Primary Teachers Receive Renewable Energy Resources for Schools

20th March 2011

Primary school teachers from across the Highlands and Islands will participate in specially devised workshops this month. Funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the teachers will receive valuable classroom resources to help them explain renewable energy to Primary Six and Seven pupils.

Around 100 teachers are expected to take part in one of a series of training sessions being delivered in Highland, Moray and Argyll and Bute this month to help raise awareness and understanding of renewable energy. This is one of many projects managed by HIE's STEM North of Scotland initiative to engage young people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and encourage them to consider STEM careers.

Laura Robertson, HIE's Development Manager for Young People and Enterprise said, "The Scottish Government has set a target for 80% of Scottish electricity consumption to come from renewables by 2020. This creates a huge potential for employment, with at least 28,000 jobs predicted to service the Scottish, UK and worldwide markets for offshore wind alone. It is therefore essential we engage with our future workforce at a young age to ensure they are equipped to make informed subject and career choices."

Over the past three years 330 teachers have participated in renewable energy training and more than 260 primary schools from across the Highlands and Islands have received the resource kits, worth more than £200, which contain hands-on models, games, factsheets and posters about all types of renewable energy.

Karen Starr, a primary teacher from Kilchuimen Primary School, commented, "The toolkit is an ideal introduction to renewable energy and provides valuable learning in a fun way. It's very easy to use and is a great fit with the new curriculum. The pupils really enjoy making their own renewable energy models and love the characters that depict the different types of energy."