March 2016 ten issue BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN Science 2 issue ten BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN elcome to the tenth issue of the Business Enterprise Bulletin, which Enterprising highlights recent enterprising events and successes across the authority. WThis includes the launch of Interaction 3, a STARS challenge run by leading architectural practice Keppie Design and the launch of Enterprising Stars, an innovative enterprise initiative designed for pupils with additional support needs. This edition has a particular focus on STEM – Science, Technology, Enterprise and Maths, and all the wonderful events taking place in our schools, in partnership with local companies and Ayrshire College which are helping to inspire our young people. Contents Enterprising Stars 2 The Enterprising Stars challenge, which launched recently, has Girls Get into STEM 3 been specially created for pupils with additional support needs (ASN), and is one of the first initiatives of its kind in Scotland. Out of This World 4 The Council is committed to providing pupils with the same experiences as their mainstream counterparts. Park School competed in last year’s Sir Tom Hunter challenge creating an Houstoun Calling 4 innovative ID badge with a pen holder incorporated into the design. The team’s excellent pitch to the panel of ‘dragons’ encouraged Interaction 2 5 organisers to develop an initiative just for special schools and supported learning centres. KESS Sience Project 5 Schools and local supported learning centres attended the launch to sign up for the initiative and they have from now until Friday 22 April to come up with a winning product. Interaction 3 6 The initiative is being supported by Developing the Young Workforce Ayrshire and local businesses including, Munro Architects, Kilmarnock Grange Maths on Tour 7 Removals, QTS, the Galleon Centre and the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce who were all on hand to help. Loudoun Leads the Way 8 The businesses will provide expert advice and guidance throughout the initiative and will help with judging on the day. Not All Superheroes Have Capes 8 Councillor Stephanie Primrose, Cabinet Member for Skills and Learning said: “As one of the first in Scotland, this new enterprise initiative has been organised for our pupils with additional support needs. Our young Me2U 9 people have the same skills as mainstream pupils and these skills can be developed through enterprise events. We want this experience to be Annanhill STEMS 10 meaningful and with the support of local businesses we can help break down barriers and address inequalities. Water, Water Everywhere 12 “I can’t wait to see what fantastic ideas the teams come up with. I am sure that they will be very impressive.” Judging will take place on Friday 22 April with prizes for the best product Success is on the Horizon 13 or service, best trade stand, best presentation, best company name and best logo. Schools in Brief 14 BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN issue ten 3 Girls get into STEM at Ayrshire College Over fifty pupils from East Ayrshire schools participated in an event at Ayrshire College which provided an insight into the opportunities available for young women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). The College’s ‘Developing the Young Workforce’ team worked in partnership with the Council to encourage more girls and women to consider a career in traditionally male-dominated sectors. The S2 pupils from Auchinleck, Grange and Stewarton Academies took part in activities across the Engineering and Science, Automotive Vehicles and Computing departments at the Kilmarnock campus. The pupils took part in interactive workshops and chatted with the lecturers about careers in STEM industries. A number of the pupils said after the event that the workshops had been a real eye-opener, and they were now going to think seriously about a career in STEM. Jenny Thomas, from Stewarton Academy said: “I know I want to do something technical. I’m not sure what yet, but this event has been great, I’ve enjoyed trying out the different areas available.” Abbie Fleming, from Grange Academy said: “I loved seeing around the garage area at the College. My dad’s a mechanic and I’ll be following in his footsteps.” Martyn Hendry, STEM co-ordinator for the Council, said: “What we’re trying to do is raise the whole profile within the STEM subjects for young people. This event is aimed specifically at girls that are going to be leaving school in the next few years and highlighting the exciting career opportunities that are available in the STEM industry. “We are hoping to inspire young people to think about choosing science and maths subjects at school and start preparing for an exciting and rewarding career in the STEM sector.” Marla Baird, Equality and Inclusion Manager at Ayrshire College, said: “The event is really important because we know females are underrepresented in the STEM areas. It helps to make them think more widely about their career choices.” 4 issue ten BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN Houston Calling… Ayrshire to host out of this world opportunity The Ayrshire College astronaut in the history of human Foundation has announced that spaceflight and the first Briton to Dylan Speir from Loudoun Academy returned at the end of for the first time ever, Ayrshire perform a spacewalk. last year from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, school pupils and college This exceptional learning experience Texas, having had an ‘extraordinary’ experience. students will have the chance is like no other, with students to work alongside NASA learning all about space in the Dylan, 16, was selected for the trip from hundreds of young people leaders and Astronaut Michael company of NASA leaders. ‘Mission from across Scotland through the Scottish Space School programme. Foale CBE, on the Mission Discovery’ is proven to enhance The star science student, now in sixth year, enjoyed a seven-day Discovery programme. students’ scientific and technological ‘learning journey’ to the Space Center in Houston. skillset, while developing innovation Mission Discovery is a week-long Dylan said: “It was far from just an ordinary trip, it was amazing, fantastic, and team work. educational programme developed spectacular, excellent and tremendous. To pick a highlight of the trip is by the International Space School Primary school pupils will also benefit impossible as I can honestly say I fully enjoyed every single second of it. Educational Trust (ISSET) and is from Mission Discovery coming running for its third consecutive to Ayrshire as they will take part “As, hopefully, a future pilot I really enjoyed the “wings over Houston” year in Scotland. in a unique competition to design air show and found speaking to the pilots particularly inspirational. Around 200 selected secondary a ‘Mission Patch’ for the Mission The behind the scenes tour of NASA was brilliant and its history was school pupils and college students Discovery Ayrshire 2016 programme. fascinating. will start the opportunity of a Every primary school in Ayrshire “Although the activities were out of this world, it was the people that lifetime on 13 June 2016. will submit a design to be judged made the trip one that I’ll always treasure. Everyone we met in Texas, Prestwick Airport, bidding to internally by each of the three from astronauts to engineers to doctors couldn’t have made us feel become the UK’s first Spaceport, local authority areas in Ayrshire. more welcome or have been anymore inspirational. I couldn’t have East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire will host the space event in their done any of this without the space school and I’ll be forever grateful to Aviator Suite. and South Ayrshire will put those three winning designs forward to those who gave me this chance of a lifetime.” The lucky participants will work in a neutral judging panel including Councillor Stephanie Primrose, Cabinet Member for Skills and Learning teams, aided by mentors, to develop ISSET and NASA staff who will said: “A total of ten Scottish pupils were given the rare opportunity to their own space experiments – with select the overall winner. the winners having their experiment meet with many of the astronauts, engineers and scientists working on built, launched to the International There is a huge incentive for the the space programme at NASA. Space Station and carried out by an pupils to win the first stage of the “They were selected from a shortlist of over 100 from all over Scotland Astronaut in space. competition, as each of the three who attended the Scottish Space School at Strathclyde University in schools to make the final shortlist All three council areas in Ayrshire June, following a rigorous selection process. will receive a visit from Astronaut will each put forward 50 pupils for Micheal Foale! “The week-long residential school featured a mix of space lectures, labs this amazing week-long adventure, and workshops, delivered by leading academics and supported by NASA while Ayrshire College will select A programme of public events will astronauts and engineers. 50 students from its STEM also run throughout the Mission (Science, Technology, Engineering Discovery Space Week. The “I am delighted that Dylan enjoyed this experience. It was a real ‘trip of and Mathematics) courses. Ayrshire College Foundation has a lifetime’ and he thoroughly deserves to be recognised for all his hard launched a new website, http:// A major perk for the participants work and commitment to school life at Loudoun Academy.” www.ayrshirecollegefoundation.org. will be the chance to work with Dylan will be studying aeronautical engineering at Strathclyde University uk/, where more information on Michael Foale CBE. Michael is the when he finishes his sixth year. most experienced British-born the event will be available. BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN issue ten 5 Interaction 2 KESS Science Prize takes a front seat for Former Stewarton Academy pupil, Calum Sharp has scooped not one but two top prizes in recognition of his achievements in the field of physics.