Over the past few months, pupils from across Scotland have been working in teams to imagine and design a ‘Road of the Future, as part of the ‘Sustainable Solutions: Roads of the Future Competition’. This is an exciting national initiative run annually by Transport Scotland’s Academy9 educational programme and sponsored by Balfour Beatty, that aims to encourage the next generation of engineers, designers and innovators. This competition is open to
Last week we brought the careers of a geologist, ecologist and engineer to life when visiting 60 P6 pupils from Pitlochry Primary and Breadalbane Academy, to deliver Academy9’s Roadshow event. By learning from those directly involved in these roles on a live infrastructure project on their doorstep, pupils get a first-hand experience of some of the tasks these people undertake on their day to day jobs. Ecology During our Ecologists
Meet Rachel Rachel is a Transport Planner working to promote active and sustainable travel choices across the UK and Ireland. Rachel has supported local authorities, assisting a broad range of projects, including travel planning, transport strategy development, active travel, public transport feasibility, and behaviour change campaigns. Making School Streets Safer in Scotland Have you ever wished your journey to school was a bit quieter, safer, and more fun? That’s exactly
Guest blog written by Debbie Khadi, DYW School Coordinator – DYW ICHI In today’s rapidly evolving job market, young people need more than just academic knowledge to thrive—they need a strong set of transferable skills. These are essential skills that can be applied across different careers and industries, helping individuals adapt, grow, and succeed in an ever-changing job market. Academy9 understands the importance of equipping young people with these skills
As this week is National Walk to School week, the Academy9 team wanted to take the opportunity to highlight some of the benefits of Active Travel to inspire you to get active! Meet Rachel Rachel Schulberg is a Transport Planner working on the A9 Dualling project. As a Transport Planner, Rachel has supported local authorities, assisting a broad range of projects, including travel planning, active travel, public transport feasibility, and
We’ve been catching up with two of our professional colleagues working on Academy9 to ask them about their careers and how they entered the world of work. First, we have Archie, who has just started his career as a bridge engineer, and then we have Maxine who is an ecologist. Both work on large scale infrastructure projects but contribute in very different ways. As you will see both followed a
Transitioning from primary to secondary school is a significant milestone when growing up – it is a big change! With big changes comes uncertainty, and with uncertainty often comes worry. This year, Grantown Grammar School requested the help of Academy9 in creating an event that could provide a smoother transition for current Primary 7 pupils who will be joining the school as S1 pupils after the summer, and we were
Have you ever wondered what happens to trees when new roads are built? Trees are critical for our environment, and it’s crucial to protect them, even during big construction projects like the A9 Dualling programme. Let’s explore how we take care of trees during road construction in Scotland. Why Are Trees Important? Trees are very special because they have so many of nature’s superpowers! Trees at the Heart of Our
Imagine a world where buildings, bridges, and cities aren’t just eye catching, but also work in harmony with the Earth – that is the power of sustainability in infrastructure. Sustainable design means planning things in a way which meets our needs today without harming the planet, so future generations can enjoy clean air, water, and energy. But where do we get the ideas to make this happen? Surprisingly, we can
As educators, we are always on the lookout for engaging and practical resources that can enhance our students’ learning experiences. With winter already affecting our roads across Scotland, it’s the perfect time to introduce the Academy9 Winter Roads lesson series into your curriculum. This series not only incorporates a variety of Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes, but also promotes health and wellbeing during the colder months. All aimed at
Join the Academy9 Sustainable Solutions Challenge, kicking off on the 6th of January 2025! Are you ready to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers? Academy9 is thrilled to announce the launch of our annual Sustainable Solutions Challenge – a dynamic STEM competition. This exciting 10-week programme offers young minds the opportunity to dive into the world of sustainable engineering and make a real impact on their communities. What
