Aberdeen Science Centre, in partnership with SSEN Transmission, is expanding its successful Circuits and Electronics Workshop programme across Scotland, now working alongside Dundee Science Centre and the Science Skills Academy to bring hands-on science learning to even more young people.
Building on the collaboration established in 2024, which saw SSEN Transmission support workshop delivery in Aberdeen and sponsor the centre’s Energy Zone, the initiative now aims to inspire pupils far beyond the North-east.
Together, Aberdeen Science Centre, Dundee Science Centre, and the Science Skills Academy will deliver the Circuits and Electronics Workshop in schools across the country, helping to make science more accessible, engaging, and inspiring for hundreds of pupils.
Dundee Science Centre is an independent charity and lifelong resource for its community, which aims to help families learn together, support the formal schools curriculum and advance the science communication profession.
The Science Skills Academy is a multi-partnership project led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), funded though the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal. The Science Skills Academy engages young people across the Highlands and Islands with free learning experiences to inspire them with STEM and raise awareness of STEM careers.
Designed to teach school pupils how electricity works through basic engineering, electronics, and circuitry concepts, and part of the Aberdeen Science Centre’s STEM learning programme, delivery of the workshop will be led by Aberdeen Science Centre, Dundee Science Centre and as part of a week-long tour of the Western Isles run by the Science Skills Academy.
SSEN Transmission is supporting the project by funding delivery of the workshop to 900 school pupils across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Dundee, Angus, in addition to the Western Isles.
It will also fund transport to and from Aberdeen Science Centre for school visits for the workshops.
Aberdeen Science Centre will lead the expansion project and has delivered training to each of the partner organisations on how to facilitate the workshop, alongside providing the necessary equipment and resources, supported by SSEN Transmission.
Steph McCann, head of fundraising at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are honoured to continue our partnership with SSEN Transmission as we expand the scope and reach of our Circuits and Electronics Workshop project. By partnering with Dundee Science Centre and Science Skills Academy, we can bring our fun and hands-on workshop to new audiences across Scotland as we aim to inspire the scientists, inventors and innovators of the future.
“Corporate partnerships and sponsorships are essential to ensuring that we can continue to deliver engaging science activities and we are grateful to SSEN Transmission for its ongoing support.”
Nicky Gadsen, attraction and engagement lead at SSEN Transmission, said: “We are delighted to help Aberdeen Science Centre expand the Circuits and Electronics Workshop to other communities, underlining our shared ambition to support the next generation of energy industry professionals with skills development opportunities that will help them play an active role in its future.
“Our partnership with the Aberdeen Science Centre has gone from strength to strength since it launched last year through our sponsorship of the centre’s Energy Zone, and we’re proud to help deliver this new collaboration with Dundee Science Centre and the Science Skills Academy as we aim to make science more accessible to school pupils across our network area.
“As a company we plan to invest over £22bn to upgrade the transmission network in the north of Scotland in support of national clean energy and energy security targets, and as part of this activity we are committed to are supporting education and innovation that promotes skills and helps deliver long-term economic development.”
Jill Farrell, CEO, Dundee Science Centre, said: “We are excited to bring these activities to Dundee as part of this Scotland-wide initiative. These workshops will give children hands-on experience with technology, turning complex science into something tangible and fun. When pupils see a light turn on because they wired the circuit, learning becomes more exciting and memorable. By building curiosity and confidence in STEM, we encourage young people to question the world around them, develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate that pupils can create as well as consume technology.
“Longer-term, we hope these workshops will inspire pupils to continue studying STEM subjects and ultimately help Scotland build the future workforce that so many industries will need to thrive.”
Jennifer Banks, senior STEM engagement officer at Science Skills Academy, said: “We are very pleased to be part of the circuits and electronics project along with Aberdeen Science Centre, Dundee Science Centre and SSEN Transmission. It’s important to us that all students, regardless of where they live, have equal opportunities to explore STEM subjects. Through this project, we are helping students across the Highlands and Islands connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities, while also showcasing the exciting STEM careers being created by SSEN Transmission across Scotland.”
Alongside the workshop expansion, SSEN Transmission has extended its sponsorship of Aberdeen Science Centre’s Energy Zone for a second year. The Energy Zone offers a hands-on exploration of the many forms of energy that power our homes and vehicles and includes exhibits such as ‘Light up the Lighthouse’ which challenges visitors to use kinetic energy to power a light and the ‘Solar Piano’ that uses the power of light to play a song.
The funding will support Aberdeen Science Centre with the maintenance of exhibits in the Energy Zone, in addition to assisting with programme delivery and staffing costs for the centre’s various workshops, school visits and community events.
In addition to corporate sponsorship opportunities, the visitor attraction, which is open seven days a week, also offers exclusive venue and room hire for corporate, social, and private events.
To find out more about corporate support at Aberdeen Science Centre, visit https://aberdeensciencecentre.org/our-sponsors/