THE DRAX Foundation, which is the corporate foundation of the renewable energy company Drax Group, is providing £15,000 of funding toward EngineeringUK‘s equity diversity and inclusion (EDI) bursary. Through match-funding the donation to the bursary will be worth £30,000.
The EDI bursary scheme has been established to support schools, with high proportions of young people from groups underrepresented in engineering, to overcome the barriers limiting pupil’s participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) activities with the ultimate goal of increasing the diversity of young people choosing a future in engineering.
The new Drax funding will help schools across the UK to participate in exciting STEM activities, including EngineeringUK’s Big Bang at School programme. Big Bang at School brings the world of STEM straight to the classroom, encouraging young people to get inspired about what a career could look like as an engineer or scientist. From hands-on workshops to spectacular shows, Big Bang at School allows young people to learn while having fun.
The Foundation is a key part of Drax’s community strategy, which is focused on ensuring that the business delivers a positive impact in the communities where it operates. Part of the work of the Foundation is providing funding for activities that enable people to develop STEM skills.
The new funding for the EDI bursary will be directed toward schools in regions where Drax operates in the UK including Selby, Oban, Dumfries and Galloway. Schools can apply for the funding through the EngineeringUK website.
Shona King, Head of Community at Drax Group, said:
“EngineeringUK is doing fantastic work in supporting more young people, and particularly those from diverse backgrounds, to become interested in engineering and pursue a career in the profession. We are delighted to be providing more funding to their EDI bursary scheme which will enable more school pupils to participate in STEM activities in the areas where we operate.
“The Drax Foundation is committed to giving back to its communities, it’s important to us to help children develop the skills, particularly in STEM, that can help solve challenges like climate change and develop and deploy new technologies like carbon removals.”
Susi Farnworth, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), at EngineeringUK, said:
“We’re delighted the Drax Foundation are supporting us with rolling-out our much-loved Big Bang at School programme to more schools around the country. Their donation will help to encourage hundreds more young people, from all backgrounds, to develop a passion for STEM and to consider engineering and technology as a career option.”
