Pembrokeshire Earth Sciences Schools Trust offers £200,000 funding (From Western Telegraph)

Pembrokeshire Earth Sciences Schools Trust offers £200,000 funding

1:50pm Sunday 29th November 2009

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Students of earth sciences across Pembrokeshire stand to benefit from a newly established trust fund. The Pembrokeshire Earth Sciences Schools Trust (PESST) is the brainchild of successful oil industry entrepreneur Dr Andrew Armour, who lives in Tenby. It has been set up to encourage school and college students to take up earth sciences as a career. Andrew approached local schools with the offer of £200,000 funding over a five year period.

His main area of interest has always been geoscience — from the study of rocks and tapping in to the earth’s resources, to understanding the local geology underfoot, to the science of geological hazards and climate change.

PESST isn’t afraid to pester. The result is commitment from some of the biggest names in geology. The trust’s first main event was an inspirational lecture from Professor Chris King, director of the earth science education unit and research institute for public policy and management at Keele University. Professor King talked about the science of climate change as it is recorded in the rocks, to sixth form geology students from Pembrokeshire schools recently.

Top students who go on to study earth science at university are set to benefit from generous funding from the trust — up to £6,000 each towards the cost of studying for a degree, for four students every year. Dr Armour said: “The range of useful and rewarding careers for geologists is enormous. A young geologist could be finding new resources, analysing hazards, modelling the climate or even working on ways of cutting carbon emissions, one of the current big themes in global warming studies.

“Today’s students can expect to be involved in some important areas of human endeavour in the future as we learn to live sustainably on our small planet.”

The trust will also set up a programme of visiting speakers and visits to inspire and enthuse students to consider earth sciences as a career. Pembroke School headteacher Frank Ciccotti, a trustee of the trust, said: “This is a fantastic support for Pembrokeshire students — we are delighted with the generous support that Dr Armour has pledged.”

The trust met to agree a constitution in October. Members are drawn from local schools and local industry. Geology is available as an option for all Pembrokeshire students, including those at Pembrokeshire College, and is taught at Tasker Milward School and Pembroke School.

For further information, contact Frank Ciccotti on 01646 682461 or fciccotti@pembrokeschool.org.

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