From classroom to construction, a young engineer’s STEM journey comes full circle

A CIVIL engineer has discovered that the company she works for is the same one whose visit to her primary school more than a decade ago first sparked her interest to pursue a career in engineering.

Emilia Zalupska, Civil Engineer at RJ McLeod, discovered her love of science and problem solving in primary school after her teacher Ms Sweeney started a STEM club.

Helping to broaden children’s awareness of STEM subjects and the opportunities that exist within the sector, the club took part in the Go Forth! challenge, a project created by The Scottish Council for Development and Industry, which asked children to build a suspension or cable-stayed bridge.

To help the children complete the challenge, Ms Sweeney reached out to engineering contractor RJ McLeod to visit the children and speak to them about the project, their experience in engineering as well as career opportunities in STEM. It was this school talk, given by civil engineer Jamie Russell and facilitated by then quantity surveyor Christina McKitrick, that first inspired Emilia to expand her STEM knowledge.

She continued to explore more subjects across science and maths, taking physics in school before going on to study engineering at university.

Emilia spent two summers on work placement with the Scottish headquartered civil engineering company before securing a full-time position as a civil engineer with RJ McLeod, the very same organisation that had inspired her a decade before. But it wasn’t until she was working at OnPath Energy’s Mill Rig Wind Farm for RJ McLeod, the site’s principal contractor, that she discovered the connection.

Emilia said: “I hadn’t made the connection that the company I work for now was the same company that had visited my primary school all those years ago.

“It was only during the filming of a video at Mill Rig Wind Farm that I recognised Christina, who had been involved in facilitating the talks at the time.

“Once Christina and I connected the dots, it opened the door to reconnecting with Ms Sweeney. It’s been great to see the teacher who helped me discover engineering and hopefully inspire her new pupils in the same way.”

Emilia reunited with Ms Sweeney, who now teaches at St Bartholomew’s Primary School in Glasgow, to speak to the children about her career and raise awareness of the many career pathways in the industry. She also reconnected with Jamie Russell, the civil engineer who gave the original STEM talk.

More than a decade after first introducing Emilia to STEM, Ms Sweeney continues to champion science and engineering education, helping pupils develop their confidence, curiosity and problem-solving skills. Having since introduced STEM classes at St Bartholomew’s Primary School, she hopes to give more children the same opportunities that helped inspire Emilia’s career.

She said: “I love teaching, and although I don’t come from a STEM background, being asked to develop a STEM programme in 2013 opened a whole new journey for me.

“Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to win the Science Teacher of the Year Award and bring STEM Nation to my new school. But the awards aren’t the important part. What matters most is what I’ve seen in the children – increased motivation, improved behaviour, greater confidence and a real sense that there is a big world of possibilities beyond the classroom.

“STEM gives children the chance to learn through practical activities, solve problems, take risks and discover things for themselves. Most importantly, it helps them thrive and encourages them to become independent, curious learners.”

RJ McLeod has been supporting teachers across Scotland for more than four decades, teaching primary school children the importance of science, ingenuity and maths.

Christina McKitrick, CSR Manager at RJ McLeod, helped organise the original STEM visit more than a decade ago and continues to lead the company’s educational outreach. She said: “Young people often have to make decisions about STEM subjects early in their secondary school education, and by the time they start thinking seriously about careers, it can be too late to pursue certain pathways.

“That’s why we’ve always focused on introducing children to the opportunities available in engineering and construction while they’re still at primary school, helping them understand where subjects like maths and science could take them.

“Seeing Emilia come full circle demonstrates the importance of inspiring children at a young age. Now she can speak from her own experience and show pupils what is possible with the same teacher she once had what can be possible.”

The reunion was made possible through work at OnPath Energy’s Mill Rig Wind Farm. Based in South Lanarkshire, the six-turbine site is playing a significant role in helping the UK achieve its onshore wind targets whilst investing in the local communities around it.

Nicky Gallagher, People director for OnPath Energy, said: “Our investments into STEM subjects through community funding are crucial to creating Scotland’s future innovators and supporting the growing renewables industry with new talent.

Emilia’s story is a perfect example of how our developments and our team can inspire future generations and deliver opportunities for the local community.”

Nicky Gallagher, People director for OnPath Energy

“It’s especially encouraging to see how these early experiences can inspire young women like Emilia to pursue careers in engineering. By returning to the classroom and sharing her own experience, Emilia is helping young girls see what’s possible and encouraging them to imagine themselves as the engineers and innovators of the future.”