DOZENS of girls from secondary schools across Ayrshire were encouraged to contemplate further study and careers in engineering at an event at Dumfries House.

Second and third year pupils at Ardrossan Academy and James Reid School in Saltcoats were among 80 youngsters who participated in Girls Into Engineering in the Pavilion of the estate near Cumnock.

The event, sponsored by ScottishPower and run in conjunction with Young Engineers and Science Clubs Scotland, offered girls an insight into the type of work available in engineering.

Pupils from 20 Ayrshire schools rose to a series of engineering challenges, the first of which was to construct a crane that could bear a certain weight. Dumfries House staff and industry experts were on hand to impart advice on how to access the wide range of careers in the sector.

Wafa Mahdi, technical teacher at James Reid School, said: “The girls’ feedback after the event was brilliant and they had a fantastic time. The activities gave them the chance to work in a team and to test their problem-solving skills. Their project was admired by all the judges. Overall, it was a good experience for our girls and we would love to take part in any future challenges at Dumfries House.”

Such education events at Dumfries House form a key element of the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, who used £20million of his charitable foundation’s money in 2007 to secure the future of the House and estate and use it to help people engage in learning experiences that promote confidence and personal development as well as offer training in real-life skills to open up future employment opportunities.

Karen Alexander, head of STEM education at Dumfries House, said: “It was a pleasure to host pupils from 20 Ayrshire schools at our Girls Into Engineering event. We are really encouraged by the way school staff and pupils are embracing science, technology, engineering, and maths, and we hope everyone left the event inspired to go further in these subject areas and to return to Dumfries House for similar future activities and school residential trips.”