TWO West Fife high schools have received a donation of more than £15,000 of STEM equipment from ExxonMobil ahead of the new academic year.

Both Inverkeithing and Woodmill received Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths items from the Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP) before classes resumed following the summer holidays.

It is one of the biggest single donations the plant operators have ever made.

The plant liaised with STEM teachers at the schools to come up with a shopping list of equipment which would be a key part of the schools’ STEM curriculum.

The schools this week took delivery of dozens of projection cameras, storage cabinets, scientific calculators, safety glasses and dozens of stationery sets as well as copies of the periodic table.

The huge consignment of more than 5,000 items – spread across five high schools in Fife – was delivered to the schools by employees at the FEP.

Maria Lloyd, Fife Council’s head of education and children's services, welcomed the contribution, stating: "This resource will be a real boost to all the schools that are benefitting. Our young people will put this equipment to very good use to support their learning. Thank you to ExxonMobil for its generosity.”

Jacob McAlister, plant manager at the FEP, said: “We have long-supported local schools with a focus on important STEM subjects and we are proud to be able to help out in what are very challenging times for everyone.

“This contribution forms part of our ongoing local education programme which we are continuing to develop with some exciting new initiatives."