit to 1 (Fighter) Squadron to get an understanding of the engineering requirements of the Typhoon FGR4.
RAF Lossiemouth supports the country-wide STEM initiative as the last remaining RAF station in Scotland.Their STEM ambassadors utilise the technology available on a Typhoon main operating base to encourage children to consider STEM-based careers both in wider society as well as the Royal Air Force.
The Station’s STEM programme is led by Squadron Leader Owen Hannan, Officer Commanding of the Mechanical Engineering Squadron.He said: “RAF Lossiemouth is part of a network of STEM ambassadors and teachers across the region.
“We work closely with Moray Council and local schools to encourage children to explore the opportunities that STEM subjects can provide.
“Our ability to provide Typhoons to protect the UK skies is founded on our skills as engineers and technicians, so bringing the team from Elgin High to RAF Lossiemouth will let them see an exciting engineering environment and hopefully inspire them in their Go4Set challenge.”
Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 92,500 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.
Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.
Headquartered in Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.