Newton Rooms – Norwegian-style learning centres aimed at encouraging more young people with STEM subjects – are being expanded in the Scottish Highlands.
Pupils and residents in Ross and Cromarty are being encouraged to attend an engagement session on 9th October, from 4-6pm, at Dingwall Academy, to find out more about the Dingwall Newton Room. Two centres have already opened in Thurso and Fort William.
A network of the centres in Norway works with schools and local employers to provide STEM education in the most rural parts of the country. A similar network is being created in the Highlands by the Science Skills Academy in a partnership led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and supported with £3 million from the Scottish Government.
Other organisations behind the initiative include Skills Development Scotland, the University of the Highlands and Islands, The Highland Council and NHS Highland. HIE has appointed FIRST Scandinavia, the company that developed and owns the Newton concept, to support the establishment of the Newton Room in Dingwall Town Hall in January.
The Dingwall Academy event is being organised by HIE, Highland Council and High Life Highland.
FIRST Scandinavia is a not-for-profit organisation encouraging children and young people’s interest in science, engineering and mathematics.
Emma Robertson, Science Skills Academy project manager, said: “We have been working with FIRST Scandinavia over the last two years and have been learning from their considerable experience in inspiring young people in rural communities about STEM subjects.”
Steve Walsh, chief executive of High Life Highland, said: “I am really pleased that young people in Dingwall and across Ross-shire will be able to benefit from this innovative learning experience at Dingwall Town Hall. High Life Highland works closely with HIE and I am delighted to see our partnership develop further to bring this new chapter in STEM education to the area and look forward to hearing about the differences this will make to young people across the region.”
