Hychor Ltd is proud to announce the launch of its newly developed STEM workshop, Energy, Chemistry, and the Sustainable Future (ECSF), designed to inspire pupils across Aberdeen City and Shire, strengthen the region’s future talent pipeline, and highlight the diverse opportunities available across energy and related sectors.
A Growing Legacy of STEM Impact
The ECSF workshop builds on a programme first delivered in late 2023, when Hychor’s founder, Dr Jani Shibuya, led a £10,000 Royal Society of Chemistry grant to run a week‑long hands‑on laboratory event at the University of Aberdeen during his PhD. That inaugural workshop welcomed nine schools and more than 300 pupils across Aberdeen City and Shire.
The success of that event became a turning point – demonstrating the scale of impact possible through community-focused STEM engagement and helping inspire the creation of Hychor itself. Since then, the original workshop’s kit has continued to be used throughout the years in collaboration with partners including the University of Aberdeen, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), and Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK).
Dr Jani Shibuya, Founder, Hychor Ltd commented:
“When we ran the first workshop in 2023, I realised just how much impact a small but personal effort can have. Seeing pupils light up with curiosity reminded me of the opportunities that inspired me when I was younger and what’s led me down an exciting career. Our goal now is simple: to show the excitement and importance of energy, chemistry, and engineering – and to help young people discover paths that genuinely motivate them. Whether they become founders, academics, industry leaders, or simply find a career they enjoy, that spark matters.”
Partnership with i4 Product Design
Hychor is also pleased to announce its partnership with i4 Product Design (i4PD), who helped design the new ECSF kit. Using funds from Hychor’s Converge Net Zero Runner-Up award combined with in-kind contributions from i4PD, the team developed a robust, multi-disciplinary educational kit integrating electrical, mechanical and chemical components.
Expanding Opportunities for 2026 and Beyond
Hychor is preparing the next phase of its STEM programme, exploring options such as a larger-scale regional event, expanded kit sales, or a series of mini‑workshops. In the meantime, the company continues to deliver sessions in partnership with DYW while assessing new opportunities to broaden the reach and capability of the ECSF kit.
Demonstrated Impact Across the North East
Recent workshops have shown the value of bringing hands-on STEM experiences to schools that often lack access to specialised equipment. Following Hychor’s participation in the Chemistry at Work Day, an annual event held at Robert Gordon University in conjunction with DYW, Fraserburgh Academy invited the team to deliver a dedicated workshop after students expressed strong enthusiasm for the activities. This reflects Hychor’s commitment to reaching all communities across Aberdeen City and Shire.
Highlights from Recent Events
- EAGE Conference – Showcasing energy transition concepts to industry and students.
- Fraserburgh Academy Workshop – Delivered by request after strong student engagement.
- Cults Academy Energy Trilemma – Exploring the balance between security, affordability, and sustainability.
A Pledge to the North East
Hychor has formally pledged its support to DYW and committed to strengthening career pathways across the region, including participating in the Foundational Apprenticeship scheme in collaboration with Aberdeenshire Council. As an Aberdeen-based company, Hychor aims to help grow and retain local talent, contributing to a thriving future for the North East while maintaining the potential to expand across Scotland.