ROBERT Gordon’s College has officially launched a new corporate partner programme (ScientistsPlus) to form alliances with industrial partners and support the current development of one of the UK’s largest school teaching facilities for science and technology that is being built at the school.
ScientistsPlus, recognised as the first of its type in the UK, aims to provide pupils with access to practical work and experiential learning, in the new state-of-the-art laboratories and workshops and at external supporting company locations.
The corporate partner programme is open to thought-leading organisations interested in providing opportunities for young people to gain insights in to industrial practices.
Each partnership will be set up for an initial two-year period and will match pupil experiences with the goals of each company involved.
Hugh Ouston, head of College, said: “The college was founded to bring economic benefit to the North-east of Scotland. The Science and Technology Centre is our latest commitment to the region and our vision with ScientistsPlus is to offer our pupils access to world class industrial experiences through partnering with outstanding organisations.
“Our new centre will add a fresh dimension by bringing corporate expertise to our pupils through a programme of workshops, tutorials, internship opportunities, work experience, mentoring and research projects that will provide pupils with first-hand experience working with industry.”
Nearly half of Robert Gordon’s College pupils go on to study engineering, medicine, science or technology (42 per cent) and 75 per cent study one or more sciences at Higher level. This level of education in a wide variety of disciplines shapes students into well-rounded individuals.
The new programme is being launched in partnership with the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), transport company ARR Craib and oil and gas consultancy Gaffney, Cline & Associates.
On ARR Craib’s involvement with ScientistsPlus, managing director, Eddie Anderson, said: “The new Science and Technology Centre at Robert Gordon’s College will enhance Aberdeen’s reputation as a centre of excellence for scientific advancement.
“It’s a bold and inspirational project that will benefit not just the school, but the North-east and wider economy.
“In fuelling the imagination and enthusiasm of school pupils today, we can help them to become the inventors, scientists and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”
Speaking at the launch event this week, Gaffney, Cline & Associates president, John Harris, said: “ScientistsPlus is a new way for industry to partner with education and develop the interest, required skills and leadership attributes in its future workforce.
“It is our responsibility to drive, motivate and inspire the current generation of pupils by demonstrating what our companies have to offer now and in the decades to come to ensure we have the right talent at both at a domestic and international level.”
Robert Gordon’s College currently hosts a number of community-based events and the centre aims to extend this.
Examples include the annual Science in the Quad series, which attracts pupils and teachers from across the city and shire; the yearly science fair; and scholarships for S6 pupils with particular specialist academic, musical or sporting talent.
The school makes its academic facilities available to pupils applying to high tariff university courses from maintained school, joining them with its students in the college’s programme for preparation.
Robert Gordon’s College is also a national leader for bursaries; and every year almost 20 per cent of Senior School pupils from across the North-east benefit from full or part-funded bursaries.
Hugh Ouston concluded: “We believe ScientistsPlus will give our pupils insights in to careers in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, critical to the future demands from the energy sector, medical world and advances in digital technology.
“We are highly committed to nurturing the talent within Gordon’s to the benefit of the wider community.”
ENDS
Media Contact:
Holly McLennan, Fifth Ring Integrated Corporate Communication, 01224 628 069, holly.mclennan@fifthring.com
Notes for editors:
Robert Gordon’s College is an independent school in the heart of Aberdeen educating pupils from pre-school nursery through to S6.
Science is taught throughout every year group from P1.Drama is taught throughout every year group from P1.
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Contact: Shelley Lee
Email: pr@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
