Morrison’s Academy Gearing up for 2024 SmartSTEMs Event

Morrison’s Academy, Perthshire’s leading independent day school, is hosting its second interactive STEM day for young people from across the region on Saturday 11 May 2024 at its Crieff campus - and it promises to be even bigger and better than last year.

Run in partnership with the charity SmartSTEMs, the free event for children aged between 10-14, and their families, will include a series of interactive workshops, a STEM careers showcase, speakers and a pot of STEM prizes.

SmartSTEMs was created to inspire the next generation about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths through cost effective collaboration between industry and education. The Glasgow-based charity works with schools across the country to ensure every child has equal and fair access to STEM education and its many career opportunities.

The interactive workshops will be hosted by leading figures from the world of STEM and Morrison’s Academy teachers and include: Dynamic Earth, Glasgow Science Centre, The CODE Show, YouTube sensation STEM with Mr N, Royal Navy, Falcon Foodservice Equipment and Aerospace company, Leonardo.

A diverse range of employers from local businesses and national organisations will also come together at the 2024 event to help showcase opportunities in STEM. Organisations include Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Scottish Seabird Centre, Police Scotland, SSEN Transmission, One Stop, Seric Systems, Merlin ERD, Ross Eng and Count Accountants.

Speakers are lined up to open and close the event with Colin McGregor, former Morrison’s Academy pupil and RAF fighter pilot, ready to share the story of his exciting career. A selection of STEM goodies will also be awarded at our prize giving ceremony.

Pamela Boal, Digital Director at Morrison’s Academy, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be running our second SmartSTEMs day here at Morrison’s Academy. Last year we had more than 300 people on campus and we expect to exceed that number this year with engaging workshops and exhibitors signed up to the day. Working alongside the charity SmartSTEMs, we have created an event that will both enlighten and inspire young people and allow them to talk with a variety of experts from within the STEM sector.”

Thanks to the drop-in style of the event, visitors can stay for an hour or for the whole day. The school’s onsite cafe, the Coffee Lab will be open during the event to provide food and drink. There will also be indoor areas allocated for those wishing to bring a packed lunch, with free refreshments provided.

Stuart Macdonald, founder and CEO of SmartSTEMs, said: “SmartSTEMs is delighted to be partnering again with Morrison’s Academy to deliver workshops to school pupils across the region. We’re looking forward to giving our young delegates a taste of the exciting opportunities available to them in industry. It is through events such as this one that we can encourage industry and education to collaborate further and in turn help children develop new talent and realise their full potential.”

Andrew McGarva, Rector at Morrison’s Academy added: “It’s fantastic to be collaborating with SmartSTEMs once again for this whole community celebration of STEM. Events like this can ignite passion in young people from all backgrounds and allow them to consider the many and varied career opportunities within this dynamic sector.

“STEM can benefit youngsters in such diverse ways - not only by encouraging critical thinking and innovation but by providing opportunities for teamwork. We recognise its value at Morrison’s Academy and alongside our specialist teachers, our dedicated STEM workshop and varied STEM curriculum, we hold a number of initiatives and events throughout the academic year, such as our recent Women In STEM Week, to ignite that passion for learning and discovery.”

The SmartSTEMs event at Morrison’s Academy takes place from 10.00 to 14.30 at its campus on Ferntower Road in Crieff. For more information and to book tickets visit: https://morrisonsacademy.org/event/explore-the-world-of-stem-at-morrisons-academy-smartstems-day/