MEMBER NEWS: STEM challenge sponsorship inspires next generation of engineers

March 14, 2023
MEMBER NEWS: STEM challenge sponsorship inspires next generation of engineers

J+S Subsea is playing its part in promoting a career in engineering to the next generation.

They have just been announced as a sponsor of Global Underwater Hub’s 2023 STEM Challenge.

The challenge aims to engage pupils with an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects through an exciting, hands-on project and inspire them to consider a career in the underwater industry.

Supported by The Smallpeice Trust, teams of school pupils aged 13 and 14 compete against peers from local schools across the UK in six regional heats to earn a place in the national final.

Pupils are tasked with designing and building an ROV using Lego Mindstorms – a hardware-software platform that enables the development of programmable robots based on Lego building blocks.

This year, the regional competitions are being held in Bristol, Cambridge, Manchester, Port of Blyth, Glasgow and Inverness. The grand final is held at the Global Underwater Hub in Westhill on 14 June.

Business development director Lucinda Craig said: “With more than three quarters of previous students saying they would now consider a career in engineering, it was a simple decision for J+S Subsea to support the challenge.

“A career in subsea engineering is incredibly rewarding so it’s very important to us to play a part in spreading this message to the next generation of the workforce.”

Neil Gordon, chief executive of Global Underwater Hub, said: “Engaging with and inspiring young people about the important role that STEM subjects play in everyday life and their future careers is crucial.  The STEM Challenge competition allows us to do this throughout the UK, while also highlighting to this young audience the career opportunities presented by the different industries working across the underwater sector.  The support of J+S Subsea in delivering this year’s STEM Challenge is greatly appreciated.”

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AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy

Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall

Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise