Inspiring the younger generation of STEM professionals at Kingussie High School

Last week, S3 pupils at Kingussie High School worked closely with STEM Ambassadors from Academy9 to deliver a half day of interactive activities linked to the A9 Dualling Programme. Primary 5 pupils from the feeder primary schools got to visit their future secondary school. The whole event was designed to encourage and inspire the younger pupils into science, technology, engineering and maths related subjects and careers.

S3 pupils all volunteered to be Gateway event mentors, representing their school and had a session with the Academy 9 team the previous day to prepare them for delivering the activities and encouraging them to be role models for the primary pupils.

Rachael Cassidy from Jacobs Engineering, one of the mentor companies said,

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your warm hospitality towards me and the whole Academy9 team this week. The S3 pupils more than lived up to their reputation as helpful, responsible leaders and we were delighted with the excellent example they showed to the younger children and staff from the primary schools, they were a credit to Kingussie High School.”

Our DYW School Co-ordinator at Kingussie High School, Debbie Khadi, who helped to organise the event and has built a strong relationship with Academy9 was delighted with the day, she added,

“This was a win, win event with the younger pupils having a fun day of interactive activities all related to real workplace scenarios and the older S3 pupils working closely with Academy9 acting as role models and helping to deliver the sessions. I am extremely grateful to the team at Academy9, an educational initiative from Transport Scotland, linked specifically to the A9 Dualling programme, who volunteer their time to come into schools and inspire young people into STEM related subjects and showcase future career opportunities.”