Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Levenmouth Academy announce winner of second Aspire Bursary
ORE Catapult, the UK’s leading innovation and research organisation for offshore renewable energy and operator of the Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine, and Levenmouth Academy, have announced local pupil Amy Henderson as the winner of the second ORE Catapult Aspire Bursary.
Awarded each year to the leading pupil from the Academy going on to study science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) at University, the Aspire Bursary provides both financial support throughout their University course and mentoring from a professional engineer to support them towards the early stages of their careers.
Amy, from Methilhill, is now starting her five-year course in Structural Engineering at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
Amy commented:
“I have known I was going to be an engineer since I was 11 years old. Engineering is about solving problems which is something that I love to do. After I graduate, I’d love to work on projects in renewable energy. It’s the future and a great interest of mine. I’d also love to start my own business”.
Communications Director at ORE Catapult, Charles Thompson, said:
“It has been a real privilege to see Amy’s passion for STEM over recent years, both in terms of her academic achievements and her enthusiasm for the many related activities at Levenmouth Academy. We look forward to supporting her over the next four years and can’t wait to see her further progress”.
Winner of the first Aspire Bursary in 2020, Cailyn Calder, now entering her second year reading Physics at Glasgow University, said:
“The Aspire Bursary helped me to cover the extra costs of accommodation and technology incurred by the pandemic, but what has helped the most is my amazing mentor, Heather McLarty. She has given her advice throughout the year and helped me with work-life balance. I really managed to get on top of my studies thanks to her. She then got me a little work experience – as much as the pandemic allowed – during the summer, which was very insightful and is now helping me to prepare for jobs and internships in the future. It’s great having this support to make university life less stressful and help get the most of this time. Thanks to ORE Catapult, I am gaining more confidence and skills to actually do the things I want to do”.
Headteacher of Levenmouth Academy, Ronnie Ross said:
“We are very proud of our partnership with ORE Catapult and to have another high achieving pupil be supported to further her STEM studies through their Aspire Bursary. Amy has a passion for learning, problem solving and helping others and has been a valued member of our STEM faculty as a role model, peer mentor and Developing Young Workforce Ambassador. Our pride in Amy’s hard work in her academic achievements is married with excitement for the young people she has supported and inspired through her involvement in STEM activities in our school.”
Two further Levenmouth Academy pupils have also received recognition for their performance in STEM subjects. Abbie Gourlay (S5) was awarded the Senior Phase Academic ORE Catapult ‘Excellence’ Award 2021, while S3 pupil Mirren Docherty received the BGE Academic ORE Catapult ‘Excellence’ Award 2021.