News - Cornish Teachers Blown Away
University of Exeter press release
Teachers from across Cornwall and Devon were getting to grips with the latest developments in renewable energy on the University of Exeter's Tremough Campus, Penryn, on Tuesday 1 July.
Organised by Cornwall Education Business Partnership, the event brought 15 local secondary school teachers together with experts from the renewable energy industry and academics from the University of Exeter's Camborne School of Mines. The event was part of the Shape the Future - Steps at Work programme sponsored by the Royal Academy of Engineering designed for teachers to keep up to date with the latest developments in business and industry.
Science, Physics, Maths, Technology and Engineering teachers spent the day exploring the University of Exeter's cutting-edge renewable energy laboratories and the new wind turbine development at Roskrow Barton, next to the Tremough Campus. Run by Cornwall Light & Power, it is expected that the two turbines at Roskrow Barton will produce 5,500 Megawatt hours of clean electricity a year, equivalent to the annual electricity use of 1,100 Cornish households.
Roger McMinn, Head of Science, Helston Community College said: "The teachers' day gave us all a marvellous insight into the success of Cornwall and the University of Exeter in promoting Renewable Energy opportunities. We now have clear goals for engaging and motivating our students in schools so that they can take our county forward and lead the way with sustainable development."
Teachers also had the opportunity to discuss with industry representatives and University academics the future renewable energy careers available to their pupils. Representatives from Cornwall Light & Power, the Wind and Wave Renewable Energy Consultancy, Wardell Armstrong International and Wind Electric briefed teachers on the latest developments in the industry and were on hand to answer questions.
Helen Fielding of Cornwall Education Business Parntership said: "Cornwall has significant and diverse renewable energy resources and has led the nation in the development and exploitation of wind power. This day was a superb opportunity for teachers to update their knowledge of the sector to support the curriculum and find out about the career opportunities for young people."
Dean Millar, lecturer in Renewable Energy at the University of Exeter's Camborne School of Mines said: "Here on our Cornwall Campus, we launched the world's first undergraduate degree in renewable energy. Over 90% of our first graduates are now either working in the renewable energy sector, or taking further study. This event was a chance to make teachers from across Cornwall aware of the amazing opportunities in higher education that are now available in the county - as well as the exciting careers that await our graduates."
The Tremough Campus is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council. Set in 70 acres of countryside, but close to the waterside towns of Penryn and Falmouth, the campus offers a lively student community. The University of Exeter now offers degrees in Biology, Modern Celtic and Cornish Studies, English, Geology, Geography, History, Law, Mining Engineering, Politics and Renewable Energy on the Tremough Campus, which has expanded rapidly as part of the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative.
Teachers attended this event from:
Camborne Science & Community College
Chulmleigh Community College, North Devon
Cornwall College
Great Torrington School, North Devon
Helston Community College
Looe Community School
Newquay Tretherras School
Penair School, Truro
Penryn College
Truro College
Wycliffe College, Gloucestershire
The Tremough Campus is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council. Set in 70 acres of countryside, but close to the waterside towns of Penryn and Falmouth, the campus offers a lively student community. The University of Exeter now offers degrees in Biology, Modern Celtic and Cornish Studies, English, Geology, Geography, History, Law, Mining Engineering, Politics and Renewable Energy on the Tremough Campus, which has expanded rapidly as part of the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative.