School pupils from across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire were given a valuable insight into the role that chemistry plays in powering the energy transition at a series of events held at the University of Aberdeen in celebration of Chemistry Week 2023.
Funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the ‘Energy, Chemistry, and the Sustainable Future’ events took place at the University’s Science Teaching Building throughout last week.
It saw S3 pupils from nine local secondary schools take part in a series of hands-on workshops and experiments that demonstrated how chemistry is applied to key areas of the energy transition.
The sessions were organised by PhD students Jani Shibuya and Dylan Tawse and Professor Angel Cuesta from the University’s Department of Chemistry, and included exercises where pupils learned about the chemistry of fuel cells and assembled their own hydrogen-powered electric car.
They were also given the opportunity to build their own electrolyser to help demonstrate how green hydrogen is produced, and take part in a writing competition on the topic of the energy transition with cash prizes to spend on online educational resources.
In total, nine schools from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire took part in the sessions, with 290 students and 30 staff visiting over the course of the week. As well as funding from RSC, additional support for the events came from Energy Transition Zone Ltd (ETZ Ltd) and Norco Energy Group.
Professor John Underhill, Director of the University’s Centre for Energy Transition, was among those who spoke to pupils at the sessions.
He said: “The University was delighted to host events in celebration of Chemistry Week 2023, and to welcome so many secondary school pupils from across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to the labs at our Science Teaching Building for a week of fun and learning.
“We were pleased to see so many pupils engage enthusiastically with the many activities on offer designed to highlight the important role of energy in the context of the energy transition, and to speak to them directly about the role they could play in our region’s contribution to national net zero ambitions.
“As a University we are keen to help encourage as many children as possible to engage in STEM-related subjects including chemistry, and the sessions highlighted the vital role that chemistry in particular and STEM in general will play in accelerating and delivering the energy transition.
“My sincere thanks go to all of the pupils who engaged so positively in last week’s activities, and to all those who worked so hard to organise the event over many weeks. I am also grateful for the support we have received from the RSC, and to the contribution of our industry partners in helping make these events such a success.”
Fraserburgh Academy was among the participating schools whose pupils enjoyed a day at the Science Teaching Hub.
Teacher Fraser Burnett, who accompanied the pupils, said: “The event allowed pupils to relate the science they have been learning in the classroom to real world applications in the renewable sector.
“It has really opened the minds of our learners as to where STEM subjects can take them in regards to their future job prospects especially within our region.”
S3 pupil Callum Milne added: “I really enjoyed working in the lab and getting to make hydrogen with the wind turbine. I also liked getting to see the hydrogen powered car and comparing it to the small cars we used inside. It has made me think about working in the renewables industry in the future.”
Lauren Braidwood, Skills Project Manager at ETZ Ltd said: “ETZ Ltd are thrilled to support the University’s Chemistry Week activities and see so many secondary school pupils from across the North East engaging in STEM and energy subjects.
“The region is playing a pivotal role in energy transition, and there are huge opportunities for young people to have rewarding, sustainable careers in low-carbon sectors such as offshore wind, carbon capture and hydrogen. Inspiring school pupils into energy jobs, through events such as this, is key to achieving a just transition and maximising opportunities both for our young people and the region.”