|17 August 2016|
Scotland
By Scarlett McQuillan
An interactive exhibition in Glasgow is encouraging visitors of all ages to think about the energy sector.
The Powering The Future exhibition, based in the city’s Science Centre, was formed through a collaboration between some of the top minds from the energy industry and is an entertaining and engaging experience with practical experiments and games that allow guests to learn about techniques used to gather and convert energies. Whether this is an energy creating dance off, racing cars powered with your own arm power or launching a bottle ship, each activity allows you to explore and discover facts about energy in a fun and encouraging way.
It is hoped that through this visual teaching, younger generations will be inspired and have a better understanding of the diversity within the energy sector. And that it will generate interest in the industries which will play a major role in Scotland’s future. Dr Stephen Breslin, the current chief executive of the Glasgow Science Centre believes that the exhibit will help the public “form their opinions, and hopefully encourage them to take the next step into a career in the energy industry.”
Although at the moment it may only be digitally operating a drill or managing renewable resources, these activities are setting up the possibility for children to develop an interest, with the hope that in later life these activities will become virtual and “create a pipeline of talent for years to come” as states John McDonald the managing director of OPITO. McDonald also wants to bring the “oil and gas industry to a whole new audience” due to it being such a main factor of Scottish industry.
Younger people often don’t have the understanding to deal with and comprehend the so-called energy ‘trilemma’ – security, affordability, and environmental sustainability. However, the development of this exhibit means a platform can be built between the incomprehensible complexities of scientific engineering, and the simplicity of only knowing what renewable energy is. This buffer means that a new generation can understand, and have the resources to kindle an interest in something they previously ignored.
