A collaborative, hands-on, and sustainability-focused STEM program that significantly influences and inspires the next generation, preparing them to tackle the challenges of the future with knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm.

The project aimed to impact the lives of young people, as they navigate how they can make a difference through their further education and careers.

Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc

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Addressed Challenges:

  • Tech & innovation
  • Carbon emissions
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Excessive consumption

Action Areas:

Energy

Initiative Purpose:

Mitigation & Adaptation

The Story

Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc Logo

We have worked in partnership with other local businesses to deliver a successful programme of STEM engagement for young learners in our area.

We understand the next generation will be critical in both mitigating and adapting to climate change, and most future careers will have to adapt to this as well. That is why we have designed a programme of activities that connects with young learners, to inspire and motivate them for their future, through STEM-based activities.

Engaging with over 5,000 learners over three years, we have focused on delivering hands-on activities that cover topics including biodiversity, renewable energy, sustainable travel, climate action, and waste. This has consisted of events, workshops, school visits, a large STEM Expo (delivered by the STEM Regional Partnership), and visits to MSIP. Partners include Dundee and Angus College, Dundee City Council, Angus Council, Robertsons Construction Tayside, MVV Baldovie, DYW, and many more.

Success & Outcomes

We track how many young learners attend each of our activities, and report on this annually. We also seek feedback after each activity delivered, to gather qualitative outcomes that can help us build on the programme for the future.

Advice for others looking to do something similar

Through our collaboration with local businesses and institutions, we have gained valuable insights into the importance and impact of STEM engagement for young learners. This partnership has highlighted several key lessons: 

  1. Collaboration is key – our programme is stronger by delivering it in partnership, so find others to work with and you will get better results.
  2. Using STEM as a way to prepare young learners for future careers, that will tackle climate change, works really well – STEM cuts across so much and is a great foundation to get them hooked in.
  3. The value of interactive and practical learning is huge – use hands on fun activities to enable stronger learning and engagement, that will inspire and motivate.
  4. Early engagement can have a long-term impact on climate awareness - we have learned that early and sustained engagement with young learners can significantly enhance their understanding and commitment to addressing climate change. By embedding topics related to environmental sustainability within our STEM activities, we are fostering a generation that is better equipped and more motivated to take meaningful action towards a sustainable future.
  5. Community and educational integration is key – integration of our program with local schools has been essential, to ensure our initiatives are well-received and effectively implemented.
  6. Continuous Improvement and Feedback - the ongoing feedback has been invaluable. It has allowed us to continuously refine and improve our program, ensuring that it remains relevant, engaging, and impactful.

Overall, our experience has reinforced the belief that a collaborative, hands-on, and sustainability-focused STEM program can significantly influence and inspire the next generation, preparing them to tackle the challenges of the future with knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm.