Sustainable Solutions, Roads of the Future Challenge Finale

Sustainable Solutions, Roads of the Future Challenge Finale

“Think Innovatively, Think Sustainability” Overview of Roads of the Future Competition Transport Scotland’s Academy9 challenges pupils to design their own sustainable road in the line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their designs are judged by sustainability experts currently working on the A9 Dualling programme. The challenge is teacher- led and supported by a sustainability mentor assigned to each school. Resources are provided, including a step-by-step lesson plan

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Switch on your ‘Risk Radar’ for Summer!

Switch on your ‘Risk Radar’ for Summer!

Statistically, children are most likely to trespass on construction sites and get injured (or worse) over the summer holidays and with live construction sites on many doorsteps and holidays looming, we’ve been out spreading the word about the dangers of construction sites. Academy9 delivered three Risk Radar sessions for P5-6 pupils at Newtonmore Primary School, Breadalbane Academy and Pitlochry Primary School in June. The event is designed to highlight awareness

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What does a scientist look like? – Celebrating women in STEM during British Science Week: Breaking the Bias

What does a scientist look like? – Celebrating women in STEM during British Science Week: Breaking the Bias

As the British Science Week draws to a close, we hope we were able to break the perhaps unconscious bias of what a scientist looks like. Liz, Amy and Fiona are just three examples of what a STEM career could look like. There is so much variety in STEM disciplines and pathways into the field. We could never list them all! If you’re interested in learning more about STEM careers,

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What does a scientist look like? – Celebrating women in STEM during British Science Week: Meet Amy

What does a scientist look like? – Celebrating women in STEM during British Science Week: Meet Amy

Meet Amy, an Ecologist Ecologists help to protect and restore the natural environment. They provide important information on how human activity affects individual species and ecosystems. They also study the relationships between animals, plants and the environment. Core qualities of an ecologist are good analytical and communication skills and a passion for preserving the environment. Amy’s day-to-day activities consist of fieldwork and recording information on plants, animals, environmental conditions and

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Academy9 Roadshow; Bringing Careers to Life.

Academy9 Roadshow; Bringing Careers to Life.

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

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What does a scientist look like? – Celebrating women in STEM during British Science Week: Meet Fiona

What does a scientist look like? – Celebrating women in STEM during British Science Week: Meet Fiona

Meet Fiona, a Flood Risk Consultant Flood Risk Consultants are specialists who provide guidance on flood risks and how to manage them, ensuring the long-term safety and resilience of projects. They identify possible flood risk associated with various projects and develop plans for risk reduction. A Flood Risk Consultant will work with a range of people, such as property owners, architects, local authorities and developers. Useful skills as a Flood

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What does a scientist look like? – Celebrating women in STEM during British Science Week: Meet Liz

What does a scientist look like? – Celebrating women in STEM during British Science Week: Meet Liz

Meet Liz, a Roads Engineer. Roads Engineers are responsible for ensuring that the thousands of miles of road across the UK are in good condition. As a Roads Engineer, Liz is involved in designing and building roads, highways and bridges. Liz enjoyed both Maths and Science subjects in school but didn’t have a clear path for her career. After encouragement from her science teacher, Liz signed up for a Women

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What does a scientist look like? – Celebrating women in STEM during British Science Week

What does a scientist look like? – Celebrating women in STEM during British Science Week

When you think about what a scientist looks like, who do you imagine? Are you picturing a man with a lab coat and goggles? If that’s what you pictured – you aren’t alone. As part of British Science Week (8-17 March), we want to challenge stereotypes by introducing you to three women who work in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, only 31%

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Highland Schools Come Together to Tackle Academy9’s Biggest Design and Build Challenge

The Academy9 team recently hosted another one of our flagship Apprenticeship Academy events, which saw nearly 40 S2 pupils from both Grantown Grammar and Kingussie High schools come together from three days of STEM learning and team building, which culminated in a mega, bridge building challenge. Hosted at Grantown Grammar School this year, here’s what we got up to: Day One Day one consisted of a quiz on the local

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Academy9’s Early Birds, inspiring the next David Attenborough?  

Academy9’s Early Birds, inspiring the next David Attenborough?  

As part of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, which takes place at the end of January each year, the Academy9 team headed to primary schools in Newtonmore, Kingussie, Pitlochry and Aberfeldy to work with P3s on the topic of the great wildlife on their doorsteps.  In the Early Birds session, pupils learned about the range of birds in the Highlands through three interactive tasks. Ecologists, Joanna & Amy introduced the

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