ESTEEM Chairman Andrew Mackenzie said the funding will enable us to launch the first ever Hebridean SciTech Festival (March 18 and 20, Stornoway 2010) that we hope will become a regular fixture on the local calendar.

"The festival aims to stimulate the interest of young people and their parents in science and technology and encourage pupils to study these subjects at school. There are tremendous opportunities within these work sectors."

ESTEEM founded in 2009 with the aim of raising the profile of Engineering, Science, Technology, Mathematics and Employability and Enterprise Education.  The organisation believes that all these subjects are inextricably linked and young people need to be aware of the opportunities in the labour market and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed within these sectors.

The Hebridean SciTech Festival, at the Bridge Centre, Stornoway, will help raise the profile of STEM  (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) subjects among the community and, in particular, young people with a fun and varied programme.

Planned activities include a visit from the Institute of Physics' Lab in a Lorry where students answer questions like, "why do sunsets appear red and skies blue?" and have a go at shattering a glass using sound waves.  

Dr Alison McClure, (left) a meteorologist whohas  worked in the Antarctic, will talk about her experiences on this mysterious continent.  Students will have a chance to design and build a model research station for her and her colleagues. Budding engineers will be able to display their skills using "K'Nex" and all visitors will have the chance to take part in the Maths Challenge Trail and win prizes.

Parents and other members of the public will also be welcome to the evening talk by Dr Alison McClure on Thursday, a Ceilidh and Star Walk on Friday evening and on Saturday morning the whole family can go along and have a go at lots of fun experiments and activities.  There will also be a chance to find out about careers and opportunities in STEM subjects.

A Hebridean Young Scientist Competition has been running for students since before Christmas and the best entries will be invited to take part in the Young Scientist Exhibition during the festival. Many of the activities will be webcast to schools using GLOW technology. In future years, it is hoped to extend festival activities across the Western Isles.

How Minnesota in the US sees STEM