Children and young people cross Islay, Jura and Colonsay will get the chance to learn all about offshore wind during the October school holidays.
Special STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education events have been organised by ScottishPower Renewables’ MachairWind project team and Fugro, the company carrying out metocean, wind resource and geophysical surveys for the proposed windfarm.
The events – aimed at children and young people aged five to 12 years – will take place on Islay on Wednesday 11th October 11, with the day divided into three 90 minute sessions.
The first (10.30am-12pm) takes place at the Mactaggart leisure centre in Bowmore and is specifically targeted to young people with additional support needs.
There will be two afternoon sessions (at 1pm and 3pm), which will be open to all children aged 5-12 years and will take place on the beach next to Mactaggart leisure centre, weather permitting.
The sessions will feature an interactive discussion and games around wind turbine technology, size and purpose, followed by the chance to build and decommission a small OffshoreWind4Kids kit.
For all three sessions, parents/carers of the children participating will be required to stay throughout.
Deborah Bryce, MachairWind community engagement manager, said: “We’re really excited to be bringing these sessions to Islay, in conjunction with Fugro, and hope as many young people as possible take the chance to come along and learn about how offshore wind works to create clean renewable electricity.
“These young people will be part of the green workforce of the future and – who knows – some of them may even end up working for MachairWind in the future.
“This is a great chance to show them what it’s all about – don’t miss out!”
Jonathan Ainley, global key account manager at Fugro added: “Supporting the communities we work in is very important to us at Fugro.
“We are very grateful to ScottishPower Renewables for partnering with us to bring this initiative to young people across Islay, Jura and Colonsay.
“You may actually see our vessel, Fugro Galaxy, working from the shore of the island at the moment, making this a great opportunity to engage with young people and hopefully spark an interest in STEM.”