Wind energy opportunity blows into primary school minds
Inspirational wind energy workshops are being delivered to Grimsby primary schools as the next generation to join the town’s renewables revolution are targeted.
RWE, building on its strategic decision to make the port a key hub last year, will have taken in four schools by the close of the year, with more planned for 2023. The company’s operations teams from both the original Humber Gateway base in Port of Grimsby East and the emerging wider Grimsby Hub, are working with Humber-based skills organisation Lab Rascals.
The collaboration, focusing on ‘Master Builders’ tasks children to follow detailed instructions, troubleshoot, collect data and achieve results by planning, building and operating Lego turbines and cars.
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First to participate were 32 students from Stallingborough CE Primary School.
Claire Swannick, logistics coordinator at Triton Knoll, the first project to be anchored at the emerging enlarged GrimsbyHub on Royal Dock, said: “All of the master builders I had the pleasure of meeting at the RWE Wind Energy Workshop worked well as a team, completed their tasks, and helped their classmates if they were struggling. It is always wonderful to work with younger people, educating them on renewable energy and helping them gain important life skills.”
The hub is expected to accommodate around 140 RWE employees, potentially creating around 60 new jobs to the local region, when a third wind farm, Sofia enters the operations and maintenance phase.
The company has further proposals in the near North Sea too, with scores of roles required for the entire lifetime of projects, and not just the build out.
The feedback received from the school after the first session was described as very positive, with RWE having developed detailed careers materials including case studies and lesson packs to support teachers in educating their students in the importance of renewable energy in the fight against climate change.
Emily Powell, headteacher, said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and were all engaged in the Lego building. It was great to see them working together in teams. It was also positive for those pupils who thought that they wouldn't be able to build the objects to have a real sense of achievement with their finished cars and turbines.”
It comes as public awareness grows around a major new project aimed at inspiring all about the burgeoning industry Grimsby now fosters.
A Low Carbon & Renewables Exploratorium is to be established in a box park format in the town centre, telling the story of the sector and opening it up to the people of the town. It will provide immersive activities and hands-on opportunities to experience offshore wind and other low carbon solutions being pioneered on the Humber.
Project director Richard Askam spoke about the aims at Grimsby Minster last week, where the Gaia Earth installation is on display.
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