Maths Into the Energy Mix
Maths into the Energy Mix was piloted in March 2023, this event was sponsored by Emerson. The event was met with enthusiasm by students and teachers alike, and with the help of the industry volunteers from Emerson the students spent the day working through Mathematical challenges associated with different energy sources; all focussed around the context of a fictional village. The student teams spent the day calculating the energy required, and working on solutions for how the village was able to meet the demand; using both fossil fuels and renewable energy sources.
The day was also designed with Meta skills in mind; these are identified by Skills Development Scotland as being essential skills in creating adaptive learners and increased chances of success in the context of the future of a young person. These skills are inherently part of STEM activities, and throughout educational settings there is a renewed focus on supporting young people to identify these qualities within themselves.
The main skills focussed on with this event were teamwork, problem solving, creativity and communication. Additional skills associated with social intelligence, innovation and self-management are developed when young people work through project-based learning opportunities such as this.
This programme was offered to all Secondary schools in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire in the winter term of 2024. During February and March 2024 we have been delighted to welcome pupils from 10 schools to take part in three Maths into the Energy Mix events thanks to support and sponsorship from SPE Aberdeen Section, and Emerson.
Pupil Comments:
"Really opened my eyes.. I like things like proposals, planning and analysis. An addition of STEM made it even more interesting." - BoD Pupil
"I have learned loads about different careers and outcomes in the sector of energy by talking with the volunteers and staff. I personally want to persue Geology." - Fraserburgh Pupil
If anyone would like to discuss future sponsorship of this event please contact Dr Yashka Smith; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Welcome to TechFest Talks - A Podcast by Students for Students.
TechFest Talks was launched in 2021 and has been produced by students, for students.
This project is designed to engage and inspire students of all ages to find out about their interests and desired career paths.
In each episode students from across the UK interview industry professionals from various sectors.
This allows the hosting students as well as the listeners to find out as much information about their desired careers as possible.
Click here to read an article about TechFest Talks featuring in ACVO's News.
Listen to the Space into Energy edition.
Listen to the Girls in Energy edition.
Listen to the Scottish Careers Week edition.
Listen to the Explorathon'21 edition.
Listen to the More Talks edition.
Listen to the Blueprint Challenge edition.
Watch student testimonials and learn more about TechFest Talks.
If you're a student and would like to become one of the TechFest Talks hosts, drop Gabi an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Interested in supporting this project? Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin
and as part of Explorathon 2021 we are celebrating the leaps in diabetes treatment and care.
Click here to listen to TechFest Talks, Explorathon'21 edition.
Click here to watch A Personal Journey through Diabetes event.
Together with Skills Development Scotland we share the view that young people are passionate about looking after our planet; their voice has been heard around the world, and now there is a need to do more to tackle climate change.
As part of our collaboration with Skills Development Scotland to celebrate Scottish Careers Week 2021 we have developed a Student Led podcast series TechFest Talks. We believe that these series have not only informed our podcast hosts of the opportunities to turn their passion into a career as they meet Industry Professionals featured in the series, but also have an opportunity to develop their individual skills and inspire our podcast listeners.
Simply click on your favourite podcast platform icon to listen.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
Our mission is to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to young people and wider communities. We seek to demonstrate kids as young as 3 years old that science is FUN and sparkle their interest in STEM fields from early age.
TechFest offers a variety of outreach workshops suitable for nursery & early years. All the workshops are led by experienced presenters with a teaching or science background and provide an excellent opportunity for children to engage in enjoyable activities.
Download Early Years Catalogue.
Have a look at the below resources that are suitable not only for older children, but can also be completed with nursery and early years kids.
Click here to learn more about BookBug.
Click here to learn more about Sociable Science.
Click here to learn more about STEM in the Park.
A collaboration between Aberdeen Science Centre 
and TechFest, supported by the Institute of Physics (IOP), the ‘Space into Energy’ programme gives young people a glimpse into the inner workings of these exciting fields and how the skill sets required for each sector often overlap.
Featuring experts from each industry, participants will learn about innovation, teamwork and leadership through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, empowering them to discover their unique talents and how they can be the problem-solvers of the future.
We’re packing a whole range of activities into our programme with activities for all ages. From family days at Aberdeen Science Centre to interviews with industry professionals, there is something to inspire everyone.
The programme will be available to download very soon. Follow us on our social media channels for updates.
Sponsoring Space into Energy
We are thrilled to have a fantastic group of generous sponsors and supporters who are helping us bring the Space into Energy programme to as many young people across the North East of Scotland as possible.
If you’d like to join them, download our Space into Energy Sponsorship Proposal here for more information about how your business can benefit from getting involved.
Need more Space into Energy?
As the programme continues, we’ll be uploading informative resources here so that even if you can’t be at one of our events, you can still be a part of Space into Energy.
