Dornoch Academy, a Highland Council secondary school in Dornoch, Scotland, hosted a workshop in early September 2026 for pupils studying the National 5 Laboratory Science qualification. The session was delivered by the Scotland RESILIENCE Hub, based at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh — one of four regional hubs in the UK-wide RESILIENCE Centre for Excellence Project for medicines-manufacturing skills (lead hub: University of Birmingham) — and was coordinated locally by teacher Dr Adrian Allan with Katie Elder, a Highland Council STEM Improvement Officer. Pupils used immersive VR/XR simulations combined with physical benchwork to practise aseptic (sterile-environment) technique, precision measurement, and assembly of medicine-manufacturing bioreactors, in support of coursework for the qualification's Careers Unit. RESILIENCE staff described pupils transitioning between the virtual lab and physical bench, addressing a skills shortage in life-sciences manufacturing.
Quotes
“The pupils developed practical laboratory skills through hands-on activities and immersive XR (Extended Reality) experiences. They learned how to keep lab environments completely sterile (aseptic techniques), use precise measuring tools, and assemble complex medicine-manufacturing equipment (bioreactors).”
