The first award of £42,664 this year will go to C-STEM to deliver the upcoming season of the FIRST LEGO League Challenge to schools across Cumbria, which is a global STEM programme for teams of young people. The competition is aimed at helping young people develop their critical thinking, coding and design skills through hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experience through a guided, global robotics program, helping students develop key skills that are crucial for their future careers.
The competition begins in September and the regional finals will be held in February 2023. Local, successful teams have the opportunity of competing at the National finals with the chance of winning a place, representing the UK at the World finals later next year.
Fran Ward, Director of C-STEM said: “We are absolutely delighted that Ørsted is on board to support C-STEM deliver the FIRST LEGO League. This year’s competition is titled "Energize" and our teams will be challenged to reimagine the future of sustainable energy. I couldn't think of a better, more appropriate supporter than Ørsted to help our pupils engage in a project which tackles real world energy issues.”
The second award this year goes to Lancaster and Morecombe College. The £48,016 grant will be used to create a “renewable energy demonstration area” located within a newly created sustainable energy centre at the College. It will be designed to demonstrate the latest technology, promoting awareness of renewable energy, future skills requirements including green jobs available within the local community.
The two latest awards form part of the company’s £600,000 Walney Extension Community Fund 25-year annual commitment and is part of a wider community engagement programme across the Lancashire and Cumbria coastlines.
Imran Nawaz, Senior Stakeholder Advisor & Community Benefit Fund Manager at Ørsted, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting two more innovative education programmes that will help students of all ages develop skills that can help unlock future career options. There are a broad range of high-skilled job roles across many industries, including renewable energy, so it’s important that we encourage and nurture interest in these areas.”
The Fund is being administered by the independent grant-making charity GrantScape. For further information about the Fund, to see details of the projects awarded grants in earlier rounds and to find out how to apply, please visit their website www.grantscape.org.uk or call 01908 247630.