An Audience with an Astronaut
Watch this video of a conversation with astronauts Carl Walz and Mike Bloomfield, with commentary from Jim McNab from Oceaneering.
Click here for the rest of the series.
Listen to Space into Energy podcast series.
Sponsored and supported by
TechFest's Activity Weekend is one of the most popular events in the TechFest calendar! The weekend is made up of two days of workshops, shows and activities for families to get involved with.
"Great event. Very friendly and professional assistants and specialists introducing science. Fantastic opportunity for kids to experience science." - Activity Weekend Participant
Date: Sat, 1 & Sun, 2 June, 2024
Opening hours: 09:30 - 16:00 each day.
Location: RGU, the Sir Ian Wood building
Activity programme and the map will be provided closer to the date.
View our 2023 Activity Weekend programme.
2024 programme coming soon.
2024 Activity Weekend Sponsors & Supporters grid coming soon.
TechFest is kindly hosted by the University of Aberdeen.
*This page acknowledges the generous contributions of all our sponsors and supporters at the time of the programme being published.
Supported by CNOOC International, STEM in the Installation is a fantastic project that is split into four separate phases to ensure all ages are catered for. Through STEM in the Installation pupils as young as three years old have the opportunity to begin developing the transferable skills that will help equip them with all the tools they will require for success. As these pupil’s progress through the school system, they will have the opportunity to further their learning and partake in a STEM in the Installation project at each key phase of their development.
Phase 1: Early Years and Lower Primary School Programme
Ages: 3-7 years Duration: ½ day session
Inspired by the Golden Eagle, children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety and learn how to make their school and home environment safer. This workshop is an early skills builder, setting participants up for success and setting the tone of STEM in the Installation from the outset.
Phase 2: Upper Primary School Programme
Ages: 8-11 years Duration: ½ day session
Continuing on from the workshop experienced in the lower stages at Primary School, this session explores the engineering, science and technology involved in the installation of North Sea assets. Core transferable skills such as problem solving, collaboration, team work, evaluation and improvement will encourage students to develop decision making skills which are bold and innovative.
Phase 1 & 2 Touring Programme
Our touring workshops are designed for you and your class to take part in at a time that suits you, we send you the resource and then virtually visit you when you have completed it to hear about your results.
Invite TechFest into your classroom and immerse yourself in the mysterious mechanics of energy! This workshop is suitable for P1 – P7. At time of booking let us know the age range of your class and we will send you the appropriate resources.
We all use energy in our daily lives. Every time we turn on a light switch, get into a car, or even just get out of bed – it’s all energy! But how can we harness different sources of energy in order to meet our global energy demand? Together, we will investigate different types of energy and explore how they are used. What’s more, our friends at CNOOC International challenge you to use the energy of the wind by designing your very own wind turbines – who will be able to create the best design?!
For P4-P7, students will be tasked with designing two different types of wind turbines and will take part in an experiment to see which design is better in terms of function and structure (all templates and information will be available to download). Pre-recorded video footage and teacher resources will be provided so the main activity in this workshop can be completed at your leisure, prior to a live visit from one of the TechFest team who will be delighted to join you in the classroom and discuss the results of the student's activity, as well as answering any questions.
If you wish to book a Touring Workshop please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phase 3: Lower Secondary School Programme
Ages: 11-14 years Duration: 1 day
This one-day event has numerous engaging and interactive challenges inspired by the subsea installation of the Golden Eagle project. The highlight of the day is the afternoon challenge where the students are challenged to design and build their own asset.
Phase 4: Upper Secondary School Programme
Ages: 16-18 years Duration: 3 months
STEM in the Installation Phase 4 is integrated with STEM in the Pipeline - Energising the Transition.
For more information please contact Jenny Taylor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Stimulating pupils' interest in the Chemical Sciences and inspiring students about future careers in Chemistry and STEM subjects through demonstrations and hands-on experience.
The aim of the event is to show P6/7 pupils a positive image of the Chemical Sciences with exciting, interesting and wealth-creating activities. It is hoped that these events will stimulate the pupils' interest in Chemistry and help them understand and appreciate its importance in society.
The presentations are inspiring, educational and informative and promise to be fun with interactive elements that enable pupils to get involved.
For more information about any of the programmes TechFest offers, please get in touch! contact us
"The hands-on activities made it more exciting for pupils. Pupils now realise Chemistry is all around us and not just for scientists. Day was interesting and engaging."
Teacher, Applegrove Primary School
"I enjoyed today because it made me want to do Chemistry at High School."
Pupil, Central Primary School
"My enthusiasm for Chemistry has increased thinking of the ideas. Great to see you can use everyday objects to teach this subject. We will definitely be looking out for future events."
Teacher, Central Primary School
