Midlothian Celebration of STEM 2024

Last week National Mining Museum was the venue of Young Engineers and Science Clubs Scotland’s (YESC) ‘Midlothian Celebration of STEM’. 126 young people and their teachers gathered at the Museum to exhibit their Climate Smarter projects and compete for competition prizes of trophies and money for school STEM resources.

The NMMS Education Manager took part as an industry setting a STEM Challenge. In the STEM Challenge, school teams go around a room competing in 10 minute ‘challenge’ activities set by different STEM industries including: RAiSE and Midlothian Council, Bright Green Hydrogen, Raytheon UK, Mocean Energy, SSEN Transmission, Heriot-Watt University and Go Fibre. During the challenges the teams of young people are judged on their problem-solving, achievement and teamwork. For the NMMS challenge, young people had to build the tallest (‘deepest’) mine shaft using only lolly sticks and pegs as their materials. This activity had the added challenges of young people building their models on the slightly slanted exhibition floor and if they were able to fit a miner figurine down their created mine shaft. It was amazing to see the critical thinking, determination, and problem-solving of the young people. The tallest mine shaft was made by Eymouth High School and measured at 52cm!

The team from Eyemouth High School achieved the tallest mine shaft of the day, measuring at 52cm!

A teacher at the event described: “We thoroughly enjoyed the venue and meeting pupils from other schools. Historical culture!  YESC has provided a framework for new skills.”

It was an inspiring day and we extend huge congratulations to the prize winners and schools for taking part.