A group of creative pupils from Hermitage Academy received a top award for their skills in building an underwater vehicle.
Hermitage was one of 15 schools selected to take part in SUBS in Schools – a new initiative run by Engineering in Motion (EIM), and backed by the Royal Navy, based around the four STEM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering and Technology.
The Hermitage team was made up of Robbie Devenny, T-Jay Lambert, Finlay Martin, Jason Rae, and Iain Reaney, who were tasked with learning about complex engineering systems while designing and building a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Not only did this help the pupils explore various aspects of STEM, it enabled them to develop vital skills that could be beneficial to them in the future if they decided to progress a career in any of these subjects.
The skills shown by the Hermitage youngsters did not go unnoticed by the expert panel of engineering judges either, who declared them the winners of the Verbal Presentation. This earned them a specially commissioned coin by the Royal Navy, certificates and £500 STEM equipment gift vouchers.
¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥â€™s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: “An enormous well done to everyone involved from Hermitage Academy.
“This is a wonderful initiative that enables pupils to develop their STEM knowledge and progress a number of other skills such as communication, entrepreneurship, collaboration and teamwork. These skills are vital to young people in today’s society, with STEM related jobs accounting for 32% of all occupations in Scotland.
“Hermitage pupils worked hard to build their model and create a detailed portfolio and, despite the live finals having to be cancelled as a result of Covid-19, they made an outstanding, online presentation which wowed the judges. They have truly excelled themselves and I’m extremely proud of each and every one.â€