The new STEM academy would act as a centre for excellence, and encourage students to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM subjects) and pursue careers in them.
Funded mostly by Glasgow City Council and former pupils of the Allan Glen’s School, several different groups and organisations would also be involved in operating the school, including colleges and universities.
The hub would initially open at the City of Glasgow College’s Riverside campus in the autumn of 2015. Then in 2016, it may move to a new development in Cathedral Street on the former site of Allan Glen’s School.
Although it closed in 1989, the Allan Glen’s School has a long line of distinguished former pupils dating back to 1853, including the architect, artist and designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh; Lord Todd of Trumpington – a Nobel Laureate (Chemistry); and more recently Sir Kenneth Calman (Chancellor at University of Glasgow) and Lord Smith of Kelvin (Chancellor of Strathclyde University).
Lord Smith of Kelvin is championing the scheme for the hub and believes it could play a part in transforming the lives of some youngsters. He said, “The demand for people with that background is immense whether it’s renewable energy, or engineering, or areas of science, and there’s good money to be made by people.”
Links
BBC News: ‘Plan for specialist maths and science school in Glasgow’