Digging Deeper into STEM Careers with York Potash

Potash is an essential component of the fertilisers required to help farmers meet global demand.  The York Potash Project is a nationally important proposal to develop a new state-of-the-art potash mine in the area between Whitby and Scarborough.

We have written three challenges for schools and colleges to choose from, each designed to enhance the curriculum – with a real industry context – and encourage the development of key employability skills.  The challenges will help young people to:

- Learn about the proposed mine and potential benefits to our economy and communities

- Enrich their studies using industry information and expertise

- Compete for prizes and awards with other schools and colleges.

The three challenges include building a case for (or against) building the potash mine, conducting experiments with polyhalite (the mineral being mined), and designing a mine using industry measurements and guidance.  For more information, download the challenge document here.  Full information packs will be provided for each challenge and we can broker further expert support from industry once you challenge is up and running in school or college.

Teams entering any of these challenges will have the opportunity to present their work at an event in Whitby on 18th March 2013.  This event will also include hands on workshops to explore the range of direct and indirect jobs to be created by the mine.

If you would like to express your interest in any of the challenges or just the event on 18th March next year, please email Yvonne Emerson at yvonne@nybep.org.uk.