STEVENSON CONGRATULATES BANFF ACADEMY ON ENGINEERING AWARD

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson this week congratulated Banff Academy on winning the Young Engineers Club of the Year at the Scottish Council for Development and Industry’s (SCDI) Celebration of Engineering Awards.

The Celebration of Engineering held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Glasgow Science Centre saw a record entry of 60 Clubs from all over Scotland. Twenty-seven companies set technology challenges with numerous guests coming along to view the action. In all, over 600 schools pupils, teachers and companies took part, a record for the event.

Commenting on their award Mr Stevenson said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for Banff Academy and fully reflective of the hardwork and innovative spirit of the schools pupils and the coordinator David Pirie. Banff Academy has set a high standard over the last few years in fomenting a steady supply of creative and talented individuals and has become a model for what can be achieved when there is a strong network of support and encouragement from teaching staff.

“The skills that are developed in engineering clubs such as that at Banff Academy give a platform for hands on involvement in projects that can develop a number of technical and practical skills.

“The record number of participants in this year’s event shows that engineering and science subjects are exciting and enjoyable and a worthy subject to study in greater depth, be it in a vocational setting or in Further Education.

“We are always trying to harness the vast potential that Scotland has for innovation and the work of teachers such as David Pirie has to be lauded and indeed mimicked in other schools.

“There should also be a note of congratulations for SCDI and the partner organizations behind the event as it is awards like these that gives clubs such as the one at Banff Academy the opportunity to showcase their talent and be recognized for their achievements.”