Project Description

Industry: STEM / Digital
Activity Name: CGI STEM Event
Activity Type: Work Inspiration and Preparation / Sector Awareness and Skills Development
Businesses involved: CGI
Name of School: Madras College

S3 pupils from Madras College were invited to attend CGI’s STEM Education Day, alongside teams from other Fife high schools. The event was designed to raise awareness of STEM careers in Scotland, highlight future pathways, and encourage young people to engage with digital and technology-related subjects.

By combining talks, career insight and practical activities, the day helped pupils see how STEM links to real industries and future opportunities.

Collaborative Partners

CGI is a global IT and business consulting services firm, and one of the world’s largest independent IT companies. It works across sectors including government, banking, healthcare and space.

Through this event, CGI aimed to:

• Inspire pupils to consider STEM and digital careers

• Highlight the range of jobs available in Scotland’s growing tech and space sectors

• Show that STEM careers are open to young people with different interests and backgrounds

• Universities including Dundee, Abertay and St Andrews also attended, giving pupils insight into STEM courses and progression routes after school.

 

Programme Aims

The event aimed to:

• Increase awareness of STEM careers and pathways

• Build interest in digital, technology and space-related roles

• Show pupils how STEM subjects connect to real industries

• Provide hands-on experiences that make STEM feel accessible and exciting

 

Activity Overview

During the day, pupils took part in a range of activities designed to bring STEM to life. These included:

• Presentations on cutting-edge technologies

• Talks on career pathways and opportunities after school

• Insight into Scotland’s role in the space industry and the range of jobs within it

• Advice from universities on STEM courses and progression routes

• Hands-on activities using Lego robots

• Virtual reality sessions, giving pupils a practical and memorable experience of technology in action

• The mix of talks and activities helped pupils understand that STEM is broad, exciting and relevant to many future careers.

 

Impact and Outcomes

The event gave pupils a stronger understanding of the opportunities available in STEM and helped show that these pathways are open to a wide range of learners.

Pupil feedback

Reuben (S3): “I felt intrigued by Scotland’s foothold in the space industry.”

Lucy (S3): “You really didn’t need to have any background in computing to enjoy the day. I would recommend it because everyone would have fun taking part in the activities.”

Ethan (S3): “My favourite part was trying out the virtual reality headsets. Can I come again next year?”

The visit also created a useful follow-on opportunity for the school, with plans to explore links with STAR Dundee, a local aerospace engineering company, to bring further industry insight into school.