Staff from Kier Mining’s surface mine in Greenburn ran workshops at the school to show pupils how vital science is in their day-to-day operations, with four of the classes intrigued by an explanation of the scientific principles behind blast and noise monitoring at Greenburn, as well as helping them take part in a series of experiments to explain how the equipment works.

The visits took place during British Science Week, which is designed to demonstrate that the subject is a fundamental part of everyday life, with Alanna Dale, Kier Mining project planning and environmental manager, helping to deliver the workshops.

She said: “The pupils were really keen to get involved in the experiments and asked lots of questions about science and technology. It was great to be able to demonstrate how important maths and science are in our jobs and to see so many of them taking part.” This is the second event that the company has supported at the school this year. In January, its employees came along to an engineering careers talk as part of its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) week-long leadership programme.

The theme for the school’s science and technology week was All things British, with all classes taking part in a mini topic related to the theme and presented their findings to the rest of the school at a showcase on the Friday afternoon.

Throughout the week they also had visits from The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory with their mobile planetarium, Zoo Lab, The Science Centre’s mobile workshop, Bodyworks, Derek Walls, a chemist from Kilmarnock College, and local inventor Mari Welsh. Some children also visited Dumfries House, Tesco and Emergency One, while Dean Park ranger, James MacDonald, took a few classes orienteering and pond dipping in the local area.

To add some more fun to the event, pupils took part in a fun science quiz for homework, with prizes and certificates given to those children who had worked particularly hard over the week.

Joanna McMurdo, acting principal at New Cumnock Primary, said: “The teachers would like to congratulate all the children who got involved in the weeks activities, and also thank the parents and businesses that supported the pupils to help make the week a success.”