The ScottishPower Foundation has today announced a new partnership with National Museums Scotland bringing a programme of exciting science and engineering activity to secondary school pupils across Scotland.

Inspired by the National Museums Scotland world class national collections, Get Energised with the ScottishPower Foundation will present students with an engaging new series of demonstrations and debates, exploring key areas of science and engineering such as renewable energies.

Senior pupils studying STEM-related subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) will be invited to take part in a problem-solving scientific challenge relating to the energy needs of the future. Pupils will work alongside experts from the fields of science and engineering to set the challenge, debate the process and discuss the results.

Trustee and Executive Officer of the ScottishPower Foundation, Ann Loughrey said,

“Get Energised is an outstanding initiative that the ScottishPower Foundation is delighted  to be a part of. The Foundation was recently established to support community programmes just like this that are inspiring young people across the country to get more out of education, arts, culture and science.

“We’re looking forward to working with National Museums Scotland and seeing how the pupils tackle the challenges ahead!”

Emma Webb, Learning Manager at National Museums Scotland said,

“This is a fantastic new learning programme of science and engineering events. By bringing young people together with industry specialists we hope to inspire them to pursue a future in the fields of science and technology.

“We are very grateful to the ScottishPower Foundation for supporting this initiative.”

Get Energised with the ScottishPower Foundation events will take place in the new Learning Centre at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh with satellite events at the National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride and the National Museum of Flight in East Lothian.

Using the science and technology galleries for inspiration, pupils will work in teams to devise solutions to challenges set by a panel of experts. Teams will be provided with materials and kit to realise their ideas and will be encouraged to think about the commercial applications of their ideas as well as developing STEM skills. 

Industry experts will speak at the events, inspiring pupils and debating their ideas. It is intended that this programme will further engage students with science and engineering and encourage them to consider this area for further study and future career options.

Online learning resources will be utilised, opening up access to the programme and widening the opportunity for schools across the length and breadth of Scotland to get actively involved.

The science and technology collections held by National Museums Scotland are amongst the most important in Europe and the wider world. In addition, as part of the Masterplan for the National Museum of Scotland, ten new galleries will be created, devoted to its internationally important collections of applied art & design and science & technology. It is therefore fitting that we should embark on an innovative education programme together, exploring the impact of science and technology on our lives and our environment.

 Notes to Editors:

1. The ScottishPower Foundation is a registered Scottish charity (SC043862) and a company limited by guarantee (SC445116). The Foundation’s aim is to make a significant and lasting contribution to society and enhance the quality of life in local communities. It provides funding to registered charities and non profit organisations for the following purposes: the advancement of education; the advancement of environmental protection; the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science; the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those in need by reason of disability or other disadvantage; the advancement of citizenship and community development.


2. National Museums Scotland looks after museum collections of national and international importance and provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum.  The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.


3. The National Museum of Scotland reopened in summer 2011 following a three-year, £47m redevelopment. Since then it has entered the top ten most popular UK visitor attractions (ALVA), becoming the most popular attraction in the country outside of London. With nearly 1.9 million visitors in 2012, the Museum is also one of the top 20 most popular art museums and galleries in the world (The Art Newspaper). It was also voted the number one museum in the UK in TripAdvisor’s inaugural Travellers’ Choice Awards earlier this year. 

For further information on the ScottishPower Foundation, contact Emma Paul or Stuart Martin on scottishpower@stripecommunications.com / 0131 561 8628

For further information on National Museums Scotland, contact Ruth Mackie or Bruce Blacklaw, Press Office on 0131 247 4288 or email r.mackie@nms.ac.uk