| Training
Left: A new partnership is looking to engage youth in the role of sustainable hydropower, while funding has been allocated to support initiatives related to education and skills development in STEM subjects
In this funding round, projects across the UK, US, and Canada will benefit from the Drax Foundation’s support. This marks the second round of grants since the foundation’s launch in March 2023. In the UK, over £300,000 has been allocated to eight
projects, including support for Teach First, a charity working to end educational inequality by recruiting STEM trainee teachers. In the US, where Drax has operations in Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, over US$433,000 will be distributed to seven projects, with a focus on conservation, STEM education, and climate resilience. Canada will receive over C$457,000 for five different
projects near Drax’s pellet operations, supporting initiatives such as engaging and inspiring women in STEM programs and advocating for biodiversity conservation. The Drax Foundation encourages a diverse range
of organizations to apply for funding, from smaller community-led projects to larger grants of up to £100,000 for established non-profit organizations. Priority is given to initiatives that cater to under-served and under-represented groups, promote gender equality, and support indigenous communities. Organizations interested in securing Drax Foundation funding for their projects can visit www.
drax.com/community to learn more about the Foundation’s criteria and submit an initial expression of interest. Applications for the first round of funding in 2024 are already being accepted. Earlier in 2023, Drax Group joined forces with
Glasgow Science Centre to introduce innovative hydropower education programs for primary and secondary schools in Scotland. This collaboration, facilitated by the Drax Foundation, aims to enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) skills among students and inspire them to consider careers in the hydropower industry. Scotland’s hydropower sector is on a growth
trajectory, with plans underway to expand pumped storage hydro stations, including Drax’s Cruachan plant. This sector presents long-term career prospects in the field of renewable energy. Sarah Cameron, Community Manager for Scotland at
Drax Group, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting Glasgow Science Centre’s efforts to foster STEM skills among young Scots. Cameron stated, “The learning lab and workshop are pioneering hydropower
education programs that will help students develop their STEM knowledge and hopefully get excited and interested in a career in hydropower.” The primary school program is conducted through
Glasgow Science Centre’s ‘Learning Lab’ and spans four to six weeks. It employs case studies of Drax’s Scottish assets to educate students on the operation of different hydropower forms, including pumped hydro and run-of-river plants. The program includes class visits to Glasgow Science Centre or on-site visits by the Science Centre’s On Tour team. For secondary school students, there are STEM
Futures Work Readiness Workshops. These workshops are designed for fifth and sixth-year students and are conducted at Glasgow Science Centre. Participants collaborate to explore the career opportunities available in the Scottish hydropower sector and the necessary skills for accessing them. Dr. Stuart Meiklejohn, STEM Futures Project
Coordinator at Glasgow Science Centre, emphasized the unique nature of this partnership. He said, “This exciting new partnership will deliver invaluable hydro-themed education resources and is the first of its kind in Scotland.” Meiklejohn added that the engaging programs offer teacher training and hydropower content tailored for primary students, along with opportunities to learn from experts in the field. Older students can explore their lifelong STEM journey as they consider future careers. These programs are fully funded by Drax, with
resources available for 50 primary schools to participate in Learning Labs and 20 workshops catering to up to 400 secondary school pupils. Schools interested in participating can apply for the programs, set to launch in early 2024, by contacting Glasgow Science Centre via their website. The launch of these programs aligns with Drax’s corporate foundation, Drax Foundation, which recently provided funding for EDI bursaries through EngineeringUK to support underrepresented young individuals in engineering careers. Drax’s community strategy focuses on ensuring positive impacts in the communities where it operates. In addition to these programs, Drax offers free educational tours of its Cruachan site in Argyll and Bute for schools. These tours offer insights into engineering careers, pumped storage hydro operations, and how Cruachan contributes to achieving Net Zero targets.
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