Apache North Sea invests in Aberdeen lab to support STEM

APACHE North Sea has invested in The Lab at Aberdeen Science Centre (ASC) to support and inspire future STEM scientists.

The oil and natural gas exploration and production company is committed to reinforcing Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education for young people to help encourage them to choose these subjects later on.

The Lab is a fully equipped science labratory and classroom for school pupils, community groups and visitors of the centre. This space gives everyone the opportunity to learn about science and try hands on experiments.

Jillian Owen, Apache’s UK country manager, said: “It is vital that we continue to find avenues to encourage young children to develop a keen interest in STEM subjects.

“Feeding this natural curiosity will help students build a foundation in STEM, and supporting projects like The Lab will inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders in our industry.

“The oil and gas industry will be here for many decades to come so it is essential that we, as an industry, work together to ensure we support the development of future talent.”

The Science Centre is a registered charity so depends on sponsorships, grants and revenue to operate.

Apache’s sponsorship will allow the centre to continue developing impactful science engagements to the North-East of Scotland and keep its legacy as Scotland’s oldest science centre.

ASC already hosts around 65 interactive exhibits that cover a range of topics from space and life science to energy and engineering.

In response to the sponsporship, ASC’s fundraising manager Steph McCann commented: “We are extremely grateful to Apache for its very generous support for our lab, which is a well-used resource for STEM workshops, lessons and events.

“The money will be reinvested into the centre to allow us to create new exhibits, bring in new workshops and events and widen our reach to attract new audiences, continue to go out into the community and engage and inspire even more children and adults in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths.”