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What is a Newton Room?

Our Newton Rooms feel different to the classroom environment. They are specifically designed to support hands-on learning, investigation and collaboration using state of the art equipment.

Find your local Newton room

Primary pupils experimenting with the science skills academy

What is a Newton Module?

Our Newton modules engage with real-world challenges, empowering students from ages 10 - 14 years old with 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication.

Newton Modules

Events

Find out about community STEM events in your area, as well as other events hosted by the Science Skills Academy.

Events

Get involved

Help us connect more young people with STEM skills and careers

Get Involved

What is the Science Skills Academy?

With thousands of high-quality jobs on the horizon in biosciences, digital skills, renewable energy and the space sector, the Science Skills Academy (SSA) is here to spark the interest of young people and ensure equal access to STEM provision for all schools across Highland.

With a network of inspirational STEM rooms, and a wide range of programmes, we're working with schools, employers and families to provide exciting and stimulating activities that engage young people and make them aware of the new opportunities coming their way.

We're a multi-partnership project led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and funded though the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal. See our short film to hear more from the people that really matter - the pupils.

SSA brochure

Newton Rooms - bespoke STEM learning

Newton Rooms are modern, bright and stimulating spaces where pupils are taught by enthusiastic and inspirational STEM experts. They are based on the Norwegian Newton Rooms experience.

We currently have 4 state of the art Newton Rooms in Thurso, Dingwall, Fort William and Inverness. We also have a touring pop-up Newton Room to bring STEM to more of our Highland communities.

Our Newton Rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and offer hands-on, inspiring activities led by a team of dedicated STEM Engagement Officers who are passionate about opening pupils’ eyes to the possibilities that STEM can offer.

Find out about your local Newton Room

NEW module - Green Skills

Introducing Green Skills, our newest STEM module for S1 and S2.

This hands on one-day module gives pupils the chance to explore real environmental challenges through science, teamwork and creative problem solving. Schools in Highland will be able to book free sessions from January.

The module has been developed as part of the Highland Green Skills Pathway, with funding from SSE Renewables.

Find out more

STEM careers

We want to encourage more young people in our area to study STEM subjects at school and beyond, to develop home grown talent for the exciting jobs available in this sector.

And the range of jobs available is huge.. everything from harnessing wave and tidal power to sampling seabed organisms for pollution to engineering robotics - and so much in between.

So what kind of jobs are there?

Meet some young people already working in STEM jobs

Artists impression of new River Ness Hydro scheme

Hydro Ness project

The Science Skills Academy has partnered with the Highland Council to open up learning opportunities from a £2.5m energy project which saw the installation of a hydroelectric power turbine on the river Ness.

The scheme will provide 50% of the energy demand for the nearby Inverness Leisure Centre, which is currently one of the highest energy consuming buildings in the Highlands.

Hydro Ness resources