MAK STEM Fest

Could your team or organisation help inspire the next generation of STEM employees?

As the energy agency for Argyll and Bute, ALIenergy works across multiple project areas to promote the sustainable use of energy. Our education team delivers Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities to young people and communities in Mid Argyll and Kintyre (MAK for short) through funding support from ScottishPower Renewables (SPR).  

As part of the education programme we have developed an exciting careers event for young high school students - MAK STEM Fest. The event is run in consultation with Skills Development Scotland, Developing the Young Workforce, SPR and Argyll and Bute Council.  

What? 

MAK STEM Fest is a 1-day careers event with companies whose operations need employees with STEM skills, qualifications and training. The day is designed around a mini-conference approach, giving young delegates the chance to meet employers and find out first-hand about different learning and career paths that could lead them to jobs in STEM. Through this engagement, local companies can reach out to young people and help them think about future skill requirements in the STEM subject areas. 

How?

Using a Marketplace format of stands, organisations can showcase what they do and how this links to STEM.  The young people are able to visit the stands throughout the day, giving them chance to find out about each organisation, the nature of the business and the role played by staff with a background in STEM subjects. Information on the stand can be provided in any way to engage with students about the sector, tap into their interests and help them understand how they could be part of this in the future. The more hands on and interactive the stand is the better, so feel free to think big in terms of resources.

The Marketplace runs alongside STEM workshops during the morning and then again in the afternoon. The workshops are a chance for participants to see, experience and learn more about how workforce skills relate to the application of principles, knowledge, and skills that pursuing STEM subjects in education and training can develop. As with the Marketplace, the aim of the workshops are for groups to spend time having fun and engaging actively with real-life resources and other activities devised for the fest day.

So, if you want to inspire and attract the next generation of STEM workers, keep an eye on our SM channels for our next MAK STEM Fest.  in the meantime, please feel free to use the contact details below to get in touch with any questions. We'd love to be able to count on your support and participation in the future.  

For more information please contact Suzy Jevons on suzy@alienergy.org.uk or call 07928 508511.

ALIenergy’s Education and Skills Development Programme is funded by ScottishPower Renewables’ Beinn an Tuirc 2 Windfarm Community Benefit Fund