As many as 2,000 Peterhead Academy pupils are being taught how to build wind turbines in an attempt to get them interested in the renewable energy sector on their doorstep.
The Buchan town is about 18 miles from Equinor’s Hywind wind farm in the North Sea.
Launched in 2017, the floating turbines were a world-first.
At the end of the last year the energy giant set up a science, technology, engineering and maths base at Peterhead Academy in a disused classroom.
TechFest has now started workshops at the facility and will work with S1 and S2 pupils over the next four years.
The festival’s managing director Sarah Chew said: “It’s so important that school pupils are given the opportunity to learn about key sectors like renewable energy, which will continue to be a major employer by the time they leave education.
“In this project, students will use the STEM skills they have been developing in the classroom to build model turbines, so it’s a great opportunity for them to take on an industry challenge and consider whether this is the kind of job they’d like in the future.”
Students will be challenged to build wind turbines using desktop fans and will need to alter the number, shape and angle of the blades to ensure it works.
By the end of the month, more than 470 pupils will have taken part.
Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan area committee Norman Smith, said: “To have this taking place in Peterhead is a real boost to the community and the thousands of pupils who will benefit.”
