STEM stars shine in NESCol skills challenge

June 9, 2022

The winners have been crowned in North East Scotland College’s annual STEM skills competition for S2 pupils.

The popular event, sponsored by Shell UK, brings teams together from schools across the region to take part in eight STEM challenges in the final round.

New for 2022 were robotics activities which made use of technology funded by a donation by a local benefactor, which has equipped the College with a new Future Skills Zone at the Fraserburgh Campus.

The Aberdeenshire finals took place in Fraserburgh. Mintlaw duo Ruby Adam and Fynn Leslie claimed first place, with Peterhead pair Sophie Geddes and Bailey Moody clinching the runner-up spot.

In Aberdeen, where teams went head to head at the College’s Altens Campus, there was a win for Cults team Hannah Roberts and Cameron Welsh. Second spot went to Bucksburn’s Maisie Donaldson and Arran Middler.

More than 3,000 pupils took part in the initial stage of the competition, with 300 making the second round before two pupils from each school are selected for the final.

Duncan Abernethy, NESCol’s Director of Business Development, said: “The skills competition is a fantastic way for pupils to test their STEM knowledge in a lively format that brings the best out of the teams who take part.

“This year’s event demonstrated the depth of talent we have in the North East of Scotland and we’re grateful to all of the schools who embraced the competition as well as to Shell for their generous continued support.

“The S2 competition was introduced to encourage wider participation in STEM subjects, in response to the tremendous opportunities for young people to progress to rewarding careers across a wide range of sectors serving the North East and beyond.

“NESCol is committed to working with our industry partners to keep the pipeline of talented young people flowing through education, training and into the workforce. The skills competition shows the enthusiasm there is for STEM and that’s fantastic to see.”