A new state-of-the-art Newton Flight Academy has opened its doors at the Glasgow Science Centre, which is the first one in the UK.
Newton Flight Academies are designed to provide unique and high-quality learning experiences and secondary pupils using the centre will cover themes including space, biofuels, and advanced materials and manufacturing, in a bid to generate interest in careers in aviation engineering and help shape the os sustainable aviation.
The centre was opened by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who said: “Less than six months ago, the world came together in Glasgow to re-affirm the pledge to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
“Decarbonising air travel is essential to keeping that commitment alive, and I have no doubt the future engineers and scientists inspired through this Academy will have an important role in addressing that challenge.
“It’s a credit to the work of the Glasgow Science Centre, Scotland’s expertise in aerospace and aviation manufacturing, and our world-leading institutions that this site was selected as the UK’s first Newton Flight Academy, and I am delighted to be here to help launch it today.”
As part of the launch. a promise was made to “Planet Earth” by Pupils from King’s Park Secondary School which read: “Change won’t happen overnight but that change starts now. Our first action comes today as we mark the launch of the Newton Flight Academy and learn more about sustainable aviation.”
Stephen Breslin, chief executive of Glasgow Science Centre, said: “Through the Newton Flight Academy, we hope to ignite a passion for science and technology, bringing young people together with industry and academia to create meaningful engagements that encourage them to explore their ambitions. We are thrilled to open the doors of the new state-of-the-art facility, and welcome our workforce of the future as they make their promise to our planet.
“It is difficult to imagine where we would be without science and technology and as we look to the future, those applications will be instrumental in solving the biggest challenges of our time. It is vital that collaboration is at the heart of our efforts and the Newton Flight Academy will instil an innovation pipeline in Scotland’s sustainable aviation efforts.
“We look forward to working with our future scientists, engineers, technicians and mathematics, as we, together with our partners, innovate and help engineer solutions.”
Stian Elstad, Managing Director at FIRST Scandinavia, added: “At FIRST Scandinavia, we believe that stimulating children’s curiosity and the joy of learning is the most important investment of our time.
“We hope industry leaders and governments across the United Kingdom will look to the Newton Flight Academy in Glasgow as an excellent example of how we can work together to make great STEM learning experiences more accessible to teachers and the young generation.”
The Newton Room itself contains full-motion flight simulators and the educational modules on offer focus on teaching students and visitors about STEM concepts and how they relate to aviation, including such things as using maths to plan flight routes or how sustainable aviation fuels impact our communities.