Partnership Between Science and SSEN Transmission Aims To Spark Interest In Circuits And Electricity

Aberdeen Science Centre has renewed its partnership with Dundee Science Centre and SSEN Transmission to inspire school pupils towards careers in engineering, electronics and circuitry.

Building on the collaboration established in 2024 between Aberdeen Science Centre and SSEN Transmission, the Circuits and Electronics Workshop is designed to teach school pupils in P2-P7 how electricity works through basic engineering, electronics and circuitry concepts.

The initiative was expanded, with support from Dundee Science Centre and The Science Skills Academy, in 2025 to widen its reach and impact, which engaged more than 1,000 school pupils across Scotland last year.

Following this successful expansion, Aberdeen Science Centre and Dundee Science Centre will now continue to deliver the Circuits and Electronics Workshop to school pupils in their respective regions in 2026 and 2027, as part of school trips to each centre and outreach to schools in Dundee.

Aberdeen Science Centre will also deliver the workshop to school pupils in Shetland during a three-day visit in 2027, which will see the centre’s team engage directly with local schools.

SSEN Transmission is supporting the project by funding delivery of the workshop, and transport to the science centres, for more than 600 school pupils across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Angus and Shetland.

Steph McCann, head of fundraising at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are proud to lead the delivery of a new year of Circuits and Electronics Workshops alongside Dundee Science Centre and SSEN Transmission. The initiative offers a fun, hands-on introduction to the world of circuits and electricity and we hope it will inspire school pupils across Aberdeen, Dundee and Shetland to consider a career in engineering, electronics or the wider energy industry.

“Working with corporate partners is vital to ensuring we can continue delivering engaging and impactful science experiences for children, young people and families across the North-east of Scotland and beyond, and we are grateful to SSEN Transmission for its ongoing support for this fantastic initiative.”

Nicky Gadsden, external skills & STEM engagement manager at SSEN Transmission, said: “We’re delighted to renew our partnership with Aberdeen Science Centre and continue supporting this successful initiative alongside Dundee Science Centre.

“At SSEN Transmission, we’re investing in our energy future by upgrading the grid to support clean, renewable energy. Through our support for the Circuits and Electronics Workshop, we can help young people understand how electricity powers everyday life while increasing awareness of the wide range of exciting opportunities available across the energy sector. We hope this will inspire the next generation of skilled professionals who will play a vital role in delivering the energy system of the future.

“We’re especially pleased that the workshops will now reach Shetland, extending their impact even further, and we look forward to seeing even more pupils benefit from these engaging learning experiences.”

Jill Farrell, CEO, Dundee Science Centre, said, “These workshops will give the opportunity to make technology accessible to children, turning what can sometimes seem like complex science into something tangible, exciting and fun. Electronics are such an integral part of our everyday lives, and it’s amazing to see pupils discover for themselves how these things actually work. It’s wonderful to see a child’s reaction when they see a light turn on because they’ve wired the circuit themselves – that sense of achievement makes learning both exciting and memorable.

“Most importantly, we want to spark that sense of curiosity, intrigue and wonder, encouraging them to ask ‘why’ and ‘how’ technology works.  By building confidence in STEM and encouraging young people to question how the world around them works, we can develop their problem-solving and team-building skills. We hope these early experiences will stay with them, perhaps inspiring the subjects they choose to study at secondary school and, ultimately, the careers they go on to pursue.”

Suitable for pupils in P2-P7 classes, the Circuits and Electronics highlights what electricity is for and relates it to children’s every lives. In each session, participants will learn about careers and roles within the electricity transmission network, discovering more about the jobs people to do keep electricity flowing as they build circuits and take part in fun and interactive activities.

Of the schools that were engaged with last year’s workshops, 97% of children said they learned something new, which was closely followed by 89% of teachers who felt they took away new information as well.