Fife chemical plant donates over £15,000 of STEM equipment to local schools

Jacob McAlister, from FEP, with some of the donated items

Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP), run by ExxonMobil, has provided some of the Kingdom’s schools with a helping hand in the shape of one of the biggest single donations it has ever made.

Students at Kirkcaldy (inset), Lochgelly, Inverkeithing and Beath high schools will benefit from the generous donation.

Those at Woodmill High School in Dunfermline, which suffered a devastating fire last summer destroying a large part of the building and resulting in pupils attending other schools in the area for a period, will also be able to make use of the donated equipment.

The team at the Mossmorran plant liaised with STEM teachers at the schools to come up with a shopping list of equipment which would be a key part of the schools’ STEM curriculum.

Last month, as the schools reopened after their lengthy closure due to the pandemic, they took delivery of dozens of projection cameras, storage cabinets, scientific calculators, safety glasses and dozens of safety sets, as well as copies of the periodic table.

The huge consignment of more than 5000 items in total were delivered to the schools by Brian, Callum and Harris from FEP.

Speaking about the donation, Stephen Ross, rector of Beath High School, said: “Our thanks go to FEP for this very generous support.

“This will be a very different school year than usual and this extra help will certainly be put to good use.”

Maria Lloyd, Fife Council’s Head of Education and Children’s Services, welcomed the contribution to the local high schools.

She said: “This resource will be a real boost to all the schools that are benefiting.

“Our young people will put this equipment to very good use to support their learning.

“Thank you to ExxonMobil for its generosity.”

Jacob McAlister, plant manager at Fife Ethylene Plant, added: “We have long supported local schools with a focus on important STEM subjects and we are proud to be able to help out in what are very challenging times for everyone.

“This contribution forms part of our ongoing local education programme which we are continuing to develop with some exciting new initiatives.”