News Release, 30 January 2023

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GRANGEMOUTH FLOOD PROTECTION SCHEME LAUNCHES FIRST PHASE OF 2023 STEM EDUCATION PROGRAMME

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• The first phase of the 2023 programme is open to primary schools and youth groups from across the Falkirk Council area and will run until Friday, 31 March

• STEM is curriculum based on the idea of educating students and teachers in four disciplines – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

• As part of the programme, local children will learn about the effects of flooding and design their own flood protection solutions

• The GFPS is the largest flood protection scheme in Scotland and will protect 5,800 people, 2,650 homes, 330 businesses as well as road and rail infrastructure

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The Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme (GFPS) team has officially launched its 2023 STEM Education Programme, aimed at inspiring the next generation of original thinkers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

 

The first phase of the programme will run until Friday, 31 March and is open to primary schools and youth groups from across the local scheme area including Grangemouth, Wholeflats, Glensburgh, Langlees, Carron and Carronshore.

 

Children aged 10 to 12 will have the opportunity to learn about the devastating effects of flooding and design their very own flood defences. Developed by Jacobs’ STEM team in conjunction with Falkirk Council’s education department, it aims to bridge the gap between school, higher education, and industry by helping to equip young people with the skills required to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing world.​

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Councillor Iain Sinclair, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Climate Change said: “We were very impressed with all the entries we received in 2022 and are delighted to be rolling the STEM Education Programme out again this year.

 

“It means that local children and their parents or guardians can learn more about the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme as well as the wide variety of careers which are involved in a project of this kind. We are also looking forward to launching the next phase of the programme with secondary schools later in the year.”

 

The 2022 STEM Education Programme engaged around 240 local school children with Carronshore Primary School’s ‘Flood Fixers’ coming in first place after impressing the judges with their carefully considered flood design.

 

Following its successful launch in primary schools and youth groups last year, phase two of the STEM Education Programme will open to secondary schools later this year. Please click here to take part in the programme and if you have any additional questions, contact grangemouthfps@falkirk.gov.uk.

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Notes to Editors:

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As the largest flood defence project in Scotland and one of the biggest in the United Kingdom, the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme was identified as the highest national priority given the potentially significant impacts for the community if an extreme flood event were to occur. While other parts of Scotland have been affected by flooding over the last five years, Grangemouth has fortunately avoided significant flooding. However, the town and surrounding communities are at risk of fluvial and coastal flooding impacts.

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On completion, the scheme will protect 5,800 people, 2,650 homes, 330 businesses and road and rail infrastructure. It will also provide almost 27km (17 miles) of flood defence walls, embankments, the installation of flood gates, flow regulation measures and drainage work. The scheme will also include works at the entrance to the Port of Grangemouth and within the petrochemical complex.

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Falkirk Council is determined to provide better protection for the town and surrounding areas and is working with its consultant Jacobs to design, plan and manage the new flood defences.

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Further information is available on www.grangemouthfloodscheme.com.

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Follow us on twitter and Facebook @grangemouthfps. 

For more information please contact:
Julie Pirone
Communications and Stakeholder Manager, Jacobs
julie.pirone@jacobs.com
07711 446358

 

Lisa Phillips

Stakeholder Engagement and Communications, Jacobs

lisa.phillips@jacobs.com

David Grindlay
Communications Team Leader, Falkirk Council
07803 898008
 

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