A GROUP of Inverclyde youngsters have a bright future mapped out for them after getting a geography lesson with a difference at Glasgow University.

Three primary seven classes from Newark Primary School in Port Glasgow learned all about geo-spatial skills and digital mapping during a trip to the university in the city's west end.

(Image: Newark Primary)

Angela Curley, a former geography and modern studies teacher at St Stephen's High School in Port Glasgow, who is now a lecturer in teacher education, secured funding for the Our Digital World workshop to reach out to pupils.

Ms Curley said: "Two professional mapping companies, Digi Maps and ArcGIS, worked with the children on two topics - the location of volcanoes and ice cream shops.

"They had a really good time.

"Part of the bid was to wide access to geo-spatial skills to areas within the SIMD [Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation]."

(Image: Newark Primary)

(Image: Newark Primary) The workshop also involved expert John Milne and careers advisor Sky McKnight, who works at St Stephen's High, who delivered a presentation.

Lisa McGroarty, depute head at Newark Primary, said the project tied in with the school's improvement plan this year, and added: "There was a buzz about the children, you could see their enthusiam."

Ms Curley said: "You saw them all stand out on the campus - 63 of them with red hoodies. it was really cool.

"One pupil met his big sister, who is studying to be a primary teacher,on University Avenue, and on the way to the university we were pointing out city landmarks."

Ms Curley says there is a growing market for geo-spatial skills in career areas such as renewables and land development, and said Sky was really good at engaging with the kids.

(Image: Newark Primary) The children learned that they could locate themselves in the world by using the 'what3words' app. 

For those who have never used it, 'what3words' divides the whole world into three-metre by three-metre squares and gives each one a unique identifying name made up of, you guessed it, three words.

Ms Curley said: "You can apply it to your life. We definitely have a few scientists of the future here."

The lecturer also says that she and her team hope to build on the experience of the Port Glasgow pupils' visit by hosting more events in the future.